.308 effective hunting range

[elarteperfecto]

Hello, I live in Argentina, and I like long range shooting hunting. I have a .308 rifle; what do you think would be the longest range on an axis deer game for this caliber, and the same question on a hog? What kind of bullets would be suitable for this kind of hunting (The only brands available are Hornady and Sierra, I would prefer 165 grains or heavier)
Thanks in advance

 

[wbyfireman]

Hello, I live in Argentina, and I like long range shooting hunting. I have a .308 rifle; what do you think would be the longest range on an axis deer game for this caliber, and the same question on a hog? What kind of bullets would be suitable for this kind of hunting (The only brands available are Hornady and Sierra, I would prefer 165 grains or heavier)
Thanks in advance

I only shoot steel with a .308 and hunt with magnum calibers, however I would be more concerned with shot placement on an axis deer using 175gr bullets rather than range. A well placed accurate shot will put down just about any deer species with quality 175gr bullets out to appx 800yds. gun)Hogs- I have never hunted hogs here in the south west (USA) so I cant give advice worth a darn

 

[trebark]

For deer and hogs, the 308 can be effective out to 600 yards with a well placed shot. Both Hornady and Sierra has good hunting bullet options in the 165+ weight class. For Sierra look at the 165 and 180grain Game Kings. For Hornady, they look at their Interlock and Interbond bullets (available in 165+) and avoid the tipped bullets like the SST. When shooting at hogs, you want a tough bullet that will punch through the shoulder blade.

 

[MudRunner2005]

For deer and hogs, the 308 can be effective out to 600 yards with a well placed shot. Both Hornady and Sierra has good hunting bullet options in the 165+ weight class. For Sierra look at the 165 and 180grain Game Kings. For Hornady, they look at their Interlock and Interbond bullets (available in 165+) and avoid the tipped bullets like the SST. When shooting at hogs, you want a tough bullet that will punch through the shoulder blade.

The .308 can effectively kill deer sized game a little farther than 600 yards. I'd say around 750-850 (if you wanted to push it) with a 168-175gr bullet. As long as you had a 24-26" barrel to add some extra velocity to it.

As for the hogs, I wouldn't shoot them further an 500-600 with a .308...They're tough SOB's.

 

[trebark]

perfecto...listen carefully as it has been said twice "well placed shot."

I agree that a 308 can kill deer past 600 but it's ability to make a well placed shot gets questionable beyond 600 yards with an average man on the trigger.

 

[elarteperfecto]

Thank you very much for the answers.
Does anyone know wht match bullets are not recomended for hunting?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thank you very much for the answers.
Does anyone know wht match bullets are not recomended for hunting?

All of them....That's why they're labeled "target" bullets.

 

[Rick Richard]

I don't know how you want to categorize Hornady AMAX, but it works well for me on deer with the 168 grain. If I was to shoot a hog, I would keep it no further than 300 yards. As mentioned, they are very tough critters.

 

[elarteperfecto]

Rick, I've seen some deer hunting videos using A-max and they work very well, so I will take it in consideration for hunting, though I don't know if its labeled as hunting or target bullets.
On the other hand, I know match bullets are for target shooting, but it's use to kill people by military and police also, so, what is the problem on using it on animals?
Thank you all for the answers

 

[gohring3006]

Rick, I've seen some deer hunting videos using A-max and they work very well, so I will take it in consideration for hunting, though I don't know if its labeled as hunting or target bullets.
On the other hand, I know match bullets are for target shooting, but it's use to kill people by military and police also, so, what is the problem on using it on animals?
Thank you all for the answers

I think the military and police are more about taking someone out of the fight with precision. No collateral damage hunting is all about killing the game as quickly as possible. That being said I have seen SMKs kill with quickness...

 

[elarteperfecto]

gohring3006, I have used SMK168HPBT to hunt deer at 180 meters, the longest shot I have ever made on an animal, and it felt on the spot and died instantly, but I don´t want to push the limit and risk a wounded animal, that`s the reason of my question about hunting and target bullets. I`m confident to hit a 5 inch target at 350 m., and with practice, maybe more, so shot placement wouldn`t be a problem. Thank`s in advance for your comments

 

[Wedgy]

Target bullets such as the Bergers have a thicker jacket than their hunting bullets that will not expand on impact and will pencil through(like an ice pick) the animal causing very little damage to internal organs and may not even leave a blood trail. It passes thru and thus does not transfer its energy to the animal as a hunting bullet should do. A hunting bullet is designed to open up and create a large wound cavity and tear things open. Too soft of a bullet won't penetrate thru a shoulder and make it's way to the vitals on a pig. I shoot a lot of pigs and nothing does the job like the Barnes copper bullets. 2x expansion and very high weight retention. As stated pigs in another league of toughness. Also their vitals aren't the same place as a deer. They are tucked in low between the shoulders and forwards resulting in a lot of gut shots.

 

[gohring3006]

To be honest I wouldn't use smks on animals because of the tangent ogive it wants to implode into itself rather than mushroom. The Amax and Bergers have a secant ogive its a better design to mushroom outward when it hits flesh and bone that's why I think that the bergers and amax target bullets became such effective killers

 

[bigngreen]

Target bullets such as the Bergers have a thicker jacket than their hunting bullets that will not expand on impact and will pencil through(like an ice pick) the animal causing very little damage to internal organs and may not even leave a blood trail. It passes thru and thus does not transfer its energy to the animal as a hunting bullet should do. A hunting bullet is designed to open up and create a large wound cavity and tear things open. Too soft of a bullet won't penetrate thru a shoulder and make it's way to the vitals on a pig. I shoot a lot of pigs and nothing does the job like the Barnes copper bullets. 2x expansion and very high weight retention. As stated pigs in another league of toughness. Also their vitals aren't the same place as a deer. They are tucked in low between the shoulders and forwards resulting in a lot of gut shots.

You may want to do a quick search of the successful use of Berger target bullets like the 215, it absolutely crushes game.

I'll be taking deer and elk beyond 800 yards with my 308 loaded with 215 Berger's this year, one of the best bullets available in the 30 cal.