.308 what bullet to use?

[rockaway]

Which bullet should I use for maximum expansion and speed for deer and elk hunting? I am new to loading my own. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Greg

[Just Fish]

165gr at 2700 feet per second will fill the freezer.50 gr of Imr 4350 has worked for 20 years in my 308.

[Ben Hur]

I shoot 150 grain speer for deer and 180 grain corelocks for elk both spire points. The powders I use are H380 for the 150 grain and IMR4350 for the 180 grain. I've used these loads for going on 45 years and they work great.
I don't know if a boat-tail bullet helps with this slow a round. What does anyone eles say for the speeds of 2700-2400 fps.

[Don Fischer]

I always used the 165gr Hornady spire point in my 308's. I'm a one cartridge, one bullet kind of guy. I didn't have luck with 150's, don't know why as everybody else seems to. 180's shot well but were a bit to slow. 165's gave me good velocity and enough construction for up to elk I believe. I believe because I never shot an elk with mine, I used other cartridges.

For powder I used IMR 3031 with great success, IMR 4064 worked very well and W 748. The best was with 3031 with 4064 right behind it. They were mild and very accurate getting a bit over 2600fps as I recall. Solid base bullet's seemed to shoot better in my rifles.

[scottishsetter]

My Hodgedon '07 manual (for 165gr) lists a compressed load for Varget and a 800 LESS CUP pressure load for good 'ol BL-C(2) and only 30 some fps less speed.
Max speed 2738fps with BL-C2; IMR 4320 looks like another good one.

[Big Unit]

My dad has killed dozens of deer and elk with Remington Core lokts for years!

He might wander back in forth in grains, but he ain't changing anytime soon.

BU

[Don Fischer]

Originally Posted by scottishsetter

My Hodgedon '07 manual (for 165gr) lists a compressed load for Varget and a 800 LESS CUP pressure load for good 'ol BL-C(2) and only 30 some fps less speed.
Max speed 2738fps with BL-C2; IMR 4320 looks like another good one.

I used BLC/2 and it worked very well but I don't remember where I got the data from? Ah, here it is. Hodgon manual #24. starting load 42.0 grs max load 46.0 grs.

[Dan360]

If I was going to use one bullet in 30 caliber for deer and elk, maybe a Barnes TSX Tipped. I think that you can go down in bullet weight with the all-copper bullets and gain speed. With a Barnes, retained velocity is a good thing to open it up. That is another reason to go lighter. I think the 150 gr Barnes TSX would do fine on elk if ranges aren't too long.

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by rockaway

Which bullet should I use for maximum expansion and speed for deer and elk hunting? I am new to loading my own. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Greg

The 180gr will probably be most efficent. But for a .308 I'd probably go with a 165gr Hornaday Interbond loaded over a compressed charge of the slowest powder i could find for the .308.

For my .300sav I used H380 ran through a 3ft drop tube to compress enough to fit in.

Forget the notion of speed w/ the .308win. Nothing fast about a .308 regardless of bullet choice.
Instead, think in terms of tough bonded construction.
Hunt'nFish

[Dan360]

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

The 180gr will probably be most efficent. But for a .308 I'd probably go with a 165gr Hornaday Interbond loaded over a compressed charge of the slowest powder i could find for the .308.

For my .300sav I used H380 ran through a 3ft drop tube to compress enough to fit in.

Forget the notion of speed w/ the .308win. Nothing fast about a .308 regardless of bullet choice.
Instead, think in terms of tough bonded construction.
Hunt'nFish

I think this philosophy is safer than my idea. You won't shoot the flattest, but you'll have the mass to penetrate. With that said, you could probably push a Barnes TSX up over 2900 fps. As good as a 30-06 Or you can follow the wise advice of Hunt'n'Fish. That's what I would probably do.

[baltz526]

my choice is the 150gr accubond, a good all around choice.

[Lucky Guy]

I settled on 165 Barnes TTSX, decent velocity and good down range energy. (Won't match the Beast though!)

Good luck with it!

[HOGTIDE]

I believe just physics - wise, with no name brand attached for a .308 caliber the optimum performance comes from a 168 grain,spire pointed boatail bullet. Now, from there, you can work on which name brand provides your best construction and expansion qualities.

I am told by those with lots practical field experience that in today's market there is a huge selection of 'quality' bullets that do an excellent job on game.

[nakoa]

i use 185gr gorelocks for both deer and elk.

[SeanD]

barnes 150gr ttsx for both deer and elk. I might even consider the 130gr.

[Big Billy]

Barnes TSX excellent velocity and ubelieveable weight retention

[Quaka Wacka]

I'd go with a 150TSX first. And if that doesn't shoot, a 165AB.