Moose loads in a .308 Winchester?

[Kilo Charlie]

I'm planning to hunt some clear cut areas for moose this year. Shots will be less than 300 yards.

My rifle choice may be my .308 Winchester. (A 700 BDL, just FYI)

Those who use a .308 Win for moose hunting, do you prefer 165-grain or 180-grain bullets?
Handloaders, do you have a favourite powder?

It may come down to a choice between the .308 and my .280 Remington; I figure in the final analysis, they are equally capable of taking moose under similar conditions.

 

[LawrenceN]

You're right about the calibers capability. Personally, I like the .308 with a good quality hunting bullet. I like 180 gr. for Moose, but 165 will do the job if you have a premium hunting bullet. I reload Nosler and Sierra, but there are a lot of good choices out there. As always, it comes down to bullet placement. Something that will punch through the hide and ribs and take out the heart or lungs, and you have moose meat.

 

[jmichelin84]

There's people that use a 150 or a 155 grain bullets for moose light and fast but I like the 175 or the 180 grain I'm using factory Winchester 180 power points from my moose two shots and she was down both shots did a double lung

 

[obsessed1b]

I shoot 168 e tips in my 308. Kills moose, Elk, deer....165-180 partitions would be another good choice

 

[Brianma65]

155-168 nosler or Hornady ELD and Varget will get er done

 

[Suther]

155-168 nosler or Hornady ELD and Varget will get er done

Isn't the Hornady ELD just a cup and core bullet?

OP I would let the bullet construction choose the bullet weight. 180gr for cup and core, 165gr for bonded, 150gr for all copper.

You are correct that both the 308 and 280 are plenty capable of taking a moose. I'm a 7mm fan myself so I'd be shooting 139gr GMX or 160gr bonded bullet (Woodleighs are a good price) in the 280.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I shoot 168 e tips in my 308. Kills moose, Elk, deer....165-180 partitions would be another good choice

Just ordered a box of 165 Partitions and I have a few 178 ELD-X and 180 FailSafes to try.
I already use N140 or Reloder 15 in my .250 Savage so I may try to work with Reloder 15.

 

[guntech]

The cheapest box of factory 150 grain ammunition will easily kill a moose. The heavier bullets will as well. As always you need to hit a vital area.

 

[rifleman762]

180 Partitions are my go-to 308 bullet for big game. I've considered a Sako Hammerhead but never tried it. I'm sure it would work. My preference for any hunting is always heavy for caliber bullets with between 2400 and 3000 fps. Seems to kill things no matter the cartridge or bullet.

 

[Brianma65]

Sorry , I meant the 178 ELD.
Drops them dead ,right where they stand.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

Isn't the Hornady ELD just a cup and core bullet?

OP I would let the bullet construction choose the bullet weight. 180gr for cup and core, 165gr for bonded, 150gr for all copper.

You are correct that both the 308 and 280 are plenty capable of taking a moose. I'm a 7mm fan myself so I'd be shooting 139gr GMX or 160gr bonded bullet (Woodleighs are a good price) in the 280.

I may still use the .280; I thought maybe a 150 Barnes TTSX. I have had zero luck with bullets heavier that 150 in my usually-very-accurate rifle. (1993 A-Bolt)

 

[RangerPark]

Federal Fusion 180 grains in .308 has served me well for factory hunting ammo.

 

[Brianma65]

My buddy splurges on rem Core-lok, lol
He’s never lost a moose yet.

Gotta be careful with those ttsx, I’ve seen them pass right through,

 

[CV32]

The cheapest box of factory 150 grain ammunition will easily kill a moose. The heavier bullets will as well. As always you need to hit a vital area.

True enough. Far better to focus on what ammo shoots best from your particular rifle.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

My buddy splurges on rem Core-lok, lol
He’s never lost a moose yet.

Gotta be careful with those ttsx, I’ve seen them pass right through,

thats how they are designed.


id be using a 150gr or 130gr TTSX in the 308.

Im shooting the 130gr over 3100fps into sub moa groups with varget.

 

[todbartell]

Nosler 165gr Accubond came to mind first

 

[Diablo7101]

Taken many moose with 180gn partitions. My go to for everything in the .308 the last few years is home loaded speer hot cores 165gn, they have done just fine as well.

 

[Joel]

Like Guntech said, shoot well and you kinda can't go wrong. I wouldn't hesitate to reach for just about any off the shelf ammo for the 308. Most of the moose I have shot and seen shot were not premium bullets, and they tip over.

Might be a different story if you center punch a bigass leg bone before reaching chest, but...

 

[Joel]

thats how they are designed.


id be using a 150gr or 130gr TTSX in the 308.

Im shooting the 130gr over 3100fps into sub moa groups with varget.

Presuming here but I think he means passing through without expansion.

Always a bit of a worry when I use one too rational or not. So far they've accounted for one whitetail and one bullwinkle just fine but...maybe I just hate change lol

 

[phinton81]

I shot three moose with Winchester 180 Silvertips and they performed very well. When I started reloading for moose, I used 150gr TTSX and they shot wonderfully. I haven't killed anything with them but I liked the flatter trajectory they offered over the 180gr and the mono-metal construction gave me confidence for off angle shots or having to punch a shoulder or two.

Patrick