Best .308 Hunting Ammo! (Knock 'Em Down Quick!) 

LOL, SST is designed to slightly break apart. Most of it will be intact but some fragments will come apart making additional wound channels. Know the bullet before dismissing it for doing something it was designed to do.

After shooting a lot of ammo while hunting, I've come full circle back to Nosler Partition. Love it

Cup and core, (lead in copper jacket) have been used for years. Bonded are better for higher velocity loads and deeper penetration. Monolithic bullets function better with higher velocity. Generally lighter weight for caliber. At distance they will sometimes pencil through. Not opening. With that said any bullet that holds together at close range, is definitely going to hold together at farther range. The projectile loses velocity as soon as it leaves the barrel. No different than throwing a baseball. Gravity also starts doing its thing at the same time. A really good place to learn about the projectile you use or choose is, Simple Minded Fella. Here on RU-vid. This gentlemen started testing the projectiles he uses. He handloads them at higher velocities and then uses reduced loads to see how low of speed the bullet will still function in gel. If you handload there are lots of options and you can build a load your rifle shoots best. As every rifle is different. Even the same manufacturers and calibers off the shelf. If you don't handload, buy a box of 3 or 4 different types ammo and test for accuracy at 100 yards. Pick hunting ammo of course if hunting. Whichever shoots the best group use. Get your rifle on target at 100 yards first. Use a good size piece of cardboard or the like. Don't worry about hitting bullseye at this time. We sre shooting for groups. Each shot hold on the bullseye or + let the projectiles group where they hit on the target. Shoot 3 to 5 shots each type. Once you find the most accurate, (tightest group) set your weapon with it. Also the same lot number of ammo is usually more accurate, as it is manufactured at the same time. I realise lots know all this, but some do not.

Hornady ELD-X is a high BC bullet and very accurate. The fact that it wasn't accurate in your rifle shouldn't be a reflection of the ammo itself. All it means is that that factory load didn't suite your rifle. It happens. Every barrel and chamber is different and will work differently with different ammo. Which is why if you use factory ammo you should try different types to see what works best in your individual rifle. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with ELD-X's from an accuracy point of view, quite the reverse ... they are an extremely accurate bullet.

125 grain accubonds open at .300 blk velocities(2100 fps) and are one of my favorite .308 Winchester bullets to reload. 3200 fps and small groups.

The SST is supposed to cause crazy damage and break apart to send shrapnel everywhere. It's gonna take most thin skinned game. All Barnes bullets are designed to punch through bone, so that's for all the quartering to, or shoulder shots or when you want to anchor by destroying both scapula. Taking a bread basket or boiler room shot with them is not what it was intended for. Overall a good review, for the factory ammo buying hunter though. Partitions, accubonds, and TTSX or TSX is all I'm gonna use on moose or bear. Caribou and deer can have the cup&core bullets, I want that bullet staying in an animal, especially a big herd ungulate like caribou when they're likely bunched up.

Hornaday is so way over rated I only buy it if I need brass only for reloading! They are all about long range hunting and they started that movement and are the cause of a lot of wounded game🤔😳☹️

I've been a hunting guide since 1978 with this is my only income. From the Barns X days to the new Barns TSX or LRX I exclusively only shoot game using Barns bullets copper expanding so this way I have faster kills and no lead core bullet blowing up or Nosler Partitions blowing off the noses.

Thank,s for your video,the best bullet for me is the Federal fusion,i test on moose bear deer and other,the eld-x is not monolithic it,s same to sst with a more B.C,Terminal Acsent very good,in my all rifle this bullets is extremly accurate and in the animal big shock hydrostatic and penetrate all.The fusion is the best.

Federal nontypical is the same as federal blue box. Confirmed by federal. It’s marketing and allows for more shelf space. Federal buckmaster and federal fusion are one in the same also. Fusion or blue box federal has been my go to for years and it consistently knocks deer down like lightning for me.

