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From Bench to Brush: Developing the Perfect .308 Load with RCBS for an Axis Deer Hunt
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking the precision of handloading and bringing it full circle from careful bench work at home to a clean, ethical harvest in the field. As a relatively new reloader, I recently decided to work up a custom hunting load for my .308 Winchester rifle using RCBS reloading equipment, Nosler brass, Nosler 180-grain AccuBond bullets, and Varget powder, with the goal of hunting Axis deer in Texas. Here’s a look at my journey from load development and testing, to hitting the field with total confidence in my gear and ammunition.
Check out the first 3 articles in this series if you haven’t already!
- Taking My First Steps into Hand-Loading: My RCBS Starter Kit
- Building My First Reloading Bench with RCBS: Getting Organized and Educated
- Precision by Design: Developing Handloaded Ammunition and Accuracy Testing at the Rifle Range
Why Reload for Hunting?
Factory ammunition has served me well in the past, but I wanted to get the most out of my rifle by tailoring loads specifically for long-range accuracy and terminal performance. Axis deer are known for being tough and often present shots at varying distances in the brush or from a blind. I needed a round that was accurate out to 200–300 yards, reliable under varying weather conditions, and had excellent weight retention and expansion.
The Nosler 180gr AccuBond stood out as the perfect hunting bullet: heavy enough for deep penetration, bonded for controlled expansion, and highly accurate. Combined with Varget a powder known for its consistency in .308 Win and Nosler brass, I had the foundation for an excellent hunting round. And to ensure consistency at every stage, I used only RCBS reloading equipment.
Reloading Setup with RCBS
Being new to reloading, I wanted gear I could rely on. RCBS came highly recommended for its quality and precision. My setup included:
- RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press – Rugged and smooth to operate.
- RCBS ChargeMaster Link Powder Dispenser – Essential for accurate powder charges.
- RCBS Case Prep Center – For trimming, chamfering, and uniforming case mouths.
- RCBS Universal Priming Tool – Gives great control when seating primers.
- RCBS .308 Full-Length Die Set – Consistent resizing and bullet seating.
- RCBS Digital Caliper – For precise measurements on overall length and seating depth.
I also used a sturdy RCBS reloading bench tray and loading block to keep everything clean and organized.
Brass Prep and Load Planning
I started with new Nosler .308 Winchester brass. Even though it was new, I ran each piece through the full-length sizing die to ensure consistent neck tension and uniform dimensions. After that, I:
- Trimmed each case to 2.005″ using the RCBS Trim Pro (https://www.rcbs.com/case-prep/trimmers/trim-pro-2-manual-case-trimmer/16-90370.html)
- Deburred and chamfered case mouths
- Cleaned and uniformed primer pockets
- Weighed cases to check for consistency (they were impressively uniform)
For primers, I used Winchester Large Rifle, seated by feel with the RCBS priming tool.
Working Up Loads: Varget and 180gr AccuBond
Using data from Nosler’s load manual and Hodgdon’s website, I planned a conservative pressure ladder to identify the most accurate charge for my rifle. I chose to test Varget powder in 0.5-grain increments from 41.0 grains up to 44.0 grains.
Each test load consisted of five rounds. I kept overall length (COL) at 2.800 inches, which worked well in my rifle’s magazine and stayed within published seating depth guidelines.
I labeled each box of test rounds carefully and logged all the data in my reloading notebook:
- Powder charge
- Case lot
- Primer type
- Bullet seating depth
- Ambient temperature
Accuracy Testing at the Range
With my loads ready, I headed out to my local 100-yard rifle range early in the morning to avoid wind and heat mirage. My setup included:
- A sturdy shooting bench
- Rear squeeze bag and bipod
- Target board with labeled grids for each load
- Chronograph to measure velocity and consistency
Testing process:
- I started with fouling shots to season the barrel.
- Shot five-round groups for each load, letting the barrel cool between groups.
- Recorded group size and velocity.
- Looked for pressure signs and recorded notes for every load.
Results:
- The lower charges (41.0–42.0 grains) were clean but grouped around 1.25 inches.
- The 43.0-grain load showed promise with a 0.8-inch group and very consistent velocity (~2,540 fps, SD under 12).
- At 43 grains, the magic happened: my group measured 0.56 inches, with a velocity of 2,600 fps and a standard deviation of just 8 fps. Primers looked perfect, and bolt lift was smooth.
This load clearly stood out as the most accurate and consistent in my rifle. With that combination of performance and stability, I had found my hunting load.
Final Testing and Field Prep
To confirm the 43-grain load’s reliability, I loaded up 20 more rounds and tested them again a week later under different weather conditions (warmer, with a slight crosswind). The group sizes stayed tight well under 1 MOA and velocities remained stable.
At that point, I cleaned my rifle, loaded a fresh batch of 20 hunting rounds, and stored them in a weatherproof ammo case. I also did some practical field shooting prone and off shooting sticks to simulate possible hunting conditions. The bullet’s point of impact remained consistent, even in less-than-ideal shooting positions.
Axis Hunt in Texas: Putting the Load to the Test
With my gear packed, I headed down to the Texas Hill Country for an Axis deer hunt I’d been looking forward to for months. Axis deer are sharp-eyed and fast. You don’t always get a second chance, so I wanted to be completely confident in my rifle and ammo.
On the second morning of the hunt, after a long, quiet wait in a ground blind, I spotted a mature Axis buck stepping out from cover at 175 yards. I steadied my rifle, confirmed my dope, and took a deep breath. The 180gr AccuBond hit right behind the shoulder just as I’d practiced and the buck dropped within 40 yards.
Clean, ethical, and right where I aimed. That was the full circle moment I’d hoped for.
Final Thoughts
Handloading with RCBS equipment, Nosler components, and Varget powder gave me more than just better performance it gave me the confidence to make a decisive, humane shot when it counted most. The process of working up loads, testing them carefully, and refining for accuracy taught me a ton about both my rifle and me as a shooter.
If you’re considering handloading your own hunting ammunition, my advice is simple: take your time, invest in quality gear like RCBS, and document everything. When that perfect load finally comes together and proves itself in the field, you’ll know it was worth every minute at the bench.
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