Optimal .308 Win Mule Deer load

[Steve O]

There is a 7mm-08 vs. 6.5 PRC thread going on in the mule deer section and the following was posted for an “optimum” 7mm-08 load that is better retained velocity and trajectories wise than most factory 7mag loads.

I’ve recently picked up a beautiful little 308 Win and was wondering if anyone had figured something similar, wringing out the absolute best blend of velocity and trajectory out of the .308 Winchester before I get started reloading for it.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Take a look at Hornady Super Performance Match if you want commercial or look at replicating/exceeding it (someone on this sight should be able to get you a starting point). There are 168 gr and 178 gr variants. It extends the effective hunting range of the 308 Win by a good amount.

 

[N2TRKYS]

According to my app, my 7-08 140 grain Accubond load is above 1000# at 1000yds.

My 308 165 grain Accubond load falls below 1000# past 600yds.

 

[SDHNTR]

Energy figures are mostly meaningless when it comes to killing animals.

I’ve killed plenty with a bow and a sharp stick, many in just seconds, with little “energy”.

 

[rcb2000]

Find what the rifle likes to shoot.
Mine loves Federal Sierra match,, close second Hornady Precision Hunter eld-x.

Tried Sierra Gamekings and looked like a shotgun pattern.

 

[LightFoot]

For extended ranges with the 308 Win, it’s hard to beat the performance of the 178 ELDX or 168 VLD for retained energy and expansion at low velocities.

I like the 150-class for TX whitetail and I’ve had great success with both 150 soft points and 150 mono metal at ranges up to 200 yards.

If I thought I would have to shoot more than 400 yards, I’d go with the ELDX since my rifle likes it. If not, the VLD, TGK, or similar would be just as effective, so long as you have good dope and sun-MOA precision.


Good luck.


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[PNWGATOR]

Retained energy and ftlbs of energy are literally meaningless in terminal ballistics.

Figure out what you want a bullet to do and at what ranges and go from there.

 

[LightFoot]

Retained energy and ftlbs of energy are literally meaningless in terminal ballistics.

Figure out what you want a bullet to do and at what ranges and go from there.

I disagree.

While those metrics may not be as important and some people claim, they are not meaningless.

Your statement may as well be that BC and SD don’t matter.

If your implication is that bullet construction and minimum impact velocities are MORE important, then I would agree.


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[Formidilosus]

I disagree.

While those metrics may not be as important and some people claim, they are not meaningless.

Ok- how deep will 1,000ft-lbs of energy penetrate? How wide will the wound be, and what shape will it be?

If you can not reliably predict those things based on energy, than in the discussion of terminal ballistics, it is useless.

Your statement may as well be that BC and SD don’t matter.

BC can be measured and observed in use. What is SD used for?

 

[LightFoot]

Ok- how deep will 1,000ft-lbs of energy penetrate? How wide will the wound be, and what shape will it be?

If you can not reliably predict those things based on energy, than in the discussion of terminal ballistics, it is useless.






BC can be measured and observed in use. What is SD used for?

I stand corrected.

Energy and retained velocity do not matter when evaluating terminal performance.

Pick what bullet you want and stick it in the right spot… “boiler room,” “high shoulder,” “TX heart,” …

I withdraw my former statements.


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[Formidilosus]

I stand corrected.

I’m not arguing, I’m asking.

Energy and retained velocity do not matter when evaluating terminal performance.

Retained velocity matters greatly and is demonstrable- all bullets in the same line will generally upset at around the same impact velocity regardless of caliber or weight. At that same impact velocity the wounds will be very similar, with only an upsize or downsize in them.
“Energy” is a useless metric that has no bearing on what a bullet will do in tissue.

 

[Hnthrdr]

My tikka loves 150 sst’s, but I would want a more substantial bullet for anything bigger than a mule deer

 

[N2TRKYS]

My 308 load drops below 1800 fps past 500yds. My 7-08 load is still above 1800 fps at 1000yds. All of this is according to the app.

 

[eric1115]

My .308 sends a 168 TMK over Varget or TAC at 2850 with no drama and good brass life, stays above 1800 fps out to around 800. Easy to get to shoot well, and that bullet is great on game.

178 ELDX has been good for me as well, and would not hesitate to shoot a 168 ELDM.

It also shoots the 165 Sierra TGK (Gamechanger) very well, but I've come to think that bullet is hard enough to need quite a bit more velocity than 1800 fps to perform optimally, so have switched to the TMK.

 

[CBB1]

all bullets in the same line will generally upset at around the same impact velocity regardless of caliber or weight. At that same impact velocity the wounds will be very similar, with only an upsize or downsize in them.

This statement really interests me, do you mind expanding on this? I am familiar with the 77gr tmk thread are you saying all TMK bullets will have similar terminal performance regardless of size?


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[Formidilosus]

This statement really interests me, do you mind expanding on this? I am familiar with the 77gr tmk thread are you saying all TMK bullets will have similar terminal performance regardless of size?

Yes, similar performance. As in the wounds generally just look like bigger or smaller versions of the same one.

 

[Bado20]

According to my app, my 7-08 140 grain Accubond load is above 1000# at 1000yds.

My 308 165 grain Accubond load falls below 1000# past 600yds.

Are you shooting on top of Mount Everest? I live at sea level but I’m not even close to getting 1000 ft-# of energy at 1000 yards with a 140 AB and that’s pushing it out of a 280 AI.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Are you shooting on top of Mount Everest? I live at sea level but I’m not even close to getting 1000 ft-# of energy at 1000 yards with a 140 AB and that’s pushing it out of a 280 AI.

Nope. I have 0’ entered as my altitude.

 

[deadwolf]

My 308 load drops below 1800 fps past 500yds. My 7-08 load is still above 1800 fps at 1000yds. All of this is according to the app.

If your app is saying the 7-08 will do as described on your post, you’re entering the data wrong into your app or there’s another hiccup with your calculation. There’s no chance the 7-08 is 1800fps at 1000 yrds.


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[N2TRKYS]

If your app is saying the 7-08 will do as described on your post, you’re entering the data wrong into your app or there’s another hiccup with your calcification. There’s no chance the 7-08 is 1800fps at 1000 yrds.


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Ok