Factory 308 ammo for hunting

[Tenntrapper]

I'm sure that most will work, but what is your "go to" factory 308 ammo for deer? What shoots consistently accurate and performs well on game...not just paper?
Thanks

 

[swampbadger]

I'm sure that most will work, but what is your "go to" factory 308 ammo for deer? What shoots consistently accurate and performs well on game...not just paper?
Thanks

I'm following along as well, I'm also looking for opinions!

 

[ImThere]

Winchester power max bonded. Shoots fantastic and is devastating!

 

[Carlos Viagra]

The Hornady American Whitetail ammo shoots great in my rifle. It shoots sub 1" groups at 100 yards from the bench.

 

[swampbadger]

Winchester power max bonded. Shoots fantastic and is devastating!

how many deer have u killed with them? how far was shot and how far did deer run afterwards?

 

[swampbadger]

The Hornady American Whitetail ammo shoots great in my rifle. It shoots sub 1" groups at 100 yards from the bench.

you've Killed deer with them? how far?

 

[ImThere]

The Hornady American Whitetail ammo shoots great in my rifle. It shoots sub 1" groups at 100 yards from the bench.

What is your experience with these? I shot 2 deer these fragmented on both deer have you had this experience?

 

[Carlos Viagra]

you've Killed deer with them? how far?

I've killed several deer with them, all were less than 80 yards. I've shot several hogs as well, none of them very far at all.

What is your experience with these? I shot 2 deer these fragmented on both deer have you had this experience?

I haven't had a problem with them fragmenting. I sent the deer to the processor; but didn't notice any fragmentation.

I haven't shot the 150 grain bullets, I thought they were 180 grain, but might be 165, I'll have to recheck that to be sure.

 

[ImThere]

how many deer have u killed with them? how far was shot and how far did deer run afterwards?

At least 40. My longest shot was across the valley on my favorite WMA 476 yards. Closest shot was 10 yards. Most Deer don't run. Max run I would say was 40-50 yards. Sub moa all day. Pigs don't like them either. Shot one this year she never took a step.

 

[swampbadger]

At least 40. My longest shot was across the valley on my favorite WMA 476 yards. Closest shot was 10 yards. Most Deer don't run. Max run I would say was 40-50 yards. Sub moa all day. Pigs don't like them either. Shot one this year she never took a step.

Outstanding info thank you!

 

[swampbadger]

how many deer have u killed with them? how far was shot and how far did deer run afterwards?

what grain are these that you like?

 

[348Winchester]

Have never killed with a 308 but just purchased a BAR MK3 DBM with 18 inch barrel and walnut furniture. All the factory ammo in 150, 165, and 180 grain weights has shot very well. I just reloaded some of the empty cases with some Core-lokt 150 and 170 grain round nose over 42.6 grains of IMR-4895. Both are very accurate as well. My experience with round nose Core-lokt bullets in 270, 30-30, 32 Special, 30-40 Krag, 300 Savage, 30 Remington, 32 Remington, 35 Remington, 35 Winchester, and 30-06 has been excellent. I have killed beer with all but two of those calibers. I think the 170 grain round nose Core-lokt will be an excellent woods load for the 308. Hopefully, I'll find out this coming fall!

 

[ImThere]

what grain are these that you like?

150 out of the 308
130 out of the 270

 

[TNGunsmoke]

My Chilean Mauser(my go to deer rifle) likes 150 grain federal champion(blue box) factory loads just fine, but won't group with the 180s. My SFAR hates the 150s but shoots well with the 180s. Haven't shot a deer with the SFAR, and the longest shot I have taken with the mauser was 165 yards. Most deer have only gone about 40 yards tops.

 

[EastTNHunter]

There are so many good answers. Obviously I reload, and my rifle(s) really like(s) 165s, but my kids have killed deer with 110 TTSXs, 125 NABs, and 125 NBTs in 308 and 30-06 with great success. Me and my fam have used Hornady interlocks, Sierra Gamekings, Sierra Tipped Gamekings, Fusions, SSTs, etc all to great effect (or is it affect @Bambi Buster ?) in numerous other cartridges and calibers in various different velocity windows. You should be fine with most factory ammo that your gun likes (except for 150s… @MUP likes those in his 30-06 and I razz him about them )

I think that you should find what your rifle likes, then pick your shots based upon how the bullet is constructed… ie shoot behind the shoulder with the softer cup and cores, shoot shoulders with bonded or monos. Deer will die

 

[MUP]

 

[EastTNHunter]

I used 140gr TGKs in a factory Sig Elite Hunter ammo in my .270 this season. First deer that I have killed with factory ammo in a long time. Those bullets worked well. I wouldn't hesitate to use 165 TGKs in a factory 308 load, and a few mfgs use them in factory offerings

 

[backyardtndeer]

Given how my handload 178 gr eldx perform from my 308's, I would probably give them a try in hornady's factory load offering.

