What size cartridge for.308?

[Jimmy S]

I recently got a .308 and will be sighting in soon for the upcoming deer season. I do not know what size bullet was used previously. Since it does have a scope mounted, would you recommend buying different bullet weights to see if one was used to sight it in ? Most of my hunting will be in my home state of NH as well as Maine. Most shots are under 50 yds, most 20-35 yds. What grain weight would be recommended?

[Vapodog]

I' d start with 150 Hornady interlocks in 150 grain.

[Jimmy S]

Vapordog..Why the 150? What' s the advantage over other sizes?

[frizzellr]

The 150 grain bullet from the 308 Win usually gives the best balance of accuracy, velocity, and recoil. No need for anything bigger on deer.

[Split-Hoof]

150 grain is good, but i prefer 165 or even 180 grain. The reason is a heavier bullet won' t get deflected as much by thick brush. 180 is what I use in my .06, and I have dropped many deer with it in the North Maine Woods.

[Quilly]

since your shots are well under 100yds like myself. where i too hunt in maine. i use 150gr. in my 308win. try the sierra gameling' s SPBT from federal. i et awsome accuracy out of them in both 308win and 30-06sprg.

but u might want to go with 180gr. or 165gr. depending on what your gu likes best.

[frizzellr]

The reason is a heavier bullet won' t get deflected as much by thick brush.

There are several published tests that disagree with that statement. The difference in deflection between 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets would be so slight as to not make a difference.

[Split-Hoof]

Quilly makes a good point.......it' s best to try different sizes to find out what works best with your gun. My gun loves 180 grain, but I have shot others that shot far better with 150 grain. I will say that 180 is definitely not overkill for deer though, and has some advantages in thick cover.

frizzelr.....I have heard that before, but in my experience I feel it does make a difference. I have shot both through thick brush many times, and the 180' s just plain do better.

[Danny45]

I have shot both through thick brush many times, and the 180' s just plain do better.

You' ve done that on purpose?? I hope you weren' t doing that just to test your theory. I' m sorry, but to shoot when you have no clear lane to the vitals is not what I' d call responsible hunting.

[Split-Hoof]

Well actually I have done that on purpose, but only when shooting at targets.

Of course I prefer an open shot, but when you can' t see much more than 20 yards it is rare to have such an opportunity. If I can see the vitals and there is some brush in the way, I take the shot because often if I don' t I won' t get another chance. I have always made a good shot too, one shot one kill. The only exception was when I shot at a doe 265 yards away down a logging road (first deer I ever shot at). I wounded it, and after that I decided I would take no shot unless I was sure I would make a clean kill. I consider myself to be a very responsible hunter.