.308 Hunting Load Help

I am looking to reload for hunting next year. I am really liking the Hornady SST. I have a Model 14 Classic Savage .308. I plan on using the Hornady SST 165 gr. bullets. Does anyone have any good information on hunting loads for this bullet?

Thank you

You might want to post to the handloading section, most of the guys that surf the rifle section don't know the difference between IMR4350 and RL-22. I load 165gr SSTs in my 06 but not in 308, good bullet though. Nosler manual lists Varget, RL15, Big Game, and IMR4350 as good choices for the 165gr 308, that should give you a good place to start. I would start with 40gr of RL-15 and work my way up from there, max load is 44gr.

I'd try a Hornady reloading manual.

You will have to get the data, pick a powder, and work up a load in your rifle.

Nobody can tell you what load it will do best with.

rc

How can i get their manual? Website?

If the RL-15 does not group good for you try 4350 next, I have had good luck with it in my 06 and 6.5 Sweed.

Thanks alot I appreciate it

I PM'd you.

Start with 44 grns of Varget or 46.5 grns of BL-C(2). The Varget is not a max load but the BL-C(2) is close. You might want to start at 44 grains with it and work up. Also 39 to 40 grns of IMR4895 makes a nice easy recoiling load. These work good in my Savage M11

RL-15 or Varget are go to loads for the 308. Those 2 are very tolerant of wide temperature ranges unlike some powders that will give very different velocities in cold temps vs hot temps. My rifles get slighty better velocity with RL-15, but are slightly more accurate with Varget. 47 Gr of Varget with 150's gives me 2850 fps, 46 gr with 165's gives me 2765 fps. Both shoot dime sized groups at the exact point of impact at 100 yards. Those are max listed loads, so start lower and work up to see how they perform in your rifle.

You can look up some loads here:

http://hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

I use 748, with a Magnum primer.

Take a look at the 165 gr Sierra Game Kings as well. They grouped better than the SST out of my Savage.

jc98 - I was just considering that, we use nothing but Sierra for our match competition loads.

I don't shoot competition but my SST load grouped right at an inch with 5 shots at 100yrds. SGK under half an inch both out of my Savage 11 fcns

I've found the 150 grn hornady interbonds to be pretty clsoe to perfect in my .308. I use varget and load it just a hair under max. I, like you, do not have a hornady reloading manual, but bass pro does, and my smart phone has a camera. I still feel bad for doing it but when my wife saw me with the load manual she said "you're spending that much money to make one bullet?" (I know, I load rounds, not bullets, but she doesn't care)
So, I may send hornady a dollar and tell them thanks for helping out my marriage by understanding.

41.7gr of varget works with 165 hornady