Bullet selections for 308 single shot pistol for whitetail

[WI_XP]

I have an XP-100 that’s currently being rebarreled from 7mmBR to 308 and am looking for bullet selection suggestions. Use will be Wisconsin whitetails at 0-250 yards. I’m leaning towards 150 or 165 BTs, but have read on here of folks using AB, PT, and 125 BT on whitetails. I’m probably not going to have a ton of time for load development, so I’m hoping I can walk away from here with at least one component chosen….
Choices, choices….

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Id go with a 150g btip if it was me. 125g btip is a great coyote bullet, however with the slower speeds of the shorter barrel the 125g might work, but id opt for the 150g. Its more then big enough to tackle any deer at that range, and it will still penetrate great since its not being pushed very fast. 165g might be to heavy/slow and wont open up as much. Deer havent gotten stronger over the years, AB's and PT's aren't needed for deer, thats just my opinion.

 

[JD338]

I too would suggest you look at the 150 gr BT. At 2600 fps, should work perfectly for WT deer.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

150 gr +1

 

[Blaine]

I have an Encore with a 15" 308 barrel. The best load I've been able to come up with is with 165 grs Accubonds. I started the load with 150 grs, but since the 165's came out I've been using them. My gun just likes 165 grs bullets better. I tried lots and lots of load combinations with 150 gr bullet thinking I'd use them for deer, but the gun wouldn't cooperate. Although 165 gr are not necessary for deer, your gun may like them better. I firmly believe that the 165/168 gr bullets are more accurate in the 308. There must be a reason they are the choice of match shooters. Incidentally, although some pooh-pooh the idea, I use magnum primers in my 308 Encore. I believe the hotter primer gives better ignition in the short barrel. Not sure if that part is right, just know that the Fed GM Match Mag primers work best in my gun (I tested 4 other primers... CCI BR, Fed GM, Winch WLR, Remington 9 1/2's. None worked as well.

Blaine

 

[Blaine]

I have an Encore with a 15" 308 barrel. The best load I've been able to come up with is with 165 grs Accubonds. I started the load with 150 grs, but since the 165's came out I've been using them. My gun just likes 165 grs bullets better. I tried lots and lots of load combinations with 150 gr bullet thinking I'd use them for deer, but the gun wouldn't cooperate. Although 165 gr are not necessary for deer, your gun may like them better. I firmly believe that the 165/168 gr bullets are more accurate in the 308. There must be a reason they are the choice of match shooters. Incidentally, although some pooh-pooh the idea, I use magnum primers in my 308 Encore. I believe the hotter primer gives better ignition in the short barrel. Not sure if that part is right, just know that the Fed GM Match Mag primers work best in my gun (I tested 4 other primers... CCI BR, Fed GM, Winch WLR, Remington 9 1/2's. None worked as well.

Blaine

 

[WI_XP]

Thanks for the input, sounds like 150BT is the starting point, with 165BT or an AB as the backup.. Blaine, did you have any issues with on-game performance with the BT in your Encore, or was it solely an accuracy problem?

 

[Blaine]

I haven't shot anything but paper so far with the 308 Encore. (I hope to remedy that this season :lol: ) The only issue was accuracy in my barrel.


Blaine

 

[gravedigger]

I shoot the 180 ballistic tip at about 2400 fps, works great. Try 43.5 gr. of IMR 4064, Fed. 210 primer in a Winchester case, works great for me.
Of course my barrel is 17 inches long.