Good bullet weight for deer?

C

CATMguy

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Minuteman
Sep 9, 2013
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San Antoino
#1
I have a stock rem 700 in .308 adl converted to a bdl with houge overmold stock and bdl bottom metal. I cut and crowned the barrel down to 18" from the stock 24". It seems to like the hotter loads....i have 2 different loads ready for this weekend (opening of rifle season). First is hornady 150 grn fmjbt over 46 grns of IMR 4064. The second is hornady 190 grns spbt over 45 grns of accurate 2700.....is 190's gonna be over kill for deer....it's great for paper at 100yds getting .75" groups off a bipod.


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#2
The 190s would be my choice considering your other loads uses a FMJ. I would not use a FMJ for hunting unless pelts were a consideration. Please use a bullet designed for controlled expansion to aid in clean kills.
 
#3
Fmjs are generally illegal to hunt deer with.

Otherwise it's a deer, shoot it and it's probably gonna die, I've had to put many down with a 22lr over the last few years.
 
#5
Between the two loads I'd pick the 190gr because of the bullet construction, hunting with FMJ's is pretty irresponsible. If you want to shoot something lighter and don't feel like working up another load go down to Walmart and get some 150gr federal powershock or Remington core lokt. Both are great bullets for deer and will generally give more than suitable accuracy for shots inside 400 yards.
 
#6
175 SMK's expand nicely in a whitetail, I used my target load last year and when I recovered the bullet it mushroomed out in the deer. If you don't reload then get the Winchester silvertips, they work great and have been fairly accurate in 2 rifles I have used them in before I began rolling my own.
 
#7
I store bought ammo 150-168 grains is about ideal. But your 190's will be fine. Before I started shooting LR I used 130 grain barnes tsx as they were fast and flat to about 300y. I just got some 168 berger hunting classic hybrid's and if I wasn't using a 260 this year that would be the bullet I would be running in my 308, I've used the VLD version on several mule deer with success.
 
#12
Using SMK target bullets is irresponsible as well. Just because you pull one mushroomed round out of a deer does not mean that it will do it reliably. Also a good hunting bullet would usually be a pass through.
 
#13
To start...like many have stated...DON'T USE THE FMJ! The 190gr expanding bullet would be a much better choice. If you are going to continue reloading look into the mid-weight expanding bullets (150-180gr) or the 130gr monolithic (TSX or GMX) stye bullets. Those should serve you very well. I have had very good look with the mid-weight Hornady SST and IB bullets. They are very accurate and expand very reliably on game the size of deer. For elk in my part of the country, I step up to the tougher monolithic TSX and GMX bullets in midweight or step up to the very heavy side of bullet range.
 
#15
swampbuck said:
Using SMK target bullets is irresponsible as well. Just because you pull one mushroomed round out of a deer does not mean that it will do it reliably. Also a good hunting bullet would usually be a pass through.
Click to expand...

Debatable, Bergers are some of the best hunting bullets you can have, and rarely pass through.
 
#16
Dirty D said:
175 SMK's expand nicely in a whitetail, I used my target load last year and when I recovered the bullet it mushroomed out in the deer. If you don't reload then get the Winchester silvertips, they work great and have been fairly accurate in 2 rifles I have used them in before I began rolling my own.
Click to expand...

Yes they do!! 150 yard shot... Tipped over where he stood.
 
#17
I've shot several deer with SMK's and they are completely unreliable. More of them pencil through or blow up on contact than perform even adequately. I'd rather use a FMJ over a SMK because I know it will at least perform the same every time and that I need to take a head or high shoulder shot. The only true target bullets I've found that perform 100% on deer are the AMAX and Scenar. They do a great job and perform exactly like the Berger hunting bullets which differ quite a bit from the SMK, I would not compare the two just because they are hollow points, cut one in half and you'll see why.
 
#18
105 hybrids in a 6 br@630 yds, 105 hunting vld in a 243@ too many distances over the years, and 155 palma in 308 out to 750. All staggered less then 25 yds before piling up, most were bang-flops. All eastern whitetail 130-160 lb does on pest permits.
 
#19
My preferred deer load is 168 SGKs over 44 gns of 4064. It hits hard and generally drops them where they stand, with minimal bullet fragmentation or mass loss. The 190s may be a bit much, but they are preferable to FMJs.
 
#20
I should add, as a farmer i have little respect for these pests. Not uncommon to see a 150 bu loss per side of field, sometimes more on long rows. Take that number times 4.50-7.00 /bu. Factor in chemical,fertilizer anhydrous and cost of seed(300 a bag) and those vermin get deep in my pocket. Basically like a theif walking into GAP and stealing a 4-5 rifles every year.
 
#21
For all of you that think a SMK is a good deer bullet, I have another bullet for you. Try shooting CCI Stingers. When I was younger I have witnessed numerous deer killed with them. Now I don't think they are a really good choice, as I don't think SMK's are either. And to set the record straight I have killed deer from 100-350 yds with the SMK's to see for my self. Their are really better bullets to hunt with. Keep the SMK's for what Sierra says they are good for, or try Stingers.
 