When a hunting trip is going to cost one to perhaps three thousand dollars all told - $30-$100. Dollars for a couple boxes of premium ammo is insignificant and cheap insurance for a successful experience.

Remington PSPCL in almost any caliber and weight. Then Nosler partitions

I am not hugely experienced myself, but have had good luck with Federal in the blue box. Atwoods had the Hornady American Whitetail on sale last week, so picked up a box of it to try out. I have enough Federal to last me several years hunting, but thought I might try something new

The Federal Non Typical and Power Shock ammo are loaded with Speer Hot Cor bullets. They are fabulous on deer sized game. Also, the Barnes TTSX bullets loaded by Buffalo Bore are like Thor's hammer for deer and other large or dangerous game.

Great vid, thanks.

You do realize it's velocity that's makes a bullet break up. Closer to muzzle means more likely to break up or shed jacket. You are looking at it backwards. If you don't believe me just look it up

First of all SST are for thin skinned animals and they fold whitetails up like a lawn chair and second a bullet will never break up at longer ranges and stay together at closer ranges that's dead backwards very miss leading but I do agree with the terminal accent it's my favorite hunting bullet as well

Light-for-caliber Barnes TTSX monolithic copper bullets work perfectly in my experience. I use hand loaded 130 grainers in 308 and 100 grainers in 6.5 Grendel. I recently took a 300-pound Aoudad at 150 yards with a tiny 100-grain Barnes TTSX from my 6.5 Grendel. He went about 75 yards and dropped dead.

How does that one bullet break up at 300 yards, but is good at 100?

Never thought a bullet holding together at under 300yds could break up past 300yds?

What would be the different criteria for defense vs hunting? I would think they would be similar.

Noob here even though I've been hunting my entire life. Just never got into the technical side of ammunition and things of the sort, always use my dads 25-06 or 30-06 700s with the same handloaded rounds he made years ago, but now I'm finally getting my own big game bolt gun and want to shoot suppressed, obviously subsonic is out of the question, but I'm wondering what your opinion is on the best .308 hunting round to use suppressed is and if the suppressor will make the round perform differently? Thank you!

My Remington bolt action 308 win loves fusion 150s several deer maybe 30 yards no tracking required

Just curious… why would the Hornadys break apart over 300 yards when they are moving slower? Did you mean under 300 yards?

Yes tried the ELDX in Alaska hunting ….. terrible performance on game quickly removed the bullets from my shelf. Great promotion from Hornady on the ELDX bullets but not realistic!

I really like ADI loaded with 165-grain Sierra Game King bullets. I cannot tell you what a Game King does to a deer's body. I have killed north of 50 deer with ADI ammo. I shot every one of the deer in the head. The Game King blows the top of the deer's head off every time. I have only missed one deer. I managed to hit a limb that deflected my bullet. I have a Savage 110 and a Ruger SFAR both will hit a golf ball out to 200 yards most of the time. Golf balls are very challenging in the summer. They manage to get buried in the grass leaving a very small target.

You should probably look at norma......whitetail and bondstrike. Both are accurate and the bondstrike is bonded. Also, what are your thoughts on fusion by federal?

Best Ammo selection is all about what your particular gun likes, not what others’ gun likes…..

I get good results out the trophy bonded tip 180 gr out my 308

I used the ol’ tried and true Core lokt for years. I picked up a box of Norma Whitetail last season just to see what it could do. I was very impressed with the results.

Good video! I agree that Non Typical is Typical. Also, I agree that American Whitetail is probably the best cartridge for the money. From experience, I'd also recommend Federal Fusion. Perfect mushroom from 30 to 150 yards on hogs and bucks. God Bless!

Winchester XP 150gr

Knok them down quick without Lead vapor, which is very toxic to children, adutlts and animals that feed on the offal left behind while field dressing, and, no, I'm not from California. It's just common sense.

Winchester ballistic silver tip 168 gr. Pricey but dead-on consistently. Used for years. Buy it when I can find it.