 

[TN Larry]

I hunted with a 308 for the first time this year and shooting 165 gr Federal Fusion. I shot twice and killed two good bucks. Both were pass throughs. One ran about 60 or 70 yards and the other was a bang flop.

 

[duvhntr]

I shoot the cheap 150 grain federals in the blue box when I'm not shooting sub sonics

 

[Tenntrapper]

I shoot the cheap 150 grain federals in the blue box when I'm not shooting sub sonics

I tried some blue box federal 150s yesterday. Didn't shoot but enough to sight in and shoot one 3-shot group. Got a .547" group. The guy I got the rifle from had only done a little ammo testing. He got the best groups from 168g FGMM. His 150 groups were about same as mine. The 168g groups were very impressive...but not a hunting bullet.
I've got some Federal Premium 165g supposed to be here today. It uses the game king bullet.
Hopefully it will perform like his 168s.
We shall see...

Note...I don't remember a 308 recoil being so harsh. Wasn't awful, but definitely more than I remember. Guess I've been shooting 7/08, 6.5CM, and 243 too much...

 

[swampbadger]

I tried some blue box federal 150s yesterday. Didn't shoot but enough to sight in and shoot one 3-shot group. Got a .547" group. The guy I got the rifle from had only done a little ammo testing. He got the best groups from 168g FGMM. His 150 groups were about same as mine. The 168g groups were very impressive...but not a hunting bullet.
I've got some Federal Premium 165g supposed to be here today. It uses the game king bullet.
Hopefully it will perform like his 168s.
We shall see...

Note...I don't remember a 308 recoil being so harsh. Wasn't awful, but definitely more than I remember. Guess I've been shooting 7/08, 6.5CM, and 243 too much...

Thanks for the update! impressive group from from 150 grain.

please keep us posted on how the 165s do!

 

[Buzzard Breath]

What is your experience with these? I shot 2 deer these fragmented on both deer have you had this experience?

Same experience. Deer was slightly quartering towards me and was downhill. Bullet fragmented and the deer went ~200 yards. I ended up finding 3 petals in the meat.

I have since switched to 168 grain Barnes Vor-tx tssx. I've only killed one deer with them, dropped when hit. And, one elk, went 40 yards.

 

[DaveB]

Hmmm. TNT, if you need some .308 ammo, PM me a mailing address and I'll send you a few SAAMI length 3,000 FPS 150 gr Accubond 308's. Price is Free.

If you are recoil averse I'll loan you a PAST recoil pad.

Factory ammo is okay. But when something steps out of the weeds 300 yards away you really want to have the confidence he will drop.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Hornady 150 grain SST's - Remington 700 STS Tactical 20 inch bull barrel

Remington Corelokt 150 grain - DPMS LR308AP4

 

[348Winchester]

I shoot the cheap 150 grain federals in the blue box when I'm not shooting sub sonics

For the money they are damned hard to beat in any caliber. My 270 shoots the 150 grain round nose extremely well. My 760 30-06 carbine loves the 180 grain load. The ol' trusty model 94 30-30 likes both the 150 and 170 grain. The Federal Power Shok and Remington Core-Lokt are all a man needs for woods huntin'.

 

[TNJones4530]

Shot two pigs with the classic Rem Core lokt last month and was very surprised at the results - dropped one and impressive blood trail on the other. Small sample size for me.

 

[FLTENNHUNTER1]

Deadliest mushroom in the woods.

 

[Tenntrapper]

Thanks for the update! impressive group from from 150 grain.

please keep us posted on how the 165s do!

Ok, I shot a few of the 165s. Fired one to foul barrel, then a 3 shot group. Measured .442".
I'm sure it will do better as I think I pulled one. Was in a hurry to get done before the rain gets here. I'll shoot more in a month or so...after healed from upcoming surgery. But if that's the best it can do...I can live with it .

 

[double browtine]

Winchester Deer Season XP 150gr work really great on killing deer. From 20 yards to 250 yards I have not had one go farther than 50 yards