Antelope bullet

[people]

The 168 will work fine.

 

[Wjesswheel]

I get a kik outa folks trying super duper penatrators when there is a Sierra 150 SBT,,,,they work in every thing from 30-30 to 300 ultra mag,,,,Roger

Don't have a lot of rifle hunting experience. Live in a shotgun state. What kind of accuracy you getting with it at 100,300,600. Going to go run some ballistics and see how they turnout. Iam assuming They expand well? I like my Sierra 168's but looking for something that shoots a little flatter but still has excellent accuracy. These certainly seem like an option my rifle for some reason seems to like Sierras ove anothe brand I try, just keep seeming to end back with the smk's 168 for some reason

 

[284winner]

Don't have a lot of rifle hunting experience. Live in a shotgun state. What kind of accuracy you getting with it at 100,300,600. Going to go run some ballistics and see how they turnout. Iam assuming They expand well? I like my Sierra 168's but looking for something that shoots a little flatter but still has excellent accuracy. These certainly seem like an option my rifle for some reason seems to like Sierras ove anothe brand I try, just keep seeming to end back with the smk's 168 for some reason

Run them. Tough to beat a 168 in a 308 out to 600 yards. The smk is an accurate bullet and if you have confidence, shoot it.

 

[Blackthorn]

I would use a Nosler Partition pushed by IMR 4064 in the 308. partitions are accurate for game purposes and expand well on goats. I would also try to get as close as I possibly could for my shot though. Goat country tends to be a windy place. Goats are small and bullet placement errors are costly. A goat will travel long distances with a bullet in the guts or a broken leg and generally onto private property making recovery that much more difficult.

SMK shouldn't be used on game as they were designed for paper punching and may not even open at the ranges you intend on shooting making it a glorified FMJ.

I use 180gr Partitions in both my 300WM and my 308 for hunting. Never have had a bullet fail to expand...

 

[Ringostar]

Don't have a lot of rifle hunting experience. Live in a shotgun state. What kind of accuracy you getting with it at 100,300,600. Going to go run some ballistics and see how they turnout. Iam assuming They expand well? I like my Sierra 168's but looking for something that shoots a little flatter but still has excellent accuracy. These certainly seem like an option my rifle for some reason seems to like Sierras ove anothe brand I try, just keep seeming to end back with the smk's 168 for some reason

Yes, The Sierra gameking SBT shoot and expand very well. I've been using the 150's for many years on deer. Big Wisconsin whitetails and Wyoming mulies. I've even used the 165's for elk, however didn't get a shot on one with them. I wouldn't recommend open tip target bullets on game. I shot a whitetail buck with one once. Clean pass through with no expansion. Fortunately it went through the heart.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've only killed three Antelope all with a .270, two with 130gr SSTs and one with a 140gr Accubond. It's kind of like shooting smaller southern deer, but at longer ranges ( getting within 300yds is still pretty easy where I hunt if you're mobile and know how to use the terrain), quick opening bullets and higher velocities would probably be best, but you could kill them with most anything. I'd second 150gr SGKs out of your .308 as a good choice, I always had good luck with the 165s out of my '06s on deer, but for antelope, I'd have no problem trading bullet weight for velocity.

 

[284winner]

I understand some do not like match bullets for game. They are not designed to use as hunting bullets. I have great success with them while many don't. I'd suggest at least using a Hornady ELD-X or Accubond if going out the extra yardages( 600+ on goats). As stated, goats are found in windy areas. That statement alone puts the bonded flat base bullets in the same place as match bullets... Out of there element. If under 500 yards the partitions will work ok. Risking hitting a leg or guts isn't worth it. Go with the bullet best designed for long range and still a "game bullet " and use the ELD-X or Accubond LR low drag style bullets. There designed for range and dealing with wind better. Wind, long range and partitions don't mix. I love partitions but they have there limitations as well.

 

[people]

What ever bullet you use make sure you can actually shoot how ever far you want to.

 

[Steelnecktie]

So starting to work up a load for an antelope hunt using a 308, 12 twist. Did a search on eld-x bullets think everything was in the classified section. I would really like to use smk168 because I have all the info out to 600yds with them, just not a lot of good reviews on them for game unless someone has experience with them on game. So I guess I will be loading up some eld-x's and trying them out with some varget. Anyone have any opinions on them or another bullet to try. Live in a shotgun state limited experience with rifle on deer size game.

I don't see any problem with the 168 SMK. That's what my kids and I have been using the last couple years deer hunting and haven't had one run off yet. 4 deer killed with that bullet have all been within 150yds and closer.

 

[Down South]

The ELD should work fine. I've always used the 105gr AMAX in 6mm and it worked very well.

A couple friends used Bergers. I was NOT impressed. Very inconsistent terminal performance.

Interesting you say that about Bergers, I see the opposite. Everything I've shot with them (deer and hogs) is either bang flop or drop very close to where I've shot them. The VLDs are all I hunt with nowdays because they've performed so well for me.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Antelope are easy to kill. As long as the bullet opens your good.

 

[JackT]

I shot an antelope two years ago with a 6.5 x 47 right through the heart at 370 yrs. Bullet did not expand and it took a couple of minutes and 50 yards before it went down. Tough critter and excellent to eat!

 

[284winner]

Antelope are easy to kill. As long as the bullet opens your good.

I've heard that before but I know they can cover alot of ground before going down. Luckily in the terrain they are hunted in, seeing them go down is typical. Hope to find out next October.

 

[oldhoward]

Hi, I found this article several years ago when I looking for a good bullet for Africa. I know it is for a 300 wm mag,but it may provide some in site on bullets you can use. http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.300+Winchester+Magnum.html. They may have a page for the 308 never tried it. here is the 308 page:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.308+Winchester+7.62+NATO.html

 

[JBT47]

Interesting you say that about Bergers, I see the opposite. Everything I've shot with them (deer and hogs) is either bang flop or drop very close to where I've shot them. The VLDs are all I hunt with nowdays because they've performed so well for me.

