#2999261 - 10/25/12 07:34 PM
.308 Good Deer Caliber??
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UTGrad
12 Point
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 5739
Loc: Franklin, TN
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So I'm considering getting a .308 Tikka T3 vs a 30 06 due to the recoil with the lightweight rifle.
Is .308 a good caliber for TN whitetails out to 300 yards?
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#2999285 - 10/25/12 07:45 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: UTGrad]
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348Winchester
4 Point
Registered: 08/13/12
Posts: 496
Loc: Coon Creek
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Yes but the '06 is a bit better in my opinion.
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#2999306 - 10/25/12 07:58 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: 348Winchester]
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EastTNHunter
8 Point
Registered: 03/08/10
Posts: 1180
Loc: Rhea Co., TN
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Their ballistics are just about identical with bullets up to 165gr. From 180gr and up the additional case capacity of the '06 makes it better. The .308 is a very efficient cartridge, and you are right about slightly less recoil and a lighter, shorter rifle. I would not hesitate a bit to get a .308 in a lightweight rifle for a deer gun. I really like my .30-06 Rem 760 that was my wife's granddad's, though.
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#2999321 - 10/25/12 08:08 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: EastTNHunter]
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UTGrad
12 Point
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 5739
Loc: Franklin, TN
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Their ballistics are just about identical with bullets up to 165gr. From 180gr and up the additional case capacity of the '06 makes it better. The .308 is a very efficient cartridge, and you are right about slightly less recoil and a lighter, shorter rifle. I would not hesitate a bit to get a .308 in a lightweight rifle for a deer gun. I really like my .30-06 Rem 760 that was my wife's granddad's, though.
If the Tikka was 8 lbs I would get a 30 06 in a heart beat. My father's rifle is a 30 06 and it is heavy. Shoots great!
Since the Tikka is lightweight I don't want to get scope brow lol
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#2999410 - 10/25/12 08:43 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: UTGrad]
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Stumpy
Spike
Registered: 04/21/09
Posts: 78
Loc: NW TN
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In my opinion the .308 is one of the most efficient rounds for about anything you might want to do with it. Not too much recoil for most anybody and very effective well beyond 300 yds.
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#2999457 - 10/25/12 09:10 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Stumpy]
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280longshot
4 Point
Registered: 09/20/10
Posts: 421
Loc: Tn, Tipton
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In my opinion the .308 is one of the most efficient rounds for about anything you might want to do with it. Not too much recoil for most anybody and very effective well beyond 300 yds.
X2
308 Hornady Superformance 150 GMX @ 500yrds has 1223ft-lbs energy
30:06 Hornady superformance 150 GMX @ 500yrds. has 1366ft-lbs energy.
I would say the deer wouldn't know the difference.
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#2999501 - 10/25/12 09:40 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: 280longshot]
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Rockhound
8 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1936
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN
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308 is great on deer plus you have so many ammo choices for hunting or cheap rounds for paper punching.
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#2999514 - 10/25/12 09:50 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Rockhound]
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UTGrad
12 Point
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 5739
Loc: Franklin, TN
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I just checked some ammo prices online and 308 is right there with 270 and 30 06. 7mm 08 is another interesting caliber but ammo is more expensive.
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#2999515 - 10/25/12 09:50 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Rockhound]
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W.Seay
12 Point
Registered: 01/17/06
Posts: 7140
Loc: Collierville,TN.
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270 is my favorite, I just don't care for the 308 however It will definitely kill deer. I like the 30/06 better than the 308.
Edited by W.Seay (10/25/12 09:58 PM)
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#2999545 - 10/25/12 10:12 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: W.Seay]
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BH2424
4 Point
Registered: 11/17/10
Posts: 114
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Its all up to what you want. To answer your question .308 will do just fine with deer out past 300 yards. Most 308 rounds cost slightly cheeper than the 30-06 which is a fine rifle also. Both are great rifles. Go for the 308 if thats what you want, slightly less kick. I love my 308!
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#2999562 - 10/25/12 10:21 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: BH2424]
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fastbs
6 Point
Registered: 12/22/08
Posts: 744
Loc: putnam co
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I'll be the smart butt n say 308 and 30-06 is the same caliber. 30-06 puts a hair more powder behind the bullet.
To me 30-06 is a tweener cartridge. If I'm gonna go long action in 30 Cal why not 300 win mag?
I choose 308 for your purpose.
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#2999591 - 10/25/12 10:48 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: fastbs]
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Lincoln Co Archer
8 Point
Registered: 09/13/08
Posts: 1152
Loc: Murfreesboro, TN
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.308 would be my choice. I have kills at 451 and 378 yards with my browning. Less recoil is a plus and when it comes down to it comfort and confidence should be major deciding factors.
