Magnum308, I have an old Parker Hale 1200 done in .308NM, now over 30 years old. The Norma ammo would group consistently for 3 shots at an inch if I held it right! Trying to get handloads to be as accurate was an impossible task - until I used AR2213!
Now I have had mine long throated so please use my data with caution as it will be above stated maximum for this powder/load combination - the projectiles are set as long as possible to feed thru the magazine (85.5mm OAL).
76gn AR2213, Federal 215 primer & 180gn Hornady Flat base - averages 3020fps
76gn AR2213, Federal 215 primer & 178gn Hornady Amax - averages 3070fps (slightly more accurate)
But interestingly both shoot to the same POI.
Yes I have gone quite a bit higher but I found these loads the most accurate in my rifle & settled on these rather than just wring it out a bit more!
Sadly I have never actually had the chance (weird this may seem) to use it on the game that I intending to use it on - pigs at long distance! And yes it is an very emphatic killer of game!
It is a good solid performer, shame it never took off like the .300WM; much more efficient overall I believe!
Basically there is nothing between these 2 cartridges, but I don't like to have "common" cartridges!
Buy the way case life is extremely good, literally lost count of the times its been reloaded; just annealed the cases last year after a few split necks. I only neck size this old bird & case stretch is practically non existent.
The only problem I have with this rifle is copper fouling; the barrel (forgotten what type it is, I think it is a McGowen?) fouls badly after a 20 shot African Plains match even if taking it slowly! Plenty of elbow grease & a good dose of Sweets or Kleen bore solvent & she's back as good as ever.
I even have a .300WM Walter adaptor cartridge redone to suit the .30carbine, they shoot 3" low at 100m, averaging 1725fps - only a pop compared to the normal full loads - but great fun!
Frankly you can't go wrong with this cartridge - worth more than a just a glance!
Cheers
93x64mm