Loading 308

[calshooter1]

I was thinking about loading a few hundred rounds of 308 for general shooting.

My barrel is 18" with a 1:11 twist. My understanding is that a 168 to 175 bullet would work well and the lighter 155 bullet would not stabilize in my barrel.

Are the difference in performance that noticeable between 168 and 150? Should I just run 168 so I don't have to worry about it?

[Linus]

It depends on what you plan on doing. What range are we speaking of?

[calshooter1]

Up to 200 yards

[Pthfndr]

Out to 800 yards the 168gr Match King bullets are one of the best in a .308. Your barrel twist will stabilize them just fine. It would also work for lighter bullets.

Generally speaking heavier bullets need a faster twist, lighter bullets can use a slower twist.

[Fjold]

The 155's will work fine in your barrel. I've shot 155s in barrels with 10" - 13" twists without a problem.

[Pete1979]

My 1-12 twist remington 700 loves the 168gr match kings and if seated out close to the lands, it loves the 168gr A-max and Hornady Match as well. It does not seem to like the 155s at all including the 155 palma, the nosler c/c and the old sierra. On the other hand, my M1a with a 1/10 twist loves the 155s, It seems kind of backward to me but I think distance to the lands has a lot to do with it
. If your rifle has a lot of freebore, you'll never be able to get the lighter bullets close enough to the lands.

[FLIGHT762]

For 200 yards, the 168's will work great. You didn't say if you're using a gas gun or a bolt gun. You can try some 155's and see if they fly straight. They likely will. Try all of the bullet weights and see what shoots well out of your rifle.

[calshooter1]

It is a gas gun. MaTen with 18" barrel.