Current factory .308 preference

[1000kilograhams]

I've read a few older threads here, and flicked back a few pages to check for recent threads, read some as far back as 2016, but as ammunition and shared knowledge and experience has come a long way I thought I'd ask anyway.

That said, apologies if this has been covered recently.

Having only had .22 and .223 on my ticket until now, I've now gotten a slot for a .308. I have no experience of .308 on anything but paper, so please excuse my ignorance.

I know there may be better, or trendier, options now but I just like the calibre personally, as well as its history and longevity. Also if/when pulling double duty I can of course feed it cheap, surplus 7.62 for range trips (same reason I went .223 previously).

I know I'll get obsessive with reloading, so let's put a pin in that for now, still trying to put off going down that rabbit hole

I've read people saying with the right round you can still even bag muntjac with minimal damage with a .308, so I'm interested in what you fine folks preference would be?

Best to stick to the .223 for this or go for a particular .308 you would recommend?

Also, just as a sanity check am I right in assuming any muntjac friendly (well, you know what I mean) .308 round would be fine for roe? We're seeing a lot more of them at the moment. Obviously the roe are scaled up a bit, but muntjac here aren't soft.

I appreciate any insight you have, clearly a lot of very experienced and clued up people here, so thank you in advance

 

[Chris Richardson]

150 gr ppu

 

[Chris Richardson]

Shot yesterday morning along with a roe buck distance `170 yards ,ive shot everything from muntjac to big reds with the ppu

 

[Grand Slam]

Currently using 165gn GECO STAR in my .308 , have shot everything from muntjac to Norfolk Reds with it and as long as I do my bit and put the round in the right place then damage is of no concern.

 

[merlin]

Lead? RWS 150g soft

Lead-free? RWS evo-green 139gr

I used to use the leads, they were fantastic. I had to go lead-free, now use the evo-green. Great round too.

 

[SSN100]

I found 155gr Hornady whitetail (probably the cheapest widely avaliable round) worked well for me and then switched to 123gr Sako Gamehead (still prettty good value) which works equally well, but is a bit less bangy. I am shooting muntjac, roe and fallow. Both of these are fine on all of them. If the shotplacement on muntjac is rib to rib I don’t get much damage. If I hit a shoulder I generally chuck the whole leg. Occasionally, at very close range on a very small muntjac, a quartering shot or one a little far back than ideal (but still a solid lung shot) might do funny things to the insides, but for me those shots are only really happening in a very specific pest control scenario where it’s about getting them dispatched not preserving meat. Basically both rounds worked great for me in a 22” Kimber 84 and I know the Sako are Woking for my friend in a 20” sauer 100.

 

[1000kilograhams]

I guess in reality it's a little trivial but I like the idea of 123gr/125gr stuff, however it's great to hear people are having success on smaller species even up to the 165gr Geco's mentioned

I've actually had great luck with reliability from Geco's bargain basement rimfire ammo, even in a slightly neglected AR style semi, so I'll grab some along with some Sako's and Hornady's to try out.

I can totally believe that dinging a shoulder would give anywhere from bad to catastrophic results, as far as useable meat is concerned, depending where the offending bullet exited, but it is promising that people are making it work

Appreciate all your replies

 

[Chris Richardson]

I guess in reality it's a little trivial but I like the idea of 123gr/125gr stuff, however it's great to hear people are having success on smaller species even up to the 165gr Geco's mentioned

I've actually had great luck with reliability from Geco's bargain basement rimfire ammo, even in a slightly neglected AR style semi, so I'll grab some along with some Sako's and Hornady's to try out.

I can totally believe that dinging a shoulder would give anywhere from bad to catastrophic results, as far as useable meat is concerned, depending where the offending bullet exited, but it is promising that people are making it work

Appreciate all your replies

You might find the heavier bullet weights are more forgiving on smaller animals

 

[SikaSeeker]

I have used federal fusion 150s but changed over to Sako hammerheads 150s. As long as Sako keep making the hammerheads, I won’t change now. Shot reds, sika and fallow with them. Not too bad on the pocket either. .308 is a great round, cheaper, good barrel life and a large selection of ammo to choose from.

 

[1000kilograhams]

Something about running Sako in a Tikka (I'm not flush enough for a Sako rifle) always appeals to me, in a needless OCD / matchy matchy kind of way I'll definitely check some out, thanks.

Chris, that's interesting about the larger bullet doing less harm, but I can see why it would make sense now I think about it, thanks

 

[paulbshooting]

Any 150 grain lead that your rifle shoots well

Copper - barnes 130 grain TTSX or 130 / 150 grain Fox. Reload to factory data, kill well and min meat damage

 

[SikaSeeker]

Something about running Sako in a Tikka (I'm not flush enough for a Sako rifle) always appeals to me, in a needless OCD / matchy matchy kind of way I'll definitely check some out, thanks.

Chris, that's interesting about the larger bullet doing less harm, but I can see why it would make sense now I think about it, thanks

I put them through a Tikka too, they group great.

 

[Chris Richardson]

Something about running Sako in a Tikka (I'm not flush enough for a Sako rifle) always appeals to me, in a needless OCD / matchy matchy kind of way I'll definitely check some out, thanks.

Chris, that's interesting about the larger bullet doing less harm, but I can see why it would make sense now I think about it, thanks

I’ve two Sako’s and a tikka , have a look at the second hand market most “ stalkers” don’t go out more than twice a year , I didn’t pay more than £600 for either of my Sako’s

 

[Rutland lad]

All of last seasons muntjac were shot with Fox Classic Hunter 150 grain in .308
No more meat damage than previous calibre (6.5x55Fox 123 grain)
Shoulder shoot muntjac - no meat worth salvaging in front of shoulder anyway, and as my butcher points out all he does is work on the carcass from shoulder backwards. What’s in front is just not worth his time.
The biggest advantage with a shoulder shot muntie is it drops on the spot. Those animals can get into the most unbelievable tight spots before they die if you do a chest shot.
The Fox does the job well.

 

[1000kilograhams]

All of last seasons muntjac were shot with Fox Classic Hunter 150 grain in .308
No more meat damage than previous calibre (6.5x55Fox 123 grain)
Shoulder shoot muntjac - no meat worth salvaging in front of shoulder anyway, and as my butcher points out all he does is work on the carcass from shoulder backwards. What’s in front is just not worth his time.
The biggest advantage with a shoulder shot muntie is it drops on the spot. Those animals can get into the most unbelievable tight spots before they die if you do a chest shot.
The Fox does the job well.

I'm not surprised they're good at hide and seek, just a few days ago I was having a nose around the local woods as it was getting dark.

Had a squint through an old Flir thermal monocular I take sometimes out of idle curiosity. Saw what basically looked like typical residual heat from the days sun, but slightly marginally hotter than the surrounding brush and whatnot. Wasn't really bright enough to focus on, but I had that weird Spidey sense that something was over that way...

A pair of them seemed to rise right out of the ground, no undulations or substantial cover there, but I still couldn't see them until they started to get to their feet... between that and as always never seeming to stay still, unless prompted, they're impressive little things

I'd not actually seen the Fox ammo before if I'm totally honest, I'll have to add it to the list, thanks

 

[RM100]

Lead: Greco, the basic one.did v well.

Now moved onto lead free: RWS Evo Green 129, equally happy.