I'm sure the 150 grain Power Shock would do fine for most deer hunting, but if you're gonna use a lower priced shell, I'd take a look at the Federal Fusion 165 grain. 150 grain is better suited to the 270/7mm diameter bullets rather than 30 cal IMO for hunting
.308 bullet weigth for deer?
- Thread starter ninepointer
- Start date
Out of a .308win I have used 150, 165, and 180's. All had the same result - dead deer.
X2, same here, I couldn't say which one's better for deer, I've had good results with everyones I tried (165gr BalTip, 150grPP, 180gr SilverTip)
.Anything from 110 grains on up, is a pretty good rule of thumb.
Shoot what shoots good.
My Dad's rifle, now mine, came with a couple boxes of 110 grain spire points that shot really well. The only mulie I shot at, with them, dropped where it stood.
I shot a lot of deer with it around Moose Jaw, using 150 grain bulk bullets. Never got any complaints from the deer, there.
Same gun shoots the 180 grain Winchester bulk bullets well enough. If you can't hit it, it won't die, no matter how good things look on the ballistics charts.
Day comes that I'm gonna shoot something an order of magnitude harder on me than it has to be, I might consider spending a bunch more money for the bullets it'll throw downrange, so as to get some tough enough to hold together at the "lesser" ranges, where most of the deer are.
Works for me.
Cheers
Trev
Shoot what shoots good.
My Dad's rifle, now mine, came with a couple boxes of 110 grain spire points that shot really well. The only mulie I shot at, with them, dropped where it stood.
I shot a lot of deer with it around Moose Jaw, using 150 grain bulk bullets. Never got any complaints from the deer, there.
Same gun shoots the 180 grain Winchester bulk bullets well enough. If you can't hit it, it won't die, no matter how good things look on the ballistics charts.
Day comes that I'm gonna shoot something an order of magnitude harder on me than it has to be, I might consider spending a bunch more money for the bullets it'll throw downrange, so as to get some tough enough to hold together at the "lesser" ranges, where most of the deer are.
Works for me.
Cheers
Trev
Its like you knew I am shooting a Rem 760
150gr is fine
I use Federal Power Shoks (150 gr)
in my old Rem 760 (not a 308 but a 300 Savage)
JohnC
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
if all you hunt is deer the 150's should be fine. if you hunt moose as well then 165's or even 180's I prefer using the same load for everything then you don't have to worry about differences in ballistics or grabbing the wrong ammo,
Deer are easy to kill. No huge bones like, say, a big moose. If you place the shot in the boileroom, it will die quickly. Most drop in their tracks.
A light bullets expands quickly and expends energy. Because the 308 is so powerful and within 100 yards far more powerful than needed (a 30-30 popgun is plenty) a 150 tends to be very destructive of meat.
A given rifle will prefer one load to another. If you do not load your own ammo, buy a box of 150, 165 and 180 ammo. Win, Rem and Federal are all good. Go to the range and shoot a five shot group with each type. Take your time, otherwise the barrel heat can give you an incorrect impression of accuracy. Don’t worry about where they hit on the target. This is a relative grouping test, not a zeroing exercise.
If your rifle shows a real preference, go with that, since the extra confidence will be good for you.
If all three shoot about the same, I would hunt with the 180s. They are less destructive and might (might) be slightly better going through bush.
I once shot a deer with a 150. The bullet went through some very light bush about 10 feet in front of the deer. A bullet fragment killed the deer.
An advantage of the 180 is that you will have a load and zero for moose, should you decide to try that.
Use the left over ammo for some offhand practice. Try standing, sitting with your back against a tree, and even try shooting off your left shoulder, as you would have to if you were sitting and a deer appeared on your extreme right.
My 2 cents.
A light bullets expands quickly and expends energy. Because the 308 is so powerful and within 100 yards far more powerful than needed (a 30-30 popgun is plenty) a 150 tends to be very destructive of meat.
A given rifle will prefer one load to another. If you do not load your own ammo, buy a box of 150, 165 and 180 ammo. Win, Rem and Federal are all good. Go to the range and shoot a five shot group with each type. Take your time, otherwise the barrel heat can give you an incorrect impression of accuracy. Don’t worry about where they hit on the target. This is a relative grouping test, not a zeroing exercise.
If your rifle shows a real preference, go with that, since the extra confidence will be good for you.
If all three shoot about the same, I would hunt with the 180s. They are less destructive and might (might) be slightly better going through bush.
I once shot a deer with a 150. The bullet went through some very light bush about 10 feet in front of the deer. A bullet fragment killed the deer.
An advantage of the 180 is that you will have a load and zero for moose, should you decide to try that.
Use the left over ammo for some offhand practice. Try standing, sitting with your back against a tree, and even try shooting off your left shoulder, as you would have to if you were sitting and a deer appeared on your extreme right.
My 2 cents.
