308 Hunting ammo for AR10?

6

6.8 hunter

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What would be your suggestion for this scenario:
If you were going to order a 200 round case of hunting ammo, for 16"-18" AR10, for deer, coyotes, hog, and recreational target. I am thinking 150-165 gr. Best stuff for the money, accurate, hits hard.
 
You're probably not going to find "hunting" ammo sold in 200 round lots. My advice is to buy 1 box of several different loads and try them. Pick the one you like best then stock up. You never know how well one brand of ammo will shoot in YOUR gun. Brand "A" might shoot great in my gun and horrible in yours. I'd hate to spend the money for 200 rounds then find it shoots terrible in my rifle even though it does great in yours.

For what you're going to do, and at reasonable ranges under 300 yards you don't need anything special nor expensive. If you want to elk hunt and take 400-500 yard shots then investing in the high end ammo is a good idea. I'd start looking at the basic loads made by Winchester, Remington, Hornady and Federal.
 
I also echo jmr40 and courtgreene, try several but will add I have had good luck with the inexpensive Federal blue box ammo (Power-Shok) in various rifles and cartridges.
I also recommend the 150 gr load to start. It should handle anything you listed.
www.federalpremium.com

Buy Power-Shok Rifle for USD 36.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Power-Shok Rifle - Learn more about the latest Power-Shok and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.
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I've never used it in the field, but I tested some Federal 150 grain standard ammo in mine. It shot pretty good and cycled with no problems. If I wanted to hunt with my PA10, that's what I'd use.
 
Ive got a friend who can get me a deal on bulk quantities sometimes, hence the "by the case" requirement which indicates a need for good value ($/rd.). Now secondly, how do you like those lead tips ramming through an AR10? I have always been averse to that which leads me to HP and plastic tips. Come to think of it I do not recall checking plastic tips for deformation after they get rammed home. I doubt theres much to see though.
I COULD get set up for a run and do 200 of my own, but would have to go get 150 brass, some Varget, and some bullets. Kind of low on the 30 cal stuff right now. I like to throw my buddy some business once in a while.
 
jmr40 said:
You're probably not going to find "hunting" ammo sold in 200 round lots. My advice is to buy 1 box of several different loads and try them. Pick the one you like best then stock up. You never know how well one brand of ammo will shoot in YOUR gun. Brand "A" might shoot great in my gun and horrible in yours. I'd hate to spend the money for 200 rounds then find it shoots terrible in my rifle even though it does great in yours.

For what you're going to do, and at reasonable ranges under 300 yards you don't need anything special nor expensive. If you want to elk hunt and take 400-500 yard shots then investing in the high end ammo is a good idea. I'd start looking at the basic loads made by Winchester, Remington, Hornady and Federal.
Click to expand...
JMR40 I learn a lot from your responses, thank you.
 
jmr40 said:
You're probably not going to find "hunting" ammo sold in 200 round lots. My advice is to buy 1 box of several different loads and try them. Pick the one you like best then stock up. You never know how well one brand of ammo will shoot in YOUR gun. Brand "A" might shoot great in my gun and horrible in yours. I'd hate to spend the money for 200 rounds then find it shoots terrible in my rifle even though it does great in yours.

For what you're going to do, and at reasonable ranges under 300 yards you don't need anything special nor expensive. If you want to elk hunt and take 400-500 yard shots then investing in the high end ammo is a good idea. I'd start looking at the basic loads made by Winchester, Remington, Hornady and Federal.
Click to expand...
OP…. Read @jmr40 post carefully, and follow that advice.

There’s not much I can add beyond what he posted already. Solid advice.
 
JMR pretty much nailed it. But let's assume they are accurate, but any quality made 150gr ammo will be just fine for what you are wanting. And I shoot SP's in my semi autos all the time don't matter one bit.

Just shoot several brands and pick the one your rifle shoots best.
 
If I were going to order 200 rounds, I would be sure they are perfect in my rifle before I did it.
If you order 200 rounds and can't get it to group well, then you just have 200 rounds of practice ammo.
Didn't read all the others, perhaps it has been said already.
 
6.8 hunter said:
Ive got a friend who can get me a deal on bulk quantities sometimes, hence the "by the case" requirement which indicates a need for good value ($/rd.). Now secondly, how do you like those lead tips ramming through an AR10? I have always been averse to that which leads me to HP and plastic tips. Come to think of it I do not recall checking plastic tips for deformation after they get rammed home. I doubt theres much to see though.
I COULD get set up for a run and do 200 of my own, but would have to go get 150 brass, some Varget, and some bullets. Kind of low on the 30 cal stuff right now. I like to throw my buddy some business once in a while.
Click to expand...
I didn't see any trouble with the exposed lead tips, but I only shot 5 or 6 rounds to test it out. It was the only box of 308 I could find in 2021, so that's what I got. It grouped really well for the two test groups I shot, about 1.25" from 100 yards. If the lead deformed, I couldn't tell.
 
I've run plain ol 150gr CorLokts in my 308 Ruger Compact with the short 16.5" barrel for 20yrs and they haven't let me down yet. When I broke down and purchased an AR10, I kept right on with them.

They have a small exposed tip which doesn't get battered up and they have been just as productive in the latter as the former. Out to 300yds they do fine on yotes and hogs, probably deer as well, just haven't used them that far out on a deer.

They aren't going to win and BR matches averaging around 1.5 - 2" at 200yds, but they are reliable and lethal as anything else and decently priced.
 
I roll my own and use 150 grn Hornady Interlocks SPs. One thing you're going to find on factory ammo is that different lots of the same bullet with the same manufacturer will shoot differently. There are a lot of variables that will not be the same from lot to lot that will cause different results. Some of the different lots may not shoot well at all even though the lot before did just fine. So, it's important to get enough of the same lot that works for you so you have enough left over for your hunts and practice.
 
I have only shot one deer with my PA10 and it was with Federal Premium w 168 gr Berger Hybrid Hunter bullets. Perfectly placed shot but no blood trail. I'm using Barnes Vortex w 168 gr TTSX now but still experimenting with other loads.
 
LAR 8, heavy barrel weights a ton. Very little recoil. I settled down to Hornady 150 sp bought on sale. IMR 3031 at 39 gr. Kills deer and paper with equal enthusiasm. Couldn't imagine surviving on store bought.
 
6.8 hunter said:
What would be your suggestion for this scenario:
If you were going to order a 200 round case of hunting ammo, for 16"-18" AR10, for deer, coyotes, hog, and recreational target. I am thinking 150-165 gr. Best stuff for the money, accurate, hits hard.
Click to expand...
I would try to buy one case to test for accuracy although most rounds will probably work fine. My AR10 shoots Accubonds and TTSX very well, but not fusions although they have a very good reputation for being accurate.

I like to have the most accurate round possible because it means I can shoot further with a good rest. (I might be able to shoot that medium coyote at 250yds)

If you want to be fancy:

150-165gr Accubond
135gr TTSX
 
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