Hey guys. Hunting season is coming up quick. I was wondering which brand of ammo works best out of the M&P 10. Any suggestions? I'm going to head to the range tomorrow and try out some federal premium 168 grain Sierra match. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Good hunting round?
- Thread starter Joey1911
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klausinak
US Veteran
Match bullets don't do well as a hunting round, they're designed to punch little holes in paper & that's about it. Look into the Barnes Vortex line of ammo.
MichiganScott
Member
If you don't reload your only option is to buy several different brands and weights of ammunition and try it. One brand and weight will end up with much better accuracy and function that the others and you will get in some much needed trigger time.
rojodiablo
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Okay; first question: What animal are we trying to cook for dinner?
Second: What ranges are we expecting to shoot?
Third: Expected cover, or open country, tree stand, box blind, or shooting from behind concealment like brush?
Since I would have to wait for the answers, I will give you my opinion on what would do the best for what given scenario:
Ca. big game: All copper ammo. Nosler E-tip, and Barnes TSX.
America: For hogs and deer in cover, and expected shooting thru brush, etc. I will recommend Winchester XP, as it is consistent, and I like the expansion more than Remington Core-Lokt. Federal blue or brown box is a very good choice as well, I will choose it over the Remington for accuracy. These are medium constructed bullets, so they will not come unglued if they touch a blade of grass or some leaves.
If open country, or you are looking at mostly deer hunting; I will choose Nosler ballistic tip ammo every time. Lighter bullet construction, and devastating expansion. Like pulling the pin on a grenade, and stuffing it into the deer's lungs. Any decent shot, and you won't have to chase the animal more than say 20 feet........
The key to which weight and which brand will fall upon you doing some bench testing. More important than ANYTHING else is consistency. If a 150gr bullet is giving you a spread of only 1", but say 165gr gives you 1.5"- take the more consistent ammo, unless you are certain you are hunting monster size hogs and need every last bit of hit power. For deer, the bullet is not quite as important, as their hide is not as armored as a hog is.
Second: What ranges are we expecting to shoot?
Third: Expected cover, or open country, tree stand, box blind, or shooting from behind concealment like brush?
Since I would have to wait for the answers, I will give you my opinion on what would do the best for what given scenario:
Ca. big game: All copper ammo. Nosler E-tip, and Barnes TSX.
America: For hogs and deer in cover, and expected shooting thru brush, etc. I will recommend Winchester XP, as it is consistent, and I like the expansion more than Remington Core-Lokt. Federal blue or brown box is a very good choice as well, I will choose it over the Remington for accuracy. These are medium constructed bullets, so they will not come unglued if they touch a blade of grass or some leaves.
If open country, or you are looking at mostly deer hunting; I will choose Nosler ballistic tip ammo every time. Lighter bullet construction, and devastating expansion. Like pulling the pin on a grenade, and stuffing it into the deer's lungs. Any decent shot, and you won't have to chase the animal more than say 20 feet........
The key to which weight and which brand will fall upon you doing some bench testing. More important than ANYTHING else is consistency. If a 150gr bullet is giving you a spread of only 1", but say 165gr gives you 1.5"- take the more consistent ammo, unless you are certain you are hunting monster size hogs and need every last bit of hit power. For deer, the bullet is not quite as important, as their hide is not as armored as a hog is.
Any standard 150gr from Winchester or Remington will take deer size animals out to at least 300 yards in open areas.
The 180gr can work in heavy brush and closer shots for most North American game.
"Fancy" high priced bullets and ammo is not needed............
Test out the $20 stuff first if it is available to you.
The 180gr can work in heavy brush and closer shots for most North American game.
"Fancy" high priced bullets and ammo is not needed............
Test out the $20 stuff first if it is available to you.
Hey guys sorry for the late reply. Over the last few weeks i've shot multiple brands and weight bullets. My M&P 10 holds the best groups at 100 yards with Federal power shok 150 grain soft points. I just purchased some hornandy 150 grain whitetail and will test it Saturday..... to be continued.
As for location for my hunt I will be in the state of Maine east of Bangor on the coast. The woods get pretty thick up there but there are also plenty of marshes that open up to a 300 yard shot.
As for location for my hunt I will be in the state of Maine east of Bangor on the coast. The woods get pretty thick up there but there are also plenty of marshes that open up to a 300 yard shot.
klausinak
US Veteran
Joey1911-
I'll start by assuming that you're hunting deer & not moose; if so you're on the right track. The .308 is at it's best in the 150-170 grain range, 180's not so much. Nevada Ed is correct in his post; those cheap(er) blue box Federals, that are shooting well, will dump a whitetail just fine. If you're hunting moose that becomes a game-changer; I know yours are smaller than the ones up here, but they're still plenty big. In that case I would go with a 165-180 grain premium bullet; i.e., Barnes TSX, Nosler AB, Hornady GMX, basically the stuff in the real spendy boxes
. Stay away from Match bullets, they were designed to shoot teeny-tiny groups and nothing else 
-Klaus
I'll start by assuming that you're hunting deer & not moose; if so you're on the right track. The .308 is at it's best in the 150-170 grain range, 180's not so much. Nevada Ed is correct in his post; those cheap(er) blue box Federals, that are shooting well, will dump a whitetail just fine. If you're hunting moose that becomes a game-changer; I know yours are smaller than the ones up here, but they're still plenty big. In that case I would go with a 165-180 grain premium bullet; i.e., Barnes TSX, Nosler AB, Hornady GMX, basically the stuff in the real spendy boxes
. Stay away from Match bullets, they were designed to shoot teeny-tiny groups and nothing else -Klaus
Joey1911-
I'll start by assuming that you're hunting deer & not moose; if so you're on the right track. The .308 is at it's best in the 150-170 grain range, 180's not so much. Nevada Ed is correct in his post; those cheap(er) blue box Federals, that are shooting well, will dump a whitetail just fine. If you're hunting moose that becomes a game-changer; I know yours are smaller than the ones up here, but they're still plenty big. In that case I would go with a 165-180 grain premium bullet; i.e., Barnes TSX, Nosler AB, Hornady GMX, basically the stuff in the real spendy boxes
-Klaus
Your assumption is correct. Whitetail bucks only. Your also right about the 180 grain bullet. I was disappointed with the grouping it delivered.