I actually just switched from 180 Speers to 150 Horns a couple years ago. The Speers had a terrible tendency to create vicious holes in a deer. The 150 Horns tend to be a tougher bullets IMO. Much less meat damage anyway.
gottagetmemoosebye
CGN Regular
- Location
- Newfoundland
This is a great thread; Man you can learn a lot here!
I just bought a Savage 99 C A series in 308 from a buddy at work. It is a beautiful lever action and I've always wanted one. I've been sighting it in at the range and it seems to like 150 grain federal more than 180 grain. So far I am gettin 3 inch groups with the 150 at 100 yards. The scope was off quite a bit, now its fixed but I need to finish sighting it in (ran out of time at the range). Hopefully I can get a bit better than 3 inch groups. I just picked up some Win 168 grain and Fusion 165 Grain. Can't wait to see how they shoot.
Anybody got a Savage 99c in 308? If so what does she like?
I have a bull moose tag, Elk tag, and Mule Deer Buck tag (gotta love Alberta!!!). I am a fairly new hunter. Would 165 or 168 Grain be good enough for Moose and Elk? I would like to use the same weight for everything so I can keep things simple.
I just bought a Savage 99 C A series in 308 from a buddy at work. It is a beautiful lever action and I've always wanted one. I've been sighting it in at the range and it seems to like 150 grain federal more than 180 grain. So far I am gettin 3 inch groups with the 150 at 100 yards. The scope was off quite a bit, now its fixed but I need to finish sighting it in (ran out of time at the range). Hopefully I can get a bit better than 3 inch groups. I just picked up some Win 168 grain and Fusion 165 Grain. Can't wait to see how they shoot.
Anybody got a Savage 99c in 308? If so what does she like?
I have a bull moose tag, Elk tag, and Mule Deer Buck tag (gotta love Alberta!!!). I am a fairly new hunter. Would 165 or 168 Grain be good enough for Moose and Elk? I would like to use the same weight for everything so I can keep things simple.
In open country the 150 gr is fine. In dense bush the
I know it's going to hurt to ask but, WHY?
Use the right bullet and it won't be.
When I read this one, my Pepsi nearly fell out my nose. I am sure a few people are having a hard time reading this and not thinking
Yes, Alberta is grand. And the answer is yes again, 165ish is great, and I've seen the mighty ungulates dive nose first at the report of the .308 WCF. Enjoy your rifle and your time in the woods.
gottagetmemoosebye
CGN Regular
- Location
- Newfoundland
Thanks Chappy and Rem338Win.
My Savage 99 does not seem to like 180 grain bullets either, nice to hear others have found that too.
I'll try to sight her in this Friday with Fusion 165 Gr. and a box of Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 168 Gr.
My Savage 99 does not seem to like 180 grain bullets either, nice to hear others have found that too.
I'll try to sight her in this Friday with Fusion 165 Gr. and a box of Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 168 Gr.
I was always taught to use a slower heavier lead for animals. I've always used 150's from my .270, my Dad's always been 150's in his .303, and to tell the truth, most people in my party also go with a 150 or 165 (as in my uncle and his pump 30-06). I've also seen more meat damage due to higher velocity/smaller leads such as .243, 25-06 and .257 Wby than due to a bigger lead. One good friend of mine had a 25-06 that he loved to shoot, but stopped using because it made more of a mess of deer than his .280.
I also have had good luck with the Fusions, both at the range and the field and have heard good things from other people as well even though it's not a 'premium' bullet. I shoot a BAR and it can be pretty picky in what it likes to eat.
Good luck out there this year!
I also have had good luck with the Fusions, both at the range and the field and have heard good things from other people as well even though it's not a 'premium' bullet. I shoot a BAR and it can be pretty picky in what it likes to eat.
Good luck out there this year!
Skip the Silvertips and go with the fusions. If it'll print 2" you have a gret hunting rifle, just point and shoot. Have fun!
I'm for testing the various options and go with which ever one give you the best groups! after all, they all will drop a deer just the same, but if you have a long shot.......the tighter the group is at 100 yards over other rounds....the tighter group you'll have at 250 yards. You have to hit it first before she goes down !
John Spartan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Just a little more to the right...
Any bullet weight from 125 grains up to 240 grains will do the job. The key is good bullet placement with the bullet that shoots best from your rifle.
What works for others may not work for you and your gun, so as mentioned, test out the various options and see what works best in your rifle. If you can get good hunting groups (less than 1.5 inches at 100 yards or better) consistently, you're good to go at that distance. Practice at 200 yards and your shooting opportunities up to that distance and a bit beyond are covered.
What works for others may not work for you and your gun, so as mentioned, test out the various options and see what works best in your rifle. If you can get good hunting groups (less than 1.5 inches at 100 yards or better) consistently, you're good to go at that distance. Practice at 200 yards and your shooting opportunities up to that distance and a bit beyond are covered.
