Thread: Subs in 308

I first used Walker 205gn cast as subs in my old 308 on a large old fallow buck. Have written about it elsewhere on this forum. Shoulder hit at 1000fps give or take, 37m. Dropped him instantly, thought he was dead so waited in position in case a hind followed, 20 min later when I approached he raised his head but couldn't move. So a mercy shot required.

I have since taken the same load after goats..very poor results in semi open scrub...a few hits under 60m that required one or more followups. A couple I'm sure I hit at 80m but never caught up with.

Shot placement is everything. A 4inch group at 50m I decided was sufficient accuracy. Trouble is that not long after 50m the group expands without consistency. Poor goats. Fortunately I had a 223 with me that time and switched. For me with my rifle 50m has become my max range. Basically it's not a lot different from expecting to drop an animal at 50m with a 200gn bullet from a 45acp handgun at high power factor load. Not something I'd care to attempt with such short radius sights and I'm sure it would still kill. But not reliably.

So great for mercy shots close up. Great for close bush hunting. Not enough chop in larger clearing or open spaces on bush fringe.