Hunting rifle ammo - what do you use?

[Cleck]

Going deer hunting for the first time this season, and I had a chance to shoot a different ammo a couple of weeks ago. Usually I shoot this:

No real reason for it other than I just picked it when I started shooting and got used to it and the price.

Recently, I shot this:

Looks like they're a new round by Federal, but I don't know much about them (or hunting rounds in general).

Does grain count matter in hunting rounds? Aside from picking a round that shoots well out of your rifle (I'll have to pay more attention to how these shoot vs the Hornady's now that I have a few of each), is there anything to picking a round? Is there a difference between 150 and 180 grain rounds? Do higher grain counts hit harder, do more damage, fly straighter at closer distances, I dunno I'm just throwing shit out there.

School me.

What do you use? Why?

 

[Yeti]

Best all around hunting ammo I ever seen/used is plain Remington brand core locked.

 

[Yeti]

Ooops u asked why,because it shoots straight and gets the job done without over thinking the situation at hand (getting deer down).

 

[MilesTeg]

Hunting Rifle

On that page 4 I tested 2 different brands of 150gr 308 ammo. I shot a deer with the hornady ammo last year and it preformed well. This year I will probably stick with that because I haven't had a chance to reload for this rifle yet.

 

[Yeti]

I tried hornady and it kicks out more speed but I feel its overkill.I used it with a shooting rest and it shook the rest so bad at the recoil it was shooting all over the place, just use sandbags if you run into a problem like that.I hate Federal ammo,never will use that for deer.

 

[Cleck]

Hunting Rifle

On that page 4 I tested 2 different brands of 150gr 308 ammo. I shot a deer with the hornady ammo last year and it preformed well. This year I will probably stick with that because I haven't had a chance to reload for this rifle yet.

Either I was shooting better when we were dicking around with the Federal, or it seems like a coincidence. I'll probably do the same as you did, probably shoot 5 shots or so with one, then switch and see if it gets better or has similar shots. Whether through luck, skill, or whatever else, I'll go with whatever I seem to be more "consistent" with. So far though, I've had Hornady through it the most.

 

[MilesTeg]

That's how I go about it. I like to stay in low weight in 308 after looking at some ballistics. Those heavier rounds are for bigger game than white tail and can ruin a lot of meat if your not careful.

 

[dubleuhb]

What are you gonna shoot? A plain old Whitetail or a non typical whitetail? Not sure one will work for both[emoji90]

 

[Cleck]

That's how I go about it. I like to stay in low weight in 308 after looking at some ballistics. Those heavier rounds are for bigger game than white tail and can ruin a lot of meat if your not careful.

@dubleuhb Going for just plain old typical white tail, ha. Don't even know what "typical" or "non typical" rounds mean. That last bit you said there though Miles seems to stick though. If I shoot the Hornady's alright, no reason to switch. Since I've never shot a deer before, I guess I could be considered on the "not careful" side, since I'm no expert at this time. I just basically know where to shoot, lol.

Is 180 gr over 150 really considered a heavy round?

 

[MilesTeg]

@dubleuhb Going for just plain old typical white tail, ha. Don't even know what "typical" or "non typical" rounds mean. That last bit you said there though Miles seems to stick though. If I shoot the Hornady's alright, no reason to switch. Since I've never shot a deer before, I guess I could be considered on the "not careful" side, since I'm no expert at this time. I just basically know where to shoot, lol.

Is 180 gr over 150 really considered a heavy round?

Yes 180gr is at the very top of the scale for 308. 150 is starting to become more popular, traditionally 160-170 gr range was what most people used.

 

[Bananabandit]

I love hornadys gimmick boxes. Still have the zombie ones

I dont use 308...yet

 

[Cleck]

Yes 180gr is at the very top of the scale for 308. 150 is starting to become more popular, traditionally 160-170 gr range was what most people used.

Gotcha, good to know. Thanks for the info.

I love hornadys gimmick boxes. Still have the zombie ones

I dont use 308...yet

Gimmick? Zombie? Explain

 

[Bananabandit]

Mainly just the box, not the ammo itself.
Like the 22s from that swamp show. That type of stuff. Good ammo. All about marketing.

 

[Steve H]

I think the 30 grain difference is irrelevant-a deer will never know the difference. Good shot placement is everything, so use whatever shoots best from your rifle.

 

[tony]

While a deer will never know the difference your shoulder will... The 180's will produce more recoil and the deer will still be the same amount of dead...

150 grainers in .30 cal. are more than enough.

 

[Kent Goldings]

My Ruger American 308 seems to likes speedier bullets. I use 150 gr. Game king Spitzer boat tails served over 46 gr of Hodgdon Varget.

 

[Jmac00]

Im just going to throw this out there for those that RELOAD:

Be aware that there are actually two different 308 FTX projectiles in 160gr.
one is Part # 30395 is for the 30-30 cartridge.
the other is part# 30396 is for the 308 cartridge

both are 160gr, but the 30396 is about 3/16th of an inch longer and will not work in a 30-30 ~~~ don't ask me how I know

 

[Acer-m14]

.270 130gr Gameking SP reload my own .. 2900 FPS at muzzle ..or just a tad under ..

308 ?? WTH .. LOL .. well at least you wont have to gut it .. LOL ..

last shot in the video below .. AR 308 .. its comes up fast .. pay attention lol ..

 

[Acer-m14]

whats a spam can steel core mosin rnd weigh .. i think around 160 ( its a 308 bullet ) .. 2 shots .. i thought i missed on the first .. impact side , both shots side by side straight thru the ribs and rib and out front shoulder .. soft ball size hole on impact side .. guts falling out .. LOL ..

 

[Cleck]

*SNIP*

Holy shit...

I played that over and over again, that's crazy