new here. .308 ammo suggestions?

Hey, All!

New here (and to Savage rifles).

Spent the last two days going through the archives...GREAT info!

But hoping you experienced Axis folks can get me started on which commercial ammo to start experimenting with, for deer hunting at moderate ranges. This is a .308 win in stainless.

I realize firearms can be particular with the ammo they like, but maybe some trends can be established to cut down on the number of brands/bullet weights/styles to try.

ranges will be short/moderate, but I'd like the smallest groups of deadly expansion I can get...just truly appreciate fine performance!

Thanks!

Welcome,
for factory ammo you might as well start with some good ol Federal power shock, Winchester super x or Remington core loct.
My .30 cal rifles seem to shoot best with 165-168gr handloads. I don't buy much factory stuff.

appreciate the reply, big honkin jeep!

the tip on the medium weight bullets is just what I'm looking for!

I don't have a .308 but I like Federal ammo and use it most of the time. I like their american eagle stuff for target/plinking and it's hard to go wrong with the tried and true Nosler Partition loaded in Federal's premium line, I have also heard good things about their Fusion ammo which is a bonded bullet. You will get many responses, everyone has a prefered brand/load and it will all come down to what you are willing to spend and what you want. At short to med range with a .308 I would imagine that almost any commercial hunting ammo will work for whitetail so long as it is accurate in my opinion.

My 308 Axis likes Hornady American Whitetail in 150 grain.

Thank you, Gentlemen!

Depends on how accurate you want it to be. I don't hunt so Federal Gold Medal Match and Black Hills are the most accurate in most rifles. Savage uses the Fed GMM for their accuracy testing.

For hunting, terminal performance is more important than a 1/2" group so choose accordingly. Most premium factory ammo will give acceptable or even great accuracy. Some budget ammo will not. When I hunted I did not go cheap. You only need one box for a big game hunt so an extra $10-20 a box is no big deal. Use 5 or six rounds to fine tune the zero and you have plenty left over for the hunt.

Federal Gold Medal Match, and Federal Fusion, 168 to 175 grains works in everyone of my 308's.

The Fusion 180's worked very well, overall accuracy, I would have to state FGMM 168 A-Max were consistent, and very accurate. 175 SMK's were also dead on.

Federal Premium Big Game 165gr AccuBond load (P308A1). So far it's consistently shot between 1/2 and 3/4 MOA in three different Savage's and a Henry Long Ranger.

appreciate the info!

Just had my Timney installed, but haven't shot it yet.

New trigger (dry fired) seems AWESOME!

Please keep your ammo suggestions coming!

Anyone had real world experience with solid copper bullets on deer-sized game? seems like maybe they wouldn't expand enough at medium ranges...

I would expect a copper bullet like the Barnes TSX or the Trophy Copper to expand reliably at ~2000 fps which is ~400 yards with a 308. Both loaded in the Federal Premium line in 150gr which is a completely adequate deer bullet. According to the info on their site the Trophy Copper outperforms the TSX in both velocity and energy.

appreciate all the replies!

My .308s like the 150 grain spire point. I've gone to hand loading using the Nostler ballistic tip boat tail. I get good accuracy at 250 yards (using a scope) and one-shot kills on deer. I'd opt for the 170-180 grain if you're going out for elk or bear (though my 150s took a black bear at 150 yards).

If it's a 24 inch tube with a 1-10 twist, it will do well with federal gold medal match with 168gr smk. I promise.

thanks!

I was under the assumption that you wanted a hunting round. The Federal Gold Medal Match is not for hunting if that is true. They will shoot well. Consider another accurate federal load like the one Jim suggested. Federal is known for accurate ammo.

yes, this will mainly be for whitetails at close to moderate range.

I appreciate the best accuracy/groupings I can reasonably get...but performance on game is most important.