Hunting deer with .308 WIN

[Mjollnir]

I will be using a rifle chambered in .308 WIN this fall in Northern Minnesota. Which bullet weight and type should I use?
Thanks.

[farmerj]

150 gr will work just fine for deer.

175 or 178 gr if you really want something that will reach out.

Otherwise, I just stick with shelf 150 gr federal ammo.

[smurfman]

I'll be using whatever 150 gr Federal Wal-Mart sells the cheapest, it works in 300 Savage and 30/06 so I can't see it not working in 308.

[Pinnacle]

Shoot 180's.

[crbutler]

Pretty much any soft point will work on deer in a .308, as long as its not a varmint bullet (read less than 130 grains).

I would stay away from the target ammo and the milsurp stuff. FMJ is not good for deer hunting, and although some specialist hunters will use match bullets, really there is no need for expensive ammo to get a deer.

Find what shoots best in your rifle, and use that. All of my .308's shoot Federal's standard Powershok 150gr soft point well enough that if I was forced to buy 1 box of ammo and go hunting for deer with a new rifle, that would be my choice. Sight in about 2" high at 100 and you are good to go to about 300 if you can shoot the rifle that far in the first place (skill wise).

I have yet to find 150 grain factory loaded soft points that are not good enough to get a deer, although some will show considerably more accuracy in any given rifle than others, so if you have the time and the money buy 4-5 boxes of different brands ammo and go sight in and check the groups and use the one the rifle shoots best.

[old guy]

Shoot 180's.

Yup.

John

[DeanC]

Shoot the one that provides the best accuracy in your rifle. Some .308's shoot patterns rather than groups when fed 180gr bullets.

Or you can do like my father-in-law and shoot .243's through a .308.

[Pinnacle]

Most if not all .308's are 1:10 Twist which is more than adequate for 180gr bullets. Dean is right, but if we are talking about shooting 2" groups and not 1.5" groups with the 180's - that is still minute of backstrap.

The 180's will cause MUCH less damage to the shoulders and will nearly always provide an exit wound for better bleed out, and tracking if necessary. We always want 2 holes.

[goalie]

Any suitably constructed hunting bullet chambered in a factory round for the .308 will kill any deer on the planet with one shot.

[Pinnacle]

Any suitably constructed hunting bullet chambered in a factory round for the .308 will kill any deer on the planet with one shot.

Absolutely Agree (I just like 180's)

[grousemaster]

Any suitably constructed hunting bullet chambered in a factory round for the .308 will kill any deer on the planet with one shot.

By suitably constructed, you mean bonded?

[grousemaster]

Any suitably constructed hunting bullet chambered in a factory round for the .308 will kill any deer on the planet with one shot.

By suitably constructed, you mean bonded?

[farmerj]

Federal Powershok or remington core-lokt are more than adequate for deer.

[goalie]

Any suitably constructed hunting bullet chambered in a factory round for the .308 will kill any deer on the planet with one shot.

By suitably constructed, you mean bonded?

Nope. Core-lokt and Powershock type bullets (and any cup and core) are fine for deer in a 150 grain bullet.

[EAJuggalo]

I'll be using Hornady SST 150gr. this year.