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Posted: 11/14/2016 9:29:46 PM EDT
[#1]
My Rem PSS and LTR shoot these very well out to 500yds(farthest I've pushed them) Edit: I haven't hunted with them. I can't imagine bambi or any medium game critter going very far with a decently placed shot... |
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Posted: 11/14/2016 9:35:11 PM EDT
[#2]
That's easy. HORNADY #3031 or if you must have a boat tail. #3033
Both are 150gr soft points. Another choice is the Hornady 150gr SST but think is really pushing your 30c each limit. In case you can't tell I've already done what you are wanting to do. I'm lucky enough that my local Wal-Mart stocks the #3031. Motor |
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Posted: 11/14/2016 9:36:50 PM EDT
[#3]
A 168 SMK or equivalent would be near the top of the list. In bulk they can be under 30 cents.
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Posted: 11/14/2016 9:58:49 PM EDT
[#4]
SGK
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Posted: 11/14/2016 10:10:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's easy. HORNADY #3031 or if you must have a boat tail. #3033 Both are 150gr soft points. Another choice is the Hornady 150gr SST but think is really pushing your 30c each limit. In case you can't tell I've already done what you are wanting to do. I'm lucky enough that my local Wal-Mart stocks the #3031. Motor This. 150 gr Hornady Interlock #3031 is my all purpose 308 bullet. It's a soft point, flat base bullet. With a moderate load of 4064 this thing puts up excellent groups at 100 yards. It can easily be found for $0.25 each or less. I put a buck down at 100 yards 2 days ago with this load, the damage was outstanding. I have a hard time justifying buying a different bullet in 308, this is my favorite. |
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Posted: 11/14/2016 10:42:05 PM EDT
[#6]
If you have a 1:10 twist barrel, get Hornady 168 gr A-Max. You can buy this in bulk when available. My AR10 loves this stuff. This is the SHTF ammo I have reloaded and stored for emergencies. Will drop a deer when needed too.
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Posted: 11/14/2016 11:01:08 PM EDT
[#7]
Nosler Custom Competition HPBT 168 gr w/ Cannelure (if you can find them). I have a couple thousand I bought off the EE for $200/k that will shoot under 1 MOA from my SCAR 17 in match loaded brass and Varget. Various gel testing shows they fragment quite nicely and can actually take medium sized game.
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Posted: 11/14/2016 11:13:53 PM EDT
[#8]
I will agree on the 150 gr Hornady.
Lucked into 6 boxes at the funshow for $6 each some years ago. Works great in 308 and 300 blk. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 9:12:23 AM EDT
[#9]
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned... DO NOT use a MATCH OTM (hollowpoint) for HUNTING Game.
It can leave the animal with a nasty non-lethal superficial wound, and the animal will escape to suffer elsewhere. OTM MatchKing are not designed for hunting (the GameKing is) and will not perform like a traditional HP bullet. Use a soft-point or the Hornady Amax mentioned as the obvious choice. So I suggest coming up with 2 or 3 standard loads... A) 150gr FMJ plinker, B)150gr JSP hunting C) 168/178 Long Range Target (178 Amax- expensive but highly recommended) then pile accordingly. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 9:47:52 AM EDT
[#10]
The Hornady 168 Amax does it all. I have used on targets out to 900 yards in the blowing wind of South Dakota. Bagged mule deer and shot tiny little groups off the bench.
While I prefer 175's, the 168 will be just a little cheaper. If you stay under 600 yards you will be fine. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 9:53:25 AM EDT
[#11]
OP didn't state what 308's these will be used in. 168 A-Max will work great in both bolt and AR. Around .27 cents on a box of 250. If you can find the larger bulk packs, will be even cheaper.
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Posted: 11/15/2016 9:56:08 AM EDT
[#12]
165gr JSP BT hornady. $29.75 per 100. Great projectile.
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Posted: 11/15/2016 10:10:41 AM EDT
[#13]
150 or 165 Hornady soft points.
