308 deer bullet suggestion

[snert]

My daughter will be hunting this fall from a stand with a Rem VS 308. I use it for steel, using 168MK. However, the mixed reviews on that bullet for deer (out to 450 yards in this case) leave me wondering what other guys use with success. Deer here are not huge, but are not dinks either. 120-150LB usually, in COLD weather, in wind.

Suggestions? For reference, the gun shoots 130 Barnes TSTX, 155 Palma very well, as well as the 168's. Don't think I want to go heavy, in an effort to keep recoil a non-issue for her.

 

[284winner]

I know I'll get banged by some guys out there for saying this but what the heck, use the 168 smk's. If there dead nuts accurate and she can hit exactly where you want hrer to, use them. I've killed numerous deer with match bullets with well placed shots. It's a very controversial issue but it is what it is. They work, period.

 

[Sniper338]

I use 175smk... same as above..

 

[people]

Same here with the 175gr.

 

[savagedasher]

Same here with the 175gr.

The 130 tsx is all that is needed for deer . Larry

 

[Sniper338]

The 130 tsx is all that is needed for deer . Larry

Yes i agree... BUT my rifle wont shoot anything under 170 gr. 175 is what it likes... 10 twist... i wont argue bullet weight for deer. Any good shot kills no matter the caliber or gr bullet.

I was simply stateing that yes ive killed deer with SMK bullets too

 

[savagedasher]

Yes i agree... BUT my rifle wont shoot anything under 170 gr. 175 is what it likes... 10 twist... i wont argue bullet weight for deer. Any good shot kills no matter the caliber or gr bullet.

I was simply stateing that yes ive killed deer with SMK bullets too

My Granddaughter killed water buffalo with a 308 Using 165 tsx at 10 years old .
308 is perfect gun for deer . Larry

 

[people]

The 130 tsx is all that is needed for deer . Larry

Maybe but I don't have any of the 130's and more than 5K of the 175gr. I have a great load for them and they do work for deer and coyotes.

 

[navyrad8r]

FWIW.... 165 SGK... ~41GR IMR4064 or the like mag length .308 LC brass, ww primer. not flashy or fancy but will do the job well.
cheers and good luck this season,
doc

 

[7tcu]

Hunting deer the size you are talking about and keeping recoil down, I have had good luck with both 125gr and 150gr Serria bullets. I have used Noslers the same weight but they tear up a lot meat with their expansion.

 

[johnfred1965]

You answered your own question. Your rifle shoots the barnes bullets well, use them, they are great for deer.

 

[CJ6]

I'm from the hunting bullets for hunting camp, Target for target...That said 125-150 grain hunting bullets will get the job done nicely.

 

[wildfowler]

I have had great results using the 165 SST. Great price, greatly accurate, and very devistating.

A high shoulder shot may result in a little meat loss but the deer or hog isn't going anywhere but straight to the ground.

 

[Hollywood]

I had my 13 yr old cousin shoot her first gun and deer last year with her grandfather's remmington model 722 in .308 that I loaded up with 110 gr hornady vmax. Shot a little button buck, no exit wound and most of the organs were jelly.

 

[wapiti25]

Berger has a 155 hunting and a 168 hunting. My buddy's and I have used Bergers to kill elk, Moose, Deer, and antelope. They drop animals if hit in the kill zone in their tracks. My Colorado moose was shot at 200 yds and the jacket was under the hide on the far side after going thru the shoulders. Try'um you will like them. They are not more expensive than Noslers.

 

[Larryh128]

Barnes 130gr TTSX, great bullet

 

[STOMP442]

Simple. change it up to the 165 Game King. Chances are they will shoot just as good as your 168MK load. Very forgiving bullet to load for and hard on critters.

 

[1shot]

I had my 13 yr old cousin shoot her first gun and deer last year with her grandfather's remmington model 722 in .308 that I loaded up with 110 gr hornady vmax. Shot a little button buck, no exit wound and most of the organs were jelly.

I'm with Hollywood on this one. A-max in 110 or 155 are instant DRT (Dead Right There) bullets on deer at sane distances.

Lloyd

 

[CTK]

130 TSX how could you go wrong there?

 

[snert]

Thanks guys. I was leery of the 130 TTSX (I have 100) for longer range, but will test. I will also look at the Berger (had not thought of that). I might have a few old Sierra 165's hiding in the dusty bin of my 30-06 days (ya, forgot all about using them way back when I was 17) and I will give them a whirl too.

And if all else fails, I will let her try the SMK...I have 4K loaded for a gas gun. I can back her with my rifle in case all does not go as planned.

Appreciate it guys.

snert