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#2999634 - 10/26/12 03:18 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: UTGrad]
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Rockhound
8 Point
Registered: 04/04/11
Posts: 1936
Loc: Lawrence Co. TN
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I just checked some ammo prices online and 308 is right there with 270 and 30 06. 7mm 08 is another interesting caliber but ammo is more expensive.
You can buy nato rounds if you just want to target shoot, they will be alot cheaper
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#2999684 - 10/26/12 05:35 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Rockhound]
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wsm
4 Point
Registered: 11/28/10
Posts: 167
Loc: maury county tenn.
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I have a 270 and 308 ,love both rounds ,deadly on der.
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#2999714 - 10/26/12 06:05 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: wsm]
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jakeway
TnDeer Old Timer
10 Point
Registered: 11/22/99
Posts: 3447
Loc: Hendersonville, TN, USA
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Get the 7mm-08 and a Lee reloading kit and be done with it. If you still resist getting into reloading, get the t3 in 270. If it's strictly deer the 270 is arguably BETTER than the 30-06 due to less recoil and flatter trajectory. (Comparing 270 130 gr vs. 165 or 150 gr 30-06 at 300 yards.)
To your original question, .308 WIN is a very good deer cartridge and is father to a few great ones.
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#2999737 - 10/26/12 06:39 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: jakeway]
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muddyboots
12 Point
Registered: 11/06/02
Posts: 5911
Loc: savannah, tn., usa
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Trust me u will be so happy u bought the 308
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#2999747 - 10/26/12 06:48 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: muddyboots]
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Plateau Hunter
8 Point
Registered: 05/19/00
Posts: 1584
Loc: Cannon County, TN
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The .308 is a great deer and more caliber. It is just a shorter/handier version of the 30/06-especially if you get one in a short action. Besides the plastic my knock on the Tikka is that it is long action only. And your question about stainless vs blue-I prefer blue but that is just a personal choice. I do use a synthetic/stainless M77 during bad rainy weather because it is affected less by water. And I am using ARs mostly now and they are pretty weather proof also. PH
Edited by Plateau Hunter (10/26/12 06:50 AM)
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#2999816 - 10/26/12 07:35 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Plateau Hunter]
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BigD_625
10 Point
Registered: 09/30/09
Posts: 2978
Loc: Maury County, TN
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Love my .308s...all of them.
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#2999825 - 10/26/12 07:48 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: BigD_625]
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infoman jr.
8 Point
Registered: 10/05/03
Posts: 1491
Loc: Elizabethtown, KY
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A .308 would certainly kill a deer. I don't personally own one, and I give a couple guys at work a hard time about shooting them. I tell them the only thing a .308 is good for is punching paper (I kid, of course).
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#2999830 - 10/26/12 07:51 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: infoman jr.]
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BigD_625
10 Point
Registered: 09/30/09
Posts: 2978
Loc: Maury County, TN
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A .308 would certainly kill a deer. I don't personally own one, and I give a couple guys at work a hard time about shooting them. I tell them the only thing a .308 is good for is punching paper (I kid, of course).
I've got an 8pt that'll argue with you. LOL
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#2999833 - 10/26/12 07:52 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Rockhound]
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Brisco Darlin
6 Point
Registered: 04/24/12
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Loc: East Tn.
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love my rem 700 .308
It's been doing the job since 1990.
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#3000417 - 10/26/12 02:26 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Brisco Darlin]
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Model70Man
12 Point
Registered: 09/30/05
Posts: 6095
Loc: Knoxville, TN
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Plateau Hunter brought up a good point about the Tikka being long action. IMO, there are better choices for the 308 platform than a Tikka because the it comes in one action length only and that is long action. The Tikka no doubt shoots great out of the box, as I own a 260 Rem in the Hunter version and it shoots great. Being left handed, I'm limited on what types of actions I can get my rifles in. Right hand shooters have a luxury of purchasing numerous rifles and action lengths. IMO, you would have a better rifle in a Kimber Montana, or Browning A-Bolt Micro because the action is made for the short action ammunition. Not saying the 308 in a Tikka is a bad choice, IMO, the 30-06 would be or 270 would be better because of the action length.
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#3000459 - 10/26/12 02:51 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Model70Man]
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REN
Good ol' Boys "Team Grizzly"
10 Point
Registered: 10/24/07
Posts: 3811
Loc: Wilson County, TN
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Ballisticly speaking there is VERY LITTLE difference in a 308, 270, 06 or the 7mm08 it just comes down to what you like.
