What ammo for my .308?

[chaseguitar]

I just bought a new Tikka T3 Lite (synthetic and blued) in .308 and really want to shoot the Hornady 110 gr TAP loads through it at deer....I shot 117 gr. bullets through my .257 Roberts and they were devastating on deer, so it makes sense to me that the 110 gr loads would be fine....The ballistic table from Hornady shows that the bullet is carrying some 1200 ft/lbs of energy out to 300 yds....so again it makes sense that this would be fine for deer....However, I'm told that the sectional density is different in a .25 cal. 117 gr load and a 110 gr .30 cal load....Not sure exactly what this means, fragmentation possibly, not enough penetration? I also know that the .30 cals were designed to shoot heavier loads, 150-165 gr, but we don't shoot just huge bucks here in Mississippi....Would really like some input, becuase I really don't want to wound and loose any deer....
Thanks
Chaseguitar

 

[Bwana John]

Dont use the 110 gr on deer, this guy says why pretty well.

The Sectional Density of Rifle Bullets
By Chuck Hawks

Sectional density (SD) is the numerical result of a calculation that compares a bullet's weight to its diameter. To calculate a bullet's sectional density divide the bullet's weight (in pounds) by its diameter (in inches), squared. The higher the SD number the better the SD, and the heavier a bullet is in proportion to its diameter.
SD is important because it has a significant effect on penetration. Other things being equal (like impact velocity, bullet design and material, etc.) the higher the SD number, the better the bullet's penetration. In other words, a skinny bullet of a given weight tends to penetrate better than a fat bullet of the same weight, because it concentrates the same force on a smaller area of the target. For example, if other factors are equal, a 150 grain .270 bullet will penetrate better than a 150 grain .35 caliber bullet.
Penetration is important because the bullet must get well inside an animal to disrupt the functioning of its vital organs. A bullet that fails to penetrate the fur, skin, muscle, and bone necessary to reach the vital organs is very unlikely to bring an animal down.
SD stays the same for all bullets of the same weight in the same caliber--shape does not affect SD. This information is important to remember when comparing rifle bullets.

Here are some typical hunting bullets and their sectional densities, which are recognized as effective for medium size big game animals:
.243" (6mm) 90 grain, SD .218
.243" (6mm) 100 grain, SD .242
.257" (.25) 100 grain, SD .216
.257" (.25) 115 grain, SD .249
.264" (6.5mm) 120 grain, SD .247
.277" (.270) 130 grain, SD .242
.284" (7mm) 140 grain, SD .248
.308" (.30) 150 grain, SD .226
.308" (.30) 165 grain, SD .248
.321" (8mm) 170 grain, SD .236
.338" (.338) 200 grain, SD .250
.358" (.35) 200 grain, SD .223

As you can see, all of the above have a sectional density over .215, and the average is about .237. That is the kind of SD you should look for in a bullet for medium game.

For large game bullets with higher sectional density should be chosen. Good examples of such bullets would be:
.264" (6.5mm) 140 grain, SD .287
.277" (.270) 150 grain, SD .279
.284" (7mm) 160 grain, SD .283
.308" (.30) 180 grain, SD .271
.321" (8mm) 200 grain, SD .274
.338" (.338) 225 grain, SD .281
.358" (.35) 250 grain, SD .279
.375" (.375) 270 grain, SD .274
.458" (.45) 400 grain, SD .272

All of the bullets immediately above have a sectional density over .270. The average SD of these bullets is about .279. Bullets of this sectional density, if well constructed, have proven able to penetrate deep into big game animals.

I did a quick survey of the hunting bullets with SD's over .300 available in common factory loads and to the reloader in the various rifle calibers. These are the top calibers and bullet weights for maximum penetration:
.264" (6.5mm) 160 grain, SD .328
.284" (7mm) 175 grain, SD .310
.308" (.30) 200 grain, SD .301
.308" (.30) 220 grain, SD .331
.321" (8mm) 220 grain, SD .301
.338" (.338) 250 grain, SD .313
.375" (.375) 300 grain, SD .305
.416" (.416) 400 grain, SD .330
.458" (.45) 500 grain, SD .341

Most people will not be surprised to find the heavy .338, .375, .416, and .458 bullets on the above list. But many may be surprised to find that the heavy weight bullets for the common 6.5mm, 7mm and .30 calibers are right in there with the best medium bore and elephant gun bullets. Which may help explain why these small bore calibers are so versatile.

 

[SnakeEater]

Yep, you'll get fragmentation and less penetration using the 110 gr. load. I'd suggest not using TAP for deer, instead go with a round designed for hunting.

 

[Karbon]

My suggestion would be something similar to a 140/150 gr nolser ballistic tip.

I've been researching this for a while and that seems to be one of the ideal setups for deer at short to medium ranges.

 

[rangerruck]

you would be surprised at some s.d. for bullets out there, you can get 100 plus grian 6mm bullets with s.d.'s approaching the fives! anyway a good pwer or soft point 308 bullet with 150 to 170 grns, should penetrate very well, and also have approaching 1 ton of evergy at 300 yds. plenty to tip 'em over.

 

[49hudson]

I agree with you choosing Hornady however;I would choose their 150 grain SPBT interlock bullet. Reasonable price and will get the job done.

 

[C-grunt]

If I remember correctly, the 110 grn TAP was intended for police snipers that needed a powerfull bullet that would not go through the bad guy and everything behind him.