Reloading for deer in a 308

[handgunhuntr]

I have a 15 Encore chambered in 308 winny.  What would be a better bullet selection and why?  I am looking at the 125 gr Nosler Ballistic tip, the 150 gr Nosler, 150 gr Hornady SST, or the 130 Hornady SSP.  Any inpit would be greatly appreciated.

[Lone Star]

I have had outstanding results on deer with my .300 Savage T/C using the Nosler 150 and 165 BTips.

[palgeno]

I think all the bullets you mentioned will work fine---and I've tried most of those for my 15" Encore, but the Noslers seem to have been the most accurate. The 150 grainers are my choice for their combo of accuracy and flat shooting. The BT's can be a little fragile for large deer so I'm using some Partition Gold 150's I picked up for a good price---these hold up well---Accubond next?   pg

[toecutter]

I agree that the 150gr bt's are good, but they are a little inconsistent as far as expansion goes (sometimes blowing apart, as others have mentioned).  I did stumble onto the sierra pro hunters (150gr.) because of the price, and they have been outstandingly accurate with predictably good expansion.  You might want to give them a try, Good luck!!

[SOUTHARK]

I am getting pretty good accuracy and lethality with the Hornady 150 sst's in a 15" 30/30 AI . I tried the 130 gr ssp and the accuracy wasn't that great.... went to the 150's and my groups shrank. I haven't been able to check what they do on deer out of a pistol yet but I have shot a coyote at a pretty good distance and the results were awesome!!!! Blew one shoulder almost completely off. They worked great out of a 30/06 rifle but they are a little too explosive for a 300 mag.

[**oneshot**]

I've had great results with the 150gr SST's interbonds.  Very accurate out of my barrel and great results on deer.

[JLW]

I use Sierra Bullets and they are very accurate in my encore 308.  The 125gr, 150gr prohunter and the 165gr HP are also very accurate in my 308.  I use Fed 210 primers and H4895 powder this is what works for me. Just my two cents.

[handgunhuntr]

Is H4895 a faster powder than H 322?

[rickyp]

how will 165 gr bullets work out of the 15 inch encore?

handgunhuntr, I think you need a better deer hunting barrel then the 308  :grin: ,
I can make you a great deal on a supeair deer round it is called the 243 wiwnchester.


as for powder I think you are better off finding the fastest powder that is listed for your round  and see how it works, you should not get as big a fire ball out the muzzle and a better burn.

[jason280]

I don't think you will have problems with 150gr BT's coming apart at pistol velocities.  150gr bullets should work very well on deer out to 200 yards, and should be pretty accurate.  You could also try Hornady SST's, as I've heard good things about them.

[MS Hitman]

I have had excellent results from both the 165 and 150 grain Ballistic Tips on everything from a Red Hatrebeest to groundhogs.  Backing the velocities down just a bit really helps the performance.  I load the 150s to around 2350 fps in my .309JDJ.  Last year I took no. 50 whitetail with that barrel.

[Gregory]

Is H4895 a faster powder than H 322?

No

68. H-322, Hodgdon
69. Benchmark 2, Hodgdon
70. AAC-2230, Accurate
71. IMR-4895, IMR
72. H-4895, Hodgdon

http://www.reloadammo.com/burnrate.htm

[tcencore]

Handgunhunter I used a 15" 308 win. to harvest a 5x5 bull Elk this year with one shot at 207 yards. I was using 150 grain accubounds this bullet went through his right shoulder and lungs we found the bullet under the hide on the other side beatiful mushroom bullet lost 45gr. of its mass. This bullet would work great for deer also. Hope this helps if you would like to know more please send me a private message would be glad to help.