Smk for deer hunting?

[Wellsdw]

Im A traditional bowhunter not much of a gun hunter. Strictly late season freezer filling. That said I was gifted a lot of federal 308 smk. Want to use them on deer In the south east. Shots of sub 200. Reports seem cultish and all over the place. I’ve used the eldx in the past and don’t care for the fragments. (Found several pieces In back straps) but they are nasty! IMO.
Any insight is appreciated

 

[Formidilosus]

Im A traditional bowhunter not much of a gun hunter. Strictly late season freezer filling. That said I was gifted a lot of federal 308 smk. Want to use them on deer In the south east. Shots of sub 200. Reports seem cultish and all over the place. I’ve used the eldx in the past and don’t care for the fragments. (Found several pieces In back straps) but they are nasty! IMO.
Any insight is appreciated

They are variable. If you are going to use them, get a drill bit and open the tips up.

 

[Vern400]

Might as well shoot FMJ. In Georgia the law requires the use of expanding bullets. Sierra match Kings either don't expand or rarely expand. A good shot will kill a deer. Sometime. Somewhere.. might not be soon, might not be close. Might get lucky and drop on the spot.
You never know exactly what's going to happen. It's not a reliable hunting bullet. I have friends who have used them. They quit very quickly and went to SGKs.

 

[Wellsdw]

Noted ,Thanks for the help fellas, I’ll stick with what I know

 

[doc holiday13]

YMMV

I've shot ~10 deer with 115g 270 caliber smk. All 10 dropped on the spot and the bullets liquefied the heart and lungs. I've read on forums that some people have seen the smk pencil through without expansion or bullet deformation.

I stopped using them when I found copper jacket in the backstrap which was a full 8-10" away from the point of entry

 

[KenLee]

I think unpredictable expansion would be the correct description of a 168 smk from a 308.
I've seen penciling, destruction and in between on neck shots.
The lighter faster smk rounds seem to expand more predictably and make pretty decent game rounds.