165 Accubonds or 180 Ballistic Tips

[TackDriver284]

Wanted to try a new tune for the .308 GAP with 26 inch barrel, I'm bored and currently have 30 rounds on hand with 178 ELD-M and Varget which was made a year ago. Speed last recorded at 2730 fps / 43.7 gr. Varget which is decent. I have a new box of 165 Accubonds and 4 boxes of the 180 Ballistic Tips that I used to use for the 300 Mag, but opted out of using 180 Ballistic Tips for the 300 in favor of the 180 Accubonds and Barnes 180 TTSX for nilgai / medium to large game.
As for the .308 I'm deciding whether to try the 165 AB or the 180 BT for hunting. I think a 180 BT would also be suitable for a slow 308 round in the 2700 fps range and the 165 AB can be pushed to the 2800 + fps range. I feel both rounds will work. Will be used only on deer sized game / medium size game like oryx. What do you guys think about the 165 AB and the 180 BT in the 308? I could run a tune for both bullets to kill the boredom.

 

[xphunter]

On deer sized game, I don't think it matters, even going up in size, the 165 being bonded will handle it, and the 180 BT should work as well...Shooter's Choice!

 

[RL338]

Both will easily do the job. What range are you looking to hunt at? For me if the 4 boxes of the 180s are the same lot would be my choice , load and go without worries of another load work up.

 

[JD338]

Either bullet works but maybe lean towards the 180 gr BT.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

The 180 BT is way better than it gets credit for in its relative toughness. I’d have 0 concerns with running one into an elk from a 300 mag. Seen it done and it didn’t leave anything more to be desired.

 

[michsteve]

Wanted to try a new tune for the .308 GAP with 26 inch barrel, I'm bored and currently have 30 rounds on hand with 178 ELD-M and Varget which was made a year ago. Speed last recorded at 2730 fps / 43.7 gr. Varget which is decent. I have a new box of 165 Accubonds and 4 boxes of the 180 Ballistic Tips that I used to use for the 300 Mag, but opted out of using 180 Ballistic Tips for the 300 in favor of the 180 Accubonds and Barnes 180 TTSX for nilgai / medium to large game.
As for the .308 I'm deciding whether to try the 165 AB or the 180 BT for hunting. I think a 180 BT would also be suitable for a slow 308 round in the 2700 fps range and the 165 AB can be pushed to the 2800 + fps range. I feel both rounds will work. Will be used only on deer sized game / medium size game like oryx. What do you guys think about the 165 AB and the 180 BT in the 308? I could run a tune for both bullets to kill the boredom.

If you like the AccuBond Raven Rocks has a good deal on them. Also if you are a first timer you can get another $10 off by signing up so that would knock the price to $200 for 500 pills at $.40 each not bad price by today's standard. You would be set for quite awhile.

Nosler 30 Cal (.308") 165gr AccuBond - Raven Rocks Precision

New Nosler 308 Cal (.308") 165gr AccuBond Bullets - Bonded Hunting Bullets for reloading precision hunting ammunition

ravenrocksprecision.com

I'm not sure you are in the US though since you are talking about some African game unless you are hunting them in Texas.

 

[SJB358]

They do have some great prices on bullets.

 

[TackDriver284]

Both will easily do the job. What range are you looking to hunt at? For me if the 4 boxes of the 180s are the same lot would be my choice , load and go without worries of another load work up.

Yes, those 4 boxes are the same lot. Pretty much confident out to 300-400 yards depending on the accuracy of the tune.

 

[Firebird24]

Oryx could also be New Mexico. In your shoes I would just stay with the 180 ttsx or AccuBond in the 300. 180 AccuBond is my favorite load for that caliber.
The .308 i would use the 165 AccuBond, I like the velocity better and prefer its performance over the BT. Just me tho-

 

[highoctane]

Im not sure any true panaceas exist but if one does exist I think it would be the 165 gr in the 308. It's my favorite bullet weight in this caliber.