Ballistic tip for hog hunting

[Pauleye]

I'm thinking of loading my 308 for hogs, would you select ballistic tip bullets?

 

[Austinbintx]

I'm thinking of loading my 308 for hogs, would you select ballistic tip bullets?

I've used 125, 150, 165 and 180gr SSTs from 308s for hogs. All have worked great.

I say go for it if they're accurate out of your rifle.

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Go on the heavier side if you are shoulder shooting.
Head or double lung, any will work. Just don't expect an exit on bigger pigs and for certain not on plated up boar hogs. They are lethal as it gets, placed properly.

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

I don't think it matters. I used to go for center mass/heart/lung shots but had too many run off never to be found. I now go for head/ear/eye shots and have luck with everything I try.

 

[HSmithTX]

I shoot most of my 308 hogs with 168 A-Max, they cost 1/3rd what the BT does and they kill well. Rare to not get an exit with them as well shooting heart and lungs. Shoulder shots on big hogs won't get an exit but it doesn't matter, they are DRT with a center shoulder hit. Very accurate in my 308's as well out to about 850, 900 is getting iffy and at 1000+ they suck but I have other rifles for that. It's the only bullet I load in 308 anymore. The other bullet to not sleep on is the Speer 165 BTSP, it's a bullet that is very affordable also that also kills way better than you would expect it to at 308 speeds. It's a little bit tougher than the A-Max but still soft enough to expand very well and put deer and hogs down fast.

 

[Rodbolt]

I shoot most of my 308 hogs with 168 A-Max, they cost 1/3rd what the BT does and…..

I was shocked to read that amax's are 1/3 the price of ballistic tips. Both good hunting bullets, my FFL shop usually has a better selection of bt's and charges slightly more for amax's. Went to Midway website and 150 bt's were 2 to 4 cents a piece higher then an amax. Close enough not to matter to me.

 

[Turpentine21]

Stay heavier for caliber: 168 Amax, 168 Ballistic tip, 168 eldm. I use each of these in my 308s. The AR 10 likes Amax or Ballistic Tips. The Bolt gun likes Eldm's. The Hornady's will generally be less expensive. At regular 308 speeds the 165/168 class works well. The eldm is a bit harder than the Amax. If it's a big boar stay half way up the body or slightly less and just behind the front leg. Quartered away slightly is even better. Or better yet, shoot them about one to two inches below the ear hole with whatever bullet you want. They'll just wilt

 

[HSmithTX]

I was shocked to read that amax's are 1/3 the price of ballistic tips. Both good hunting bullets, my FFL shop usually has a better selection of bt's and charges slightly more for amax's. Went to Midway website and 150 bt's were 2 to 4 cents a piece higher then an amax. Close enough not to matter to me.

WOW!! You are right, that's not enough to matter. I guess it's been a while since I bought A-Max, last time I bought them they were something like 24 cents each and free shipping so I bought a barrel life of them. Big fan of the BT as well but haven't shot them in a long while because of the cost, either they have come down or everything else is up LOL. I am guessing everything else is up.

 

[Rem7mm08]

165 BT

 

[Phil Rizzo]

With the milder velocity of the 308, penetration maybe be surprisingly good.
You don't have to worry about expansion on dense animals like pigs, it's an absolute given.

 

[Rem7mm08]

This porker was taken with a 300 WSM and Nosler 165 BT. Good expansion and pass thru

 

[Phil Rizzo]

Seems a fellow member here told me the 165 or 168 was tough.
Good example.

 

[MagnumManiac]

My mate had great success with his 308 using 125g Ballistic Tips on hogs and goats, it was his only rifle at the time.

Cheers.