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Posted: 11/15/2016 10:42:41 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's easy. HORNADY #3031 or if you must have a boat tail. #3033 Both are 150gr soft points. Another choice is the Hornady 150gr SST but think is really pushing your 30c each limit. In case you can't tell I've already done what you are wanting to do. I'm lucky enough that my local Wal-Mart stocks the #3031. Motor I agree with this. I can consistently shoot under an inch with these, and the price is right. The SST's are great bullets too, basically an Amax designed to actually expand, but price will be higher. You can probably find them under 30 cents per if you shop hard enough. Right now Midway has a sale on SSTs, but Im sure other retailers have them as well on sell from time to time. As someone else said, please do not use a target type bullet (Amax, SMK, etc) as a hunting bullet. Yes, they will drop an animal, but the chances of the bullets tell you to GFY are too high, which equates to non ethical kills. Myself, I want DRT, not chase thru the woods or over the hill for an afternoon. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 11:03:32 AM EDT
[#15]
The 308 is a modest cartridge. It works fairly well with a very wide variety of bullets. I do believe in selecting a particular bullet for a particular purpose.
For true big game bullets (moose and elk) I'd go for the Nosler Partition. Those aren't going to be sub $0.30 each tho For deer at 308 speeds, I really really like the Nosler Ballistic Tip 165's. I don't want to use those in anything faster, but they work VERY well at 2600 fps. Nor do I want to use those on moose. They are expensive tho. So for a general, all around plinker/target/deer/defense bullet, look at any basic, no frills, old school cup-and-core 150 jacketed soft point. The Hornady interlocks works well. Rem and Win bullets are okay choices, but they aren't as accurate as Hornady, and are often priced higher. Sierra Prohunters or Gamekings would be a good choice as well. Seriously, look for the 150 Hornday, and the 150 Sierra and buy a small boat load of whatever you can find cheaper on a given day. These will give very good accuracy, yet still expand reliably and give good terminal effect on deer and in defense. There are more accurate bullets, harder hitting bullets, more streamlined bullets, etc, but none will be as good a do-it-all compromise at a decent price as the Honrday 150 Interlock or the Sierra Gameking/prohunter. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 11:55:34 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Hornady 168 Amax does it all. I have used on targets out to 900 yards in the blowing wind of South Dakota. Bagged mule deer and shot tiny little groups off the bench. While I prefer 175's, the 168 will be just a little cheaper. If you stay under 600 yards you will be fine. Indeed. Devastating on whitetail and antelope. The ol' 150 Hornady is great bullet and economical too, just not as suited to long range target work. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 12:08:44 PM EDT
[#17]
This is all great info and super helpful. I will probably go with the Hornady 3031/3033's. One question though: how would expansion be out of a 16.5" barrel at 200-300 yards?
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Posted: 11/15/2016 12:26:21 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Indeed. Devastating on whitetail and antelope. The ol' 150 Hornady is great bullet and economical too, just not as suited to long range target work. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The Hornady 168 Amax does it all. I have used on targets out to 900 yards in the blowing wind of South Dakota. Bagged mule deer and shot tiny little groups off the bench. While I prefer 175's, the 168 will be just a little cheaper. If you stay under 600 yards you will be fine. Indeed. Devastating on whitetail and antelope. The ol' 150 Hornady is great bullet and economical too, just not as suited to long range target work. How would the 168 Amax do out of a 16.5" barrel out to 500 yards? |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 12:34:53 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How would the 168 Amax do out of a 16.5" barrel out to 500 yards? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The Hornady 168 Amax does it all. I have used on targets out to 900 yards in the blowing wind of South Dakota. Bagged mule deer and shot tiny little groups off the bench. While I prefer 175's, the 168 will be just a little cheaper. If you stay under 600 yards you will be fine. Indeed. Devastating on whitetail and antelope. The ol' 150 Hornady is great bullet and economical too, just not as suited to long range target work. How would the 168 Amax do out of a 16.5" barrel out to 500 yards? I run the 155gr AMax and 155gr Nosler CC out of a 16" AR at 500 meters regularly. Excellent slugs. 500 yards really isn't all that far. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 12:58:58 PM EDT
[#20]
Take a look at the Sierra Game King 165 Hollow Points. These things are devastating on Whitetails. I bought 1000 bullets for reloading and it's all I use now. All of my bolt actions shoot them very accurately. I quit using the more expensive bullets like Accubond and Ballistic Tips.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/326863/sierra-gameking-bullets-30-caliber-308-diameter-165-grain-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100  |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 2:24:28 PM EDT
[#21]
Have any of you used these? These are super cheap blems. I certainly wouldn't use them in a match, but as stockpile bullets for hunting out to 300 yards. What are your thoughts.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00285s30303/30-caliber-point308-diameter-150-grain-poly-tip-300-savage-100-count-box-(blemished) I am picking up a few boxes of Amaxs and some 3033's but saw these blems too |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 2:52:47 PM EDT
[#22]
168 & 178 AMAX
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Posted: 11/15/2016 6:35:40 PM EDT
[#23]
pkk...
