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Posted: 11/13/2023 9:54:04 PM EDT
Here's the deal.
I know my 14.5" AR like the back of my hand, been shooting it for years and confident at different yardages. I sighted in my .308 bolt gun, but don't know my hold overs for different distances at all. Would the .308 be pretty flat shooting out to 150? How about up close, say 50 and in, would I have to hold a bit high like the AR? Longest shot would be 150 yards but want to be confident in my shot if it presents itself. Would be using a 64gr Nosler BSB going 2840fps for total energy of 1146 ft/lbs. I would imagine my 150gr .308 round is going about 2400 fps for total energy of around 1918 ft/lbs. I'm confident the 64gr Nosler can do a fine job of killing as long as I do my part. What would you guys use? Just curious. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/13/2023 10:32:37 PM EDT
[#1]
308 for the win
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Posted: 11/13/2023 10:41:33 PM EDT
[#2]
150 yards is barely a chip shot for any 308 rifle worth half it's salt. I'd absolutely choose that just for the added energy.
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Posted: 11/13/2023 10:54:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Somebody check my numbers. Does this appear to be accurate?
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Posted: 11/13/2023 10:56:37 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Bigger_Hammer]
[#4]
What both said.
.308 is POWER & any holdover is minimal at such a very short range. Bigger_Hammer 
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Posted: 11/13/2023 11:57:44 PM EDT
[#5]
Thanks for the posts.
That chart should help. I don't want to do a whole bunch of shooting with opener on Saturday. Looks like I'm going with .308. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 11/14/2023 12:02:29 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Urimaginaryfrnd]
[#6]
@parshooter how are you only getting 2400 ft per sec with a 150 gr bullet? Between 2700 fps to 2900 fps I could believe unless it’s a really short barrel.
Barnes 150 gr factory ammo is listed at 2900 fps on the box |
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Posted: 11/14/2023 1:00:34 AM EDT
[Last Edit: parshooter]
[#7]
I dropped the muzzle velocity based on OP's post: "I would imagine my 150gr .308 round is going about 2400 fps for total energy of around 1918 ft/lbs."
At 2,900:  |
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Posted: 11/14/2023 1:53:42 AM EDT
[#8]
Without shooting them both I'd guess that most 150gr 308's are pretty damn close to 62gr 223's in the same barrel length. With a longer barrel and lower scope height(assuming here because lots of AR mounts are higher) your dope should be "flatter". Should absolutely check your holdovers as there will always be offset when you go closer than you sight in range. If 150 is your max range I can't imagine it will be a lot either way but you could probably mess with it and get your point blank range dialed in for that range.
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Posted: 11/14/2023 2:28:12 AM EDT
[#9]
Anything a good hunting 64 grain .223 bullet can do, a similar 150 grain .30 caliber bullet will do better in medium game.
Physics - it be what it be! |
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Posted: 11/14/2023 2:33:37 AM EDT
[#10]
@parshooter - what calculator/app is that?
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/14/2023 2:44:48 AM EDT
[#11]
Wouldn't care either way, whatever you'd have more fun with. Shot placement is still king.
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WV, USA
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Posted: 11/14/2023 7:02:52 AM EDT
[#12]
You wont need any "holdover" for 308 inside 200 yards. Zero at 50 yards and you will be on out to 200 for hunting
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Posted: 11/14/2023 8:23:14 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CPshooter1: @parshooter - what calculator/app is that? |
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Posted: 11/14/2023 8:49:56 AM EDT
[#14]
Tree O' Hate from the bolt snatchin' is the only way.
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Posted: 11/14/2023 9:01:16 AM EDT
[#15]
What size deer? I have no idea where in the US you are. But out west, the deer can very greatly in size, from small black tails to monster mule deer.
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Posted: 11/14/2023 9:30:53 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Firefinder37: What size deer? I have no idea where in the US you are. But out west, the deer can very greatly in size, from small black tails to monster mule deer. They are decent sized here. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 11/14/2023 12:32:49 PM EDT
[#17]
I use my 16" AR with 62 gr gold dot for all of my hunting within 200 yards because it's light (sub 7lbs with lpvo and 5 rds loaded) and I walk a lot (public land and family land with no vehicle access). But I live in NC where the deer are small. In WI, I'd use the 308 and not worry about holds inside of 200 yards.
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WI, USA
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Posted: 11/14/2023 3:32:12 PM EDT
[#18]
My kids use my AR15 with 62gr gold dots with great success on WI deer. We haven't lost one yet.
I've only had one bullet not exit and it was on a hard quartering shot and I found it just under the skin on the far side after going through a LOT of the animal. This shot shouldn't have been taken...it was a miss-communication between me and my daughter. Still killed the deer. But hard quartering shots are, in my opinion, not recommended for 223. I have no qualms with shooting 223 at deer given a bonded bullet at reasonable shot distance (150-200y max) and proper animal angle with good shot placement. 308 will obviously have a lot more energy at any distance and will cause more damage. I use the 223 for the kids because of the very light recoil and adjustable LOP. If you don't have those requirements and can shoot 308 I suggest shooting the 308. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 11/17/2023 3:36:45 PM EDT
[#19]
Sight the .308 for 100 yards and you will not need any holdover, or under unless you are in bayonet range, or you are shooting wadcutters.
I’d use the .308. It is more forgiving than 5.56 on non perfect presentations. |
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KS, USA
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Posted: 11/21/2023 1:40:15 PM EDT
[#20]
.308, every day of the week.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/21/2023 4:53:35 PM EDT
[#21]
I would go 308 for deer, unless perhaps if I know I'm going after a doe or something.