I had a 270 and like them but sold it or a 308 because i like the 308 platform better, i may even end up with a 7mm08 at some point just because how much i like the platform.
for a North American deer the 308 is more then plenty and at long distances. You have a wide variety of shell options from 100grain - 200grain you can shoot. Plinking ammo is easy to find and fairly cheap and the 308 is not a finicky caliber to shoot.
i assure you a 165grain 308 bullet at 300yds still packs a PUNCH! and is accurate.
IMO the 06 is just over kill for TN deer especially same as the 7mm, not hating on those that use it just my humble opinion is all. If you are not a fan of recoil those rounds can really put a hurting on your shooting technique and can teach you some hard habits to break. then again i have shot a 243 for most of my life with nothing but great experiences so my opinion is just one of many.
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#3000515 - 10/26/12 03:21 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: REN]
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muddyboots
12 Point
Registered: 11/06/02
Posts: 5911
Loc: savannah, tn., usa
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I think i will add a 308 is not a good deer cartridge but it is a great deer cartridge. I used too use an 06 but i got tired of that kick. I had a 300 mag thant didnt kick as bad as an 06.
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X Force is Bad!
Let em go and let em grow!
There is a difference in a turkey killer and a turkey hunter!
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#3000680 - 10/26/12 05:27 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: muddyboots]
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Buccaneer
4 Point
Registered: 08/29/06
Posts: 331
Loc: Hendersonville
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There's a reason the .308 is the preferred cartridge for America's military snipers, USMC and US Army. That being said I have a Remington 700 LTR Light Tactical with 20" Fluted Barrel and it drives tacks out to as far as I can shoot it on a range which is 300 yards. I killed a 260lb Muley 5x4 at 310 yards in Colorado and he dropped like a stone. I shoot 165 grain Federal Fusion for deer.
I'm inclined to agree with Plateau Hunter's assessment of the action length on the Tikka if chambered for .308. I can only go with what I know, my Remmy 700 LTR is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.
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#3003149 - 10/28/12 09:14 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: BigD_625]
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.444 Marlin
16 Point
Registered: 08/10/02
Posts: 15325
Loc: Benton, Polk Co. Tenn.
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Ive killed deer with a .223 remington and they barely moved if that tells you anything.
The .308 will work perfectly fine on deer. Less recoil than a 06, almost identical ballistics that deer wont know the difference between, shorter action so you have faster follow up shots, cheaper ammo...
If there was 1 gun that i could have for the rest of my life and the local gun store only carried it in .308 and .30-06 but only had a .308, i wouldnt hesitate to make sure it went home with me.
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#3003189 - 10/28/12 09:40 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: .444 Marlin]
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Bowdacious
16 Point
Registered: 09/01/00
Posts: 12928
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I have a 308 and love it. I have also shot the Tikka T3 30-06 I bought stik. The recoil wasnt bad at all. When I shot at a yote, I didn't even notice the recoil. I would shoot it anytime. Whatever you choose, I think you will be happy.
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#3003191 - 10/28/12 09:40 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: .444 Marlin]
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KPH
8 Point
Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 1643
Loc: Hendersonville Tenn
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The 308 and any cailber based on the 308 case such as the 243,260,7mm-08,338 fed, and the 358 win are very accurate.
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#3004260 - 10/28/12 07:56 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: Deerhunter]
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pressfit
8 Point
Registered: 12/28/09
Posts: 1814
Loc: Giles Co. Tn
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Online
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Nice gun! I have been wanting a 308 for 6-8 months but cant decide on which brand to buy, I'd like one with a threaded barrel so I could shoot subsonics through it with a suppressor.. why did you choose the Tikka?
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#3004494 - 10/28/12 09:15 PM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: pressfit]
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UTGrad
12 Point
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 5739
Loc: Franklin, TN
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Nice gun! I have been wanting a 308 for 6-8 months but cant decide on which brand to buy, I'd like one with a threaded barrel so I could shoot subsonics through it with a suppressor.. why did you choose the Tikka?
Hard to find a bad review on a Tikka and they shoulder very well. I personally like the detachable magazine vs a hinged floor plate. The rifle is light and has a shorter barrel, good qualities for hunting.
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#3004868 - 10/29/12 05:32 AM
Re: .308 Good Deer Caliber??
[Re: UTGrad]
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thejetman
4 Point
Registered: 09/11/11
Posts: 464
Loc: Knox
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308 is one of the most efficient hunting rounds on he market. As far as a deer rifle cartridge it is my belief that any cartridge in the 30 caliber range will suit you well. I put down a doe in Wisconsin at 210 yards shooting 165 grain bullets when I was younger. It was a bang flop. It is plenty for deer. Especially down here where he average weight of the animal is far less then that of northern states. I "upgraded" to a 30-06 last year only because I couldn't pass up the chance on my new to me rifle. Good choice. Stood be a shooter.
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