What Bullet to use?

A

Alberta hunter

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Spruce Grove, Ab
I have been drawn for a southern Alberta mule deer hunt and plan on using my 308 norma mag. Just not sure of witch bullet weight to use. 180 grain or 165 grain. Any suggestions or recomendations would be wonderful.

Thanks

A.H
 
180's :)
accubondbox_copy1.jpg
for deer

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and larger game

Barnes 180's
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Yup, my thinking also.
I don't get too wrapped up in bullet brands, as long as it shoot well, I go with it.
Thast being said, I shoot a pile of Game kings, but also hornadys every now and then , with a smattering of Speers and Barnes thrown in.
May just try some of the Alberta Wildcats this year....
Cat
 
I've been impressed with what I've seen so far in the TSX line. 168 TSXs out of your rifle would be a good load, as long as they shoot accurately out of it.
 
I used the 150gr Ballistic tips in my 06 and they hit like TNT, even at very long range. They shoot very well.
Antelope aren't much bigger than a coyote with long legs so get a load that shoots flat as possible yet is accurate too. If I may say so, it won't be the bullet that makes the difference but getting to know the range. I had a dickens of a time guessing the range with ours.

Hope you have a great time!
Noel
 
Deer aren't very tough, a 308 mag is certainly overkill. But of course you use what you got, and what you're comfortable with. A 150gr is probably all that's needed for deer, but a magnum speeds, might not hold together too well. So, while you certainly don't NEED a 180, it helps keep speeds down into the range which the bullets tend to work the best. Again, you don't NEED a premium bullet to kill deer, but again the Magnum thing necessitates a tough bullet to hold together.

Any way you cut it, the minimum load that will work well in this caliber will easily be a moose/elk combo and more than you need for Deer. Not that this is a bad thing by any stretch :D
 
Thanks for all of the info. Especially from you cereal. The reason I am using my Norma is I had a custom barrel put on it that has not drawn blood yet, so I figured I might as well try it out. I am not sure of the ballistic tip type of bullet as I have heard, and seen they can be very explosive. I have both speer mag tip and spbt. bullets in 180 gr and 165 spbt speer bullets on hand. Just wondering if ther 165 would be too light and come apart at magnum speeds.

Thanks.

A.H
 
I wouldn't risk it. The Speer 165 is not a bonded design, and is designed for much lower speeds. I think it'd probably come apart and make a mess of your deer. If it were me, I'd be looking a a Partition. I've used 140 partitions at very high speeds on deer from my 7 mag with great success. I'm also slowly becoming a believer in the Accubond and interbond bullets, too. At extreme speeds, even Barnes X-bullets have a tendency to shed petals - but not explode, so they'd probably work too.
 
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My 150gr Ballistic tips exploded on contact, at 422 yards!
I am relaying my personal experience. These speed goats are so small there is no way you need to run a premium bullet. Anything short of being a varmint bullet is going to work on these little critters. Guaranteed.
 
Hey Noel,
Thanks for the info. I am chasing mule deer, not anelope. I think you misread my post. I do believe the norma would probably not leave much of an antelope as you are right, they are a small critter. Also very tastey.

Thanks

A.h
 
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