+1...I've had the same experience as Jade using Berger bullets on Southern whitetails with Berger Hybrids ...I've shot many whitetails with Berger Hybrids (from 6mm 105's - 230 OTM's) over the last few years from up close out to 704 yds. Performance has been excellent. YMMV.

 

[onelastshot]

I would use a Nosler Partition pushed by IMR 4064 in the 308. partitions are accurate for game purposes and expand well on goats. I would also try to get as close as I possibly could for my shot though. Goat country tends to be a windy place. Goats are small and bullet placement errors are costly. A goat will travel long distances with a bullet in the guts or a broken leg and generally onto private property making recovery that much more difficult.

SMK shouldn't be used on game as they were designed for paper punching and may not even open at the ranges you intend on shooting making it a glorified FMJ.

I use 180gr Partitions in both my 300WM and my 308 for hunting. Never have had a bullet fail to expand...

A sane rationale voice; one of the few people speaking out for the right bullets. I don't understand why people get on this post or others and make recommendations when they have no experience or have no idea as to what they are talking about.

Target bullets are just that, target bullets. The manufacturer has come out and clearly stated that SMK's are target bullets and should not be used on animals. In spite of this, several people with no experience have come out and advised that they think the bullets are a good choice for game animals. These people will not be with you when you chase down a crippled animal because you used the wrong bullet. Read the manufacturer's description of their product. They are very clear regarding what their products should be used for and what they should not be used for.

 

[people]

A sane rationale voice; one of the few people speaking out for the right bullets. I don't understand why people get on this post or others and make recommendations when they have no experience or have no idea as to what they are talking about.

Target bullets are just that, target bullets. The manufacturer has come out and clearly stated that SMK's are target bullets and should not be used on animals. In spite of this, several people with no experience have come out and advised that they think the bullets are a good choice for game animals. These people will not be with you when you chase down a crippled animal because you used the wrong bullet. Read the manufacturer's description of their product. They are very clear regarding what their products should be used for and what they should not be used for.

I am so sick of this out right lying. It is almost a lie repeated becomes the truth.

I have used many different SMK bullets 22cal 30cal and 338cal. Hundreds of animals I have shot with the bullets and all of them died within a few yds of where they were shot. Not only are they accurate bullets they are great hunting bullets. I have killed a few elk with them, scores of deer and antelope, hundreds of coyotes and a few thousand pd. They flat out work for hunting.

I am not the only person who uses match bullets to hunt. Most traditional hunting bullets do not perform at distance. They just ice pick thru. Heck I can use AP at far less cost and get the same performance.

Of course sierra states they are designed to expand. What paper will cause a bullet to expand or mushroom? A bigger issue is if hey came out and stated they could be used for hunting I bet it would hurt their government contracts.

 

[Drop Port]

A sane rationale voice; one of the few people speaking out for the right bullets. I don't understand why people get on this post or others and make recommendations when they have no experience or have no idea as to what they are talking about.

Target bullets are just that, target bullets. The manufacturer has come out and clearly stated that SMK's are target bullets and should not be used on animals. In spite of this, several people with no experience have come out and advised that they think the bullets are a good choice for game animals. These people will not be with you when you chase down a crippled animal because you used the wrong bullet. Read the manufacturer's description of their product. They are very clear regarding what their products should be used for and what they should not be used for.

Berger Hunting VLD's are nothing more than their old target bullets with a new box and title. 162 A'Max are very similar in construction and performance to the Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting. Last time I checked Cup and Core is Cup an Core there are only so many ways to construct a bullet, shoot what makes you happy and you have confidence in. I won't speak for all SMK's but certain 338 ad 30 cals haven't let me down in a target rich environment. I don't base this on 5 or ten deer but lets just say culling for several farmers with endless tags.

 

[Blackthorn]

This is a Nosler Partition from an antelope that I shot quartering in at 525yds (hunting partner used a range finder plus paced). Bullet entered his left shoulder and passed all the way through to his right haunch just under the skin.

Tell me how a Nosler does not perform at long range..
For big game I ONLY use Nosler Partitions.. I have never had a failure.
I shot a doe last year slightly quartering at 350yds. Sliced through her ribs and exited her neck near her front shoulder. Sliced her ribs open and dropped her entrails on the grass..
As for Mule deer and Elk.. Partitions have been nothing but killers for me.. I do my job and they do the rest..
I have killed a number of big game animals and respect them enough that I would never use a target bullet.. Why would you use a tack hammer to drive a 16d nail? Use a real hammer when you need the job done..

 

[people]

View attachment 1018259 This is a Nosler Partition from an antelope that I shot quartering in at 525yds (hunting partner used a range finder plus paced). Bullet entered his left shoulder and passed all the way through to his right haunch just under the skin.

Tell me how a Nosler does not perform at long range..
For big game I ONLY use Nosler Partitions.. I have never had a failure.
I shot a doe last year slightly quartering at 350yds. Sliced through her ribs and exited her neck near her front shoulder. Sliced her ribs open and dropped her entrails on the grass..
As for Mule deer and Elk.. Partitions have been nothing but killers for me.. I do my job and they do the rest..
I have killed a number of big game animals and respect them enough that I would never use a target bullet.. Why would you use a tack hammer to drive a 16d nail? Use a real hammer when you need the job done..

525yds? Do you think that is long range? A real hammer? I guess a 300wm and a 338lm are tack hammers. For the record when you put a 300gr SMK into a deer head at 400yds it doesn't look like a tack hammer was at work.