Ammo suggestion for low velocity .308

Jeff in TX

After seeing Zee's post on using his TC Contender it got me to thinking about using my old TC Contender in .30 Herret I haven't shot in 25+ years. I couldn't find it in my safe and called my buddy to see if it was in his. He told me I sold it back in 88, he did say he had my 15.5" Remington XP-100 in .308. For some reason I was sure I sold the XP and hung onto the TC Contender. I hate the CRS disease (can't remember stuff) as I get older.

Anyway, it's been 25+ years since we've shot this little jewel. We used to shoot 125 grain bullets out of it and as we were talking we tried a bunch of different bullets as we were having expansion issues at the lower velocities. Been too many years to remember what bullet we used or the velocity we were getting out of the 15.5" barrel.

I stopped at Cabelas on the way to the ranch and they had some 125 gr Hornady ammo with SST bullets. Not sure how they'll expand it lower velocities. My buddy said he found some 125 gr partitions ammo online and again we have no idea how they'll perform at lower velocity.

Is anyone shooting a similar rig or have any recommendations. We got rid of all of our reloading equipment years ago so it will be a factory ammo recommendation.

Thanks

Zee

I run the Hornady 125gr SST in my .30-30 AI Contender, .308 Winchester SP, and .30-06 Springfield Encore pistols. They are accurate and deadly. I've shot deer and pigs with them and am very pleased with the results, accuracy, and price.

Jeff in TX

Zee wrote: »

I run the Hornady 125gr SST in my .30-30 AI Contender, .308 Winchester SP, and .30-06 Springfield Encore pistols. They are accurate and deadly. I've shot deer and pigs with them and am very pleased with the results, accuracy, and price.

Zee, as always many thanks, I'll pick up a box and give them a try! Gonna use this rig for pig hunting this fall!

Bigslug

I think Hornady should make Zee their paid sponsor, as he's proven their stuff works, and works well, with professional autopsy photos, in about as wide a range of conditions as you could ask for. You can go there with confidence.

I don't HAVE to hunt with copper until 2019, but I've been running it anyway so I don't have to rush to adjust when CA goes even fuller-****. The good news is I really like what I've seen from Barnes. They factory-load their 130 grain TTSX in the .308 and is claiming 3125 fps out of a rifle. The rifle kills on deer I've been involved with the heavier versions have been pretty close range (and quick to expire), but my huntin' fool buddies have managed a few at longer distances with happy results. Should equate nicely to shorter range with a pistol.

Teach

Hornady makes a SSP (Single Shot Pistol) version of the 130 grain .308 bullet I've used for 25 years in my .30-06. At 3100 FPS, it drops deer in their tracks. I also used it in a .308 Browning BBR at 2900, and in a 7.62 CETME 1916 Mauser loaded to about .300 Savage ballistics for my grandson's first deer rifle. All of them took deer cleanly.
Jerry

Jeff in TX

Teach wrote: »

Hornady makes a SSP (Single Shot Pistol) version of the 130 grain .308 bullet I've used for 25 years in my .30-06. At 3100 FPS, it drops deer in their tracks. I also used it in a .308 Browning BBR at 2900, and in a 7.62 CETME 1916 Mauser loaded to about .300 Savage ballistics for my grandson's first deer rifle. All of them took deer cleanly.
Jerry

Teach,

Many thanks, I'm gonna search and see if I can find some. Once I get some ammo I'll post pics of the rig and targets!

HAWKEN

I have some 150 grain RNSP's, that I bought from a bargain table, loaded over 35 grains of IMR 30-31 that work nicely. Not much felt recoil and accurate. I will try them on Indiana whitetails this year, in my Model 100 Winchester........robin