.308 hunting round

[RandyB]

I have a Savage .308 for the last couple of years and have just punched paper (REM. 168 grain match) with it. I am hoping to go deer hunting in Georgia and West Virginia this fall and would like to found out what rounds folks have used to hunt deer sized game. Right now I'm leaning towards the 165-168 weight bullets, but would like to see if their are any fans of the 150's and 180's? Ranges would generally be pretty short since tree cover is pretty abundant, but a few fields could offer shots +300 yards.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Use a soft point of whatever weight shoots best in your gun.

 

[El Tejon]

You have to experiment. "Honey, I've got to go to the range. It's for science!"

For ranges around here (short and EQH), I've had good success with the handloaded 170 gr. FPs (like is loaded in dirty thirty rounds).

 

[jem375]

I use 150 gr. Nosler BT's and Hornady BTSP's in my Savage 99A for deer hunting here in Minnesota.........

 

[Hutch]

The one deer I ever shot, I shot with a .308 loaded w/ Hornady 150gr spire poiint. It dropped like it had been struck by lightning. I've heard that the 170 gr "30-30" bullet loaded to somewhat higher velocity is a good deer-thumper, but I never got them to shoot as accurately as I thought I needed.

 

[Slingster]

Since you already have your rifle dialed in with Rem 168-grain match ammo, I'd suggest you start with Rem hunting ammo of the same bullet weight. You may get lucky and find that your rifle will shoot the hunting ammo to the same point of impact as the match ammo and save yourself a lot of hassle.

Checking the Remington web site, it looks like your choices are either the Accu-Tip or Sirocco hunting ammo with 165-grain bullets. Their velocity and ballistics are almost identical to the 168-grain match.

 

[Bacchus]

There are lots of choices if you stick with the 165 grains. Rem makes the Core-Lokt, Barnes has some, and don't forget Hornady and Nosler, too.

 

[El Rojo]

I have Sierra 165 gr. Spitzer Boat Tails loaded up for my .308. Really any of the 150 or 165 bullets ought to work great. Why you would need to go to a 180 for deer would be beyond me. The lighter and the faster it goes, the flater it shoots and the less shooter error that can let a buck get away. And that is not theory, that is my own experience. I shot a buck with my .308 VS once, it hit it, but I think hit it pretty low cause that buck took off. Never found it and there was a buck with a noticable limp the next year. I now just use the old .30-06 with 150 gr. bullets. The non-varmint .30-06 is a heck of a lot lighter gun to be hauling around too.

 

[HankL]

Give Nosler 165 gr Partition a good look...

 

[Art Eatman]

Whitetail? I've dumped a bunch of them with the old 150 out of an '06. Hornady, Sierra (FB & BT), Rem Bronze Point, mostly.

Bambi never did seem picky about it...

, Art

 

[tasunkawitko]

i have always used 150's in .30-06 and .308 for deer (whitetail and mule) and antelope. the deer ahve never known the difference between those 150-grainers and the "correct" bullet to use.

 

[HankL]

Randy, My main consideration for using any quality 165 gr. hunting bullet in a rifle that is primarily fed 168 gr. match fodder is that the two are close ballistically. The 150s and 180s will spank bambi quite well but with the 165s you will not notice much difference in your 100 yd. zero between the two. The 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip will fly a little closer to your 168 gr. match than the Partition but not enough to make any difference at deer hunting ranges. I chose the Partition because it works so well.
The 180 gr. will really require your having to learn and sight in for a whole new deal.

 

[Mannlicher]

Randy,

I have used Federal Classic Hi-Shok 150 grain SP ammo in .308 for years. For Florida deer, they work great. I have also used the Remington Bronze Point, also with good results. I have never felt the need to move up to premium ammo.