.308 bullet weight for deer

[Comstar]

Should I use lighter or heavier for deer (white tail and maybe mule if I get it.)

I have 150 and 180 grain. I know they both will be good but is there a better.

Federal 150 (blue box)

Winchester 150 and 180 (grey box)

Winchester 150 accubond (red box)

I could care less what I'm shooting so If something will work better please let me know.

Thanks!

[shakeyleg02]

either will work but I would say which ever one groups the best out of your particular rifle if neither does try a 165gr

[Comstar]

I'll head to the range when I get time and try some 3 shot groups of each. I'm using a savage 111,(I haven't shot a whole bunch) and I can usually get a triangle where the bullets are all about 1.5 inches away. I normally shoot 180 seeing I have 350+ of Winchester ...

Any one else have experience on this?

[Lefty]

I too would tend to use whatever shot the best groups. I have shot a number of deer with a 180 grain bullet in the 308 and they worked fine. I have seen 150 grain and 165 grainers used and they worked just as good. The 150's might be a little flatter shooting which could be an advantage if you are shooting coyotes while deer hunting.

[martinbns]

Deer are really easy to kill with a 30 calibre bullet.

I used a 150 gr to kill quite a few deer of both varieties.

[Comstar]

What would save more meat? Are they both similar that way?

I also won't be taking long shots as right now I am not a good enough shooter and I do not believe in injuring an animal and have it live.

Does that affect the choice?

As for the coyote thing if I see one I will shoot at it so I'll keep that in mind.

[uglyelk]

I run 180 grain for everything out of my .308 rifles that way I don't have to change my zero every time a choose a different round for a different species.

[.30cal]

Between the two I'd go 180, although for deer I like the 165. I doubt the deer notice any real difference one way or the other. Just comes down to slightly faster & lighter vs slightly slower & heavier.

[V_1]

Rem Core-Lokt 150, 180, Fed Fusion 165 - all the way from bambys to mature bucks. I used all range 150 to 180 with equally good results. Find one which groups better and go for it.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by shakeyleg02

either will work but I would say which ever one groups the best out of your particular rifle if neither does try a 165gr

This here is by far the best answer to your question!

Let the rifle tell you what to shoot.

What other people have for experience, is not experience with your rifle.

150gr. or heavier.

But ya never know about 125's, but I'd start at 150gr. and move up.

They are deer, not some sort of armour plated, critter, as some gun scribes trying to push product for their master's, would have you believe.

Test driving a few brands, will result in a whole lot of practice time, which is a good thing at the end of the day.

One last thing, make sure you get repeatable results.
Basing a loading choice on a single 3 shot group will sometimes lead you in the wrong direction.

4 or more 3 shot groups over multiple range sessions is what to look for.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by uglyelk

I run 180 grain for everything out of my .308 rifles that way I don't have to change my zero every time a choose a different round for a different species.

That's why I stick with largest bullets for my rifles. I like the deer/elk combo possibilities. However, as has been said previously, the first criteria should be which shoots best out of your rifle.

[catnthehat]

If my 30's shot the bullet well, I always go with a 165 - so far i have not seen a rifle that will not shoot a 165 grain Game king.
Cat

[aulrich]

For a deer only application I would start at 150/165 , 180 can be a little tough for deer, I have had to track out some of my father inlaws deer that were well hit but ran some, when he was shooting 180's from his.

As long as your in the ball park for sectional density it hard to have a too soft bullet for deer.

[Sooner]

I have been shooting a .308 savage since I was 16, im 44 now. It shoots decent groups and I always have shot 180 gr. This has worked well for me from deer to moose.

[FallAirFever]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

If my 30's shot the bullet well, I always go with a 165 - so far i have not seen a rifle that will not shoot a 165 grain Game king.
Cat

Well this statement just made my day! I am using those exact bullets over a load of H4985 still trying to find the right charge but 42-43.5 seem like I am getting close just need to tweek it a bit and then play with seating depth a bit.

I will be using this load while I go after deer and my cow elk this fall.

[Speckle55]

i use 150's on mine but have a BDC on my scope and use that disc but there is a report that the 180 grains in all conditions travels better especialy in windy days.. but they are shooting longer shots USA Team F class

Food for Thought
David

[Dunezilla]

Like Dick284 said it all depends how your rifle reacts to the various gains. I have been using 180gr shot for 29 years & has never failed me yet, but then again that is my rifle.

As for which grain has less waste of meat, will, that all depends on where you shoot it, or where it enters & leaves.. I had bullets simply go between ribs when entered & leave between ribs when leaving......hence no waste.

There is not a whole lot of meat on the deers ribs to begin with. I try to shoot big body deer if possible.

[Rocky7]

Originally Posted by Comstar

I also won't be taking long shots as right now I am not a good enough shooter and I do not believe in injuring an animal.....

[Comstar]

Ok I'll go have some fun at the range and see which I can get the best groups with.

Thanks for your comments, they are all appreciated.