What ammo for a 308?

[540-Virginian]

So I am not versed in rifle cartridges. I was gifted a 308 by my old man - savage axis.

Hunting whitetails and black bears, what ammo is your favorite? And would that same ammo work for elk one day or do you have a seperate brand/type load whatever for elk specifically. Thanks - and sorry if i butchered terminology.

To add - shooting out to 200 yards. I may try 300 range at the range with it.

 

[Western_hunter87]

TTSX from Barnes copper I shoot 165g with 44g powder
next will be hornady cx 165g copper with 44g powder
box ammo I shot ttsx Barnes copper 168g

 

[Gunnersdad49]

The Norma whitetail stuff has been really impressive in my .308s

 

[ramsdude47]

Buy 2 or 3 different options in the varying weights: 150, 165-168, and 180.

Pick whichever shoots the best to stock up on.

 

[49ereric]

Try the cheapest ammo first and see what the rifle likes.

 

[keystone112]

I would say go with the most accurate 150 or 165 grain load that works in your rifle for deer.

If you step up to elk, I would lean more toward either a 180 grain load or a 165 grain load with a premium bullet.

I went with the Nosler Trophy Grade 165 grain AccuBond bullet for my 308.

 

[jazz3ring]

I have had great results with Barnes 130 grain TTSX on deer and black bears.

 

[Drenalin]

Try the cheapest ammo first and see what the rifle likes.

I'd agree with this. Federal Fusion is relatively cheap and available, and is pretty good for the use OP described.

 

[Unckebob]

Try the cheapest ammo first and see what the rifle likes.

That is what I did and stopped with 150 grain American Whitetail. Sadly, I didn't see any shooter deer when I took it out last year.

I have complete confidence in its accuracy out of my gun and its ability to take a deer out to about 250 yards (limit is caused by where I hunt)

I have no idea if that is enough for bear. We don't hunt bears in Texas.

 

[metau]

165gr Accubonds are my go to load in 308. Used 165gr Sciroccos before that, with good results.

 

[SpringM1A]

I can't imagine why the plain old corlokt or win power points or basic federal would perform perfectly at .308 win velocities. Buy a box and test them, their price is low enough that it won bankrupt you and you might find the perfect factory load for your rifle.

 

[Bouldar]

I bought several and tried them to see what the gun liked. Mine likes hornady superformance sst 150 grain. My wife’s likes Norma soft point 150 grain.
For whitetail, no problem. I am not sure how they perform on something like a bear. I have read some say the SST bullet doesn’t penetrate enough for large animals. I have also heard eld-m dropped elk. The key is shot placement.

 

[JBradley500]

I have found 150gr federal fusions to be available, cheap, and shoot pretty well too.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I like the 165g accubond and the 150g ttsx. The 137g hammer is a ******* screamer too.

 

[Tradchef]

When I had my .308 I killed elk Mulies and whitetail with 165 grain fusions, 165 grain Berger vlds, 130 grain Barnes, 175 grain eld-x, 150 grain partitions and 150 grain core lokts. Great caliber and does a fantastic job at the distances you are looking at shooting