#22
swampbuck said:
Using SMK target bullets is irresponsible as well. Just because you pull one mushroomed round out of a deer does not mean that it will do it reliably. Also a good hunting bullet would usually be a pass through.
Click to expand...

+1. Shot an 8 pt at 30 yds in the shoulder. Lost him. Bone and blood where he was standing. That's it. Nothing. My dad found him 2 weeks later dead from gangrene. I switched to BERGER VLDS. Damned things are the best hunting bullet I've ever used. Shot countless deer with them, if they run, which most don't , there is ALWAYS blood and a lot of it too. SMK's are NOT ethical or plausible for hunting. The bullets literally just shatter. The AMAX is a different story. They will kill the HELL out of a deer.
 
#23
What was the impact velocity at 30 yds. The right angle on that shot, behind shoulder angling forward to boiler room, different story. Not too many common hunting bullets would do better at 308 speeds@30 yds on the shoulder plate. IMHO
 
#24
i saw a video that a guy shot a deer with something like a 35 or 36 grain 223 bullet hit the heart and died a few yards out...... dont quote me on the grain i cant remember what it was but it was definatly smaller than 55,
 
#25
6brshooter said:
What was the impact velocity at 30 yds. The right angle on that shot, behind shoulder angling forward to boiler room, different story. Not too many common hunting bullets would do better at 308 speeds@30 yds on the shoulder plate. IMHO
Click to expand...

It was from a 16" armalite ar10t. So I imagine it was SLOW. I should have gone for the neck but I rattled him in and things happened FAST
 
#27
if you are hunting just deer go with a 150-168 grain bullet. Barnes, Nosler, Hornady all make great hunting rounds. if you hunt anything bigger go with 180-210 grain.
 
#28
I use Berger 168gr bthp out of my 20" Armalite AR10B - if not a drop shot they're within 25-30yrds - my uncle uses Hornady 190's for moose so pretty sure 190's will work for dear -
 
#29
Just go get u a green box 150 gr'rs from anywhere and... Bang..........................................Flop!!!!! They aint getting any tougher.
 
#30
^^ exactly, Remmy Corelokts, Winny power point, Hornady American Whitetail etc., given so close to the season. Three shots to sight in and your good to go. Will cost less than a box of bullets. Then next summer work up all the fancy stuff.
 
#31
6brshooter said:
What was the impact velocity at 30 yds. The right angle on that shot, behind shoulder angling forward to boiler room, different story. Not too many common hunting bullets would do better at 308 speeds@30 yds on the shoulder plate. IMHO
Click to expand...


I would disagree. Even an "old " design like a Nosler Partition or Remington Core-Lokt will easily penetrate the relatively thin shoulder blade of a whitetail with no problem. If they can hold up to 300WM velocity, 308 shouldn't be a problem, no matter how close.
 
#32
MJY65 said:
I would disagree. Even an "old " design like a Nosler Partition or Remington Core-Lokt will easily penetrate the relatively thin shoulder blade of a whitetail with no problem. If they can hold up to 300WM velocity, 308 shouldn't be a problem, no matter how close.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. I shot a large doe at 20 yard with a 300 RUM with factory core lots and it performed the same as it always did at 300+. 300 RUM is a lot faster than a 308.
 
#33
I guess PDs all over the country better scrap the 168gr GMM ammo their ERT guys use, not good enough for a head shot I suppose....

I do like 150gr Nosler BTs for hunting ammo.
 
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#35
The PDs that still only use FGMM, are seriously under performing on their headshots. Never shot at a deer behind a windshield, so I cant comment on that.
Smks are not the best choice, but for headshots on deer, they work as good as any.
 
#36
Ok. I'll concede that they will work fine for head shots. Of course for long shots where you want to aim at the larger vitals or when the head may be behind a tree they leave something to be desired.
 
#37
I have had good luck with the 200gr Sierra Gamekings in my TRG 22. I push them with MR-2000 to 2571 fps out of a 20" barrel. They certainly work well on deer. I also took a 5x5 elk this year at 400 yards with that rifle and load. I will attach a pic of the bullet recovered just under the hide behind the far shoulder of the elk. It expanded and performed very well. The bullet still had 1976 ft/lbs of energy at that range and a velocity of 2109 fps at 400 yards (granted, the DA was 9000ft). The gamekings also shoot very accurately in my rifle.

The rifle:


The bullet:


TKAB
 
#38
My current deer load in 308 is 150 grs Barnes TTSX, over 47 grs of VV N150, compressed load in Lapua brass.
Works like it should every time, never had a animal run off on me. And i know that if i should pull a shot slightly and hit bone, the bullet will still keep intact and penetrate, instead of shredding up to shrapnel and leaving the animal wounded.
The only other bullets i use for big game are Nosler Accubonds.

Using match bullets for big game hunting is just stupid and irresponsible.
 
