Best Bullet for 51cm .308 with DPT Silencer

[RP82]

Hi all,


Having followed the advice on here, I went ahead and bought myself a DPT (+SS) moderator at the Stalking Show yesterday—and I’m sure I’ll be delighted with it. The stand was absolutely swamped with DPT fans picking up more gear!
Now, my next question is about ammunition. I’ve heard great things about RWS—are they really as good as people say? If so, which bullet would you recommend for shooting red deer at ranges of 100–250 yards (max), using a .308 with a 51cm barrel and an over-barrel DPT moderator? I'm specifically looking for lead-free options.
Reliability is key. I’m only out once or twice a year, so money’s no object—I just want something 100% dependable.
Many thanks in advance!

I'm thinking it is between the

RWS .308 Win. HIT Short Rifle 9g / 9.7g or RWS .308 Win. SPEED TIP PRO Short Rifle 10,7g​

 

[Selous]

It will be no surprise to many that I recommend the Barnes 130g TTSX.

Dauntsey Guns: Non Toxic, BARN-B308W3, Barnes - .308 Win 130gr Vor-Tx TTSX FB Rifle Ammunition

Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Barnes - .308 Win 130gr Vor-Tx TTSX FB Rifle Ammunition, Non Toxic, BARN-B308W3, Barnes - .308 Win 130gr Vor-Tx TTSX FB Rifle Ammunition 716876151097 716876151080 10716876051097

www.dauntseyguns.co.uk

The RWS Evo green, the Geco Zero, the Fox bullets from Edinburgh Rifles and the Virtus precision all have their proponents. I was talking to the chap on the Wapiti stand at the Stalking Show yesterday and that also looked good.
I know a lot of people who use the Barnes TTSX ammunition or this component bullet in handloads with great satisfaction on both large and small deer and I have used it for around 15 years perhaps more! Saying that it is hard to predict what each rifle will do so you may need to try a few types.

 

[TringSaint]

What’s the twist rate of the barrel?
No point recommending a bullet that needs a fast twist for a gun with a slow twist!
I general anything under 150-160gn should be fine but that all depends on the barrel’s characteristics
The mod makes no difference btw.

 

[RP82]

What’s the twist rate of the barrel?
No point recommending a bullet that needs a fast twist for a gun with a slow twist!
I general anything under 150-160gn should be fine but that all depends on the barrel’s characteristics
The mod makes no difference btw.

Thank you. Is that the same as Twist Length? In which case it is....

1:11" (1:280 mm)

[td]Twist Length:[/td]

 

[TringSaint]

Thank you. Is that the same as Twist Length? In which case it is....

1:11" (1:280 mm)

[td]Twist Length:[/td]

Ok, so my 308 has a 16.5” barrel and a dpt end of barrel mod and it will stabilise up to 150gn and it has a 1:11 twist rate.
That being said, that is lead ammunition not copper , so for copper you will have to drop to 120-130gn for it to stabilise, but reloaders and copper shooters will be able to tell you more.

 

[RP82]

Ok, so my 308 has a 16.5” barrel and a dpt end of barrel mod and it will stabilise up to 150gn and it has a 1:11 twist rate.
That being said, that is lead ammunition not copper , so for copper you will have to drop to 120-130gn for it to stabilise, but reloaders and copper shooters will be able to tell you more.

Thanks for this. A little further research, along with Chat GPT, suggests that the HIT Green Short Rifle (150gr) should be ideal for Reds.

RWS .308 Win. HIT Short Rifle 9,7g​

 

[TringSaint]

Thanks for this. A little further research, along with Chat GPT, suggests that the HIT Green Short Rifle (150gr) should be ideal for Reds.

RWS .308 Win. HIT Short Rifle 9,7g​

Can I recommend ignoring chat gpt and instead go and buy a few boxes of different ammunition and try them in your gun?

Maybe a mix of lead and copper?

Not all guns like all ammunition and therefore whilst the theory of selecting ammunition based off a review may be fine, until you have put some rounds through the rifle to see how well it groups, it’s all theory.
Expensive ammunition may not suit your rifle, also it might be fickle with copper.

Personally, I have someone who makes my ammo for me and it’s designed for each of my rifles, so I know it works. But I had to pay for Paul to do the load prep for me, although the cost of the load prep is soon covered by a few boxes of ammunition, should you find that your rifle is picky!

What rifle are you using out of interest?

 

[RP82]

Thanks. It's on order, hence the theory, but it is a .308 Steel Action. Newly available in the UK thanks to Alistair Harkness from Home -

 

[TringSaint]

Thanks. It's on order, hence the theory, but it is a .308 Steel Action. Newly available in the UK thanks to Alistair Harkness from Home -

Ok, so you are buying a custom made rifle, so ask the gunsmith what they recommend.
They will tell you what they test through their rifles and it will likely save you a load of bother.

 

[RP82]

Ok, so you are buying a custom made rifle, so ask the gunsmith what they recommend.
They will tell you what they test through their rifles and it will likely save you a load of bother.

It's a stock item, made to order. They're a German make (Steel Action) who I'm told work closely with RWS in Germany, so I think I'm on a safe line of enquiry but will enjoy testing them thoroughly before using for real. Thanks again for your time. Much appreciated.

 

[Danny Fireblade]

I use 130gn Barnes TTSX and I’ve not shot anything with them that I’ve not collected. This includes fallow out to 350m.
I also use a DPT over barrel magnum mod and all three of my rifles have them (.243, .308 and .300 win mag)
Not only that but bill is a top bloke too and will bend over backwards for you when needed.
As others have said, try some different types and brands and see what works.
And whatever you do, don’t put any faith in chat GPT.

 

[ASHCROFT9491]

I've just had a 20" 1in11twist built by @BE Precision on a tikka action.

Just done some load testing either 130gr TTSX and a DPT overbarrel mod and this is the results so far at 2990fps

Also been recommended the Virtus line by a lot of shooters so trying those next

 

[Heym SR20]

Every Rifle has its own favourite bullet in terms of absolute accuracy. But you also need to consider terminal effect. I would happily trade a little accuracy for better terminal effect.

RWS HIT is an excellent bullet. RWS ammo is excellent ammo. Its copper monolithic bullet and I have shot many Roe, Sika and Red with a 7mm 140gn version. It is very similar to the Barnes TTSX, indeed I have read that it is actually a Barnes, albeit nickel plated to make it look pretty.

Personally I can’t see the point of the Zinc cored bullets such as RWS Evo Green, Geco Zero etc. Yes they are non toxic, but they still fragment like a lead bullet, leaving lots of metal fragments in the carcass and gralloch. Monolithics stay together and leave minimal fragments behind.

All rifles, moderators, scope anf other accessories will shoot differently. Changing anything can will make a difference to accuracy.

Most good loads will shoot within 2MOA from most rifles. Many will produce 3 shot groups which are sub MOA. But it takes time to find / develop groups that will shoot 10 shots into a sub MOA group.

The real question is do you need to find that level of precision for the vast vast majority of hunting scenarios.