Recommendations for 308 Ammo for Deer Stalking?

[CarlHoward]

I'm new to hunting having only shot Target Rifle to date where we generally use GGG 155g or Hornady Black 168g both in 308.

I use a Tikka Ace Game with a 20" barrel and a DPT Ultralight moderator.

I'd welcome recommendations for Deer Stalking ammunition.

Please help me understand the key decision making criteria.

Carl

 

[oldhamstocks]

Sako Gamehead 123gr in a 20" barrel will do nicely, will do 2900ft p/s plus, nice flat trajectory.

 

[CarlHoward]

Sako Gamehead 123gr in a 20" barrel will do nicely, will do 2900ft p/s plus, nice flat trajectory.

Thank you - I have heard others mention that ammo.

 

[Jon69]

The AMax bullets found on older Hornady Black was an effective deer round.

Buy a few boxes of suitable ammo that you can get availability of and try them out. 123gr - 180gr+ will all kill UK deer very dead.

The most accurate one is probably your answer…

 

[wellyboot]

Sako blades pro 130grn .308, in a 16" barrel work well.

 

[UpNorthMI]

You have not state if you are looking for non lead ammo or not? You also did not state what type of deer you expect to shoot, both can impact recommendations.

I've shot everything from 100 grain to 165 grain in my .308's for deer, I also reloaded most of my ammunition. Most of my rifles would not shoot heavier bullets (180gn plus) very well due to the twist of the rifling.

A 20" .308 barrel will shoot just about any reasonable ammo at a good velocity, don't worry about your barrel length. I shot a 20" .308 and killed hundred's of deer, some at great ranges. If I was shooting lead ammo I would pick a lower cost 150 grain ammo as this is typically the most common ammunition weight available and can be purchased at a reasonable cost. If shooting non lead a slightly lighter bullet works well, maybe in the 120 - 130 grain range. This is because mono bullets work well at a little higher velocity. Top of my list would be Barnes TTSX in 130 gn but Sako Gameheads 123gr are also a good selection.

Once you have found a round that your rifle shoots well stick with it for deer stalking and not spend time thinking about your ammunition. Consistency is your ammo is key.

As a reloader I experimented a lot on using lighter ammunition for smaller deer, typically 110gn in .308, I loaded them to the same velocity as 150gn ammo and they worked well.

Good luck with your stalking.

 

[Simon NZ]

Differences in size of deer and range if considering optimal expansion. Although it's mitigated by the 308' diameter vs 7mm 270 in terms of reduced frangibility and more retention for exiting as a larger diameter in favor of the 30.
So generally I prefer round lead points with a reliable jacket for light deer, Sika and smaller, and ballistic tips early expansion with stronger jacket for reds upward as the round will not always exit.
Just hitting shoulder bone vs ribs double lung is another world of difference. Hornady SST's don't like heavy bone a near even to mid range a classic example, great accuracy but not a good all-rounder. Too frangible.
So added to the round nose I like more grains up to 180 to ensure things go well despite whatever bone.

 

[Koenig]

Hmmmm… you’ll get a raft of opinions on this. In truth your rifle will shoot most commercial offerings to a reasonable, perfectly acceptable standard. You don’t give much detail of the type of stalking you do. Do you need non-lead? What species? Range? etc.

I always find 150gr a do it all round. I use Federal Powershok as my benchmark. Your rifle will cope with light and heavy bullets I find my T3 prefers 150 and upwards.

The key (as already said) is to buy a couple of boxes of whatever you can actually source locally and literally see what your rifle prefers. There will be a clear winnner usually - or indeed a couple that are more than acceptable for your needs.

Go and spend some £ and experiment.

 

[Dave_45]

For the UK use 123gr sako gameheads they work very well although there's reports of unexplained flyers ,(happened to me too) with factory ammo anyway


Non lead I have no experience in 308

 

[CarlHoward]

You have not state if you are looking for non lead ammo or not? You also did not state what type of deer you expect to shoot, both can impact recommendations.

I've shot everything from 100 grain to 165 grain in my .308's for deer, I also reloaded most of my ammunition. Most of my rifles would not shoot heavier bullets (180gn plus) very well due to the twist of the rifling.

