Thread: .308 and Speer 180 grain BTSP bullets

I was thinking of taking my BSA Majestic in .308 for the roar again this year.

I have always used 150 grain bullets in the .308, but this year was thinking of loading 180 grain Speer BTSP's in it, with AR2208 to around 2500-2600 fps.

I generally shoot things at fairly short range during the roar, 10 to 50 metres. The Speer 180 BTSP is supposed to be a soft long range bullet - has anyone used it much? How would it go at short ranges at these speeds?

This isn't to say that the 150 grain Hornady interlocks I have used for years have not done eveyrthing I wanted really, I ask because I have a nearly full box of these Speers sitting here doing nothing, and the stag I shot last year was pretty big. Maybe I might find another big one. (Ironically I shot that one with a .243. Ever more ironically, while I ask this question about the .308, I have a perfectly good 9.3 Mauser sitting in the wings waiting for its turn, like a lion lying in long grass.)

Well the Hornady 180 rn are great so your Speers should be awesome. This writer fella put me onto using that type years ago...buggame he was right,they are good

I dont have any dammit, I used all of them in my .30/06 and they only came back in stock after I got these BTSP Speers. They are damn accurate; its just the website says they are for long range hunting , which I didn't know when I bought them, I thought they were Hot Cors. I have opened the box now, too late to take them back.

The "long range hunting" claim of speer is utter bs

Speer is also famous for publishing completely fake BCs.

For short range they are good, i use 150s myself.

Just do not fall for the long range claims. Need something with an actually good BC for that.

Greetings,
Fear not, it is a .308. 2,500 to 2,600 fps is right in the middle of the Goldilocks zone where standard projectiles neither fail to expand or fly to pieces at their first contact with deer hair or thereafter.
Happy hunting Grandpamac.

“Speer is also famous for publishing completely fake BCs.”

Can’t see what you’re on about. .308. 180gr btsp. Speer & StrelokPro list bc @ .540. AB list bc @ .545. Various other sources list @ .540. You know something that others don’t ? In the past I’ve used them out to 900 yds on nra range and they’ve gone alright, used them in anger and they perform as expected. Personally don’t see the need for 180 over 150 for NZ hunting in most cases, certainly not for bush hunting. But OP has them on hand so may as well use them.

Actual BCs calculated off actual measurements.

Anybody using G1 BC for boat tail projectiles while talking about "long range" should not be taken seriously anyways.

Speer have been making projectiles for a long time - Vernon Speer started RCBS back in the day - that stands for Rock Chucker Bullet Supply.

If the projectiles you are using are a basic cup and core style then they will be fine at any range you say you usually hunt at.

Originally Posted by STC

Actual BCs calculated off actual measurements.

Anybody using G1 BC for boat tail projectiles while talking about "long range" should not be taken seriously anyways.

Just used G1 BC as they were readily at hand. There’s lots of literature out there on subject. Don’t really follow the subject too much these days but it’s an interesting subject. The following link from Hornady will probably have its nay sayers but they spend a shitload of money on their research, along with others. But yes, validation of your own shooting system is always required. Especially if you’re in a situation where the target can shoot back.
https://www.hornady.com/support/ballistic-coefficient

I used the 165gr btsp when I had a 308. No probs up close. Often didn't exit but messed up the boiler room OK.

@JohnDuxbury, I have a dozen hornday 180 RN you can have if you want to try them. Also 30 or so serria 165gr HPBT. If they are of use.

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

I dont have any dammit, I used all of them in my .30/06 and they only came back in stock after I got these BTSP Speers. They are damn accurate; its just the website says they are for long range hunting , which I didn't know when I bought them, I thought they were Hot Cors. I have opened the box now, too late to take them back.

John, load them and go and shoot deer.

Have shot >200 reds with the Speer BTSP between 10 - 500m including some sizable red stags close up. 308 Win, 2,560 ft./sec. Dozens of photos of them on this forum, all with the same bullet. Concentrate on a front lung / hilar shot, or straight in through the front of the chest if the situation allows.

Close shots drop big animals DRT.

I’m so happy with them I have more than enough to last the rest of my shooting life.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies.


Flyblown - your answer is a fine recommendation for that bullet, and lays any doubts I had to rest.

What load do you use in the .308 with that Speer bullet?

Originally Posted by JohnDuxbury

What load do you use in the .308 with that Speer bullet?

Remember that mine is the 165gr.

Speer 165gr BTSP
44.5gr AR2208
2.850" COAL
2.220” COAL to ogive
2,559 ft/sec

18” barrel.

For your application you don’t need to chase high velocity. Around 2500 ft./s would be perfect and I guarantee you it’s going to make a big fat, wide mushroom and shed some peripheral weight to create a broad wind channel.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Remember that mine is the 165gr.

Speer 165gr BTSP
44.5gr AR2208
2.850" COAL
2.220” COAL to ogive
2,559 ft/sec

18” barrel.

For your application you don’t need to chase high velocity. Around 2500 ft./s would be perfect and I guarantee you it’s going to make a big fat, wide mushroom and shed some peripheral weight to create a broad wind channel.

I am running almost identical load in my 20" howa 308win.
COAL: 2.8"
ADI 2008: 44.5GN
165GN BTSP Speer
Velocity: 2585 fps
Super accurate