Hogs get the smaller rounds in semi-autos. |
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Posted: 11/22/2023 12:59:04 PM EDT
[#22]
I ended up using both.
Both bullets were a single shot and dropped them. I'm guessing the good shot placement was key. Both were high shoulder shots. |
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Posted: 11/22/2023 1:51:51 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Nobody69s: I ended up using both. Both bullets were a single shot and dropped them. I'm guessing the good shot placement was key. Both were high shoulder shots. |
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Posted: 11/25/2023 11:45:07 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By parshooter: Congrats. Distance for the 308? Did it impact where you expected? So the .308 shot exactly where I aimed. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 12:26:08 PM EDT
[#25]
A 308 or 30-06 based cartridge in a 120-165 grain bullet is about perfect for 99% of Whitetail hunting.
.224 caliber bullet can work but just aren’t the best option for all hunters. There are exceptions to both sides of this but I’d rather use the 308. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 12:54:56 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Popeye7751: 308 for the win This. Sight in dead on at 200 yards. Hold dead on from 0 to 300 yards or more without looking it up running the numbers, No hold over or hold unders needed for shoulder shots. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 1:02:29 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By badguybuster: You wont need any "holdover" for 308 inside 200 yards. Zero at 50 yards and you will be on out to 200 for hunting A 200 yard zero is about 2” high at 100 and about 5-6” low at 300. Holding center of shoulder or at most at the top of the blade (not the spine) would be in the lungs at 300 yards. Frankly Ineouldn’t hold more than a couple inches higher than a regular center hold and let the bullet go lower to the heart. At no point would the shooter be holding on “air” under 300 yards. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 1:03:35 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Nobody69s: I ended up using both. Both bullets were a single shot and dropped them. I'm guessing the good shot placement was key. Both were high shoulder shots. Congratulations! |
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NY, USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 7:45:27 PM EDT
[#29]
I've killed dozens and dozens of deer with a 308 Win loaded to modest speeds. It is just about the perfect deer rifle.
You do NOT need holdovers at any range under 200 yards. Sight the rifle in so you are shooting 1.5" high at 100 yards. You'll be pretty close to dead on at 200 with virtually any bullet except something like a flat point 30-30 bullet. The protocol is simple. At any range from powder burn to 250 yards, simply place the crosshairs on the vitals and squeeze. From about 40 yards to 200 yards you'll be a little high, with a maximum of 1.5 inches high at 100 yards. At zero to 40, and then again from 200 to 250, you'll be a little bit low, as in 1.5-2 inches. That level over or under is irrelevant. Your deer is freezer wrapped. If your deer is 250-300 yards out, aim higher. Do not aim over. Simply place the crosshairs on the spine. The bullet will drop anywhere out to about 8 inches low at 300 yards. With the 200 yard zero, you really do not need 'holdovers' at any reasonable speed. an inch or two high or low makes no difference on deer. I'm shooting a Nosler 165 Ballistic Tip at roughly 2600 fps. It anchors deer. This bullet works very VERY well at these speeds. I'd happily use a Hornady SST at the same speed. If you are going to shoot 308 at 2400, 2500, 2600 fps do NOT use a tough bullet like a Barnes TTS or the other monometal HP designs. Speeds are too low for those bullets to operate well |
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Posted: 11/26/2023 7:28:39 PM EDT
[#30]
I use a 308 bolt gun and has been very effective with any shot in the boiler room. I sight in at 50yards.
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Posted: 11/26/2023 7:35:40 PM EDT
[#31]
.308 is going to be the much better round for decent sized deer.
the right 5.56 round will kill them, but anything 5.56 does, .308 does better when hunting good sized deer or other game. Bigger_Hammer
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Posted: 11/27/2023 5:11:29 PM EDT
[#32]
I'd be fine with either one. Put the cross hairs behind the shoulder and both equal a dead deer at 150.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/29/2023 11:09:29 PM EDT
[#33]
I have shot 308 for years. I usually sight in 1 inch high at 100 yards.
With my 3 guns, savage 99 browning a bolt and Winchester model 100, they hit dead on at 160 yards and drop 6 inches at about 225 yards depending on barrel length. About 10 years ago I received a Burris scope with the hash marks on the cross hairs. Sighted in the a-bolt dead on at 100 yards and using the 1 hash marks on the sight the gun hit dead on at 200 and 300 yards. I used the 300 mark to take 2 coyotes at 307/310 yards. The scope setup works with my Ruger 7mm Mauser the same way. I used it to take a 10 point at 325 using the hash marks. |
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Posted: 12/1/2023 8:15:28 AM EDT
[#34]
Thanks!
Now my freezer is full and I still have a batch of beer sticks being made from the trim. Gotta make room. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 12/1/2023 7:59:52 PM EDT
[#35]
Of those two choices the 308 150 gr. I've used a 30-06 150 gr for over 40 years and it knocks them down on impact most of the time.
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Posted: 12/2/2023 11:22:20 AM EDT
[#36]
It was pretty wild when it dropped where it stood.
No tracking needed! |
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Posted: 12/14/2023 3:45:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Duck_Hunt]
[#37]
I’d just use the 14.5, but the 308 would work great as well.
I’ve pretty much exclusively deer hunted with a 5.56 ar15 pattern rifle for 15+-yrs. Every now and then I’ll use a lever .357 if I feel like it or a 22-250. I’ll never go back to using larger caliber rifles, they just aren’t needed especially for closer range east coast woods hunting. |
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