308 factory loads for whitetail

[cumminsbassguy]

Sako Hammerheads.. absolutely devastating on the whitetail that we shot this year. They were cheaper than the core lots to boot

 

[Jlwatts]

Hornady American whitetails are cheap and they shoot good for me. Have always left good blood trails to boot.

 

[eaglemountainman]

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

 

[MrRogers]

Hornady American Whitetail. I use them in my 7mm-08 and they do the job.

 

[dubbeltap69]

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]

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.

 

[PaPete90]

Really what ever your firearm shoots well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WI-Carcosa]

I shoot 165g federal trophy coppers. They shoot perfect out of my xbolt .308

 

[WCB]

Fusions are fantastic...otherwise just shoot standard Fed blue box. They are whitetails not elephants.

 

[Scottf270]

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.

 

[Erussell01]

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]

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!

"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

 

[Amos Keeto]

I shoot an AR10 in .308.
Right now, I'm shooting some Federal 150 grain SP. They work and shoot great.

 

[oldskool67]

Norma Whitetail

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

Hornady American whitetail has put the hurt on anything we’ve shot. Usually exits and has left a great blood trail every time.

 

[Erussell01]

Hornady American whitetail has put the hurt on anything we’ve shot. Usually exits and has left a great blood trail every time.

I just haven't seem bullets exit up close with it, but I'm stoked you have good luck with it. My guns shoot it absolutely amazingly for the cost per round. What typical distances are you shooting?

 

[IDbrushswimmer]

With those I don’t think we’ve had a shot over 100. Most sub 50 yds. This has been pretty typical.

 

[Erussell01]

With those I don’t think we’ve had a shot over 100. Most sub 50 yds. This has been pretty typical.

Love to see that! If my experience was the same as yours I'd never switch for sure. Maybe I'll revisit...

 

[Amos Keeto]

With those I don’t think we’ve had a shot over 100. Most sub 50 yds. This has been pretty typical.

I grew up hunting the briar patches and thickets of an east Texas creek bottom.
You might "hear" one at a hundred yards...! LOL!
We had a few spots you could shoot that far, but they were few and far between.

Now that I'm in Oklahoma, I see deer hundreds of yards away in wheat fields!

 

[Erussell01]

I grew up hunting the briar patches and thickets of an east Texas creek bottom.
You might "hear" one at a hundred yards...! LOL!
We had a few spots you could shoot that far, but they were few and far between.

Now that I'm in Oklahoma, I see deer hundreds of yards away in wheat fields!

Northern Mn is the same way. Unless I sit a powerline or a clear cut its usually bow distance