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Though we nonetheless haven’t climbed out of the ammo scarcity, there’s excellent news when you hunt with a .308—many retailers have a wide range of .308 looking ammo accessible. The earlier ammo shortages hit the .223 and .308 ammo shares onerous, whereas having much less impact on stalwart looking cartridges just like the .30/06 and .30/30. This time, it appears that evidently producers have been in a position to keep on prime of .308 looking ammo manufacturing and hunters at the least have one thing to purchase.
Nonetheless, it’s an odd time, and there are each surprises and disappointments within the ammo market at present (not unique to .308). Some ammunition has excelled, and a few manufacturing facility choices that usually delivered glorious accuracy don’t appear to shoot in addition to they used to. Some varieties of ammo appear to be in all places, and different masses are scarce.
This yr, I’ve examined and reviewed 11 totally different rifles chambered in .308 Win. I shot many varieties of ammo by these weapons, testing it in reasonably priced budget rifles, but additionally in mid-priced rifles. I’ve shot a wide range of .308 Win. in specialised rifles just like the Christensen Ridgeline Titanium FFT and the Howa M1500 HS Carbon. By all this capturing, I used to be in a position to see what shot nicely, what didn’t, and hopefully aid you choose the most effective .308 looking ammo for deer or no matter your sport is that this yr.
Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for .308 Ammo for Looking
Recreation and Bullet Building
As with all looking ammo, you need to select a load and bullet that may go well with the sport you propose on looking. The .308 Win. is a particularly succesful (and oft underrated) cartridge, and is appropriate for big sport like elk, moose, and even brown bears. If you happen to’re looking heavy sport, choose a bonded or monolithic bullet and hold your shot distances below 300 yards. Nevertheless, most individuals are looking medium-sized sport with the .308 and nearly any medium-weight increasing bullet will do. Fortunately there’s loads of good, reasonably priced .308 ammo for deer that may nonetheless be discovered on retailer cabinets.
Accuracy
Every .308 ammo providing listed right here can have each five-shot common group accuracy and commonplace deviation. It’s at all times nice to maximise accuracy, however remember that every rifle will like a distinct load. If you happen to can’t attempt a number of masses, choose one with a small commonplace deviation. That signifies that throughout all of the rifles examined, the accuracy of the load didn’t very a lot, and there’s probability it can shoot equally in your .308.
Price
Ammo is dear, and premium ammo is much more costly. If you happen to want top-end bullet development or are capturing at distances that require best-in-class accuracy, it’s price the additional value. Nevertheless, when you’re looking deer-sized sport at distances below 200 yards or so, less-expensive ammo is normally ample.
Deciphering the Information
To check every of these kinds of .308 looking ammo, I fired and measured five-shot teams by a wide range of rifles. I recorded a minimal of 5 teams for every sort of ammo (based mostly on my stock), however I used to be in a position to report between 15 and 30 teams for many choices.
Remember the fact that common group measurement is with five-shot teams throughout all rifles examined. Some rifles shoot higher, some worse. The usual deviation is the common variation in group measurement throughout all rifles examined. This knowledge solely displays the rifles examined. Accuracy, clearly, varies from rifle to rifle. I skilled a few masses that will shoot four-inch teams in a single rifle, and one-inch teams in one other.
Award: Greatest Total
Common Group Dimension: 1.54 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .46 inches
Why It Made the Lower
Remington’s 150-grain Core-Lokt Tipped encompasses a mechanically mounted jacket and was probably the most correct and constant .308 ammo examined throughout all rifles. It’s significantly great things.
Key Options
- 150-grain polymer-tipped bullet
- Jacket and core are mechanically mounted
- G1 B.C.: .415
- Velocity: 2840 fps
Execs
- Greatest-in-class accuracy
- Reliable enlargement and weight retention
- Shoots constantly in many alternative rifles
- Wonderful all-around looking bullet
Cons
- Costlier than unique Core-Lokt
Product Description
I first reviewed Remington’s (new for 2021) Core-Lokt Tipped ammo late final fall and wasn’t certain what to anticipate. This was, in any case, one in every of Large Inexperienced’s first post-bankruptcy launches. I discovered that the green-tipped bullets shot nicely in my .30/06 and carried out nicely on a caribou. How would the load do in .308 Win. although?
The bullet is a boat-tailed projectile with a core that’s held collectively by a rib on the jacket. It’s tipped with a green-polymer nostril and has a skinny jacket up entrance that promotes enlargement—very similar to the unique Core-Lokt. The 150-grain bullet doesn’t have a exceptional B.C., however it’s higher than its lead-tipped counterparts.