It's hard to beat the interlock bullets from Hornady for deer hunting. Anything bigger gets it with the nosler partition bullets.

I am always looking for ammo, I shoot 30,06 and.243, my son shoots.308, he prefers s&b 165 I believe, seems to work great, I prefer norma whitetail , never have we had to use more than one shot to take a deer, a few years ago I got a deer with brown bear 7.62x54 soft point, one shot. Super cheap ammo. I think too many people blame the ammo for their poor shooting, kinda like I blame the controller for my sucking at video games. I know too many people that practice with ultra cheap ammo then buy a box of expensive ammo and can’t hit crap. Your scope is sighted in for the way you hold it and the ammo you use. If you sight it in with corelokt or federal powershok, Winchester power point, norma whitetail they are all so similar that the same sight in works good enough for all, but if you sight in with super cheap and then hunt with premium you may very well miss your shot. Quality ammo is expensive, get close with cheap then fine tune with what you intend to hunt with.

I like Federal Terminal Ascent. My favorite. I've only used A-Frames in 9.3X62. Cant find it in .308. Closest I can get is Nolsler Partitions. But I like the Accubond better. 10:14

Yeah stay away from super accurate tack driving ammo for hunting because putting your shot exactly where it needs to go like the heart, lung, brain etc. is unethical & won't put the animal down humanly.

The eldx are tack drivers in my 1-10 twist 308. Hole on hole accuracy. Used the 178 Grain eldx on a 3 point buck at 225 yards last year. A small entry hole in and a fist size exit whole out the other side through the ribs. Dropped where it was hit. The 178 was a little heavy for the deer, but it was all to be had at the time.

-2nd on the Federal Power Shock..

Absolutely one of the best ammo videos I’ve ever seen for the common hunter. Straight and to the point. Very helpful 👍

Federal 150 fusion is my favorite factory. 130 ttsx reloads are great. 125 SST with a reduced load to 30-30 power is great too.

I believe you think the high watermark is for a bullet to not break-up or at most mushroom. This is an incredibly short sighted. Manufacturers can easily accomplish that all day. Wound channels kill animals. Penetration of 14" or less is ample for any big game animal in North America. A superior bullet does both. big distortion of the projectile creates massive wound channels, which kills animals deader than anything else. You can have a pass through with any silly foot/lb figure you come up with and it means nothing. Also, just because your rifle didn't shoot Hornady Precision Hunter well, that also means nothing. ALL guns shoot different manufactures ammo differently. Find one that works for you, but because my rifle doesn't shoot one well, I'd never tell you the same until you tried it.

All these fancy bullets but the hood ole Remington core-Lokts have gotten the job done several times over. The “tipped” version has been impressive as well!

I’ve had good luck with the old Federal Power Shock soft points on MI whitetail forever. That being said, my shots are all within 200 yards so accuracy isn’t as big of a concern. I planned on trying a more modern bullet this year anyways so I’ll start with that Federal Ascent and see how my rifle likes it.

Hornady american whitetail grenaded at 40 yards on a whitetail this year out of a 30-06. Im going terminal ascent. And its not that pricey. Accubond is just as expensive

know it all’s or in too big of a rush to learn anything...No Im trying to learn. Thats the point. "brings out some valid points" Exactly. Not what the title says".Best .308 Hunting Ammo!"

I would like to see what's California compliant please...

The interlock will break up at further distances but hold together at close ranges??? Lol I'm not sure you understand how bullets function...As well, your most accurate ammo in you guns might shoot like crap in another gun. And accubonds are totally appropriate for medium sized game.

Earlene Road

The federal terminal ascent has worked extremely well in my 308

My last gun (Browning X Bolt ) absolutely loved the Nosler Trophy Grade ammo. My new Tikka TX3 hates it. Barely get a 3 inch grouping. The only ammo my Tikka likes is the Barnes TTSX copper rounds. Sub MOA all day. Stinks cause I loved the Nosler. Literally everything I shot folded on impact.

