.308 Bullets/performance/useful velocities

[DanielWGriggs]

I read in gun tests that several bullets had failed their media tests one was the nosler BT 150 gr.  What I noticed was that most of the bullets that were rated good or better were 165 and 180 gr.

I would like your opinion for deer from 125lbs to 300lbs White tails under 200 yards what bullet(s) would you recommend as I am not allowed  by law to hunt with a rifle in Illinois I have no experience with anything but paper and they all punch neat little holes.

I will be hunting Missouri next year and want to start load development in the early spring.  

Why don't the bullet manufactures publish useful velocities on their pretty little bullet posters. This could be a useful tool in choosing a properly constructed bullet for its intended use.

I will be using a .308 H&R velocities between 2400 and 2800 fps Thanks for responding.

[Val]

Just go with a premium bullet such as a Nosler Partition or Accubond and you can't go wrong. Why use anything less and have doubts in your mind?

[Mac11700]

As a rule for the NEF's 308's you'll find most of them shoot better at the mid to lower end of the velocities with a unmodified rifle.Also..with the long throats a-lot of these have...you'll have a hard time seating the bullets out to the normal benchrest lenghts with them....Val gave a good suggestion on the premium bullets...and I'll add to that by saying use the better constructed regular bullets such as the Hornady interlocks...or the Nosler Accubond...or even Speers GrandSlam bullets,are also a good choice to use...they will all hold together nicely and do a good job for our Missouri whitetails.....most of the time where you here about  the BT failing is where a very close shoulder shot was taken or they were loaded to Magnum velocities and thick bone was hit...these bullets do work and have taken countless amounts of game across the country....whitetails aren't that big or heavy to really worry to much about using them...with the exception of being really close when taking the shot and putting the bullet thru the shoulder...

Mac

[Lawdog]

DanielWGriggs,

As stated go with a good premium bullet(Partition, Accubond, Barnes TSX, etc.) and you won't go wrong.  Bullets like the Ballistic Tip were never designed for velocities much over 2,800 fps. and have a history of breaking up on bone(rib bone in the times I tried them and they failed).  Personally I would try the new Barnes TSX in 150 gr. in your .308.  Lawdog
 

[onesonek]

I'm going try 165 gr Swift Scirocco's out of the 30-40AI 15" Encore, at 2400 fps. this season. According to Swift, the velocity envelope on these is 1400-2700 fps. In the 2 different barrels I have worked them up in, prove to be very accurate. 1.2" groups with the 30 cal. 165 @ 100yds. And I'll admit, I'm not the best pistol shot around.  But their high BC's make for make for fair range capabilities, starting out at slower muzzle velocities.
Dave

[Mikey]

DanielW:  I have found that some of the premium bullets at shorter barrelled 308 velocites will either break up (my dentist likes it when I bust a filling on a piece of 308 jacket) or not expand.  

My brother shoots a 308 Encore - we found the best load for that rifle was a 150 gn Hornaday over 44 grains of IMR 3031 for 2800'/sec (less from his short barrrelled Encore, I'm sure).  But, the Hornaday bullet is inexpensive and just does the trick.  I have never had a bullet failure with a Hornaday slug and use that brand for all my 30 caliber rifles.  No need to spend the extra $ if you don't need to.  HTH.  Mikey.

[DanielWGriggs]

Thank you all.  I will check out Hornady bullet #3031, 3040 and 3010 for varmits. I will also check out speer 2025, 2035 and for varmits 1855, 2005. also winchester failsafe,barnes x,hornady interbond,sciroccos, when I get time and money for testing the CE type bullets. Guess I better check out Nosler,and Sierra also.