Bullet weights for a 'newbie'

[The Raven]

Sorry for the delay. I finally got back to reading all the replies and considered the advice.

Yes, it's more a POI thing than actual drop. Just surprised at the difference over such a short distance. Even allowing for rise/fall of some that's more than expected.

I should do more experimentation at 200m.

While at the range I didn't think things through carefully. Too many variations in bullet style and brands. Hence, not really comparing apples with apples. The idea would be to choose one brand, on bullet construction, and then weights.

My 308W is a sporter, not really a target rifle. The goal is to find something that shoots consistently enough to keep varmints and deer worried. It may help if I stopped "playing" with different ammunition all the time.

So far the most consistent ammunition I've tried is the Federal Premium 'Tactical" or "Vital Shock" 130gn.

The ballistics calculators may be good for those who know how to use them, but that's not me. The old Winchester app is good with the exception they only focus on their specific types which rarely come in more than two weights each.

Time to stick with one brand/type at a time, learn what each likes then pick what seems best.

Thanks for the advice, made me reconsider my 'simple' expectations.

[dashooter]

Sorry for the delay. I finally got back to reading all the replies and considered the advice.

Yes, it's more a POI thing than actual drop. Just surprised at the difference over such a short distance. Even allowing for rise/fall of some that's more than expected.

I should do more experimentation at 200m.

While at the range I didn't think things through carefully. Too many variations in bullet style and brands. Hence, not really comparing apples with apples. The idea would be to choose one brand, on bullet construction, and then weights.

My 308W is a sporter, not really a target rifle. The goal is to find something that shoots consistently enough to keep varmints and deer worried. It may help if I stopped "playing" with different ammunition all the time.

So far the most consistent ammunition I've tried is the Federal Premium 'Tactical" or "Vital Shock" 130gn.

The ballistics calculators may be good for those who know how to use them, but that's not me. The old Winchester app is good with the exception they only focus on their specific types which rarely come in more than two weights each.

Time to stick with one brand/type at a time, learn what each likes then pick what seems best.

Thanks for the advice, made me reconsider my 'simple' expectations.

Ballistic calcs are easy to use in a basic format just need to know a few key items. Muzzle velocity, bullet weight, scope height above bore and projectile bc. Using that you can sit down and work out the trajectory of your load and then play with the sight in height at 100 yards to see what it will do over greater distances. The Hornady BC is an easy one to use and will give you a good start. If you want to get fancy and play with atmospheric conditions and sea level height you can do that too but for a basic drop chart you could do a lot worse.

[Camel]

Most reloading manuals from the major projectile makers have a ballistics section in them for their projectiles, pretty basic stuff, but you don't need a mini computer to use them.

[trevort]

why don't you pick the right tool for the job. A sporter 308 is a hunting rifle. tour 223 is a varmint rifle.

sounds like you want to learn to play a shot out of the bunker with your putter and sink one on the green with your sand wedge

[dashooter]

[quote="trevort]
sounds like you want to learn to play a shot out of the bunker with your putter and sink one on the green with your sand wedge[/quote]
Doesn't everyone Trev? It's the ultimate dream.