150 or 165 grains in .308 Win for deer?

[Craiger12]

Which would you choose or which do you prefer when using .308 Win for deer hunting?

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Whichever one is most accurate in your rifle. Either one will put a white tail in your truck.

 

[rcmodel]

The 165 shoots flatter, hits harder, and drifts less in the wind at long range.

So, I'd pick that one right there.

At least as long as your rifle groups 165's at least as well as it groups 150's.
And it probably will.

rc

 

[Craiger12]

I realize the more accurate load will be best, so I suppose the question is theoretical.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Well like I said then, either one will effectively put down a deer with little problem. Now granted, as RC pointed out, you will increase your effective range a LITTLE with the 165 but in reality, where that range difference is a factor, is well beyond what any ethical hunter should be taking a shot in the first place. From 400 to 0 yards, the difference is pretty much moot. As long as they are accurate out of your barrel, then the main concern should be placement and bullet construction.

 

[RhinoDefense]

I use 150gr bullets in the .308 for deer.

If you're a handloader, Hornady's #3031 150gr Soft Point Flat Base is an excellent bullet.

 

[DM~]

165's DO penetrate a little deeper, but you don't need that for rib shots on deer.

DM

 

[Art Eatman]

I meddled around a bit with 165s in my '06, but I didn't see any gain. Bambi drops dead just as quickly from 150s.

 

[Screamin'Eagle]

I shot Federal 150gr Power Shoks this year in my Remington 700 in 308. $12/box of 20 here in MN. Both deer I got dropped instantly. 75-100yd shots. I would focus more on determining what your gun likes more and then secondly shot placement. Like others have said, if you hit them in the correct places, they are gonna drop.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've killed quite a few deer with my little .308 and while in the beginning I experimented with 165's, I settled on 150gr. Core-Lokt's at a little over 2700 fps. I've no idea how many deer and hogs have have fallen to this load, but certainly a couple o' dozen. This bullet has never failed me.

35W

 

[Rob96]

This is hte first year that I am using my Rem 700 ADL Varmint in 308 for deer. I am using 165 Gamekings loaded over 45grs of RL-15. I am using this load as it mirrors my bench load using 168gr Matchkings.

 

[interlock]

both are excellant. 165 or 150 gr soft point from a .308 win will kill deer all day long

 

[303tom]

Here is what I use .....

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...-grain-core-lokt-pointed-soft-point-box-of-20

 

[Craiger12]

I'm very interested in Hornady's SST rounds.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer 150 Nosler BT because it's accurate in MY gun. YMMV. Many bullets from 150 to 165 are applicable. Deer down here ain't big, but the hogs can be pretty thick. I used to load a 140 barnes for hogs, but hell, after shooting the 150 Nosler, I don't think the barnes is necessary even on a big hog. JMHO, though. The BT has plenty of penetration, though.

BTW, I'm a handloader. I've never shot any factory ammo in this caliber. My gun has never fired a factory round.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Craiger, The SST is a fine bullet. Used them for quite a while until I had a couple of "blowups" at close range. I went to the Interlocks and Interbonds and have not had a problem since. The Locks and Bonds are just a little tougher and hold up a little better at those close range bone impacts. Most have never had a problem with them, and for the most part, neither did I. I still use them in a couple of my other rifles because the are the most accurate out of those particular barrels. I just know better now than to take a 25 yard shot with them out of a 7mm.08 or a .308. Just a little too fast for them.

 

[T.R.]

These two northern California bucks were felled where they stood by 150 grain bullets. One shot each and they never knew what hit 'em!

TR

 

[unklechuckles19]

I shoot 150's out of my Savage 308 and have killed two respectable bucks with this setup. I never ventured to the 165's because my gun shot the 150's just fine.

 

[H&Hhunter]

150's vs 165's in either a .308 or a .30-06 on deer sized animals is a total non issue. It's apples to apples. Honey Crisp vs Granny Smith. I've killed deer with a 150 gr bullets 165 gr bullets and 180 gr bullets out of both calibers and I can't tell a lick of difference.

If I was hunting bull elk and up I'd go heavier though it isn't a necessity, more of a comfort factor than anything.

 

[35 Whelen]

Craiger, The SST is a fine bullet. Used them for quite a while until I had a couple of "blowups" at close range.

I used to use Ballistic Tips in my 257 AI but never was impressed with penetration. To me the plastic pointed bullets, unless they have a heavy jacket, are as much as hollowpoints performance-wise.

Switched to Core-Lokt's in the 257 and my little .308 Scout and haven't looked back since.

35W

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

35 Whelen, The SST's actually do have a pretty thick jacket compared to most of the other Ballistic Tip bullet designs. They are a controlled expansion type bullet. But again, at the velocities that are attained in my 7mm.08 and my .308 loads, close range shots (under 50 to 75 yards) are still just a little too fast for the design. Not saying they will ALWAYS blow up as I have had great performance from them on many deer and hogs. But both times I did have a problem on deer, they blew up right on the "point" of the shoulder. Still recovered the deer with some tracking. Deer are pretty easy to track with a leg blown almost off at the shoulder

 

[retrieverman]

150 gr vs 165 gr in a 308 is splitting hairs. Pick one, sight in, and go hunting.

 

[ZeroJunk]

I have mostly used 165's, but I can't remember why.

 

[jmr40]

Either is adequate. As a general rule I've found 165's to shoot more accurately in my 30-06 rifles, so I tend to use that weight more often in those. I cannot detect any difference in accuracy between 165's or 150's in MY 308 rifles so I tend to load and shoot 150's in the 308's I own. It really comes down to what shoots best in YOUR gun.

 

[gunner69]

Toss of the coin, both work although I like the heavier bullets. My choice is the 168gr too, it does wonders in both my .308 and 30-06.