Last year I asked about reloading data for my 308 Encore and got a great load for 125 grainers from KRal. Thanks again! My question is what load are you guys using with 150 and/or 165 grainers? I know H-380 and 150 grain NBTs work great in a rifle but don't know how it would be in a handgun. Are 165s too heavy for whitetail and hogs? I have a few 165s but may save them for a 300 Win Mag.

I'm using Varget and Reloader 15 for 150 grain bullets.

165's would be fine for both deer and hogs. Especially if your shooting larger hogs.

As long as you are above you bullets minimal expansion velocity you will do fine. Also, call the manufacturer and see what they recommend! Talking to the bullets smiths has helped me quite a bit in the past.

Varget or REL 15 with 150 or 165 Nosler balistic tips will do fine for deer. I've not killed a deer past 150 yards with one but blew up a chuck at 225 like a ripe watermelon with a 150. They also turn a 1 gallon water filled milk jug inside out at 300. I love my 308! It also shoots MilSurp ammo to MOA and same poing ot aim at 100 and it's cheaper to shoot for lots of practice!

Reloader 15 is very accurate in my 15" .308 barrel with 165 gr NBTs.

I have had great luck with 150 grain bullets and Varget in the Encore handgun. I have killed two elk with a max charge of Varget and a 150 grain Accubond; one at 80 yards and one at 263 yards.




I am leaving for a Wyoming mule deer hunt week after next. I plan to use my .308 XP-100 and I'm shooting 150 grain Nosler ballistic tips with a max load of Varget at 2600 fps.

Im shooting a 308AI 15" 180gr w/H414=2450 and 165gr w/2520=2550fps No data on 150s

Hey Okie! I was just about to get a 308 encore like we were talking about but I gave in and bought a Bisley Hunter in 44. The .308 is still on my list tho. I plan on getting Ed's T/C to build me one. Cheapest place around to get one, by far.

Looks like an even vote, half say Varget and half say RE-15. As I looked through my reloading manuals one says Varget and another says RE-15. It looks like Varget is a little faster, but which is more acurate? Has anyone tried H-380 or is the burn rate too slow? Thanks for the help.

For what I have used Varget and RL15 in 308 based cases they are almost twins. In the 243 with the medium to light bullets both have given good results. I have tried both in my 260 with the same results. I lean towards Varget as it's one of Hodgdon's "extreme" powders.

Looks like I'm going to try some Varget. If you guys don't mind how many grains are you using? I know this is a touchy subject but from the data I'm seeing I'm getting different max and min loads. PM me if you want. I appreciate the help.

I would start with Varget too.