Best 308 ammo for whitetail?

M

Matt74

Regular
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
235   0   0
Location
Ottawa
Hi,

I just picked up a Savage 99 Featherweight in 308 awhile back, and plan on using it for deer hunting this fall. I have been told by a few guys, that they like the Remington Core Lokt SPs for deer. I haven't been having much luck finding any, but was wondering what others were using for deer, and thought were the best. There are so many options now. I see even Federal has a 165 gr SP (think pointy though), that looks ok, but not sure. Forgot to mention, I'll be hunting in the bush and if in the fields, nothing more than 150-200 yards.

Matt
 
Demonical said:
Go down to Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire and buy the cheapest 180gr factory stuff they have; brand name is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Point taken. I have been searching for the 180 grains, but never knew they made 308 in 165 grain.

On the Silver Tips, I've heard mixed things. I've heard they don't work so well on smaller game big like deer, but are great on larger game like moose. Heard they don't expand as well on deer? Also heard others say they are great. Those are an option though for a try.

Matt
 
You'll have to try a box of as many brands and bullet weights as you can to find the ammo your rifle shoots best. The cost of said ammo means nothing.
The 99's .308 Win rifling twist is 1 in 12. Think 150's or 165's.
"...think pointy though..." Only matters in a tube magazine.
 
Matt74 said:
Point taken. I have been searching for the 180 grains, but never knew they made 308 in 165 grain.

On the Silver Tips, I've heard mixed things. I've heard they don't work so well on smaller game big like deer, but are great on larger game like moose. Heard they don't expand as well on deer? Also heard others say they are great. Those are an option though for a try.

Matt
Click to expand...

Here is a shot on a deer using 168 gr silvertip. The animal was dead before it hit the ground.

IMG_0047.jpg
 
Yup, I'd say that qualifies as dead. I may give them a try and see how the old gun likes them. My father always said they were really popular for deer back home back in the day when they first came along.
Matt
 
the lighter ones are generally good. if its only gonna be a doggin gun then lighter ones should be fine. the 99's are a good strong action so the newer hotter loads shouldent bother it all that much. the hornady GMX's are a copper-solid. as much as i hate to say it. id get used to using copper solids as with all the green freaks out there they want us using them. they work just aswell as the leags you just need to have a lighter round going faster to get the same effect.
 
I can't believe no one has said Federal blue box yet. I use 150 for deer and haven't had one run, let alone go past 10 yards. No need for 180's.
 
I favor 180gr silvertips in my rifle, but that doesn't mean it shoots good in every rifle. try several different types and go with the one that groups best. Different bullets expand differently, but making a good shot is what counts the most. When you drop a few deers and find they're expanding too much or too little, then try something else.
 
I always had luck with Rem Corelokts in a few different guns.

Now I reload premium bullets shooting well out of my gun for the same price as the cheap stuff, maybe a tad cheaper.
 
Matt74 said:
Point taken. I have been searching for the 180 grains, but never knew they made 308 in 165 grain.

On the Silver Tips, I've heard mixed things. I've heard they don't work so well on smaller game big like deer, but are great on larger game like moose. Heard they don't expand as well on deer? Also heard others say they are great. Those are an option though for a try.

Matt
Click to expand...

Im not too sure. wouldnt the point of impact make more of difference in how the bullet performed on a deer? sometimes there are quartering away shots etc?

Did the person say if they shot the deer broadside?
 
I have not tried the Winchester PowerMax, but like the others have indicated, no need to fret too much about factory ammo.

Last fall using 150 gr. blue Box Federals out of my .308 I took 2 deer. One went 10 yards and the other went bang-flop. Next month I will be hunting with 180 gr. green box Remingtons (PSP Core-Lokt). Why the switch? I've always used Remingtons and my gunsmith shoots the same gun and likes 180's, so I thought I would give them a try. The deer won't notice a difference.

Blue box Federals, green box Remingtons or grey box Winchesters, they all shoot a simple soft point lead bullet, which is arguable the most perfect whitetail deer bullet ever devised. Find a brand that groups well for you and stay with it. You can spend more on deer ammo but, once again, the deer won't notice a difference.

Good hunting!
 
As others have stated, ANY factory ammo will work on deer at less than 200yards. Pick one and sight your rifle in with it.
 
You'd be hard pressed to find a combination of factory rifle and factory ammo that wouldn't make a 150-200 deer rifle. I'd stick to 150s and 165s,180s if you are going to take on a moose, pick something that wants to shoot in your rifle and buy a pile of it. Individual loadings aren't going to change your day much, but switching back and forth might.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom