100 and 110 grain .308 for varmint loads in my Savage 99.

[eyeshot]

I read on the web that there is a projectile in 100 grain but haven't seen anyone selling ammo in that weight. So I will ask about the 110 gr. hpfb ammo that I can buy ammo and components for from name brand suppliers for shooting and reloading purposes.

Many state that the gun chooses the cartridge and combination of components and I believe that to be true. However, I also think wisdom from those that have "been there done that" has its place also.

So here is what I have to work with: .308, 1/12 twist, 21+/- inch barrel and a 100-300 yd. max range. Range and coyote (maybe) if I can find a mentor. Varget and reloading equipment is all I have on hand as of now. No other components.

Suggestions on a projectile type that will minimize ricochets (frag when hitting the ground) and minimum load data that will still get me out to 300 yards with the least amount of recoil. Maybe a heavier grain bullet rather than the 110 gr (keeping varmints in mind)? I am assuming the 110 gr. will stablilize at 100-300 and some of the other heavier bullets won't.

Questions . . questions. The 110 grain that I've been reading about is the Sierra Varmint and Hornady.

I don't want buy components that I won't use (not in todays climate and at current cost).

Thanks, for any insight.

 

[AJC1]

Are you in wide open country where misses are not going to be a liability. A cast lead 150 grain bullet with 19 grains of 4227 is sure cheap to shoot and easy on the shoulder. Varget is a great powder but slow for bullets that lite.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

I have a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. Here's the bullet I like for Varmints: https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/varmint_hollow_point_bullet/19-2005.html

It's a 130 grain bullet, so a little heavier than what you are thinking. I developed an accurate load with IMR 4064.
I have never taken anything with that load though. The reason is I have so much fun with that bullet in my 270 win.
It's a 100 grain bullet in that caliber.

I push that bullet about 3250 fps in my 270, any faster and I believe the bullet comes apart, because I can't hit anything!

The terminal performance is like nothing I've ever seen. It's truly unbelievable what it does to a Jackrabbit.
I hope this helps. I really think you will be pleased with that bullet.

Speer has load data for that bullet with Varget here: https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/rifle/308_Winchester_130.pdf
They also have a 125 grain TNT bullet that I'm sure would be great too!

 

[25-20 WCF]

Cast lead bullets at 300 yards will require considerable hold-over and are very prone to ricochets - probably not what the OP is looking for. The 110 Hornady V-Max has worked very well for me in the .300 Savage, no reason it won’t work great in a .308. It is soft enough to not ricochet and highly accurate in my barrel. Heavier bullets are of stouter construction with a higher risk of ricochet.

Almost all reasonable bullets under 180 grains will stabilize in your barrel. Using a faster powder (less gas mass) will give a small reduction in recoil, I can’t easily find Varget data with 110-grain bullets though. Powders like IMR4198 will give high velocities with low charge weights.

Question - how can the poster above fire a .308” bullet in his .270? Not much value for the OP. I’ve used the 130 Speer too, it is a very accurate bullet.

.

 

[Charlie98]

I've got a Savage 99F in .308... love the thing to death. I only run cast in mine, shooting only steel, but I do load the 110grn Hornady bullet for my M1a (16" barrel,) where it does very well. I load mine over IMR3031, but you could swap in IMR4198 for sure... but watch your pressures with that, faster powders have a much higher pressure spike compared to slower powders. Going the other direction, you could also easily use IMR4895, but I think you will get better results with IMR3031.

Nice thing about that 110grn bullet... very low recoil, while still maintaining good velocity to reach longer distances. Be aware, however, a bullet that light will move around with the wind.

 

[eyeshot]

BLM land but it is kind of hard to tell what's going on out there in the distance sometimes. No different than hunting I would assume.

Are you in wide open country where misses are not going to be a liability.

 

[AJC1]

BLM land but it is kind of hard to tell what's going on out there in the distance sometimes. No different than hunting I would assume.

I was wondering if you lived on a huge farm or out in the boonies where there was a low probability of a background problem. Some people live the dream. Not this guy but some do....

 

[joneb]

125gr Nosler BT is as light as go for a Howa 22" 1:12 in 308 Win.
I mostly use this bullet for Rock chucks and to fire form cases.

 

[entropy]

Second the Nosler 125 BT. My dad used them in his 99, quite accurate (cant remember the load, it was a while back) and while he never got a coyote with them, a woodchuck he got with it was DRT and quite a mess.

 

[eyeshot]

Thank you, for the replies. I keep re-reading the posts and think I'll start with the 110 gr. and 125 gr. factory and go from there.

Amazing how things come full circle. I quit reloading .308 about seven years ago but I kept my dies. I read a post on here that said "don't sell your dies" and I remember nodding my head as I read it. So true.

 

[2ndtimer]

I like the Speer 125 gr TNT HP in my .308 Win. in front of around 47 gr of Ramshot TAC. Accurate enough for coyotes out to 300 yards and frangible enough to minimize ricochets, too. Also notably more affordable than the 110 gr Hornady V-Max or Nosler Varmageddon. (If you can find them…)