[Ibseeker]

I've dropped a deposit on an 84M in .308, hope to have it in early January.

This is a significant change for me as I've never owned a rifle in .308 and have never had a scoped centerfire rifle to work with.
I have a Marlin 39A but this is going to be a bit different.

I'm a pretty good shot...with a .22 inside of 50 yards.
So what, most everyone is.

I've got a lot to learn and this will be challenging I'm sure.

My goal is hunt deer, hog and bear in Eastern Tennessee or ??.
I'll also be buying a 336 in 30-30 but that's a different topic.

Unless my skills are vastly better than I think they will be, I won't be shooting at anything alive beyond 200-250 yards.

Any suggestions for initial target ammo?

 

[Gmountain]

I would get some of the 165 gr American Eagle ammo from the CMP. $175 for a case of it, and it's good stuff.

 

[Gmountain]

What scope are you getting?

 

[Ibseeker]

I purchased the Bushnell Elite 3200 that was mounted on the rifle. From my research it seems like a lot of hunters like the Leupold 2.5-8X36mm and it is a popular choice.
At this point, I'd expect the rifle and scope will outperform the shooter so until the need shows up, like I can't see in low light conditions with the Elite then I don't see any reason to spend another $400 on a Leupold.

about ammo: all the info that I've found recommends trying different ammo, both by manufacturer and type to see what this particular Kimber shoots best.
I thought I'd buy a variety in the 20 round boxes and see what happens.

My concern is that my target shooting skills (as in lack of) might impact the results to a point that I can't determine what the gun performs best with.

Thinking out loud here: What is acceptable MOA for 200 yards? Is that even a term "acceptable MOA"?

It seems like it would be based upon the size of the animal but that might be too simple.

 

[Gmountain]

My .338 Fed 84M is 1 MOA- 1" at 100 yards. My .308 LPT is getting .5-.75 MOA.

Try some different ammo. Prvi is pretty cheap, but I think it is a tad too long for the chamber. American Eacle, Federal, and Hornady match work well for me.

Try some 168 gr and 150 gr, but I'll bet the heavier will be more accurate.

The 3200 is an excellent scope. Really nice. Don't be so quick to change it.

As far as shooting, the only real way to test different loads is to shoot of a bench, using some kind of rest, or sandbag. Trust me, you'll know which shoots better. Start at 50 yards and see and then move out to 100.

 

[Ibseeker]

Good the hear the Bushnell is an excellent scope. I won't be in any hurry to replace it.

Thanks for the advice on the ammo. I'm going to have to come up with a way to test the different ammo.

Any suggestions?

 

[Gmountain]

Buy a few boxes and see what it likes.

I have 3200's on a 7mm-08 and a 30-06. It's an excellent scope.