what 308 bullets to use

[futureranger]

i have a savage 10fp (1/10" twist), its a little heavy for hunting but I might use it for long field shots (300-600 yards). For hunting whitetails at that range would the 168gr suffice or should I look bigger. I will start reloading for it soon but wanted to ask if bigger was better. Also I was wondering if group sizes opened up at all with heavier bullets. I know police and millitary use 168s and sometimes 175gr BTHP but still would like some help deciding. also what brands and types would be the best, i dont wast to pay more than $30-$35 for 100 bullets... if at all posible. thanks

 

[dagger dog]

It's not so much the weight of the bullet as is how long it is, when it comes to twist rate. The .308 Win. tops out at about 180 gr. the heavier bullets are generally longer. Takes faster twist to stabilize them properly.You 1-10 should be OK up to 180gr , but for the ranges you stated you might wat to go about 165-155gr. make sure it is a hunting type bullet and not a target type, the target types do not expand at those distances. Most bullets in the two weights you state 175&168 are for hunting MEN and targets, not deer, they are long bullets that are extremely accurate but are best left for what they are designed.
Any of your major bullet manufactuers have a wide array of 125-165 grain expanding hunting type bullets for game in the whitetail, mulie size. then there are the 165gr.on up to 180gr for moose elk etc., in deep penetrating type bullets.
The 150 gr Nosler Ballistic tip with the right powder primer combo's are accurate to the miniute of angle at 100yds and can be plenty accurate and deadly to the ranges you state,and are in you price range. The Speer 165 gr. soft point was the standard for the .308 Win. for many years. You may want to check out some web sites of the powder and bullet manufactuers fo load data,It can make choosing a lot easier!

 

[30Cal]

You're ability to accurately call wind to within 2 mph and range to within 50yds will matter more than your choice of bullet.

Basically, if you're asking this question, then maybe you should do a lot of practicing and find out for yourself what it will take to make good shots on live animals with a high probably of success. You'll need to find a HUNTING bullet and skills that will allow you to hit a dessert plate on your first try on any random day.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I like Nosler Ballistic Tips and Sierra GameKings. The GameKings are about $23/100 and the BT are about $30/100. There are tons of other great bullets, but these are my favorites for under $40/100.

These should work for you:
http://www.shootersproshop.com/index.php?p=11&b=8&s=149&t=30
http://www.shootersproshop.com/index.php?p=11&b=8&s=148&t=30

150, 165, or 180 grainers will work for your purposes, but as has been said you need to know your load and your range pretty well before trying anything past about 300-400 yards. I'd start with 150 grain, then go to 165 if unhappy with the groups.

 

[futureranger]

Thanks for the advice, but I will get in lots of practice before next deer season, I hope to practice out to 800 yards regularly by the middle of the summer, my friend has a 1000yd range. Are the hornady A-max "hunting" bullets? I read a review where a guy dropped a buck from a good distance with the A-max's. or would using them be unnecessarily cruel to the game…. Assuming I can hit it…. ha....
ps potatojudge, what are factory 2nds?

 

[PotatoJudge]

The A-max is a target bullet, and a very accurate one by all accounts. People also have good success with long range hunting using MatchKings, but the bullets are more likely to fail on a live animal. Generally, it's not a recommended practice. Anyway, there are hunting bullets that are as accurate, so why not use them?

Factory seconds are bullets that are good to shoot but some bit of that run didn't pass QC. They're sometimes cosmetically blemished, though none that I've bought have looked any different than standard bullets. I've never talked to anyone that wasn't getting the same accuracy and performance out of seconds as they do out of firsts. I'd feel comfortable practicing at the farthest reach of my range with seconds, confirming POI with factory firsts, and then taking the firsts hunting.

I'm not sure how much long range shooting or hunting experience you have, but it's tough at those ranges. Good for you that you've got access to a 1000 yd range, few of us are that lucky. Enjoy shooting at those ranges and I hope you're happy with your shooting by next deer season, be it 50 yards or 500.