.308 grain variation uses?
- Thread starter Tjv787
- Start date
just having some fun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
150 -165-180g has been the standard for 308
190g has been mostly used for the bigger 300 Class of firearms 30-06 and the newer magnums
Bigger means slower in the 308 so if you used a 190g you might not be able to push it fast enough for it to expand
if you use 190g in a semi --> M305 you will start to bend parts
190g has been mostly used for the bigger 300 Class of firearms 30-06 and the newer magnums
Bigger means slower in the 308 so if you used a 190g you might not be able to push it fast enough for it to expand
if you use 190g in a semi --> M305 you will start to bend parts
There is need to use different grains of bullets, in fact for someone like yourself that does not understand the difference, I would choose one 150 to 165gr bullet, and use that bullet for all of your hunting. Keep it simple, and you won't have to learn multiple trajectories, which will just confuse a newer shooter.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
I use a 200grn .308" bullet in my 300WM, primarily for moose, MV is just over 2900FPS
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
120 - never
150 - mostly - 300 Savage to 30-06
190 - bigger stuff - 30-06 to 300 RUM
Damage comes from bullet construction and velocity. Lightly built and moving fast = lots of damage.
The 308 is my favorite cartridge. I shoot all year long with several different rifles & loads, mostly 155gr to 180gr.
To answer your question, 150gr is perfect for deer, good shot placement, deer down.
You could bump up to 180gr for moose or bear, but many shoot 150gr and it works.
Personally I use 180gr for most of my hunting. I do not believe in over kill, 180gr drops deer fine as well as moose or bear.
Again, good shot placement little damage.
To answer your question, 150gr is perfect for deer, good shot placement, deer down.
You could bump up to 180gr for moose or bear, but many shoot 150gr and it works.
Personally I use 180gr for most of my hunting. I do not believe in over kill, 180gr drops deer fine as well as moose or bear.
Again, good shot placement little damage.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Another way to look at it is light bullet for light game, heavy bullet for heavy game.
Assuming you are asking about hunting with a .308 winchester, and not just about the bullet diameter, use 190 ( or 180) grain bullets for big stuff like moose and elk.
Generally speaking the 150 grain is appropriate for deer sized critters.
Most 120 grain bullets are for coyotes and rodents, not big game.
There are exceptions of course, ( mostly because of advancements in bullet construction ) but generally
A Heavy bullet will penetrate deeper and work better for big stuff, when a lighter bullet might shatter and create a lot of surface damage but not enough deep vital tissue internal damage. It may not open quick enough for quick kills on lighter animals.
A medium weight bullet works best for medium game because is expands with medium resistance and penetrates adequately for deer and such. It will kill big stuff efficiently if they are shot though the ribs and not the heavy shoulder bones.
A light weight bullet is usually not only light and fast, but made with a very thin jacket so that it fragments completely and kills varmints efficiently without ricochets. It may not penetrate adequately to reach the vitals at all on something the size of a moose.
These are broad generalizations, there is some overlap.
Assuming you are asking about hunting with a .308 winchester, and not just about the bullet diameter, use 190 ( or 180) grain bullets for big stuff like moose and elk.
Generally speaking the 150 grain is appropriate for deer sized critters.
Most 120 grain bullets are for coyotes and rodents, not big game.
There are exceptions of course, ( mostly because of advancements in bullet construction ) but generally
A Heavy bullet will penetrate deeper and work better for big stuff, when a lighter bullet might shatter and create a lot of surface damage but not enough deep vital tissue internal damage. It may not open quick enough for quick kills on lighter animals.
A medium weight bullet works best for medium game because is expands with medium resistance and penetrates adequately for deer and such. It will kill big stuff efficiently if they are shot though the ribs and not the heavy shoulder bones.
A light weight bullet is usually not only light and fast, but made with a very thin jacket so that it fragments completely and kills varmints efficiently without ricochets. It may not penetrate adequately to reach the vitals at all on something the size of a moose.
These are broad generalizations, there is some overlap.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I always thought 150s were light bullets!
skneub
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Isn't that what the 243 is for? Have I been living a lie?
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
what????
why not???
really you need a minimum of 5 hunting guns to have a good spread. You wont have a the extream selection of choice of the the 'high rollers' but you should be able to pick an appropriate caliber and chambering for most occasions.
like thinking you can play golf with a 1 wood and putter, and perhaps a 4 iron. its just not right.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Long studies of the ballistics tables, and a bunch of experimenting led me to the conclusion that the 165grain bullet was the ideal choice for the 308Win. Best compromise between energy and velocity, with good trajectory. I use it for moose, deer, and black bear.
Never lets me down.
Never lets me down.
If a 120 grain bullet from a 6mm will kill a deer dead, it will out of a .308 too.
I have shot mulies with 110 through 180 grain bullets out of a .308, and all ended up just as dead. Try different weights, and stick to the one that shoots better, or is easier to find, if they all shoot well enough.
Cheers
Trev
I have shot mulies with 110 through 180 grain bullets out of a .308, and all ended up just as dead. Try different weights, and stick to the one that shoots better, or is easier to find, if they all shoot well enough.
Cheers
Trev
- Location
- Saskatchewan
trevj, I respectfully disagree with your assumption. Short, fat & light for caliber bullets are a terrible choice for any big game hunting. The most important factor in choosing a hunting bullet is most definitely NOT only about accuracy, but bullet performance IN the animal that is critical. A standard 110 grain bullet from a .308 will kill a deer quickly with a broadside rib shot, with a massive, very shallow wound. The same bullet on the point of the shoulder may or may not penetrate to the vitals, chances are it will just create a ghastly muscle wound. Very heavy and slow opening bullets are also inappropriate for small deer, but may work very well for a massive elk or bison. Choose an appropriate bullet weight and style for the game hunted, not just what's most accurate or cheapest or easiest to find.