If you load them moderately, you should still still speeds of 2600+ fps from a 16 inch barrel. At 300 yards they will still expand. Its not going to be "knock them flat like the hammer of thor" expansion, but they will expand and work fine. You'll likely still get complete broadside penetration on whitetails. Impact speeds will likely be on the order of 1900 fps or so. Not very fast. So the front end will rupture and rivet, giving modest expansion. The front end will likely curl some, but most of the bullet will remain in tact, un expanded. You'd be better off keeping shots to 250 and under, but it will work at 300. A SST or Ballistic Tip would be much better at 300 yards, but you are no longer within your "cheap, do-it-all bullet" guidelines. This isn't so much a fault go the Honrday bullet, as much as it is the velocity loss due to the 16" tube. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 7:19:07 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I will agree on the 150 gr Hornady. Lucked into 6 boxes at the funshow for $6 each some years ago. Works great in 308 and 300 blk. Yes. Super-sonic in the 300 BO the 3031 works great and shoots excellent. The canalure allows for good positive crimping when desired too. We've been using the 3031 for as long as I can remember in various 30 caliber rifles. I've been loading since 1985. Motor |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 7:44:14 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes. Super-sonic in the 300 BO the 3031 works great and shoots excellent. The canalure allows for good positive crimping when desired too. We've been using the 3031 for as long as I can remember in various 30 caliber rifles. I've been loading since 1985. Motor Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I will agree on the 150 gr Hornady. Lucked into 6 boxes at the funshow for $6 each some years ago. Works great in 308 and 300 blk. Yes. Super-sonic in the 300 BO the 3031 works great and shoots excellent. The canalure allows for good positive crimping when desired too. We've been using the 3031 for as long as I can remember in various 30 caliber rifles. I've been loading since 1985. Motor My interest is definitely piqued on these. Going to pick up a few boxes to try in my 300BLK and .308 Win based on your advice! About 7cent cheaper than bulk SMK's, so worth a shot. |
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Posted: 11/15/2016 10:46:25 PM EDT
[#26]
I must of missed the boat on those blems. My 300 savage probably would of loved them
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Posted: 11/16/2016 10:19:45 AM EDT
[#27]
If you want something for hunting then you need to stay away from the match bullets.
Best bets are going to be the basic versions from Hornady, Speer and Sierra. I like the 150 Speer Hot Cor in y .30-06. The ballistic tip style bullets open up just a bit much for my liking. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 11:59:57 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My interest is definitely piqued on these. Going to pick up a few boxes to try in my 300BLK and .308 Win based on your advice! About 7cent cheaper than bulk SMK's, so worth a shot. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I will agree on the 150 gr Hornady. Lucked into 6 boxes at the funshow for $6 each some years ago. Works great in 308 and 300 blk. Yes. Super-sonic in the 300 BO the 3031 works great and shoots excellent. The canalure allows for good positive crimping when desired too. We've been using the 3031 for as long as I can remember in various 30 caliber rifles. I've been loading since 1985. Motor My interest is definitely piqued on these. Going to pick up a few boxes to try in my 300BLK and .308 Win based on your advice! About 7cent cheaper than bulk SMK's, so worth a shot. Just dont plan on using the 150gr for hunting in the 300 BO. Good plinkers, but the expansion on them will be bad due to lack of velocity. If you are just going to plink with the 300 BO, then Hornady 150gr FMJs are better from a cost perspective. For hunting with a 300 BO you really need to look at 125 and lower grain bullets that open easily, such as a 125gr SST. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 12:24:09 PM EDT
[#29]
One bullet will never fit every need, some will come close.
