308 close range hunting

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I recently bought a stevens 200 in 308. The deer Im hunting cross in front of me at 25yds. I would like to know what FACTORY load would be good for this application. I have been told that these were good choices but I would like your advise and experiences. I want good expansion and bullet retention weights too.

Winchester fail safe
Federal Nosler partition
Federal Barnes triple X

HELP!!!!:confused:
 
I would stay clear of Barnes x in the 308. I had one not open at all (165gr XLC over 44gr varget). I have seen many of them work well in >3006, and heard good things about them in 308, but I had one bore about a 3/4 inch diameter hole through a deers head without expanding. This was at just over 200m, but IMHO, that bullet should have opened. I was able to replicate the results with phone books as well. I was told it was a bad batch, but I would not use them again in a 308 in any case.

The only deer I ever shot close with a 308, about 20 feet, was mule, and I was shooting 168gr nosler ballistic silvertips, again over 44 gr of varget. Might not have been the best bullet in close, but it turned the lungs into soup in a hurry.
 
Where are you hunting that you figure all of the shots will be close btw? Even when I hunt in the bush, there are enough clear areas around water, cut lines, and other clearings that I want to ensure that I can make a ~200m shot.

If you are shooting in bush, I recommend a round nosed bullet like Sierras 180gr round nose, or Remington corelokt. They will help a lot in the brush. Not really sure where you are at though.
 
i would stick with the noz partition. i have had partitions blow thru the neck of a muley at 25 yds leaving a 3 inch exit wound. three hundred yds same thing, good penitration and full opening. good choice near or far.
 
I disagree with Carbonrod, as I have had good success with th X, except in .375 caliber. However, I'd stick with Nosler Partitions. My brother shot a deer with a .308 and 180gr Nosler Partitions. The distance was about 15 yards and the performance was excellent. He also use 150gr Silvertips on Boar, but they seemed to come apart. I had the same experience with Silvertips at close range...they fragment. This kills game, but also wastes lots of meat.
 
Thanks again you guys wise ...wise...wise!

Just an update I dont have any 200 m shots. The longest is about 35 yds.
Cedar swamp/ scrub is my hunt. This equals big big deer that dont expect a humans presence let alone one with the 308 (LOL).
 
nosler partition all the way.
the last close quarter deer i shot was at exactly 22 yards from my shooting position, I was using a 7mm magnum :D , that deer dropped like a stone, entry hole was hard to find , exit hole, 2 inches and everything in between was obliterated. reliable expansion and excellent bullet weight retention.
 
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