Hunting with a .308

[MATADOR48]

The .308 has been the principal military sniping rifle cartridge for many years. It is plenty good for deer hunting.

 

[hpmag308]

I use 125 gr spizter or ballistic. 3000fps. Gets the job done

 

[HAMPS]

Northern MN. Not much over 150 yards and most shots under 100. I load 165 round nose to 2500 FPS. Groups 5/8 moa. Deadly.

 

[ejg]

After shooting Sika Fallow and a few Red deer for over 15years, ~20 per year, I settled on 168gr A-Max after using several 150's for a while. I get exits on stags at 300m and good expansion to about 500yds. At 600yds expansion drops. Below 200yds one can go neck/head if the situation is right. With a soft bullet I stay away from the leg bone. Try put the bullet behind the front leg about an inch or two below the spine. they might run but most only 30yds or so. My 308's have 20-22" barrels. Closest shot ~5yds, furthest 600yds. Great cartridge.
edi

 

[tomsd]

How dead do you want to kill you our deer ? 308 is plenty deadly for up to Elk too - out to 300 yards anyway. It's all about shot placement really and low recoil does not hurt ! !

 

[tomsd]

How dead do you want to kill your deer ? 308 plenty deadly for up to Elk too - out to 300 yards anyway. It's all about shot placement really and low recoil does not hurt ! !

 

[skipglo]

I just recently started using an old .308, I have 150gr and 180gr ammo for it. I hunt NY where the furthest shot I have is MAYBE 125 yards. What would you guys recommend and how do you like this caliber for deer?

I think I would be pretty safe in saying....that only due to the historical time difference of the development of the .308 vs 30-30....308 is second place to taking deer! Excellent choice.

 

[Gcan]

I just recently started using an old .308, I have 150gr and 180gr ammo for it. I hunt NY where the furthest shot I have is MAYBE 125 yards. What would you guys recommend and how do you like this caliber for deer?

A 308 is probably the best caliber chouce you could make for 90% of hunting in NY or northeast for any situation or animal you may encounter.
Zero it for 100 yards and shoot everything point blank to 200 easily.
150-175 would be my choice for bullet weight.

 

[Tex_Hunter]

I love my 308, my "go to" hunting rifle for Central TX whitetail right now is a 19.5" 308 that's had some accuracy work done to it (barrel cut back and re-crowned, full bedding, manners stock, bolt knob, DBM, and flat shoe Timney). getting a little over 2700fps with my handloads running a 165gr Nosler Ballistic tip. It absolutely wrecks deer (longest shot I I have taken was 360ish yds).

Pic below was at about 190yds, died where it was standing:

 

[Gcan]

I just recently started using an old .308, I have 150gr and 180gr ammo for it. I hunt NY where the furthest shot I have is MAYBE 125 yards. What would you guys recommend and how do you like this caliber for deer?

A 308 is probably the best caliber choice you could make for 90% of hunting in NY or northeast for any situation or animal you may encounter.
Zero it for 100 yards and shoot everything point blank to 200 easily.
150-175 would be my choice for bullet weight.

 

[Lefty G-gear]

Good enough.
For 150-grainers and lighter - the .308 Winchester is more efficient.
You can load them to the same velocity as .30-06 with less powder.
Heavier than 150-gr. - the 30-06 wins out.

Deer -- 125-yards?
A .243 Winchester would work
It has the same size case as a .308 (its parent).

 

[foul bore]

The 308 is my go to hunting gun. It is excellent on deer and hogs. With good optics you can make quality kills out way way farther than your 125 yd shots, the 150 gr has served my needs very well. I like it because of accuracy.

 

[VLD Pilot]

I'm running 168 TMKs at 2880 fps. It's a great deer round to 600 yards. Max..IMO. I'm sure some guys may push that number but it's an honest 500 yard gun with my setup. Definitely a 200 yard gun with any ammo

 

[theosmithjr]

I just recently started using an old .308, I have 150gr and 180gr ammo for it. I hunt NY where the furthest shot I have is MAYBE 125 yards. What would you guys recommend and how do you like this caliber for deer?

165gr Sierra HPBT Game King. I've made 45 - 50 1 shot kills on PA deer with mine. Floyd like the 168gr HPBT Match King, except it OPENS UP with DEEP PENETRATION! It lives up to its name! Game King. Theosmithjr