Thread: 308 165gr

I'm buying an as new Howa Lightweight 308 tomorrow. I haven't had a 308 for about 20-years! When I did I worked out that the 165gr (I think I used a Nosler Partition?) was the most suited for a general purpose hunting projectile (handloads). Mostly for fallow and hopefully reds. A "one load does it all" type scenario... The dream is to get down south for a Thar if I can get rid of more of the spare tire.....

Or do I just go with a 150 and go out and shoot stuff? I believe in the KISS theory for hunting..... I also have the Howa 223 which I use on goats and maybe the occasional fallow

I'm no long range shooter; so I suppose bush ranges to 300-ish metres? I will start with factory loads but will buy some Lapua brass and start handloading again later in the year. I did use the 150-gr Core Lokt years ago and found it super reliable.

I'd always been after a Howa Alpine so was stoked to find the Lightweight with the 20" threaded barrel. The "poor man's Alpine"..... I didn't think they were in NZ, I'd only seen them in Aussie ads. I've always loved short handy rifles. Sorry if this sounds like a dumb post!

I always considered 150gr as a middle of the road projectile for 308s, but mine likes the 178gr ELD-X so much that is my standard load now. But for fallow I usually take the 30-30 with Sierra 125gr HP (bush) or 243 with 90gr ELD-X (farmland).

Yeh I agree re the 150 grain options and also agree re the Partition’s fine reputation although it does suffer poor bc for long range shooting in the wind.
I like the 165NBT in 308.

165g Nosler Ballistic Tip

Have used 308 fairly extensively, less than 350y soft point cup and core projectiles like the interloc and game king in 150gr-180gr work very very well.

In tipped frangible projectiles like the amax/sst I personally wouldnt go below 165gr at a minimum.

I have recently been using the 165gn BTs in my 308 at about 2550fps and have found them pretty hard for smaller animals. I have shot 2 pigs, 2 reds and a chamois with them over the last couple of months and they have gone through the chests off all of them without leaving a very big exit wound. None were big animals and they all died but not bang/flops. They seem to be a "lucky" projectile for me but I think they would be better if driven a bit quicker than I can from a 16" barrel. A 20" barrel should pop them out a bit quicker.

For reloading 165 sierra spbt or hpbt are epic or the 168eldm. Mate runs the eldms @2600 out of his 18" 308 and it kills well from right up close out to 570. I ran the 165 hpbts and mate used it on tahr out to 400 from a 16.5" barrel. If not reloading federal blue box 150s will be good they use a speer hcsp which are very good killing bullets

Thank you everyone

Originally Posted by Shearer

I have recently been using the 165gn BTs in my 308 at about 2550fps and have found them pretty hard for smaller animals. I have shot 2 pigs, 2 reds and a chamois with them over the last couple of months and they have gone through the chests off all of them without leaving a very big exit wound. None were big animals and they all died but not bang/flops. They seem to be a "lucky" projectile for me but I think they would be better if driven a bit quicker than I can from a 16" barrel. A 20" barrel should pop them out a bit quicker.

Unless of course you have circumcised the most versatile caliber in the world and then in which case I would recommend the lighter tipped frangible projectiles.

Yeah. Probably a better choice at that speed but I had some left over from when loading the 300WM so thought I would give them a try in the .308. As I said they are a lucky projectile for me as I see more game when I carry them. Tried the 125 BTs years ago but they were like varmint bullets out of the MLR. Very little penetration. 125 ABs were ok though.

That's the great thing about the .308 - plenty of bullet choices for reloading.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

That's the great thing about the .308 - plenty of bullet choices for reloading.

I'm probably overthinking it like usual...... Another hour and the new baby will be mine ha ha ha The only problem is that it has to stay at the shop til my new licence arrives.....

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

I'm probably overthinking it like usual...... Another hour and the new baby will be mine ha ha ha The only problem is that it has to stay at the shop til my new licence arrives.....

Good hunting and shooting with your new piece bumblefoot. Acquiring a new rifle is one of life's pleasures.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

Good hunting and shooting with your new piece bumblefoot. Acquiring a new rifle is one of life's pleasures.

Thanks. I'll have a Howa mini 223, Howa lightweight 308, my 40-year old 10/22 and 76-year old SMLE and that's me done. I may however look at a bolt 22 for spotlighting. I do prefer a bolt for that.

I have had really good success with 150gr soft points. Remington Core loks, Hornady and sierra have all done fantastic. Belmonts load used to use Hornady projectiles but now are using a sierra soft point, the new load doesnt group quite as well in my rifle but out to 250m its no problem on goats, just the BC of a schoolbus.
Before that i was using reloads 150gr sst at 2550fps from a 16" barrel. Everything was bang flop inside 200m with that but didnt shoot it any further.

Starting to shoot more animals between 250 and 400m so im starting to try 165s and 168s for better down range energy. Going to pick up a box of Ausy outback with the 165gr sierra BT game king see how they go.

I shoot a fair bit so will keep using the soft points on goats and for plinking at medium distances. And will use the BTs for 250m+ or longer range shooting.