Loading for 308 WIN

[ebb]

A neighbor recently went hunting and successfully harvested a doe and a buck, only to have the venison stolen in shipping after being processed and send home. We are talking about him learning to load his own ammo before next season. I know if he only intends to deer hunt most any bullet is capable of doing the job. But what if we think ahead maybe this load with a better bullet could allow him to hunt way into the future with the original load. He has a Ruger 77 MK2 in 308WIN. What bullet would we base our load on that would leave open possibilities for the future? He shot federal fusion 150s out of a Remington for the deer, but does a better 165 bullet allow for hogs and maybe elk? Is there a perfect do all bullet or am I wanting something impossible. I am way out of touch with hunting bullets, but know there are good ones available. If I wanted to do this for myself I would look no further than a Nosler partition. Some friends and I as we are getting older are thinking lighter bullets and i know my latest 125 BT Nosler truck gun load will harvest any Florida deer I find. What say you guys and gals?

 

[Older-than-dirt]

For deer and hogs I used the Barnes 130 gr TTSX and killed way too many deer to count. Along with deer, I have killed plenty of hogs with the same bullet. I also have taken 2 Black Bear with the same 308 and 130 gr TTSX.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

165 Nosler Accubond for all Game in a .308

 

[CJ6]

Bonded here also. 150-165s Swift, Nosler, Hornady whichever shoots best.

 

[dcl]

Another vote for 30 cal. accubonds. Deer, antelope, black bear and bison

 

[hunter67]

We have shot many deer and elk with the Barnes 130 TTSX, and it works well. The fusion in 165 would be a good choice and probably way cheaper in the long run.

 

[ebb]

I saw a deal on fusion ammo and shot some in my 06 it was accurate and from what Ive read the bullet just works.

 

[K22]

If you are seeking an "all around" big game 308 Win bullet meaning for deer, elk, bear, etc., I also support the idea of the Nosler 165 Accubond. My best friend took a 5x4 Elk in 2022 with bullet, a one shot kill at 178 yards.

However, this may be "overkill" for strictly deer. With proper shot placement, deer are not difficult to anchor. My favorite bullet for deer is the no frills 150 Sierra Pro Hunter behind either Varget or IMR 4064.

 

[SeabeeKen]

A 130 barnes or 137 hammer hunter will handle anything in the lower 48.
I dropped 2 does with 1 shot this past season with my 257 and a 80 gr ttsx. Fully penetrated both including ribs and the skull of the second deer. Taken more deer than i can count with barnes over decades, never a failure of any kind.

 

[divingin]

better bullet could allow him to hunt way into the future

I thought you were talking about exceeding the speed of light.

 

[ebb]

^^^^ that much velocity may over pressure a 308 win case? K22 Ive never had an issue with Remington core loks on deer. We discussed it today (we shoot off hand 22lr in the backyard several times this week) he is going to do some research on bonded bullets and we will see where it leads him. Thanks everyone for your input. This guy is a 40 something county firefighter and may be the best neighbor i have.

 

[DShortt]

^^^^ that much velocity may over pressure a 308 win case? K22 Ive never had an issue with Remington core loks on deer. We discussed it today (we shoot off hand 22lr in the backyard several times this week) he is going to do some research on bonded bullets and we will see where it leads him. Thanks everyone for your input. This guy is a 40 something county firefighter and may be the best neighbor i have.

I shot many deer with Remington Core-Loks before I got really heavy into reloading. Always performed well for me in the rifle I had at the time.

 

[ebb]

In the fall just before deer season started Walmart always had a sale of hunting ammo. Remington core loks 30/30 was $9.95, 308 and 30-06 was $10.95, and 300 win mag was $11.95. I would buy as many boxes as I thought my wife would allow before resorting to violence.

 

[DShortt]

In the fall just before deer season started Walmart always had a sale of hunting ammo. Remington core loks 30/30 was $9.95, 308 and 30-06 was $10.95, and 300 win mag was $11.95. I would buy as many boxes as I thought my wife would allow before resorting to violence.

Heck, at that time I only bought 1 box/year.

10 for sight-in. Couldn't shoot more than 3 deer, so always had plenty.

Shot .22lr for practice to make sure I could hit what I wanted and I small game hunted back then. So I shot quite a bit of .22lr.

It worked fine for the intended purpose.

Kinda miss those simple times......

 

[ebb]

I'v e still got 22LR 550 bulk packs i put away for bad times that is priced at $9.99.

 

[Sniper338]

Everyone throwing out bullet reccommendations but no ones discussed twist rate of the rifle...


I have a 10 twist 308... it ONLY wants Sierra matchkings. I got my hands on the new Sierra MKX to try out. Loaded some up the other day!

 

[Charlie-NY]

Federal's Terminal Ascent bullets/ammo seem to be getting a lot of well-deserved attention lately.

 

[ebb]

I am trying my best to not assert my opinions. I asked him to research 30 caliber bullets, but told him most all of you guys had mentioned bonded core bullets. He and his wife gave birth to a second baby just before Christmas, and both have been sick. So he may need time to do family stuff, but I am sure he will get to it soon. Rifle is a Ruger 77 MK2 and it is an older rifle but most seem to be 1 in 10.