.308 Win. deer bullet

[GypsmJim]

I handload .308 with a 165 Hornady SST. Developed that round about 20+- years ago. Never heard a deer complain. Must be OK.

Prior to that I loaded SSTs to Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt pressures. That worked OK as well, but now I get better range.

 

[Drm50]

I think it's pretty well established in this thread that tough/ premium/ expensive/ monometal bullets aren't essential for most deer hunting, but they still work well for such purposes. The original poster mentioned the use of Partition bullets, certainly a reasonable inquiry followed by a sensible discussion. "Snipers in stands" seems to veer way off track from bullet construction.

No it's right on track. It shows nothing special is needed to kill a deer. A plain lead bullet is plenty. Easy to do from stands. If you are stalking a bullet that offers a little expansion for shock power works better on deer that are running pumping adrenaline. Also leaves bigger wound causing blood loss.
Poachers use 22lr at night and shoot 25-40yds, they get their deer. They ain't sport hunters they are after meat. They don't shoot unless it's sure kill. Same as stand in daytime.
Shooting deer on damage permits there is no point in ruining meat. Deer walk out in hay field, most shot about 100yds off rest they go down like train hit them. Only thing we don't use is FMJ.

 

[22hipower]

95% of so called deer hunters today are snipers that set in stands and shoot mostly stationary deer. For that kind of shooting nothing special is needed.

Are you suggesting that it would be more "sporting" to shoot at running, or otherwise moving, animals? Always thought it was a little unethical to shoot at moving game. . . .other than birds on the fly of course. . . .and Texas pigs.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[STORMINORMAN]

It has been related that more North American deer have been taken with the 22 LR than all the other calibers, COMBINED...!

Since reliable data from the early 1900's is hard to obtain, one must contemplate this issue since most mid-West automotive mortality figures from recent years indicate motor vehicles kill more deer every year than hunters in some States!

Cheers!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Are you suggesting that it would be more "sporting" to shoot at running, or otherwise moving, animals? Always thought it was a little unethical to shoot at moving game. . . .other than birds on the fly of course. . . .and Texas pigs.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

With a little practice, inside of 200 yards a trotting deer in not a problem.
Now one in high gear that has been shot at, needs the shooter to
KNOW how much in front of the deer is needed, to make a hit.

I only shot at running deer, if they have been wounded and did not go down.

The last buck that I helped my partner drop after he wounded it
was at about 250 yards and going up hill at a 45 degree angle.

My shot went throught it's eye and it was dead before it hit the ground.
However the one antler over the eye, was flopping all over the place and a lost cause, for a mount.

 

[Skeet 028]

Core-loks are the Original bonded bullet. Like the partition there are more accurate bullets but none more deadly on deer...the old Winchester Silvertips are good too. If you have to have a bonded premium bullet somebody finally mentioned the Nosler Accubond. I have loaded bunches of them and the 165s are generally the most accurate for most of my 30 cal rifles. I even load them in the 30-30 for my rifles a 788 and a 54 Win...and even the 94 rifle shoots them well. 2 loads of course. I gave a Kimber 308 to GD with 50 rounds of it's load. 2 deer and 2 coyotes so far...4 for 4. In the 06 I load the 165 AB using the Hornady Superformance factory load with the 165. Under an inch easily and bullet performance is perfect so far...No elk but after last winter the elk herds will take a long time rebuilding out here. Global Warming wiped out major parts of the herds. Antelope too. I guess Grizzlies and Wolves helped too.

 

[Drm50]

Are you suggesting that it would be more "sporting" to shoot at running, or otherwise moving, animals? Always thought it was a little unethical to shoot at moving game. . . .other than birds on the fly of course. . . .and Texas pigs.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I have herd people make same statement. Makes me wonder how much hunting they actually have done. It doesn't have anything to do with sporting. A person got to know their limitations. If you don't feel comfortable shooting running game then you shouldn't.
I agree there are many that shouldn't shoot at moving targets. I know guys with cases full of trophies for Bench Rest, they aren't 1st string offhand shooters.
The point is it's not necessary to buy expensive bullets to shoot White Tail deer. As usual there is group who thinks a 223 is a good deer rifle. It is perfectly adequate to shoot stationary deer.
The opposite end of spectrum thinks a 45/70 is necessary.
Think about it. If you are capable of busting a clay pigeon at 100yds of a rest, why couldn't you place a kill shot on a stationary deer? The bulk of guys I hunt with use 30/06 and most don't load.
Off the shelf Winchester PPs or Remington CLs in 150gr laid down a lot of deer for them. Every once in awhile somebody made a bum shot and had to track it down. It will happen if you hunt a lot. Every one is not a bang flop regardless of caliber or bullet.
A expensive bullet does not have much to add when you are hunting where most shots are 100yds and under.

 

[flintsghost]

Not really, They'll certainly do the job.
The only issue, if it is one, is that the partition design was developed to better cope with the various 300 magnums. At worst, the 308 simply won't utilize the design feature of the partition as a 300 win mag might.

That is absolute hogwash. I've been using Nosler partitions since the mid 60's in a 30-06, 308, 270. and a 375. The jackets are made slightly heavier in each caliber a they go up in grain weight. The only bullets in 30 Cal that might perform better in a 300 Win are the 200 grainers. But that being said I've shot and killed Elk with 200 grain Nosler partitions in a 30-06 and the recovered bullet performed perfectly. I have several friends whose experience is identical to mine.

 

[nps7077]

Almost any 150-180gr hunting bullet will do the job on a deer. For 308 Win i prefer a 165gr but that is my preference for where and how i hunt deer. The 308 Win is an easy cartridge to develop loads for as much reloading data is available and you will be able to achieve decent accuracy fairly quick. The bullets you suggested will work just fine, however as has already been suggested there are less expensive bullets available wnich for the same $ spent will allow you to shoot more often which will allo w you to gain confidence in your rifle and get to know your abilities with that rifle. Hunting is all about when a shot is available-- knowing your abilities/limitations and living whithin them. Do not take a shot at game that you are not confident with!

 

[lppd4]

150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips or Hornady SST's are all you need. I've taken a bunch of deer and hogs with them. Great bullets

 

[wyo-man]

All I ever used was a 165 grain Nosler partition in my .30-06.
18 deer with 19 rounds (missed once).
Expensive yes, but worth it in my opinion.

wyo-man