.308 varmint loads

[crowsnest2002]

I have an LTR and I was thinking it wouldnt be a bad walking varmint/groundhog gun. Its not really too heavy and it swings up to the shoulder pretty decent. Anyway I was wondering who has had any experience loading the 110grn bullets to 125grns. I was looking in particular at the 125grn Speer TNT's . So if you guys have any comment or suggestions on what powders have produced better results I would appreciate it.. If you have any experience loading these 125grn critter smashers post about your experiences. Mind you the LTR has only the 20" barrel. I know I'm not going to get superb velocites.

[A/C guy]

I have been loading the TNT in 30-06 for my son for some time now, with good results. We have been using RL 15. I would think they would perform just as well or better in the 308.

The Speer manual shows 46.0 - 50.0g RL-15, with 50.0 being a compressed load. Also shows RL-12, 45.0-49.0, and IMR 4350, 45.0-49.0.

With compressed loads, I've noticed that new brass will hold about 1g less than a previously fired case.

[Don T.]

+1 on the Speer 125gr in .30-06. I tried 110gr. plated a long time ago and IIRC, they just weren't as accurate. I like Hodgdon 4895.