My one bullet choice would be 165 grain Sierra Game Kings. It's very accurate and a good choice for hunting. Whether they will work well in a semi-auto can't be guaranteed. Buy 100 and try them first before buying a bunch. Nosler 1000 bullet boxes of .308" 168 grain Custom Competition match bullets are a steal (<$250.00) and would kill a deer if the shot was placed in the lungs/heart just like any other bullet. Match bullets are always my go to for 95% of my shooting. They are not designed for hunting and most manufacturers warn against their use in that role. $30.00 per 100 budget allows you to buy very good bullets in bulk. Sierra Match Kings can be found for $150.00 per 500 on sale. Shop around and buy in bulk. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 1:52:22 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Just dont plan on using the 150gr for hunting in the 300 BO. Good plinkers, but the expansion on them will be bad due to lack of velocity. If you are just going to plink with the 300 BO, then Hornady 150gr FMJs are better from a cost perspective. For hunting with a 300 BO you really need to look at 125 and lower grain bullets that open easily, such as a 125gr SST. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I will agree on the 150 gr Hornady. Lucked into 6 boxes at the funshow for $6 each some years ago. Works great in 308 and 300 blk. Yes. Super-sonic in the 300 BO the 3031 works great and shoots excellent. The canalure allows for good positive crimping when desired too. We've been using the 3031 for as long as I can remember in various 30 caliber rifles. I've been loading since 1985. Motor My interest is definitely piqued on these. Going to pick up a few boxes to try in my 300BLK and .308 Win based on your advice! About 7cent cheaper than bulk SMK's, so worth a shot. Just dont plan on using the 150gr for hunting in the 300 BO. Good plinkers, but the expansion on them will be bad due to lack of velocity. If you are just going to plink with the 300 BO, then Hornady 150gr FMJs are better from a cost perspective. For hunting with a 300 BO you really need to look at 125 and lower grain bullets that open easily, such as a 125gr SST. Completely agree. I'm using 125 Nosler BTs for my 300 blk hunting loads. They also have good expansion at lower speeds. My plinking loads are typically M80 pull downs for the 300blk, 308, and 30-06 food for my Garands. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 7:24:50 PM EDT
[#31]
are 180g Gamekings too long for a gas gun?
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Posted: 11/16/2016 9:30:50 PM EDT
[#32]
Hmm how do you delete?
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Posted: 11/16/2016 9:46:39 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
pkk... If you load them moderately, you should still still speeds of 2600+ fps from a 16 inch barrel. At 300 yards they will still expand. Its not going to be "knock them flat like the hammer of thor" expansion, but they will expand and work fine. You'll likely still get complete broadside penetration on whitetails. Impact speeds will likely be on the order of 1900 fps or so. Not very fast. So the front end will rupture and rivet, giving modest expansion. The front end will likely curl some, but most of the bullet will remain in tact, un expanded. You'd be better off keeping shots to 250 and under, but it will work at 300. A SST or Ballistic Tip would be much better at 300 yards, but you are no longer within your "cheap, do-it-all bullet" guidelines. This isn't so much a fault go the Honrday bullet, as much as it is the velocity loss due to the 16" tube. Do you think I should consider going with 125's instead of the 150's? My guess is they might actually be better in terms of expansion and terminal performance coming out of the short barrel. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 10:11:06 PM EDT
[#34]
The 155 AMAX is a great bullet. I have bought them under .30/ea when Cabela's has them on sale.
