Light weight bullet's in .308

[hawk eye]

I've always used 150-165g in.308. Are many stalkers using light weight bullets around 110-130g (2900-3000fps)

How light are you finding the recoil, i.e. does it compare to something like a 6.5 calibre? Can you stay on target once you've taken the shot?

How does it perform on deer?

Are you using lead or copper?

Thanks

 

[Rsl]

I cannot say anything about the .308 but I have a lot of experience with its big brother .30-06 and the Nosler Ballistic Tip in 125 grains. I must say I do not get the best groups in my rifle when compared with heavier loads but they are good enough for hunting purposes. I use this combination exclusively for hunting chamois when longer shots than usual may be required. Nevertheless, I would not recommend using this ammo for bigger critters as I find these bullets rather explosive. The combination of high velocities with light weight and a cup-and-core construction will not provide proper penetration for big game. For sure, copper bullets will behave in a different fashion.
The perceived recoil is milder in comparison with the use of 165-180 grains ammunition but still not as pleasant as shooting my 7x57.

 

[NullMac]

I've always used 150-165g in.308. Are many stalkers using light weight bullets around 110-130g (2900-3000fps)

Have done

How light are you finding the recoil, i.e. does it compare to something like a 6.5 calibre?

If the bullet weight and velocity are similar then the recoil will be as well

Can you stay on target once you've taken the shot?

That has more to do with technique than recoil levels. Yes. Possible with much heavier as well. 180g.

How does it perform on deer?

Depends on the bullet construction more than weight. 110gr in 308 tends to be Vmax or similar so a bit of a grenade. 125gr's I shot were ballistic tips and behaved typically.

Are you using lead or copper?

Lead in 308

 

[Foxyboy43]

125gns Sierra Prohunters are accurate and loaded to near 3,000 fps will drop any deer with some authority. Regards recoil I have never really noticed any difference with 150 gns as opposed to 125s - both rounds will lift the rifle off your intended target which is why I usually take the 6.5x55SE loaded with 120 gns Sierra Prohunters or more recently the 130gns Gamechangers - both are great rounds.

 

[James_T]

I’ve used 125gr bullets exclusively both noslers BT (lead) and 125gr Virtus (copper) in my 308. Found it a joy to shoot, a little bit snappy but that’s down to a shorter barrel. I have no issue seeing bullet strike. Hard to compare as only used 125gr in this rifle.

Found them to be effectively, abeit unforgiving!… but guess it’ll depen on what you’re using them on. I have used them on munti, roe and fallow… certainly not much issue with anything running!

 

[sauer]

Twist rate relevant here regarding say 110grn ? 1-10 twist ?

 

[zero]

I used to use 123grn sako gameheads in a Steyr L that weighed 2.8kg, they were fairly easy to shoot.

 

[Smellydog]

I've used the 110 vmax and 125 Speer TNT.
Very accurate. Got 3160 FPS from a 20" barrel with the vmax.
Never shot a deer with them. I think I would of though. They didn't really tear up fox's much so....

 

[sparrow123]

I have shot the Sako 123g in 308 a find them very good on paper not shot deer with them yet tho. Recoil does not seam as bad as the 150g a think some of it is gun fit as well if you are cunfy

 

[Mungo]

I've always used 150-165g in.308. Are many stalkers using light weight bullets around 110-130g (2900-3000fps)

How light are you finding the recoil, i.e. does it compare to something like a 6.5 calibre? Can you stay on target once you've taken the shot?

How does it perform on deer?

Are you using lead or copper?

Thanks

I shot 123gr Sako (lead soft points) in .308 for a while. Unmoderated rifle. Good accuracy, no noticeable difference in recoil from 150gr. Substantially more meat damage than 150gr, and a few times didn’t penetrate well on shoulder shots on fallow. So gave up and went back to 150gr.

I also shot 130gr Fox (copper) for a while. Same rifle. Accuracy and recoil the same as the above. Less meat damage, but still gave good expansion. Here, the issue was wind drift, which was enough to worry about even at shorter ranges.

If I was told I had to use either of the above, I’d not be particularly upset.