I love Federal ammo

What’s farthest shot you’ve taken a whitetail out of your 18” rifle using the federal terminal ascent 175gr? I have a 20” Bergara, and I’m thinking the shorter barrel will “handicap” the heavier bullets. My max distance will be 350ish yards.

I haven't tried any of the expensive stuff, but these are what shoots well out of my rifle which likes 150 gr. Accuracy: Norma Whitetail Federal Fusion Federal Power-Shok They will all shoot through both shoulders on a Whitetail but the Norma destroys the most meat and the Fusion the least.That's my impression anyway. If I was going to shoot a 600 lb Waterbuck I would use the Fusion.

In my 7mm Rem Mag, I like the Barnes TTSX in 150gr, and the TTSX at 140gr out of my .280. I'm still trying to find something that my AR-10 likes besides Remington Premier 175gr.

Sorta seems like we are anti Hornady. Sorry, its all I use with great accuracy for me!!!

i like the video but what it all comes back to what each gun likes. there are some 150s that shoot lights out some key hole from a 1 and 10 twist.

Anything to back up the claims of gameking bullet not doing it's job

My favorite 308 for deer is barnes vor-tx with the 130 ttsx. I know it seems light, but trust me when I tell you it's downright violent. Over 3100 fps in a 20" barrel, and with the high shoulder shot I prefer, they go zero steps.

You really don’t know what you’re talking about 🤦🏻‍♂️

Much has to do with your rifle and what it likes. Mine LOVES the sirraco 165gr but not the others so I bought 10 boxes. Have not tried the Federal Terminal ascent in 308 yet. My 30-06 fires them accurately, but didn’t get the expansion I needed on last year’s deer with it at close range. Maybe its better at longer ranges.

Terminal accent all the way i use those and there the best. Rip whitetail up in good shape

I just started using the Federal Terminal Accent, great round! I also use Hornady American White tail, as well as Federal fusion which to me is a great economical round.

I generally to use core lokts but with 308 and 3006 they’re a little lacking in shock and expansion. While I haven’t lost an animal do to it, I prefer a lit more and the deer seem to go at least 80 yards. In 308 and 3006 for deer I prefer nosler bt. They usually drop them in their tracks or they dont go far and there’s definitely blood trail. I’ve used power points and they aren’t bad, also tried the deer season xp and they suck, little penetration and either they drop or they live for an hour. Not a fan of the sst. I haven’t tried the all copper stuff yet. Honestly as long as I can get noslers and load them myself I don’t see any reason to change

Precision hunter shoots great out of my rifle. Took two boars and a deer within a two week period. No complaints with it. Federal fusion is my second place pick. Wanted to try terminal ascent but cant find it for less than $60 per box and i will refuse to spend that unless i go on an elk hunt or something similar.

Thankfully someone knows the difference between hunting and target bullets. I'm a hand loader and I've learned a lot of the differences between bullets, but most guys seem to believe that accuracy is everything, and I believe that Hornady is at least partly at fault for that, by selling target rounds as hunting bullets. Nosler in my opinion has by far the best hunting bullets, whose accuracy is still good. Your right about the Nosler Accubond, they are a little hard for smaller animals, but they are very accurate, I got a 3/8 inch group with my hand loads. I shot a 100 pound doe with them and it blew through her so fast, it didn't do as much damage as I would have liked. They would be great for elk moose or big bears.

Good info. Thanks for spending the $ for us. I know rifle and barrel make a huge difference but i have not found and thing better that just the old sta dard remington core-loc . Every thing from prong horn to elk core-loc has put animals down. Never had to follow up as long as you hit them in the right spot.

I've killed several White Tailed Deer with Game King Bullets. All were one shot dead in their tracks kills. None were over 100 yards. and a few were within 30--40 yards. I used a 6MM Remington or a 7MM Mauser, all handloads. With that experience , I don't understand why you think GameKings are unethical. The Ethical Hunter such as I use it ethically. The longest shot I made was with a Hornady Spire Point ( 6MM Rem) at 270 yards. It was a one shot kill, the buck ran a few yards and dropped.