Accuracy of this .308 ammo was glorious in a number of rifles, however what was most spectacular was that it shot nicely in nearly each rifle examined. Throughout a ramification of rifle/cartridge mixtures, the Core-Lokt tipped was the lone standout as ammo that will shoot nicely in any rifle I attempted.
Award: Greatest .308 Ammo for Deer
Common Group Dimension: 2.08 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .66 inches
Why It Made the Lower
Most deer hunters merely need reliable .308 ammo that’s reasonably priced and shoots nicely out to some hundred yards. Dependable and reasonably priced ammo has killed extra bucks than something, and that’s what you get with this .308 ammo for deer.
Key Options
- 150-grain soft-point bullet
- Concentric jacket for even enlargement
- G1 B.C.: .313
- Velocity: 2820 fps
Execs
- Dependable enlargement
- High quality brass and primers
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not probably the most correct ammo
Product Description
Premium-line ammo has its place, however easy and reasonably priced has been placing meat within the pot for generations. Like the fundamental do-all .308, Federal’s Non-Typical Whitetail line is an “all people’s .308 deer ammo.” It’s a middle-of-the-road 150-grain gentle level that may put bucks on the bottom with out killing your pocketbook.
This .308 ammo’s soft-point bullet will increase reliably, and it’s loaded into good high quality brass. It’s not going to wow anybody with a excessive B.C. or nickel-plated circumstances, and accuracy isn’t something to jot down house about. A mean five-shot group measurement of two.08 inches might sound outrageous to the precision rifle crowd, however for deer hunters who probably received’t be capturing over 150 or 200 yards, there’s not a lot cause to go together with one thing that’s costlier.
Throughout the sector of .308 ammo that I examined, these things hits the candy spot for efficiency versus value, and the deer actually received’t know the distinction.
Award: Greatest Copper .308 Ammo
Common Group Dimension: 1.95 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .52 inches
Why It Made the Lower
Barnes bullets set the usual for copper looking projectiles, and their manufacturing facility Vor-Tx .308 ammo was probably the most correct we might discover.
Key Options
- 168-grain TTSX boattail
- Double-diameter enlargement
- G1 B.C.: .470
- Velocity: 2700 fps
Execs
- Constant enlargement
- Wonderful weight retention and penetration
- Correct
- Lead-free
Cons
- Costly
- Availability varies
Product Description
Barnes has lengthy been an business chief in monolithic copper bullets, and their TTSX is without doubt one of the greatest available on the market. Loaded of their manufacturing facility Vor-Tx .308 ammo, the 168-grain TTSX is a superb alternative for almost any sport. In-fact, a pal of mine who lives on Kodiak makes use of it for every little thing (together with brown bears).
The TTSX bullet is copper with a blue polymer ballistic tip that helps provoke enlargement. Usually, these bullets increase into an X-shape with nearly one hundred pc weight retention and deep penetration. The TTSX actually has some challengers, however it’s the usual that each one different copper bullets are measured towards.
Some rifles will be finicky with copper bullets, however this .308 ammo is usually correct total in a wide range of rifles. Some prefer it, some simply shoot it OK, however none appear to shoot it poorly. It’s an awesome possibility for .308 deer ammo however also can deal with larger sport.
Common Group Dimension: 1.79 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .71 inches
Why It Made the Lower
This .308 ammo has premium parts, is correct, and has a high-B.C. bullet that may increase at a variety of velocities.
Key Options
- 175-grain bonded, Excessive-B.C. bullet
- Hole ballistic tip initiates low-velocity enlargement
- G1 B.C.: .520
- Velocity: 2600 fps
Execs
- Growth at low velocity
- Bonded core for good weight retention
- Correct with .520 G1 B.C.
- Nickel-plated brass
Cons
- Costly
- Accuracy isn’t constant throughout all rifles
Product Description
Federal Premium’s Terminal ascent bullet and cargo are designed to ship accuracy and terminal efficiency at lengthy or quick distances. This 175-grain bullet encompasses a bonded core and hole “slipstream” ballistic tip that helps provoke enlargement at decrease velocities. The bullet additionally has reduction grooves like these on monolithic copper bullets, and an extended boat tail. The nickel-plated circumstances feed and extract reliably, and the standard of parts is nice.
I discovered the Terminal Ascent to yield considerably combined accuracy outcomes, relying on the rifle. Some rifles shot it nicely, others didn’t. Within the Christensen Ridgeline Titanium that I reviewed, this .308 ammo shot nicely, and I used to be in a position to reliably make first-round hits out to 600 yards.
If you happen to’re looking bigger sport like elk, or is perhaps capturing past 300 yards, this load is a superb possibility (assuming your rifle likes it). A bullet with B.C. like this will provide you with a greater trajectory and buck the wind higher than different bullets. As a result of it can nonetheless increase at decrease velocities, it has an edge over some copper and different bonded bullets—particularly within the comparatively gradual .308 Win.