It's the go-to bullet in my FAL, G3, and M1A. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 10:21:09 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you think I should consider going with 125's instead of the 150's? My guess is they might actually be better in terms of expansion and terminal performance coming out of the short barrel. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
pkk... If you load them moderately, you should still still speeds of 2600+ fps from a 16 inch barrel. At 300 yards they will still expand. Its not going to be "knock them flat like the hammer of thor" expansion, but they will expand and work fine. You'll likely still get complete broadside penetration on whitetails. Impact speeds will likely be on the order of 1900 fps or so. Not very fast. So the front end will rupture and rivet, giving modest expansion. The front end will likely curl some, but most of the bullet will remain in tact, un expanded. You'd be better off keeping shots to 250 and under, but it will work at 300. A SST or Ballistic Tip would be much better at 300 yards, but you are no longer within your "cheap, do-it-all bullet" guidelines. This isn't so much a fault go the Honrday bullet, as much as it is the velocity loss due to the 16" tube. Do you think I should consider going with 125's instead of the 150's? My guess is they might actually be better in terms of expansion and terminal performance coming out of the short barrel. I had a 165 gr. Ballistic Tip come apart on me this year. I wouldn't call it a bullet failure because most of it traveled the full length of the deer (which dropped deader than shit upon impact) but I still don't like bullets coming apart inside of animals I want to eat. That was out of a 16" .308 Win. and loaded atop 44.5 gr. of TAC. The distance was about 100-150 yards. Last year I contemplated switching to 125's for a flatter trajectory but given this year's experience, if I end up going to 125's for hunting it will be with Accubonds, not Ballistic Tips. Accubonds will definitely put you over budget though. Personally, for now I am switching to 150 gr. Partitions for hunting. But I don't plan on using them as a do everything bullet. The Ballistic Tips, AMAX's, or SST's are probably the best choice for what you want. Just be mindful that they might come apart after a less than perfect shot on game, especially the lighter versions. |
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Posted: 11/16/2016 10:58:46 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
165gr JSP BT hornady. $29.75 per 100. Great projectile. That be the #3045,, 165gr BTSP I use the #3040,, 165gr SP (flat base),, for like last 20yr.... the 3045 is easier to come by though as shelf item |
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Posted: 11/17/2016 7:54:32 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
are 180g Gamekings too long for a gas gun? No, but they are on the heavy side for reliable feeding and function. 39.5 to 40.0 grains of IMR-4064 in a Lake City case is close to maximum. This is a great bullet, very accurate with a high B.C. I consider 165/168 grain bullets as being a great combination for .308, that doesn't mean others can't work. |
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Posted: 11/17/2016 8:27:35 PM EDT
[#38]
pkk. My friends used (some probably still do) the 130gr Hornady SP for whitetail for many years. Even at .308 Win velocity shoulder impacts were problematic but if you avoided the shoulder they were very very deadly.
I could easily see the 130gr working well for you but don't think it's a better choice than the 150gr. As for the 300 BO. I wouldn't be worried at all about using the 3031 at 1900+ fps on a deer or hog. The range would have to be reasonable of course. I'm definitely not disagreeing that in the BO a 125gr/130gr would be a better choice for hunting. Honestly the more I load and shoot the 300 BO the more I wonder why it's so popular. Yeah so maybe with a can and a 208gr sub-sonic it's kinda neat but other than that it's really kinda useless IMHO. As a caliber for un-suppressed hunting there simply isn't anything the AR-15 300 BO can do that a .223/5.56 can't. Actually the .223 stomps it in every aspect. Motor |
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Posted: 11/18/2016 1:09:00 AM EDT
[#39]
Motor,
You are right. However, some states, like Indiana, don't allow .223 for deer, so the 300blk is a way to get in that game in the AR platform and still maintain a gun that can be fun to shoot at the range, etc. 458 SOCOM was popular a few years ago for deer hunting, bit not a lot of use outside of that. |
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Posted: 11/18/2016 4:00:50 PM EDT
[#40]
150gr Hornady SP work very well.
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Posted: 11/18/2016 6:42:32 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Motor, You are right. However, some states, like Indiana, don't allow .223 for deer, so the 300blk is a way to get in that game in the AR platform and still maintain a gun that can be fun to shoot at the range, etc. 458 SOCOM was popular a few years ago for deer hunting, bit not a lot of use outside of that. Good point. But given a choice I would much rather use a AR-15 chambered in 7.62x39 or Remington 30 AR for deer but the BO may be a little more fun and definitely easier to get brass for. 
Motor |
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Posted: 11/18/2016 7:18:09 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
165gr JSP BT hornady. $29.75 per 100. Great projectile. That is my vote as well. |
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Posted: 11/18/2016 9:09:43 PM EDT
[#43]
I have standardized on 155's, first Amax (until I ran out), now SMK. They shoot well in ALL of my guns, shoot flatter at lower pressure than 168's, fly well out to beyond any range I am likely to use them at, and don't fuck with sensitive guns (Yes, M1A I am talking to you).
