Squeaky 135 Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 Hey Guys: I assume many of you shoot .308 rifles too - maybe Saiga .308s. I am wondering if I am correct in thinking 168 gr. bullets are good at least to 500-600 yd. ranges. If you are trying to go 1,000 yds., you need 175-180 gr. bullets. Of course, 150 gr. bullets are good up to 300 yds. maybe? Just wondering. I keep hearing folks talk about 168 gr. and 175 gr. bullets for .308 cartridges. It leaves me wondering why 150 gr. .308 cartridges are available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
308SAIGA 55 Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 (edited) Hey Guys: I assume many of you shoot .308 rifles too - maybe Saiga .308s. I am wondering if I am correct in thinking 168 gr. bullets are good at least to 500-600 yd. ranges. If you are trying to go 1,000 yds., you need 175-180 gr. bullets. Of course, 150 gr. bullets are good up to 300 yds. maybe? Just wondering. I keep hearing folks talk about 168 gr. and 175 gr. bullets for .308 cartridges. It leaves me wondering why 150 gr. .308 cartridges are available. Not necessarily true, the 308 round is accurate (IMO) up to 1000 yds, now in what rifle? In a Saiga? No way! the twist rate of the barrel is what is going to determine the projectiles weight. A Saiga rifle has a 1-12 twist rate which means 1 full revolution for every 12", so using anything over 168gr projectile does no good for a 500-1000 yd shot. Best rounds should be any where from 145-168 gr, not all Saiga’s are the same some will not like the 168gr. You have to experiment for yourself and weapon.... Now put those rounds in a sniper rifle with a 26" barrel a 1-9 1/4 twist rate, now you have a 1000+ yd round... Edited June 20, 2014 by 308saiga 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted June 20, 2014 Report Share Posted June 20, 2014 There is on youtube a series of videos named "Sniper 101". Up to about part 86 or something by now. It gives the physics of range on cartridges in a very "sound" manner. Sorry bad pun. A LOT goes into this. Best I have found is 125gr varmint loads. Mostly due to the rifle (twist rate) and the flatter ballistics of the higher velocity lighter bullets. No long range wonder of course but 300m is certain, 500 err... unknown. Just about any 308 even in a Saga could lay down effective fire easily out to 500m if the shooter does his part, not sniping but effective fire. I wouldnt walk into it willingly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zagumennyyilya 51 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 I have a super vepr 308 and shoot a steel plate 16" width easily at 500 yrds. So saiga will probably do just fine if yours is one of the more accurate ones. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
macbeau 902 Posted June 21, 2014 Report Share Posted June 21, 2014 (edited) The trick for shooting long distance with any modern cartridges at long distance is to keep the projectile supersonic all the way to the target.... IE- For .308 or 7.62x51 NATO, that usually means a 26"+ barrels with a 1:11 twist, slow powders and heavy (150 - 180 grain) bullets with a ballistic coefficient of .500 or better to hit at 1,000 meters (1,100 yds). A 155 gn Palma Match w/ 2,800+fps at the muzzle from a 26" barrel is pretty standard for 1.000 yds/m. Weird things happen when a bullet goes below supersonic.. A 16" or 21" Saiga would have a tough time with a cold bore shot at 1,000M with ANY load. At closer ranges or in tactical environments, heavier bullets usually have better penetration on cover and solid barriers, but almost any weight .308 bullet works fine at 500 yds and under.. NATO standard is for 7.62x51 is a 143 - 150 gn FMJ bullet at +/- 2,700 fps. Things REALLY get interesting when you go black powder. NONE are supersonic at 1,000 yds, though most start out at 1,500fps - 2,200fps at the muzzle and bullet weights range from 200 to 600 grains. A LOT more to deal with ! Macbeau... Edited June 23, 2014 by macbeau 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted June 23, 2014 Report Share Posted June 23, 2014 Hey Guys: I assume many of you shoot .308 rifles too - maybe Saiga .308s. I am wondering if I am correct in thinking 168 gr. bullets are good at least to 500-600 yd. ranges. If you are trying to go 1,000 yds., you need 175-180 gr. bullets. Of course, 150 gr. bullets are good up to 300 yds. maybe? Just wondering. I keep hearing folks talk about 168 gr. and 175 gr. bullets for .308 cartridges. It leaves me wondering why 150 gr. .308 cartridges are available. Yes after 300 yards the 150gr 308 bullets usualy wobble and just bounce of anything thicker than paper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 You exaggerate greatly there. 308 energy at 300 is in the ballpark of 7.62x39 at 100. Hardly bouncing off of two sheets of paper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arik 565 Posted June 24, 2014 Report Share Posted June 24, 2014 Yes I know. I was exaggerating this....."Of course, 150 gr. bullets are good up to 300 yds. maybe?" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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