308 loads for Hoosier deer

[gun_nut]

165 SST over top of 8208XBR

 

[Sling10mm]

Personally, I would choose the 125 GMX over the 165 SST if you want to ensure complete penetration. I don't have direct experience with either in .308 but have used a 150 gr SST and 110 gr Barnes TTSX in .270 on a Texas whitetail and a hog. The SST did a tremendous amount of internal damage but left a roughly bullet diameter exit on a behind the shoulder shot. With our much larger deer and a shoulder shot, I wouldn't expect a full pass through. The 110 Barnes TTSX entered a 170 lb. hog from just behind the right ear and lodged just under the skin behind the left hip, penetrating through neck vertebrae, chest cavity, and hip bone for about 34". From what I have read the GMX is a bit tougher than the TTSX.

I may see of Cabelas in Noblesville has the 125 gr GMX and the 130 gr TTSX and test with Varget and IMR-4895.

 

[kludge]

Huh?

Are you talking 243 bullets? 90gr XTP?

we're talking 30 cal in this thread, right?

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .309 30 Cal :: 30 Cal .309 90 gr HP XTP®

 

[Broom_jm]

we're talking 30 cal in this thread, right?

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: .309 30 Cal :: 30 Cal .309 90 gr HP XTP®

Uh, I don't think that bullet is meant for the kind of velocity you would get from a 308 Winchester rifle.

You're not planning to hunt deer with that bullet, are ya?

 

[Sling10mm]

Uh, I don't think that bullet is meant for the kind of velocity you would get from a 308 Winchester rifle.

You're not planning to hunt deer with that bullet, are ya?

Meant for M1 carbine velocities maybe?

 

[Broom_jm]

Meant for M1 carbine velocities maybe?

Yeah, probably OK at a MV around 2,000fps, but still not going to be a good choice for deer. The fact that the 30 Carbine is a legal cartridge this fall is just absurd.

 

[kludge]

It's a lot better than a .410 slug.

 

[Broom_jm]

It's a lot better than a .410 slug.

Depending on the "slug" used, I would actually argue quite strongly against that. The 110gr 30 caliber bullet is less effective, at say 40 yards, than the .410" slug.

Look at it this way: Would you consider the 30 Luger a more powerful handgun than 41 Remington Magnum?

 

[kludge]

Depending on the "slug" used, I would actually argue quite strongly against that. The 110gr 30 caliber bullet is less effective, at say 40 yards, than the .410" slug.

Look at it this way: Would you consider the 30 Luger a more powerful handgun than 41 Remington Magnum?

I can't compare the 410 to a 41 magnum. If the 410 shot a 210 grain slug then we might be able to make the comparison to the 41 magnum, however the 1/4 oz or 1/5 oz 410 slugs ARE directly comparable to the mass of the 30 Carbine bullets. And the carbine would have the edge in velocity and sectional density.

1/4 ounce = 109 grains.

I would imagine the .410 and the .30 Carbine are fairly equivalent on deer at short ranges.

 

[kludge]

Really though, I'm not planning to hunt with a .30 Carbine. But given the choice between the two, I'd go with the carbine every day of the week. And twice on Sunday.

 

[Broom_jm]

I can't compare the 410 to a 41 magnum. If the 410 shot a 210 grain slug then we might be able to make the comparison to the 41 magnum, however the 1/4 oz or 1/5 oz 410 slugs ARE directly comparable to the mass of the 30 Carbine bullets. And the carbine would have the edge in velocity and sectional density.

1/4 ounce = 109 grains.

I would imagine the .410 and the .30 Carbine are fairly equivalent on deer at short ranges.

I didn't realize the 410 was quite THAT anemic, but I would still give it the advantage, particularly if it comes with a relatively hard projectile. A slug that is already 41 caliber doesn't need to expand, whereas the typical 30 Carbine bullet is not designed to expand at all.

Both are terrible choices...if that's all you have to hunt deer with, you should probably use a crossbow, or something.

 

[djones]

my 308 win on the left. 35 Rem on right.

 

[kludge]

Oh, I forgot, I have some Hornady Critical Defense with 110gr FTX. That could be the ticket.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Anybody else loading up 30 caliber or 243/6mm loads for deer hunting in Indiana this fall?

I have used Norma factory loads in 6.5x284 on Indiana deer. Would love to try the Cor-Bon load.

For handloads I like 4350 with a 130 grain Swift on top.

 

[oldpink]

Not using a .308, but the load that I'll be taking into the woods this fall (soooooo stoked about this, too!) will be for my Ruger .30-06, and they consist of a Federal case with a CCI 200 large rifle primer, 57 grains of IMR4831 topped with a 165 grain Barnes TTSX.
My chronograph indicates an average MV of 2780 fps with this load, and I have it sighted in to hit 3" high @ 100 yards.
Sighting in that way will make it possible to hit within the heart/lung zone (8" diameter) up to 350 yards without either holdover or holdunder.
Oh, did I mention that five of these will plop into MOA @ 100 yards?

 

[Broom_jm]

That load will be great on deer, OP! Isn't it cool to finally be able to use a normal rifle cartridge for deer hunting in Indiana, even if the regs are still incredibly weird.

 

[avboiler11]

I claimed a 168 Amax upthread...but now I'm thinking 6 Dasher and a 105 Amax instead...

 

[oldpink]

That load will be great on deer, OP! Isn't it cool to finally be able to use a normal rifle cartridge for deer hunting in Indiana, even if the regs are still incredibly weird.

Thanks, and yes it will be a total thrill finally getting to legally use a proper rifle for the very first time.
That M77 has been quietly biding her time ever since I bought her back in 1989.

 

[Hookeye]

For .308 I would guess just about any 130-150 gr would be good (cup n core or boutique).
.243..........will run something around 100.
Try a WW factory load in my #1, if it hates it slap some Hornady or Noslers in the cases, filled with 4350.
Something around 100gr.

If my #1 shoots under 1.5" at 100 I'll consider it good enough.

 

[bocefus78]

I just ordered a ruger american predator in 308. I've got a keg of varget to test some loads with. Looking forward to it. It's a new caliber for me. I'll probably start with some sierra gk and a flavor of hornaday.