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Posted: 11/19/2016 1:25:20 AM EDT
[#44]
I shoot 178gr Amax as my pet load, I'm getting about 2700fps in my 20" Rem700. In my gun it shoots FAR better than I can, I'm confident it would destroy a white tail, and I occasionally plink with them. I get them for $35/100 which is a bit out of the price standard that you set, but I'm sure they can be found for cheaper.
IMO 178gr Amax is the best bullet for the price. Although I am going to be loading some Berger VLD hybrid hunting bullets, but those are north of $.50/round. |
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Posted: 11/19/2016 9:47:52 AM EDT
[#45]
I don't have any data sitting here in front of me but 2700fps from a 20" .308 Win with a 178gr bullet seems REALLY hot.
Motor |
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Posted: 11/26/2016 2:59:05 PM EDT
[#46]
168 Match King top, 165 Game King below:
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Posted: 11/26/2016 4:03:51 PM EDT
[#47]
Is it just an artifact of the sectioning, or does that lead appear to have some runout versus the centerline?
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Posted: 11/26/2016 6:56:37 PM EDT
[#48]
A few years ago I was on the same quest as you for a couple of different .308's. Initially I wanted to lean towards heavier 165 gr. bullets and tried the Sierra 165 gr. HPBT Gameking, 165 gr. Hornady SP and the 165 gr. Remington Cor-lokt. All worked very well and were about equally accurate. But I ultimately decided to back down to a 150 gr. bullet. Narrowed it down to either the Remington Cor-Lokt or the Hornady SP and both are fantastic on game and equally accurate. The Hornady has a slightly higher B.C. but the Remingtons can often be found in bulk for less money. I've killed lots and lots of hogs and deer with the Remington bullet and performance has always been stellar.
As others have said DO NOT use target bullets for hunting. They're not designed for performing on game and if one doesn't believe it, just ask the manufacturer. |
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Posted: 11/26/2016 8:05:58 PM EDT
[#49]
another fan of the 168 amax here. 3 of my .308's have shot them very well. best comprimise of cost, speed, and energy
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Posted: 11/26/2016 9:38:49 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Do you think I should consider going with 125's instead of the 150's? My guess is they might actually be better in terms of expansion and terminal performance coming out of the short barrel. NO! Do NOT do that! Across almost ALL bullet lines (Nosler, Hornady, Sierra, etc) the 125 bullet weights in .308" are designed and made as VARMIT bullets. Check Nosler's website and load manuals: The go so far as to describe, in some detail, the differences between the Varmit Ballistic Tip and the Hunting Ballistic Tip. 125's are designed to blow the heck up on little critters when used in cartridges like 308, 30-06, 300's.... Sometimes we get away with using varmint bullets on big game. While Nosler's 125 .308" diameter Ballistic Tip is entirely a varmint bullet designed to blow up at impact speeds of 2700, 2800, 2900+ fps, some people have found it works fairly well in a very few cartridges like 300 AAC Blackout. This ONLY works because muzzle velocity is on the order of 2250, and impact speeds are usually around 2000 fps.... If you use a 125 out of your 308, speeds will be MUCH greater, and the 125 will FAIL. Period. I use 165's. If you want a little more expansion, its simple: Use a 150. 150's go faster than 165;s and as a result, tend to open a bit harder and more violently. If you want more violent expansion, also use a lighter constructed bullet. A regular cup and core 150 like a Rem Corelokt, Win Powerpoint, or Hornady Interlock works great. 150 SST and 150 Ballistic Tips work even better. They are softer, open harder, and because they are more streamlined, they carry their velocity further. When you use a 16" barrel, or even a 20", it comes at a price. You loose velocity. There is no way around it. Your best bet is a soft 150. Use an Interlock if you are cheap. Use a Ballistic Tip or SST if you are willing to spend a bit more. If you are unhappy with the velocity and range tradeoff, you only have two choices: Buy a gun with a longer barrel. Or use a bigger cartridge. Dropping to a 125 is a recipe for disaster. Fro |
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