Best 30 cal bullet for deer

[ebruder]

Hi.

I'm going to start reloading 308 for deer. Longest shot will be 200 yds with most shots under 125.

I like to reload. More accuracy for less cost, and I already reload 308 for my target rifles.

My question to you...

What is the best hunting bullet in 30 cal?

EB

 

[legi0n]

there's no definitive answer but you'll hear so many opinions...

 

[fraserdw]

165 grain, boat tail, soft point is a great combination of range and KE. 150 PSP if you can't find anything else.

 

[ebruder]

there's no definitive answer but you'll hear so many opinions...

That's why I asked!!

 

[brybenn]

165/168 gr sst or interlock. No need for a premium bullet for deer at mild velocities

 

[regulate34]

Honestly I would run a 180g bullet like a interlock and keep it at a moderate velocity. Light and fast is a combo for ruining meet.

 

[Globalstar66]

Buy PREMIUM bullets - cost a bit more, but they hold up great meaning less meat damage. I stick to Swift A-Frame or Barnes TSX. YMMV

 

[legi0n]

there's no definitive answer but you'll hear so many opinions...

That's why I asked!!

that's why you won't get a definitive answer

 

[Dogleg]

Best is a matter of opinion, when people want different results it's impossible to pick one bullet that will make everyone happy. I like fast opening bullets for large wounds and couldn't care less about meat loss. The bigger the wound channel the better. A 150 grain Ballistic Tip is about as good as any, but realistically deer are neither big nor tough and aren't hard to kill with the most ordinary of bullets. They can be awfully hard to find though, and fast drops go a long ways to making it easier.

 

[Johnny G1]

165 grain, boat tail, soft point is a great combination of range and KE. 150 PSP if you can't find anything else.

X2, any Nosler or Speer cup&core bullet will more than get it done.

 

[legi0n]

with dogleg

 

[legi0n]

I guess, by now, you got the idea I was trying to convey in post #2

 

[ljones]

The best is the .30 cal bullet placed accurately where it needs to be in the vitals...

 

[Bigfoot 870]

Remington Core-Lokt and Nosler Partition are my favorites.

 

[sask378]

Nosler Ballisitic Tip .308 125gr

 

[ebruder]

What do you think of the new hornady bullets?

178 gr ELD-X?
Or
165 gr SST

 

['Boo]

150 or 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.

If you want to go to a mono-metal bullet look at the Barnes 130 grain TSX or TTSX

 

['Boo]

What do you think of the new hornady bullets?

178 gr ELD-X?
Or
165 gr SST

The ELD-X was designed as a long range bullet which is not the goal you set in our original post.

The 165 SST would be a good choice if you can get one to shoot in your rifle They have a thinner jacket than the Nosler Ballistic Tips though and will produce heavy blood-shot especially if you hit heavy muscle at archery distances.

Edit note: Here is a picture of a deer a friend of mine shot about 10 years ago. The bullet was the 165 grain SST loaded in a .308 Winchester cartridge, The deer was shot at about 80 yards and was a high lung hit with nothing but ribs hit.

 

[korky]

Nosler 165 gr. ballistic tips

 

[Brutus]

150 grain Winchester Silvertips (old style) Second place to Remington Core Lokts, in the same weight.

We are just talking about deer hunting with the fine 308 Winchester at normal hunting distances.

my 2 bits only