What ammo for a 308?

Joined
Dec 6, 2020
Messages
577
Location
Shenandoah Valley
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

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Messages
105
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
 
Joined
Nov 19, 2021
Messages
375
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.
 

Unckebob

WKR
Joined
Aug 21, 2022
Messages
895
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.
 

SpringM1A

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 28, 2018
Messages
129
Location
NV
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

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 15, 2022
Messages
186
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.
 

Tradchef

WKR
Joined
Aug 30, 2017
Messages
974
Location
Willow Creek, Montana
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
 
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