308 Winchester hunting bullets for over 500 yards

Are you asking a question on which bullets at 500 yards?

If so, I would say any that shoot well in your rifle and retain the manufacturers minimum velocity to function at desired max range (usually 1800 FPS). Since using the 175 MK, maybe the 180 GK will be an easy transition to load for. Sierras are usually pretty easy to get shooting and I believe they actually advertise opening velocities a little below 1800. The faster you can push the heaviest bullet will give you more range.

I have a load for a 215 Berger and it holds above 1800 FPS beyond 600 yards with the 20" barrel.
 
AGREE with Shane,.. go with, 165 gr's Minimum to 180 grain GK's or, Berger HVLD'S / Classic hunts and Limit your shots,.. to 600 yards as, the .308 doesn't have, enough Velocity, to OPEN the Bullets for "Mushrooming Destruction" / penetration, much past that, range.
To "Mushroom" decently, a bullet "usually" needs, about,.. 1,800 FPS Velocity.
The Nosler ABLR's will "Mush" down to about, 1,300 FPS IF,.. you can get them, to "Shoot" in your Rifle !
Don't overlook, the180 gr. Nosler Bal Tips, either !
 
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The old 178 Amax would also work if you could find them. I'm kind of doing the same thing but in a 7mm-08. Shooting the 162ELDX and 168ABLR. My rifle did not want to shoot at the upper end of the velocity range so I'm having to limit my distance a little bit for now. If you have enough twist you might be able to use the newer ELDM but I would just use the ELDX since they are a hunting bullet.
 
Are you asking a question on which bullets at 500 yards?

If so, I would say any that shoot well in your rifle and retain the manufacturers minimum velocity to function at desired max range (usually 1800 FPS). Since using the 175 MK, maybe the 180 GK will be an easy transition to load for. Sierras are usually pretty easy to get shooting and I believe they actually advertise opening velocities a little below 1800. The faster you can push the heaviest bullet will give you more range.

I have a load for a 215 Berger and it holds above 1800 FPS beyond 600 yards with the 20" barrel.
Yes, 500 yards and beyond if possible.
 
Then the heaviest bullet you can push as fast/accurately/safely as possible will give you best for beyond 500 yards. As components are tough to get, I would start with at least the 185s and go up from there. 215s are great, if you can find them, but they are not easy to shoot in a light hunting rifle. I don't think it is a matter of the bullet killing an animal if placed correctly way down range, it is more of the ability to to get it into the vitals correctly. 308 starts to fall apart about the 600 yard mark-conditions just don't favor the lower velocities. Targets yea, but how many shots does it take someone to be on at 800, 1000, etc. consistently/predictably. 500, 600, 800, 1000 yards on a groomed range with wind flags is significantly easier to get "hits" on target than real world hunting conditions. With a 215gr Berger out of my rifle at about 600 yards a 10 MPH wind moves it about 3.5 MOA, that is a pretty big wind to call properly/consistently.

I love the 308, learned long range on it, but long range hunter probably would not be my first choice at least not animals... 🤔 That is why stacking the odds with faster is why alot of folks go big...and it is pretty fun...
 
Then the heaviest bullet you can push as fast/accurately/safely as possible will give you best for beyond 500 yards. As components are tough to get, I would start with at least the 185s and go up from there. 215s are great, if you can find them, but they are not easy to shoot in a light hunting rifle. I don't think it is a matter of the bullet killing an animal if placed correctly way down range, it is more of the ability to to get it into the vitals correctly. 308 starts to fall apart about the 600 yard mark-conditions just don't favor the lower velocities. Targets yea, but how many shots does it take someone to be on at 800, 1000, etc. consistently/predictably. 500, 600, 800, 1000 yards on a groomed range with wind flags is significantly easier to get "hits" on target than real world hunting conditions. With a 215gr Berger out of my rifle at about 600 yards a 10 MPH wind moves it about 3.5 MOA, that is a pretty big wind to call properly/consistently.

I love the 308, learned long range on it, but long range hunter probably would not be my first choice at least not animals... 🤔 That is why stacking the odds with faster is why alot of folks go big...and it is pretty fun...
I get what you are saying. Great part is, where I'm practicing is were I'm hunting. No joke. One of the guy's on here shoots with me there. I've never asked what he goes by here. He said he doesn't comment much. Anyway I'm banged up and full of shrapnel. Hard recoil is something I try to stay away from. I may just try to get my friend to use his 300 W.M. 215 Berger's after he hunts his place. The way this land lays means I'm stuck shooting from where I practice. Creek and cliff between. We shoot and spot. Then drive around and scale a rock wall to set new targets. This deer is a large 10 point. Beautiful. Odd situation but it is what it is. Only place we have 1200 yards to shoot. Anyway, I may just have to settle for pictures through the spotting scope for this deer. I've been a shooter and hunter for a while. Raised doing it actually. Been shooting long range a few years but just really getting serious about it. Honestly being banged up like I am I didn't think I'd hunt whitetail again. After seeing this buck I had the urge to try. Hard for me to be consistent at things with my health issues. Appreciate all the help.
 
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