A 20" .308 barrel will shoot just about any reasonable ammo at a good velocity, don't worry about your barrel length. I shot a 20" .308 and killed hundred's of deer, some at great ranges. If I was shooting lead ammo I would pick a lower cost 150 grain ammo as this is typically the most common ammunition weight available and can be purchased at a reasonable cost. If shooting non lead a slightly lighter bullet works well, maybe in the 120 - 130 grain range. This is because mono bullets work well at a little higher velocity. Top of my list would be Barnes TTSX in 130 gn but Sako Gameheads 123gr are also a good selection.

Once you have found a round that your rifle shoots well stick with it for deer stalking and not spend time thinking about your ammunition. Consistency is your ammo is key.

As a reloader I experimented a lot on using lighter ammunition for smaller deer, typically 110gn in .308, I loaded them to the same velocity as 150gn ammo and they worked well.

Good luck with your stalking.

Thank you - that is a very comprehensive answer which is greatly appreciated. I have no particular preference for Lead or Non Lead. I'm very much a value focused person - reliable quality and the lowest price I guess.

 

[CarlHoward]

For the UK use 123gr sako gameheads they work very well although there's reports of unexplained flyers ,(happened to me too) with factory ammo anyway


Non lead I have no experience in 308

They seem to be a popular recommendation. What's a competitive price currently for a box of 20?

 

[Dave_45]

They seem to be a popular recommendation. What's a competitive price currently for a box of 20?

Been a long time since I used 308 ' maybe 35 quid then about 7 years ago

 

[CarlHoward]

Hmmmm… you’ll get a raft of opinions on this. In truth your rifle will shoot most commercial offerings to a reasonable, perfectly acceptable standard. You don’t give much detail of the type of stalking you do. Do you need non-lead? What species? Range? etc.

I always find 150gr a do it all round. I use Federal Powershok as my benchmark. Your rifle will cope with light and heavy bullets I find my T3 prefers 150 and upwards.

The key (as already said) is to buy a couple of boxes of whatever you can actually source locally and literally see what your rifle prefers. There will be a clear winnner usually - or indeed a couple that are more than acceptable for your needs.

Go and spend some £ and experiment.

Thank you Koenig - I live in North Yorkshire so I guess mainly woodland Roe, Red and Sika. Will also hopefully make it to Scotland for some Hill Stalking once I get some experience.

 

[CarlHoward]

Been a long time since I used 308 ' maybe 35 quid then about 7 years ago

Thank you

 

[CarlHoward]

Differences in size of deer and range if considering optimal expansion. Although it's mitigated by the 308' diameter vs 7mm 270 in terms of reduced frangibility and more retention for exiting as a larger diameter in favor of the 30.
So generally I prefer round lead points with a reliable jacket for light deer, Sika and smaller, and ballistic tips early expansion with stronger jacket for reds upward as the round will not always exit.
Just hitting shoulder bone vs ribs double lung is another world of difference. Hornady SST's don't like heavy bone a near even to mid range a classic example, great accuracy but not a good all-rounder. Too frangible.
So added to the round nose I like more grains up to 180 to ensure things go well despite whatever bone.

Thank you Simon - appreciate your response.

 

[Chris Richardson]

ppu 150 gr shot muntjac to red stags with it £ 25 a box

 

[Donkey Basher]

For what you’re doing I’d look for a 150gn soft point as a starter, it’ll do the business on Roe as well as Red & Sika. I’d say that whilst it’ll work, the 123gn wouldn't be my choice on anything bigger than Roe.

Ring around your local gun shops & see what they carry as regular stock. Buy a box of each & try them in the range to see if one or other performs better than the rest. Once you know which of those the rifle prefers go back & buy as many as you think you're going to need for the next 3 years by which time the lead ban will be about to kick in.

At some point between now & September 2029 repeat the exercise with non lead offerings - look for bullets in the 130-150gn range.

Or… you could get into reloading

 

[j500app]

ppu 150gn £28 a box of 20. Never had fallow,roe or muntjac complain.

 

[Jon69]

If your rifle groups PPU 150gr SP you are well set - does the business on everything up to and including large red stags. You won’t realistically get anything cheaper than PPU and they’re usually in stock in most places. Copper bullets alone are often more expensive

 

[Chris Richardson]

If your rifle groups PPU 150gr SP you are well set - does the business on everything up to and including large red stags. You won’t realistically get anything cheaper than PPU and they’re usually in stock in most places. Copper bullets alone are often more expensive

indeed i got lucky too as my 7-08 likes them