308 factory loads for whitetail

cumminsbassguy

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 1, 2016
Messages
255
Location
Chugiak, AK
Sako Hammerheads.. absolutely devastating on the whitetail that we shot this year. They were cheaper than the core lots to boot
 
Joined
Jun 23, 2019
Messages
1,333
Location
Florida,Dwneast Me,Catskills
If the Fusions shoot tiny groups from your rifle, you're good to go.

If you want to try something different, as others have stated here, I would also recommend
Hornady American Whitetail with 150 Interlocks
Federal blue blue box or Non Typical 150
Remington Core Lokt 150
Barnes 130 TTSX
 
Joined
Jan 16, 2024
Messages
60
My kimber loves the cheap Winchester 150 gr and if I do my job they work great. Thru holes, good blood trails and short tracks.

My Tikka does great with 165 gr ADI sierra game kings
 

EmperorMA

WKR
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Messages
530
Factory SST Superformance and Nosler Ballistic tips wreck deer.

I have killed a bunch of deer with the Winchester Deer Season XP 150grs and all have either been DRT or ran less than 25yds.
I started with the Winchester Deer Season XP 150grs. They work great, and haven't tried anything else.
I have to go with all the above. if the Fusions shoot the best, use them. Great bullets that kill reliably.

If I can choose any bullet in any caliber or cartridge to shoot deer with, it would be a Nosler Ballistic Tip. A bit more expensive than the others listed in this post, but I have 100% confidence in them. Second would be the Hornady SST.

All the above being said, the absolute most impressive kills I've ever made (or ever seen) on deer have all been with the Winchester Deer Season XP. Mine have been in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win and 7mm-08. The deer seem like they've been hit with lightning when these bullets smack them.

I'd pick up a box of each ... Fusions, SSTs, Ballistic Tips and Deer Season XP and shoot whatever my rifle liked best. I'd secretly wish the rifle preferred Winchester Deer Season XP, BTW.
 

WI-Carcosa

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 3, 2024
Messages
150
I shoot 165g federal trophy coppers. They shoot perfect out of my xbolt .308
 

WCB

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2019
Messages
3,642
Fusions are fantastic...otherwise just shoot standard Fed blue box. They are whitetails not elephants.
 

Scottf270

WKR
Joined
Sep 26, 2017
Messages
662
Location
Missouri
Blue box Federal here also. Bought 20 boxes at a Cabela's Grand Opening in 2012 for $9.99 a box. Very accurate and kills them dead. I reload for other cartridges but don't bother with it for my .308.
 
Joined
Jan 30, 2022
Messages
1,133
For deer my experience has been fusions are almost impossible to beat for the price.

I've shot a lot of rounds and that dang fusion stuff just hammers. 0 to 300 on deer i have no need for anything more.

My inner crackhead won't let me just run it so I've played with 150 ttsx, 150 NBT, 160 trophy bonded, 175 terminal ascents and a whole host of american whitetail, corelokt cup and cores and most shoot fine for deer but the performance across the board with fusions has been stellar for me, my dad, my father in law and my wife. 2 holes every time, somewhat decent blood trails to help with recovery and dead deer within 40 yards.
 

stooxie

FNG
Joined
Nov 27, 2024
Messages
52
Location
Northern VA
I've always been a huge fan of Federal Fusion in every caliber, shot dozens of deer with them, and surely more will come. A few weeks ago I figured I'd try Hornady Whitetail 150gr 308 just for fun and I couldn't believe the results. 1/3 - 1/2 MOA (yes, verified multiple times) out of my Aero AR10 (with 22" Criterion barrel) and I've already shot three deer with them. Perfect performance from a budget cartridge.

Definitely the magic of low expectations! :LOL:

"After" picture of one that ended up under the hide of a buck that was quartering away. The bullet drove through a LOT of animal.

-Stooxie
 

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