I will be loading some 308 loads for my encore in the next week or so. I picked up 150 rounds of brass at the range the other day and I have them sized, sorted and polished. I will Measure the OAL's and trim as required this week. But I am not sure what load I will to use. I have 150 BT's 150 Hornady Interlock' and some of the Hornady 150 SST's Plan to use H4895 if at all posible 748 is an option as well as Varget.

Would like to stay with the 150's if posible

Sugestions are welcome

BUG, I use 748 behind my 125 BT's and it's very accurate. I haven't loaded any 150's yet but I'm sure they would also be superior...KRal

Can't help with 150's, in fact I will probably need to develop a new load myself. I loaded Hornady 130g SP Pistol bullets. They are supposed to expand at single shot pistol velocities. They are very accurate in my Encore over 49.5g of R15. Only problem is they have been discontinued and I am running out. Looking forward to hearing what you come up with.

Isn't there a Sierra pistol bullet at 130gr or am I behind the times?

I think it is 135

sierra discontinued the 135gr single shot pistol bullet. i think a 150gr nbt would be great.

Bug, do you want me to copy the 308 loading data from the TC Reloading manual and put them with your stock? I also think Hodgdon has the info on there websight.

Hodgdon 308 handgun loading data

I will take a copy

tcman thanks for that there is some very good data.
larry

In any moderate velocity .308" bore cartridge it is TOUGH to beat any 150gr offering. My all time favorite is the 150gr Hornady SP (PN 3031). It's a flat base, cannelured, lead tipped soft point bullet...about as unsexxy as me in my Superman cape and underoos...but man do they work!! I've loaded more of these deadly buggers than any other .308" bullet.

For young kids I load them in .308 and 30-06 rifles using a reduced recipe w/ XMP5744. It pretty much duplicates light to moderate 30-30 Winchester rifle performance...which is a tad less than you will be with your .308 Winny in a handgun.

As for powders...I start (and likely end!!) you load development w/ Varget.

I bought the 7mm08 just because I have 11 different 7mm bullets. Otherwise I would have gone with the 308. Varget is the way to go. My 7mm08 liked a 139 SPBT and Varget. It was the only bullet I had that shot a 7/8 in group. For a 12in barrel that I won’t be shooting past 150-200 yards, that is good enough for me.

Larry, thanks, but I didn’t do any of the work. I have just profited from it!

Duane

Try Barnes 150 X or better the TSX. I shoot em out of my 15" pro hunter and they hit game like the right hand of god! almost 100% weight retention and superb accuracy. Good Luck!!!

Varget seems to be a good powder in all the 308 based cases. I have had good luck with it in the 243 and I'm looking forward to working with it in the 260.

I don't have an encore but I have a 30-30 in my contender I'm just starting to play with and I ordered up some 125 and 150gr Nosler Ballistic tips. Nosler bullets are a little more expensive than some but the BT's are affordable and my personal experience has led me to trust Nosler bullets over all others and the BT's and Accubonds have always ended up being the most accurate bullets in my rifles and contenders and they have always had excellent terminal performance.