I'm putting together a hunting load for a .308 M77 ruger. The rifle will be used for white tail and mulies out to 300 yds and maybe a bit more if the chance presents itself. What are some suggestions on bullet wieght and type from your experiences. ( There won't be any elk or moose in this rifles future. )
Bullet choice for .308
- Thread starter powdergun
- Start date
Ruger loads
I have been using the Nosler 165 gr. Ballistic tip in my Ruger MkII for some time now. I have taken black bear at 200 yds and they drop like a stone. It is very accurate in my Ruger. I sighted it in last weekend for Spring bear and put 5 shots just under an inch at 100 yds with the Nosler Ballistic tip and IMR 4350. I can even send you a picture of the group if you like. I can't say that I have taken any game at 300 yds with this bullet but would feel confident taking the shot on deer at that distance if the opportunity presented itself.
I have been using the Nosler 165 gr. Ballistic tip in my Ruger MkII for some time now. I have taken black bear at 200 yds and they drop like a stone. It is very accurate in my Ruger. I sighted it in last weekend for Spring bear and put 5 shots just under an inch at 100 yds with the Nosler Ballistic tip and IMR 4350. I can even send you a picture of the group if you like. I can't say that I have taken any game at 300 yds with this bullet but would feel confident taking the shot on deer at that distance if the opportunity presented itself.
- Location
- maple ridge b.c
Can't go wrong with a 165gr bullet. Standard cup and core from Hornady, Speer or Sierra ought to be fine for your deer slaying.
Any factory 150 or 165 grain bullet if you are not a reloader. If you reload, the sky is the limit. Pick what shoots the best in your rifle. Bullet placement means way more than 100 fps or 15 grains of weight when it comes to killing game.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
i65 grain Seirras, but nay powder will do as long as it's VARGET!!
Cat
Cat
I was just in the process of working up loads for a 308 BLR I had last fall and then I sold it. In fact I still have some 165 TSXs and 180 interbonds over rl15 and H380 that I didn't get to shoot. Guess I need another 308
I like the idea of the 165 tsx bullet. A little more than what's required for deer I'd say, but my thought there is they would be less destructive at close range and good to go quite a ways out there...
and then I sold it. In fact I still have some 165 TSXs and 180 interbonds over rl15 and H380 that I didn't get to shoot. Guess I need another 308 I like the idea of the 165 tsx bullet. A little more than what's required for deer I'd say, but my thought there is they would be less destructive at close range and good to go quite a ways out there...
Can't agree on the ballistic tips, bad experiences with them and deer. They fragment too easily and make a mess, I see them as more of a varmint load.
But partitions, different story. 150 gr partitions would be great for deer, and if you want to save a buck or two, accubonds would likely be almost as good. But I can't speak from experience the same way with Accubonds as with the two Nosler bullets.
BUT, for the amount of partitions you would shoot in a season, who cares what they cost, go Nosler and don't look back.
I have been using boring old 3031 with good results, but in Winnys and Brownings, so maybe you should listen to the Ruger people on powder. OR ignore the Ruger guys and shoot like a demon all summer with differnt types of powder, that sounds like more fun.
But partitions, different story. 150 gr partitions would be great for deer, and if you want to save a buck or two, accubonds would likely be almost as good. But I can't speak from experience the same way with Accubonds as with the two Nosler bullets.
BUT, for the amount of partitions you would shoot in a season, who cares what they cost, go Nosler and don't look back.
I have been using boring old 3031 with good results, but in Winnys and Brownings, so maybe you should listen to the Ruger people on powder. OR ignore the Ruger guys and shoot like a demon all summer with differnt types of powder, that sounds like more fun.
myself i use 130gr.barnes xtb triple shocks .first animal i took was a mulie buck that gave me a full broad side at 650yrds. second was a white tail 125yrds. quartering towards me at a dead run .took out front shoulder and backbone. wasted a bit of meat .but neither moved .one shot each
some of us don't need to have our (game)fenced in and teathered broadside to hit it.myself i zero in for 200yd shooting holdover was aprox3ft.
some of us don't need to have our (game)fenced in and teathered broadside to hit it.myself i zero in for 200yd shooting holdover was aprox3ft.
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chuckwagon
CGN Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
The Hornady 165 SST are good too.
qd-ziggy said:
I would say that this was his first deer using a Barnes XTB Tripple shock. qd-ziggy has been hunting for going on 30 years. So if he says it was at 650yds I would believe him. I've personally seen him do some pretty impressive shots in the past. He is my brother in law by the way.
He is a Saskatchewan Farm Boy, and living proof that redneckism is still alive and well, eh? Ross. Seeing a lot of islanders in the skeptics, 650 yds although it seems really far is not that unusual out here, some folks get bored with those easy 100 yd shots. Just ask the guys from Sask.
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riden said:
Sorry to hear about your bad experiences with the Ballistic Tips. On the last bear I shot, it was facing me, the 165 gr. BT broke the spine and then followed it downwards. I found bits of the green tip in amongst the vertebrae and the bullet itself under the skin of the right hip. Minimal damage. Maybe I was lucky I don't know but I haven't lost a lot of meat on other game with this bullet and I use it in my Ruger Mk I .300 Mag as well.
I agree fully with the use of 3031 powder. It works well in the Ruger also. It's a very consistent powder. I think your comment about trying several powders is right on.
