What grain??

[JMP]

Boy I'm glad I didn't ask anyone here for advice on what bullet to run in my 1:12 twist.

1:12" is the way to go to cover the widest range of varieties in a bolt action .308. Companies seem to be moving to 1:10" mainly so they can use the same barrels in their .308, 30-06, and 300WM, which saves them money.

For the OP, what is more important than the weight of the projectile is the geometry of the projectile. 155/168/175 are probably the most common weights for target shooting.

Personally, I use the 168 SMK for 308 because it is fantastic for short to intermediate range accuracy. If the 168 SMK is running out of juice, it is time to step up to a better cartridge for distance.

[JohnCCW]

Sierra 168gr HPBT match is the standard.

[killshot44]

Not at 800 yards and beyond...

Everyone raves over the Remington 5R...and it uses a 11.25 twist. The 10 twist's predominance as a factory offering allows them to use the same barrels for different chamberings as noted by JMP.

[ar15barrels]

Sierra 168gr HPBT match is the standard.

That's correct for 600yds and closer.
That's not correct for 800yds and beyond.

[desert dog]

That's correct for 600yds and closer.
That's not correct for 800yds and beyond.

Yep, and one might also argue that the 175-178s are more common than the 168s, now that the 308 trend is really short barrels with fast twists. Remington did it with their 700 SPS AAC-SD in 1:10 twist. When cheap AAC-SDs started flying off the shelves, the other manufacturers followed suit. Remington originally made this gun for people who run sound suppressors, but the short fast-twist varmint contour barrel was a hit with everyone. This was the best selling bolt action gun at my local gun store for years.

The 1:10 twist rate trend is NOT a result of manufactures wanting to simplify the process between making 30-06 and 308 barrels. It is the direct result of people wanting to shoot the 308 1000 yards out of short barrels.

[Calico1404]

Have you taken it out yet? Updates with progress sir!

[Kingair001]

What's the best grain for precision plinking? It's not for competition but would be to challenge myself out to 800-1000 yards with .308

Buy a few boxes of all ammo that is mentioned above and check what you barrel likes . . .

But I would go for 178 grain Match Grade ammo for a 308 at 1000 yards

Just my .02 - as a rookie !

[jimmykan]

How about the 190 grain Matchking?

2550 fps seems attainable from a 24 inch barrel.

[JMP]

With some cartridges, you can get good long range results with high BC and relatively heavy bullets. The problem with the 308 Winchester is that the cartridge does not have enough capacity to push a heavy, high BC 30 cal bullet.

With the 308 Winchester, there are two types of shooters, beginners and those who shoot 308 exceptionally well.

[ar15barrels]

How about the 190 grain Matchking?

2550 fps seems attainable from a 24 inch barrel.

A 155gr at 3000fps from a 24" barrel would shoot much flatter than a 190gr at 2550fps.

[milotrain]

Salazar liked the 190 in .308 but he had his chamber throated specifically for it and only shot at known distance matches. I suspect that in any application where ranging is as important as wind the 190 looses to the slicker 155s, but in known range shooting the 190 may give you a wind benefit (and a load predictability benefit) as long as you build a 308 to shoot it.

[ar15barrels]

Salazar liked the 190 in .308 but he had his chamber throated specifically for it and only shot at known distance matches. I suspect that in any application where ranging is as important as wind the 190 looses to the slicker 155s, but in known range shooting the 190 may give you a wind benefit (and a load predictability benefit) as long as you build a 308 to shoot it.

The 155's beat the 190's in the wind when both are driven the fastest they accurately can be in a 308.
Moving to the 30-06 or a magnum makes the 190 a better choice as you can now get some real speed out of it.

[SandBlastedSkin]

What about just moderate plinking out to 500 for a 308 1/10 twist 22" barrel?

[ar15barrels]

What about just moderate plinking out to 500 for a 308 1/10 twist 22" barrel?

Use whatever bullet the gun shoots best.

[SandBlastedSkin]

Use whatever bullet the gun shoots best.

Perfect! Was hoping for an answer like that. lol