Common Group Dimension: 1.88 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .49 inches
Why It Made the Lower
This ammo has an correct, mechanically bonded bullet with good velocity. It might be supreme for deer-sized sport.
Key Options
- 150-grain mechanically bonded ballistic tip
- Proprietary propellant delivers best-in-class velocity
- G1 B.C.: .447
- Velocity: 3000 fps
Execs
- Excessive velocity
- Good enlargement and weight retention
- Low accuracy deviation
Cons
- Not exceptionally correct in any single rifle
Product Description
Hornady’s Superformance line remains to be on the cabinets in .308 ammo, and its largest promoting level is pace. The powder used delivers a pair hundred further toes per second of velocity with out dramatic strain will increase in comparison with different business masses. Topped with a 150-grain SST at 3,000 toes per second, it’s an awesome possibility for medium-sized sport and hunters preferring to sight in utilizing the maximum point-blank method fairly than turrets or holdover reticles.
The 150-grain SST bullet is an easy however efficient boat-tail-based, cup and core bullet, however the jacket is mechanically mounted to the core for weight retention. The polymer tip helps make it extra aerodynamic and initiates enlargement. It may not be as deep-penetrating as heavier bonded or monolithic bullets, however it could be supreme for deer, black bears, and caribou. It might work simply fantastic on heavier animals corresponding to elk and moose.
Though accuracy in my testing wasn’t dangerous, it wasn’t nice. There weren’t any rifles with which the load actually stood out. Nevertheless, the usual deviation of the group measurement was fairly small, so you would fairly anticipate this ammo to shoot nicely in most rifles.
Common Group Dimension: 2.43 inches
Standard Deviation of Group Dimension: .57 inches
Why It Made the Lower
This deer-specific ammo is reasonably priced and provides nice terminal efficiency and enlargement on medium-sized sport.
Key Options
- Giant-diameter polymer tip to provoke enlargement
- Tapered jacket to assist with weight retention
- G1 B.C.: .392
- Velocity: 2820 fps
Execs
- Good enlargement
- Nice for medium-sized sport
- reasonably priced
Cons
- Accuracy is beneath common
- Not bonded
Product Description
For the deer hunter who doesn’t want bonded, ultra-accurate ammo, Winchester’s Deer Season XP is a good possibility in .308. It’s slightly over $30 a field and is good for deer-sized sport. Its most noticeable characteristic is a large-diameter polymer ballistic tip. That is designed to provoke dramatic enlargement, whereas the tapered jacket helps the bullet maintain collectively.
The bullet itself isn’t bonded or mounted, it’s a flat-based cup-and-core slug that received’t win any long-range contests—however that’s not what it’s made for. The jacket is tapered to be thinner up entrance and thicker within the rear which helps it maintain collectively and penetrate. The quick 150-grain bullet will ship heavy blows to deer at regular ranges.
I didn’t discover this ammo to be very correct in any of the .308 rifles I attempted, however for the common deer woods looking state of affairs, it’ll work simply fantastic. I imagine it could additionally make glorious black bear ammo. Deer Season XP is priced nicely and is actually price contemplating.
Common Group Dimension: 1.93 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .50 inches
Why It Made the Lower
This heavy .308 load is made for managed enlargement and bone-crushing penetration. It’s a superb alternative for big sport.
Key Options
- Bonded core and jacket
- Skived jacket for dependable enlargement
- G1 B.C.: .500
- Velocity: 2620 fps
Execs
- Dependable enlargement
- Excessive B.C.
- Heavy-duty bonding for weight retention
- Nickel-plating for clean loading and biking
Cons
- Mediocre accuracy in check rifles
Product Description
The Trophy Bonded Tip bullet is a tricky however streamlined projectile that’s meant for heavy use. The 180-grain .308 Win. load is a potent one, and acceptable for almost any sport in North America. It’s solely 80 toes per second slower than the .30/06 load with the identical bullet, and most animals would by no means know the distinction.
Along with the bonded jacket and core, the bullet has a polymer tip that aids with constant enlargement, as does the scored jacket. Aid grooves and a ship tail give the bullet B.C., however its energy is in capturing powerful sport at nearer distances. The nickel-plated circumstances and bullets assist them load, chamber, and eject easily, and it makes use of Federal Gold Medal primers.
Accuracy of this .308 ammo was mediocre in my check rifles, however it was comparatively constant. It’s noticeable that the nickel-plated circumstances load and cycle extra easily, and it’s glorious ammo for looking bigger sport. Its energy isn’t long-range looking, however had been I taking a .308 after moose, elk, or grizzly bears, that is in all probability the load I’d use.
