150 or 165 grains in .308 Win for deer?

[HKGuns]

I use Hornady SST 150's in my .308 Sako. Fantastic rounds and my Sako really shoots them well. I figure it is more than enough bullet for deer. I suppose 165's would work too though.

I think Freedom Fighter makes a really good point on the SST rounds and closer ranges. Last season I shot a deer at around 75 yards and there were two exit wounds and I did about 100 feet of easy tracking with a good blood trail. A deer taken this year at 150 yards dropped dead in its tracks.

 

[primape]

I use 150 Nosler BT and IMR 4064 for a deer hunting round in my 308 LTR. It is all I need and is very accurate. Drops most in their tracks and the ones that do run go less than 20 yds.

 

[Skyshot]

I use 150 gr. Accubonds. It seems that a 150gr bullet will kill more quickly than the 165's, I have used both but the 150's put deer down quicker IMO. I've taken two whitetails so far this season with my .308, Almost Identical shots and almost same size bucks. 1st shot was a 3 1/2 year old 8 pt. and the shot was a 50 yard broadside double lung hit. The buck ran about 40 yards and expired. The second shot was a 3 1/2 year old 8pt. and a 30 yard slightly quartering to shot that hit the left front shoulder and exited right rib cage, that one dropped in his tracks. Both deer field dressed around 150 lbs. Both exit holes were about the size of a quarter. The deer I've shot in the past with 165 grn bullets seem to be runners which makes me think that the 165's might be to much bullet for whitetails not transfering the energy in the animal. I think the 165's may be more suited better for bears and elk. But that's my opinion, I'm sure thier will alot that disagree with that.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Nope Sky I actually kind of agree with that. I too believe the 165's are just a smidge too much for white-tail. Granted I have seen many dropped from them. But in truth, the 150 is about the perfect bullet weight for white-tail out of a .308 cartridge.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive hunted with 150s in the 308 and 06 for 35 years and never found them lacking in any way. That said dad uses 165 sierras in his blr 308 and theyve worked just fine for him. Ive used 165 sierras and bts in the 300 win mag for years too and contrary to what some internet experts will tell you they work just fine the mag too.