.308 factory ammo suggestions for 18” Tikka

[PoniBoy]

Just cut down my Tikka T3x .308 barrel to 18”. Looking for any suggestions on a good factory big game hunting cartridge. Shooting suppressed. Thanks!

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

That's a great setup, even a bit more speed than my 16" 308.

Recommended factory loads:
168 AMAX
168 ELDM
168 TMK Federal LE Tactical
178 ELDX

Just put them in the vitals at or above 1800 fps and they will do the job.

You can search this forum for each these bullets and find multiple photos of the results they have on big game.

 

[TxxAgg]

I just went through this with a 16.5" Tikka. I settled on the 168 AMAX. They averaged 2525fps. They are highly recommended here.

 

[PoniBoy]

That's a great setup, even a bit more speed than my 16" 308.

Recommended factory loads:
168 AMAX
168 ELDM
168 TMK Federal LE Tactical
178 ELDX

Just put them in the vitals at or above 1800 fps and they will do the job.

You can search this forum for each these bullets and find multiple photos of the results they have on big game.

Thank you! Great information. I’ll take a look through the forums as well.

 

[swavescatter]

Bumping this up.

My neighbor's small son (100lbs ish) drew an off-range Oryx tag and his dad has a 308. Any recommendations?

 

[Ajsomp]

TMKs, ELDMs, AMAX. Every rifle is a little different but I wouldn’t be shooting anything below 150s personally. I tend to prefer TMKs.

There’s a new line of NAS3 ammo from Black Arc that is giving magnum-like velocity in a 308.

Also recommend looking here:

H

Thread 'All things .308 Win'

Jan 14, 2025

I’ve recently been playing with the .308 again. The cartridge has enough great qualities to have its own thread, so post away!

My most recent .308 consist of an Aero Precision Solus action (which I’m really diggin’ so far), 20” Bartlein 3B 1:10 twist, AG Composite Adjustable Hunter, and Triggertech Special. All ‘smithing was done by Jon Beanland, and there is none better.

Here is a picture of my most recent “group.” It is five shots with five different charges of StaBall Match pushing 168gr TMKs. The intent was to find max charge. I never expected it to do this...

• Hondo64d
• Replies: 732
• Forum: Firearms

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[swavescatter]

Given that it's a small kid I was thinking 150gr max. Dad doesn't reload so I'm thinking Federal Fusion 150gr from Walmart might be the ticket for shots under 400yds (hopefully much closer).

 

[BLJ]

Given that it's a small kid I was thinking 150gr max. Dad doesn't reload so I'm thinking Federal Fusion 150gr from Walmart might be the ticket for shots under 400yds (hopefully much closer).

I

Thread '110gr Barnes TTSX in 308'

Aug 30, 2024

Figured I would throw this in here as I haven't been able to find much online about this load since it isn't available as a factory option. I just put together a lightweight 16" 308 Win as a close to medium range hunting rifle and wanted a fairly low recoil - but high velocity point blank - round for deer out to about 300-325 yards, give or take.

Using 47.7gr of A-2230, along with Winchester magnum rifle primers (all I can find right now), I'm getting 3109 FPS on average with the 110gr TTSX bullet. Velocities were a little higher for a 16" barrel than I expected based on load data...

• IAm_Not_Lost
• Replies: 29
• Forum: Reloading

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No personal experience with these. Just noticed it and thought I would share.

Midway has the Barnes 110 and 130’s as factory loaded ammo.
Hornady has a 125 SST as well.

Maybe worth a look.

 

[PKR]

My 18” shoots the 165 SST Superformance right at 2700. Best groups as well of a handful of factory ammo that I’ve run through it. Puts the 1800 FPS mark in 500+ range.
The 178 eldm shot well too at 2480 fps.

Just shot a nilgai at 366 with the 165’s. Didn’t exit but did the job. He ran about 60 yards give or take

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I have not hunted with factory ammo for quite awhile but last time I used factory ammo in my 308 I had Barnes 150g ttsx and hornady precision hunter 178, both worked well. I also had the federal premium with 165g partitions which worked well too.