 

[Jon69]

123gr sako (lead) on Roe, MJ, Red, Fallow and Sika with no complaints as yet and all fell either on the spot or very nearby

 

[jthyttin]

I currently have two hunting loads for my T3 Lite SS. 165gr Accubond at 840m/s and 125gr Accubond at 775m/s. For some reason they shoot to same POI (and that's the reason ending up with them).

125gr load is with N120 and intentionally loaded to minimum legal level for whitetail deer. It's more forgiving to shoot (precision wise) and terminal ballistics are nice. I use it basically all the time except when moose and boar are to be expected.

With both loads I use also same weight Ballistic Tips, that shoot the same. Used to be considerably cheaper, so for zeroing, occasional practice and also vermin if no game is to be expected. Currently availability and prices have been awful, but I do have sizable stock.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I currently have two hunting loads for my T3 Lite SS. 165gr Accubond at 840m/s and 125gr Accubond at 775m/s. For some reason they shoot to same POI (and that's the reason ending up with them).

125gr load is with N120 and intentionally loaded to minimum legal level for whitetail deer. It's more forgiving to shoot (precision wise) and terminal ballistics are nice. I use it basically all the time except when moose and boar are to be expected.

With both loads I use also same weight Ballistic Tips, that shoot the same. Used to be considerably cheaper, so for zeroing, occasional practice and also vermin if no game is to be expected. Currently availability and prices have been awful, but I do have sizable stock.

Well that caught my eye! I have never heard of using Viht N120 for the .308 so a quick look at their excellent site revealed why but does offer a recipe for 123 gns which could be useful if (cautiously) developed for my 125 gns Prohunters. Thanks for posting.

N120

2,08

32.1

812

2664

2,39

36.9

896

2940

 

[jthyttin]

I first started with N110, but couldn't get to required velocity within acceptable pressure. So switched to N120.

My load is 32gr, case necks clean (obturating well) and as said 775m/s from 20" barrel. I do use PPU brass for those loads, that is a bit on soft side. Harder brass with repeated firings might not obturate so well?

 

[Foxyboy43]

I first started with N110, but couldn't get to required velocity within acceptable pressure. So switched to N120.

My load is 32gr, case necks clean (obturating well) and as said 775m/s from 20" barrel. I do use PPU brass for those loads, that is a bit on soft side. Harder brass with repeated firings might not obturate so well?

Interesting thank you - Viht N140 is my go-to for the 125s, trundling along at just a tad south of 3,000 fps drops everything.

 

[paulbshooting]

I found faster and lighter gave more meat damage. Trialed copper but ended up back on 150 grain lead

 

[Sash]

I switched from 150-1165gr to lighter bullets for my .308 a long time ago, and have never thought of going back:
- The factory Sako 123gr Gameheads seem to me to have significantly less recoil, but near-.270 balistics: very flat-shooting, and drop deer (roe, muntjac and fallow) very well.
- I load 123gr Lapua FMJs for range work, and happy to shoot them all day, with the same POI
- Where I am required to use non-lead, I now load 110gr Barnes TSX: the POI is comfortably close to the Lapuas, and they have worked on all deer I have shot so far.

I did try shooting some 180gr Federals the other day, and REALLY noticed the difference!

 

[Selous]

I have been using 130 grain TTSX for many years now at 3000fps. Recoil is mild and terminal performance is excellent on everything from fox through Roe, Fallow and Red deer. I see my shots hit probably 95% of the time. If you don’t see your strike then look at how you set up your shot more than the ammo as you are probably not doing something quite right.
If you are reloading Vihtavuori N135 is the best powder I have found. N140 is a touch slow and has heavily compressed loads to reach 3000fps.

 

[knight82]

I use both 308 and 6.5CM. I shoot 120g copper through the 6.5 and 150g copper through the 308 but recoil always slightly more on 308 but it’s minimal.
Used to shoot 123g lead through the 308 and found that regardless of bullet weight it would still recoil more than the 6.5.

 

[Tom C]

Another vote for the 123g sako
Gamehead, groups well and puts deer down.