#39
We all know that shot placement trumps all. The mafia have proven that for years. A .22 rimfire to the back of the ear and it's lights out, but that doesn't mean we should hunt that way. Have people dropped 250 lb deer with a .22lr to the head??? Sure they have, but again, that doesn't mean we should hunt that way. There is no such thing as too dead, but there is not dead enough. My opinion... why take the chance. Going to a larger caliber, heavier bullet, expanding hunting bullet, that you can shoot accurately, gives you some room for error if your shot is not perfect (my pulse still races every time I get game in the crosshairs).

This is just my opinion. Don't want to get into any pissing matches.

Op, My rule of thumb for whitetail deer is that for .223 and .243, I only shoot Barnes TTSX or Hornady GMX at close range (100 yards or less where I KNOW I can place the shot). For larger calibers, I use a solid (TTXS or GMX) or bonded bullet or partition for anything under 165 grains of weight. 165 and over, I use whatever hunting bullet shoots best. Of course, this rule of thumb is for whitetail deer only. Other game will require other considerations. Stick with the 190. Good luck and post pics of your kill.

Bill
 
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#40
A lot of folks use the .243, which tells me that a lot of bullet weight isn't needed. For the .308, I'd simply buy some 150gr Remington Core-Lokt Express, the lighter bullet should shoot flatter than the heavier ones and make range estimation less exacting. You hit 'em where they're supposed to be hit and nothing else is gonna make 'em any deader than the 150gr Core-Lokts, the deadliest mushroom in any woods. I have lasered a one-shot DRT shot at 320yd with the 150gr .30-'06 Core-Lokt Express.

My guns this year will be a Ruger MKI .280 Rem with Remington 140gr Core-Lokt Express (I like a flat shooting round), my 1943 Mosin-Nagant 91/30 which shoots right at 1MOA with Prvi-Partizan/PPU 150gr SP's, and an 11-87 20ga with a Carlson Rifled Choke Tube using Winchester Partition Gold Sabot factory loads for a neighboring county that does not permit C/F rifles

Greg
 
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#42
Well put kimber. A Berger hybrid or vld or vld-h will flat level a deer slung from a 6 br on up. I don't hunt one or two deer a year, i get kill tags for dozen or more. Times that by 5 or 6 years. To be honest coyote hunting is more of a challenge , had big 10-12 bucks come within bow range when calling yotes. Never saw me till i whistled at them, quite elusive.
 
#44
Black Hills 180 bonded. Great round in the event you have to shoot through a barer. In this case a tree branch within 10 feet of your target. The round wont separate and still maintains its integrity.
 
#45
This thread is so full of absolutes I've changed eye dominance . Almost any bullet manufactured since the introduction of smokeless powder will knock over a deer when applied properly to one or more vital organs. Shooting bullets into flesh is like skipping rocks on rough water, the only thing you can guarantee is you will NEVER get the exact same result twice. Why do some assume that a bullet will? every single impact has micro differences, angles, temp changes, flexed muscles, relaxed muscles, bones, hair, leaves, sticks, ticks, ducks and geese. If you have never lost an animal or missed a kill, its simply a matter of time until you do, because shit happens, and bullets sometimes do inexplicable things. It is therefore, a marksman's only choice to do his absolute best in placing the bullet as close as possible to a critical life sustaining tissue. Any and every bullet mentioned in this thread will fit that bill. These threads are always tapered at both ends, and they float or sink depending on the absolutism of its post's. If everybody would just shoot a bullet that they are accurate and comfortable with, and be responsible enough to be proficient, there would be no need for these corn laden, bowl streaking turd threads strewn down the SH bathroom hallway.
 
#46
The good, bad, and ugly I heard it all in this thread.

I hunt deer with a with a .308 Winchester. I prefer a controlled expansion bullet. I want 4-5 inch wound channel and exit wound. My choice of bullets include the Barnes Tipped XXX in 150 grains, Nosler Accubonds 150 grains. I use to think Swift Sciroccos were great until the last couple of boxes lots 080W and lots 881W the bullets varied in weight +/- 2. grains, varied in length +/- .003" and bearing surfaces in the front were .308" and .3065" in the back. They shot all over the place 4.+ " groups in a custom rifle with a 1:12 twist barrel.

My new go to .308 Whitetail load is Lapua Brass, Wolf LR Primer, Barnes Tipped XXX, 45.grains H-4895 Powder. COAL 2.810" They shoot 2850 fps and have not failed me yet. The five shot group at 100 sun .3 moa. This load came straight from the Barnes Reloading page and shot lights out.
Nat Lambeth
 
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#48
coldboremiracle said:
^ or we could just continue the babbling about "premium bullet this, and bonded bullet that" while people who shoot more game in a season than most of us do in a lifetime, drop one animal after another with cheap, boring, run of the mill bullets.
Click to expand...

How in the world did people kill stuff before companies like Barne$ and $wift came along? If you don't pay a dollar a pill and then have to load it you won't kill anything.
 
#50
Ok update.....I used the 190 spbt. No deer anywhere.....I did manage to take a 'yote.
edy7edar.jpg

200 yard shot, broke his neck and rolled him 8'....causing him to shit himself.


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