Common Group Dimension: 2.54 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .82 inches
Why It Made the Lower
This monolithic copper ammo is loaded into nickel-plated circumstances, has a streamlined profile, and expands reliably with good weight retention.
Key Options
- Copper alloy development with polymer tip
- Aid grooves in bullet
- Nickel-plated circumstances
- G1 B.C.: .440
- Velocity: 2610 fps
Execs
- Excessive weight-retention
- Nickel-plated circumstances for clean biking
- Sealed case mouth and primer for added climate safety
Cons
- Accuracy is poor in rifles examined
Product Description
Hornady’s Clothing store line is designed for onerous use in inclement climate circumstances, and makes use of their newest mono-metal bullet, the CX. Like Hornady’s earlier iteration—the GMX—the CX is a managed enlargement, excessive weight-retention copper bullet with a ballistic tip, reduction grooves, and a ship tail. It’s supreme for each medium and large-sized sport out to about 300 yards. Past that, it drops beneath 2,000 toes per second, and enlargement will diminish.
This ammo comes loaded in nickel-plated circumstances with each the case mouth and primer sealed to forestall any cussed moisture from contaminating the powder. Along with corrosion safety, the nickel plating is a more durable floor that gives smoother loading and biking.
I’m a believer within the effectiveness of mono-metal bullets just like the CX, and in a latest brush bullets test, they proved to be a lot much less liable to deflection than lead-core bullets of comparable form. Their efficiency on sport can be glorious. Accuracy can generally be a difficulty although, and not one of the rifles I examined actually cared for this Clothing store load. Accuracy was ok for looking at shut ranges, however I’d prefer it to be higher.
Common Group Dimension: 1.99 inches
Commonplace Deviation of Group Dimension: .96 inches
Why It Made the Lower
The Swift Scirocco II is a excessive B.C., bonded bullet that’s constructed to increase reliably at low velocities, however maintain collectively up shut.
Key Options
- Polymer ballistic tip
- Bonded jacket and core
- Managed enlargement at low velocities
- G1 B.C. .470
- Velocity: 2700 fps
Execs
- Managed enlargement at excessive and low velocities
- Good B.C. for longer distance capturing
- Bonded jacked and core for deep penetration
Cons
Product Description
The Black-tipped Swift Scirocco II is a superb bullet for medium and enormous sport at a wide range of distances. It’s a premium bonded bullet that’s designed to increase at low velocities however retain weight and penetrate at excessive velocity. It has a excessive B.C. for a .308 looking bullet, which interprets to a greater trajectory and resistance to wind.
The Scirocco II is a well-liked bullet with handloaders, and the 150-grain Scirocco loaded within the .30/06 is my uncle’s favourite moose mixture. It may be very correct, however on this loading, many rifles didn’t prefer it. One rifle printed four-inch teams with this load, whereas the Tikka T3X Lite and Kimber Hunter Professional Desolve Black reliably printed the primary three pictures of their teams below an inch with it. Whether or not you’re in search of .308 deer ammo or one thing to hunt every little thing with, this load is an efficient one in case your rifle likes it.
FAQ’s
There are many glorious choices for .308 deer ammo, and all the masses lined on this check would work nicely. If you happen to’re on a decent finances, the Federal Non-Typical Whitetail or Winchester Deer Season XP can be the go-to. In any other case, go together with the Remington Core-Lokt Tipped.
If you happen to’re looking at longer distances, you need a high-B.C. bullet that’s correct in your rifle and designed to increase at decrease velocities. The .308 isn’t a hard-hitting cartridge at distance, however it could possibly carry out with the fitting bullet. Federal Premium 175-grain Terminal Ascent or Swift Scirocco II masses can be good ones to make use of.
Elk are large, powerful animals, and an important components in killing them cleanly are shot placement and bullet development. Bullets that may increase however keep their weight are normally your best option, and the Barnes TTSX or Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Tip would each be nice choices.
Ultimate Ideas on .308 Looking Ammo
Though lots of our favourite looking cartridges are nonetheless scarce on retailer cabinets, it’s a breath of recent air to see .308 looking ammo in relative abundance—and I do imply “relative.” There are alternatives on most retailer cabinets and at on-line retailers, and a few good ones at that. The .308 Win. is a superb all-around cartridge, and nearly all of the ammo performs nicely sufficient to hunt at common distances.
If you happen to merely want .308 deer ammo, the Federal Non-Typical and Winchester Deer Season XP are nice choices, and if you’d like one thing extra well-rounded, select a load with controlled-expansion bullets. The one standout within the check was Remington’s Core-Lokt Tipped which was constantly correct and has bullet. It’s a step in the fitting route for Large Inexperienced.
