'Best' bullet for the .308 Winchester.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I said "best"....fully realizing it's a problematic term at best.

Here's the situation- after scoring a nice bull with the Scout at longish range using Remington 150gr Core Lokts- I was unhappy with the bullet performance in the critter. Maybe it's just a matter of foot pounds, but the big bull didn't visibly react to 3 solid hits until he basically bled out. Performance was erratic- the neck shot fragmented on bone. Neither lung shot exited. Impact speeds were likely in the 2k FPS range.

Call me spoiled- but I'm accustomed to more reaction to the shot with my .300WSM- even at extended ranges (another problematic term).

I love hunting with the Scout and plan to do more of it in the future and it's basically all my kid will use- so the question is out there:

What's a better bullet to use than the Cor Lokt, heck- what's the best bullet in the .308 carbine or am I expecting too much?

 

[muleman]

In my 308 I have had the best performance from 150,165 NABs or the 165gr BT. The accubonds open up easy at lower speeds and stay together. The BT will perform well as long as it isn't hot rodded. The 308 won't push the BT to hard.

Scott

 

[gerry]

I would vote for the 150 gr AccuBond in this case or maybe the 165 gr version at most. It will open up nicely and still hang together at close range.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll admit the 150gr AB is an easy sell for me... The 180AB is my "go to" bullet in my WSM and I've used it a lot over the last several years on a lot of critters and it's performance is amazing.

 

[JD338]

165 gr AB

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I would vote for the 150 gr AccuBond in this case or maybe the 165 gr version at most. It will open up nicely and still hang together at close range.

I believe Gerry may have nailed this issue. Because of the short barrel and the requirement for reduced recoil, the lighter bullet would get the nod. I'd personally prefer the 165 grain bullet, just because more mass is always comforting when the shot has to work. Still, a 150 grain AB at reasonable velocities should be adequate to perform.

 

[ajvigs]

I have to vote as well for the 165 grain AB. We use them in my sig. others Vanguard S2 308 and it has dropped two hogs; both were bang-flops.

 

[Wincheringen]

The 150 or 165 AB or BT would get my vote.

 

[Guy Miner]

My favorite hunting bullet for the .308 Win, or the .30-06 for that matter, Nosler's 165 grain Ballistic Tip.

Accurate as a match bullet.

Penetrates well.

Expands readily.

For us, it's always been a one-shot drop/instant kill bullet.

Guy

 

[SJB358]

I'll admit the 150gr AB is an easy sell for me... The 180AB is my "go to" bullet in my WSM and I've used it a lot over the last several years on a lot of critters and it's performance is amazing.

I can't see the 150 AB disappointing at all. Your not shooting ultra long range, that bullet will hold together and still open up. I bet a paycheck that is won't disintegrate on bone either. Should be able to run it out around 2800 or so outta the Scout. Kinda like a 300 Savage with +P loads..

 

[Horsethief]

With the slower-than-.30 caliber-magnum speeds in a 308 Win, a Barnes TTSX or an AccuBond is what would probably be the ticket for you. If you want premium performance you might get lucky with the lower costing bullets but the best bullets give the......best results with a good shot.

 

[russ808]

I like the 168 B-tips.
Russ

 

[FOTIS]

My favorite hunting bullet for the .308 Win, or the .30-06 for that matter, Nosler's 165 grain Ballistic Tip.

Accurate as a match bullet.

Penetrates well.

Expands readily.

For us, it's always been a one-shot drop/instant kill bullet.

Guy

Yup! Same for me for my finnwolf 308.

 

[nosler06]

Here I will throw my vote for the 165gr Partition. Whatever this has been shot at has dropped without questions. That is anything from whitetails to moose. Lots of the recovered bullets are the picture perfect mushroom that I know the Partition to look like.

 

[CMBTshooter]

Has anyone tried the 150 or 168 E-Tip on Elk?

 

[usmc 89]

I would use the ballistic tip or an Amax, the relatively low velocity of the .308 would be better used with a softer bullet. I have used both and both have similar results.

 

[Polaris]

You are shooting with some limitations with your .308 carbine. I gather from the context your quarry is elk. That, IMHO makes your rig a 200 yard gun. That being said, there are good options.

I'd worry less about exterior ballistics and more about optimizing internals. That leaves out any of the long, sexy boat tails. I'd vote for any of these 3 without preference, pick the one that shoots best. 150 gr Norma Oryx, 150 gr Nosler Partition, 150 gr Speer Grand Slam.

With your carbine length barrel, I'd stick to the 150 gr bullets. Any heavier may compromise expansion at or beyond 200 yards with the premium slugs designed for hotter rounds. You might try some conventional cup-and-core 165 gr slugs. I'm partial to Speer Hot Cores. I'd also work with powders in the fast range for 150 gr pills. Any of H335, 4895s or Viht N135 would be strong pics. This should give you less velocity loss in the shorter barrel. You could also go old school and push a Hor or Speer 180 RN and keep your range under 200 yards. Those bullets will expand and drive deep, but don't expect bang-flops. They're more of a mushroom, push through and bleed out bullet. I've shot some big black bears, a moose and several big whitetails with a .300 savage and Hor 180 gr RN bullets.

 

[Thebear_78]

I would go with 150 or 165 AccuBond or partitions. The ballistic tips would be fine for blackies and bou but I would like the extra potential for penetration the Partition provides. The 130 and 150 TTSX would be good options also.

I've been playing with the 168 Berger vld hunting bullets in my 308. It's a soft bullet but when placed in the lungs it is very effective.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm leaning really hard to the 150AB. The rifle shoots 150s lights out.. At 2000fps impact the AB should open somewhat but I'm thinking 300yds is pushing it on bigger caribou.

I'm leery of the TSX bullets in cartridges as mild as the .308... I think the mono metal bullets have their place in the big bottle magnums but the mild .308 doesn't benefit much.

I did consider the 180gr PP Partition but it's getting pretty slow in the .308 out there. At 100-150yds though it'd be a pretty nice hammer.

 

[gerry]

I think you are on the right track I would be leery of the mono bullets too at such slow speeds. The 150 gr AccuBond does sound perfect to me, it will open up well but still be tough enough for those big bodied caribou which are a pretty good sized animal. I always think it is a good idea to have tough bullets in grizzly country anyway.