Recommendations for 308 Ammo for Deer Stalking?
- Thread starter CarlHoward
- Start date
Where did I read that lighter copper bullets perform better than heavier non lead ammo on deer? If you intend making the change with the same rifle?
BC.
BC.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Hmmm.
If you married a millionaire’s daughter then Sako in pretty much any game flavour are the way to go. If however and like most of us you spend your life in penury (younger members Google it) then reloading with Sierra 125 or 150s Prohunters over a modest charge of Viht N140 will drop anything this side of the pond.
If you married a millionaire’s daughter then Sako in pretty much any game flavour are the way to go. If however and like most of us you spend your life in penury (younger members Google it) then reloading with Sierra 125 or 150s Prohunters over a modest charge of Viht N140 will drop anything this side of the pond.
SikaSeeker
Well-Known Member
There’s a tread going with the same question a few days ago. I’ve used the 123g gameheads, they grouped very well for me but a fair bit of damage on the fallow and sika when H+L shooting. I’ve used Sako hammerheads this last few seasons and I won’t be changing anytime soon. Group nearly as good as the gameheads but with standard 308 damage.
Out of a t3x.
Out of a t3x.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Thanks DB - much obligedFor 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
For what it’s worth, I’ve been using 150gn Sierra GameKing over N140, it’s a very reliable load & more than capable of knocking over any deer found in the UK.
5 rounds at 100 yards out of my 25+ year old Tikka M595 using the Alpex on the range the other day.
5 rounds at 100 yards out of my 25+ year old Tikka M595 using the Alpex on the range the other day.
I use exactly the same, Tikka 595 powered by N140 & 150gn Sierra gamekings. Similar groups on paper & has accounted for a fair few. Not too destructive on MJ & levels reds
If starting out now then you may as well go lead free from the outset, will save you learning a new round in terms of trajectory and shot reaction (it varies from lead) in a couple of year’s time. It will also allow you to see if your rifle shoots them well with good results so you don’t get caught out when the ban comes in
Either Barnes or Sako blade based on my experience for the former and feedback on here for the latter.
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
Dauntsey Guns: Non Toxic, SAK-P629636AS, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition
Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition, Non Toxic, SAK-P629636AS, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition 6438053198407 190019167471 190019167488
But at those prices I’d be learning to reload pretty quickly! Even taking the kit into account, over a couple of hundred rounds you’ll be under £2.00 a pop.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
Crikey those are expensive. I'm used to shooting GGG and Hornady at the range for £28 a box.If starting out now then you may as well go lead free from the outset, will save you learning a new round in terms of trajectory and shot reaction (it varies from lead) in a couple of year’s time. It will also allow you to see if your rifle shoots them well with good results so you don’t get caught out when the ban comes in
Either Barnes or Sako blade based on my experience for the former and feedback on here for the latter.
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 10716876051097www.dauntseyguns.co.uk
Dauntsey Guns: Non Toxic, SAK-P629636AS, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition
Wiltshire based gun and shooting equipment shop serving the Chippenham, Swindon, Bath and Bristol area, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition, Non Toxic, SAK-P629636AS, Sako - .308 Win 636A Blade Pro 130gr Non Toxic Rifle Ammunition 6438053198407 190019167471 190019167488www.dauntseyguns.co.uk
But at those prices I’d be learning to reload pretty quickly! Even taking the kit into account, over a couple of hundred rounds you’ll be under £2.00 a pop.
Yes, copper factory is hellishly expensive, soft points will be around £35-45/20 so half the price. You can reload copper for around £1.50-£2.00, lead for around 50p a round less.
As mentioned above your Hornady target ammunition will be okay for deer in England.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
I think i'll wait 25
For copper?
Fair enough, I wouldn’t buy factory copper ammunition, but I only buy factory ammunition for 2 of my CFs anyway, the 7.5x55 and .303, the cost of reloading vs factory less sold brass it doesn’t stack up.
CarlHoward
Well-Known Member
I will I think get into reloading at some point.
If you’re ahooting target regularly then it is worth it.
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