What 308 bullet works for both deer and elk?

Bullet weights between 150 and 180 grs, for medium velocity .30 caliber rifles, have usually proven to be quite versatile in the game fields, allowing a single bullet to take game across a broad weight spectrum. As to bullet styles, its pretty tough to argue against the virtues of the Partition, its not the only good bullet out there, but its proven track record takes the guess work out of trying to decide which to choose when confronted with 20' of gun shop counter space full of component bullets. That said, semi-auto rifles occasionally balk when fed anything but spitzer bullets. Thirty years ago, my go to bullet for the .30/06 was the Hornady 165 gr BTSP, and they don't make them any worse today. Boat-tail hunting bullets have occasionally been criticized for unreliable close range terminal performance, but my observation of the 165 gr Hornady when fired from a .308 or a .30/06, does not support that theory. Today, in your situation, I'd probably choose the Matrix 168 gr RBTHP. While a bonded bullet is unnecessary at .308 velocities, neither does a core bonded to it's jacket do any harm, and this bullet's profile will ensure reliable feeding in your gas gun. While you have to order Matrix bullets on line, rather than pick them up at your LGS, I can assure you your order will be shipped promptly, and you should have them within the week.
 
My old Model 70 Winchester in 308 Win has taken several dozen deer (mostly whitetail, but at least 8 mule deer) and two elk with Speer Hotcor 165 grain loaded to 2,800 fps with RL-15 as per the Speer manual. Many of these recovered under the hide on the far side - showing nice classic mushroom expansion. I do not recall any incidents of fragmentation. Not uncommon to find core and jacket just about separated, but together. Dead is dead, can't make them "deader" with a premium bullet! Today I use Accubonds and Partitions in various other calibers, (especially 243, which I consider marginal for 300 pound + game) - the 308 still gets loaded with the Hotcors - seems to be a real practical match of capability and performance.
 
It's obvious that few here have ever used (and recovered) Barnes TSX from a game animal. Once you have used them, and recovered them from just under the hide on the far side, you will never go back to any other bullet. The expansion and performance is literally textbook. I have both Nosler Accubonds and TSX recovered sitting on the shelf. Both are good, but the TSX I would say is best. Virtually no weight loss and lead free with the TSX. Why would anyone use a lead bullet today? Seriously...
 
woodlotowner said:
It's obvious that few here have ever used (and recovered) Barnes TSX from a game animal. Once you have used them, and recovered them from just under the hide on the far side, you will never go back to any other bullet. The expansion and performance is literally textbook. I have both Nosler Accubonds and TSX recovered sitting on the shelf. Both are good, but the TSX I would say is best. Virtually no weight loss and lead free with the TSX. Why would anyone use a lead bullet today? Seriously...
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how about ttsx? As good?
 
I prefer the TTSX for its increased BC but have since moved on to the LRX. Great BC and Barnes claims the minimum velocity to open up is 1600 fps. Haven't tested it myself to verify that.
 
woodlotowner said:
It's obvious that few here have ever used (and recovered) Barnes TSX from a game animal. Once you have used them, and recovered them from just under the hide on the far side, you will never go back to any other bullet. The expansion and performance is literally textbook. I have both Nosler Accubonds and TSX recovered sitting on the shelf. Both are good, but the TSX I would say is best. Virtually no weight loss and lead free with the TSX. Why would anyone use a lead bullet today? Seriously...
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Ever recovered a TSX that penciled through game at moderate velocities with very minimal expansion? I have a buddy that texted me the picture of his TSX that went through a black bear and into a poplar behind. He recovered it, very minimal expansion. Black bear went about 60 yards before flopping over.

Just one experience, obviously not a large sample size to make any sort of statement about the bullet. At .308 velocities though I would argue there are better choices than a TSX, certainly there are many equal choices.
 
Solid copper has it's place, but it will never replace lead bullets, or be so vastly superior to make them obsolete.
Solid copper has drawbacks, you have to shoot lighter bullets vs it's lead counterparts due to the longer length, on top of that you have to shoot them slower due to higher pressures they generate. So now you have lowered BC lowered SD, lowered velocity, and for what? So you don't find a tiny lead frag in an organ? Really, how much meat gets wasted with a heart/lung shot...
 
I developed a load for my 300 wsm with 180 Interbonds I used for moose and deer. Worked good on moose but penciled through a big whitetail doe at 250yards. I found the doe the next day by following the ravens, it was too far gone to recover. Those loads are no longer used for deer, I use a 165 SST now for deer.
 
woodlotowner said:
It's obvious that few here have ever used (and recovered) Barnes TSX from a game animal. Once you have used them, and recovered them from just under the hide on the far side, you will never go back to any other bullet. The expansion and performance is literally textbook. I have both Nosler Accubonds and TSX recovered sitting on the shelf. Both are good, but the TSX I would say is best. Virtually no weight loss and lead free with the TSX. Why would anyone use a lead bullet today? Seriously...
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I've used TSXs in hunting/test situations where we counted our ammo supply by the thousand, and wouldn't even leave camp without several hundred rounds of ammo in the truck. Except for some fairly specialized uses I'd rather use something else. It gets pretty obvious what kills fast and what kills slow when the numbers pile up, and the TSXs come into the slow category. It got to where the TSXs got pushed aside until the good stuff was gone.
 
Hitzy said:
Solid copper has it's place, but it will never replace lead bullets, or be so vastly superior to make them obsolete.
Solid copper has drawbacks, you have to shoot lighter bullets vs it's lead counterparts due to the longer length, on top of that you have to shoot them slower due to higher pressures they generate. So now you have lowered BC lowered SD, lowered velocity, and for what? So you don't find a tiny lead frag in an organ? Really, how much meat gets wasted with a heart/lung shot...
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No, not really.

TTSX bullets- pick a lighter bullet and push it fast. Monometal bullets like to go fast. SD doesn't matter once it hits an animal, the TTSx will expand and penetrate. BC is reduced due to the grooves but under normal hunting situations (0-400 meters) BC is not an issue.
 
My buddy just shot this Rosie Elk with a load we worked up with a 145gr LRX from his 7-08. One shot, big elk. A 130 or 150 TTSX from a 308 would do the same. Kill shot is about 3 min in. Bull hesitates then drops

 
It's obvious that few here have ever used (and recovered) Barnes TSX from a game animal. Once you have used them, and recovered them from just under the hide on the far side, you will never go back to any other bullet. The expansion and performance is literally textbook. I have both Nosler Accubonds and TSX recovered sitting on the shelf. Both are good, but the TSX I would say is best. Virtually no weight loss and lead free with the TSX. Why would anyone use a lead bullet today? Seriously...
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Never say never :)

I used a TSX .... once. It worked just fine. But no better than the Speer Hotcores (150 grn out of my .308) I used for three of my last 5 moose. They usually show up perfectly mushroomed on the far side. Same should work just fine for the OP's situation. 160grn accubonds or 160grn deep curls out of my 7x57 seem more prone to zipping right through. I am of the opinion that the 'premium' bullets come into their own when impact velocities increase - like 2800-3000+. I have never had magnumitise, the standard chamberings serving me just fine.

My 2 cents.
 
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