I try to use off the shelf hunting ammo for deer hunting (long story why). Due to current conditions none is available. I use Federal Premium 308 with 165 Sierra Game King bullets. I have the bullets, once fired Federal brass, Winchester large rifle primers, and H 4895 powder, my problems is that I can not find load data for the Sierra Game King with that powder ,primer ,etc. Anyone use this combination? Would like to get close to the factory load as it has performed under a wide range of conditions and none of the deer go more than a few yards max. Some information out there for Hornady 165 or 168 Sierra Match Kings . Any information would be appreciated. Lots of 308 in my stash just not enough hunting ammunition. Any help greatly appreciated.

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Many will suggest 45 gr. of H4895.....my rifles seem to like 42.5 gr. with a 165....essentially a replication of M852 Military Match.....

For what it is worth..........

Randy

If you are using 165 game kings the load is the same. I too use 42.5 H4895 with 165-168gr bullets. That load works in commercial cases but won't in military ones

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vonn, as I remember the loading data from when I reloaded for my M1A and M1MKII, Sierra data listed the 165gr GameKing with the 168gr HPBT/International. Unfortunately, I never used H4895. When I replicated M852 and M118, I used just over 42.0gr of either AA2520 or Varget. For the '06 when I replicated M72, I used IMR4895 and IMR4064. Working off of the Hornady data, 42.5gr of H4895 with the Hornady 165gr hunting bullet will put you in the ball park of 2550 fps safely.

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I've tried many .308 powders and many work well, but haven't found anything better than H4895. I'd suggest Sierra and/or Hornady load manuals, depending on whose bullets you will use. One H4895 load mentioned in this thread is over maximum and too hot for a .308. Other loads are probably okay, but paper load manuals are very cheap insurance.

And they generally have load data available on these web sites.

Uh, don't we all typically load a couple near the suggested START load and then work up gradually...? One would think that for normal (say a MAX of 200-300 yards?) hunting purposes the differences between one 165gr "pointy" bullet and another OR the differences between 40.5, 41.5 and 42.5gr of the same powder would basically be negligible? Per Hodgdons this should be nowhere near MAX pressure for a 165gr bullet.

Maybe not generating exactly the claimed 2,700fps of the factory ammo, but once sighted in at 200 yards would 2,550fps not do the trick?

This comment is just predicated on non-extreme conditions, i.e., no 450 yard shots across the canyon at a Dall ram, etc.

Cheers & Good Luck hunting!

And what doesn't work in military casings? I've used thousands of them....wore out 4 barrels on my M1A and am on a 5th.....

Randy

Thanks for the replies. I have a new Hodgdon book and 5 older manuals of different brands. Listed loads are 41 to 43.5 grains for 165 Hornady and 168 Sierra Match Kings. Had the powder ,brass and primers and found the 165 Game Kings locally pretty much have to use what I have due to shortages in the supply chain. Here in Texas I might be hunting in temps from 100 to as low as 20 degrees so the H4895 should be a good powder. I haven’t used it in 308 before. Was hoping for a safe starting load That people have used and had success with. Only have a month to get this together so was trying to shorten development time. Have lots of reloading gear but haven’t done much the last few years,surplus military was just so cheap didn’t have to load for my rifles. Thanks again for the information.

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Just a FYI: received an e-mail this A.M. from Cheaper Than Dirt. They claim to have Federal Premium Gold Medal 308 WIN ammo in stock, specifically the 175gr BTHP Sierra Match King.

I know: NOT the Game King, but the Match King. Over $2 per round(!) as well, but...

Just thought you might like to know, based on the "long story why" comment in the original post?

Cheers!

That's specifically a target round - long range to be more specific.

Lots of good info-
I'd add, check your resized brass for chambering ease, check case length,
check OAL of loaded round for chambering-most important if your rifle is not a bolt gun. 4895 is always a good choice, but Varget and 4064 have also worked well for me in several guns.
Good shooting and good luck!

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Good shooting.

I'm a long standing 4895 user and fan also.

Start your load testing at 40 grains and work up till you find the sweet spot. My match loads with the 168 grain Sierra MK was 42 grains of 4895 and it worked well in several different rifles.

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Keep your powder dry.

I load IMR-4895 in 308 & 243. Have done so for 50yrs. Heaviest bullet I have loaded in 308 is 150gr. For you situation just take load data for 4895 and another brand bullet of same weight, give or take 5gr. Load below max and work up or down for your rifle. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but the same weight bullet of same diameter regardless of manf. will operate under same load. This may be different for the copper solids and other gimmick bullets on the market. The sales anymore ties bullet companies to powder company, wanting to keep it all in the family.

FWIW: I've found Sierra to be very helpful when I've called them.

I second that on Sierra being very helpful, but I've also had similar results with other component people.

Just got the email back from Sierra, 39.0 to 43.4 grains min to max. Thanks again to everyone.

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