Thread: Q - Mildest 308 load that would reliable kill deer sized game ?

The old rule of thumb used to be 1000 ft lbs of retained energy to kill a light animal eg fallow, deer. 1000 ft lbs looks quite anemic on paper though with say a 308 shooting a 150 gr still having ~twice that at 300.
That would depend obviously on shot placement and projectile specs.

Myself, I've always loaded between middle and max. Gives you that slight safety margin over a "light" if you stuff up.
Mind you a bottom jaw blown off with a powerhouse or light usually has the same result. Deer scrarpers, dies elsewhere.