Dude let me get a box or 2 of those partitions... i can never find em!

Ever try them plastic case ones? Also do they still make the accelerator. 308 with the. 223?

I was really surprised by how bad the ELDX shot out of my rifle. Due to cost and performance I am probably going to go with the Hornady American white tail 150 grain

I agree with you Federal Terminal Assent dropped a Michigan Elk in 20 yards! My sons first time using a high powered rifle, 150 yard shot.

The ttsx and the terminal accent are the best ones in the video. Some of the others leave lead in the meat.

Federal Premium 168 grain with Nosler partition bullets have been excellent from deer to moose. Dispatches quickly!

... Federal Fusion 165 grain factory ammo is the best ... does what all the so-called premium ammos do as good or better and much cheaper

Interesting video ! I load the Hornady 150g interlock, but in the BT design....their #3033. The box you have is the 3031 bullet. They both just work so well. Missing: Nosler BT and the Sig 165g Elite Copper. Privi makes some great hunting bullets in .308 also !!!!!

None of my rifles like precision hunters.

Nice video. I’ll have to try the last few options. Just have to buck up and spend the money, but I’m sure it’s worth it. I’ve had really good luck with Norma 150gr softpoint ammunition on wild hogs and Rams that were all over 150lbs. Last 2 rams I shot with that bullet were at 109 and 114 yards. Double lung on the first, it ran about 20 yards and then dropped. Second sheep my shot placement wasn’t the greatest, tagging the liver and skimming the rear of the lungs. No matter though, ran about 25 yards and dropped. Give it a shot, I’ve found Norma ammunition to be tremendously accurate

It's kind of funny when you say you hate bullets that does exactly what they are made to do. Just like the SST, it's made to break apart.

The worst review in the history of reviews. Half of those rounds will group tighter than the skill set of 95% of the shooters out there. Half minute ammo out of a half minute gun with a 1 minute shooter.

I'm surprised the ttsx isn't higher up on your list I use it exclusively for moose in a 7mm rem mag and have awesome results also the interlock is a deadly bullet I use 180 grain hornady custom in my 308 for black bear they drop on the spot 3/4 of the time

Federal fusion 165 gr in my 308 is the most devastating ammo as far as results. I shoot 168 gr hybrid hunter because it shoots exactly like my match ammo so I can go from the range to the woods and know nothing will change.

I tried the terminal ascent recently, and my God it was beyond accurate. I was shooting on my thermal unit for an upcoming hog tournament. Which the thermal really isn’t a fine tuning optic for sub MOA groups. No joke though, I was getting 1/2 to 3/4 MOA (at 100yrds) consistently by following the first round’s heat signature. I shot 5 in a row that were literally almost on top each other. Truly Awesome. Hope these aren’t too much for piggies. We shall see.

I bought a high-end Leupold scope where they will send you a custom elevation turret matched to your favorite ammo and did some of the same testing. I chose the Hornady 150 gr. American Whitetail (Interlock), because it’s flat, has a long history of excellent performance, and it shot better in my rifle with a 1/10 twist rate than just about everything else. It was also the cheapest tested and seems to be available anywhere, which is a great recipe for a fail-safe round.

What would you say the best range round to practice with would be?

A well thought out list good job

I’m a big fan of the hornady 165 grain interlock I’ve been loading since ever never disappointed a match bullet is not a hunting bullet

Federal fusion 165 grain and 165 SST

The cheap stuff kills game pretty darn good if it shoots reasonably accurate in your rifle.

Federal fusion is my favorite

is the nosler partition meant for gas guns? and what about term ascent? just wondering.

Hey can you elaborate on your disdain for the barnes as a hunting bullet? I have had serious problems with copper bullets and will never use them again. But i would be interested in hearing your experience

It's funny that the better hunting bullets are the oldies.

What twist rate is your rifle with the 18" barrel?

Best is the newer bonded bullet - federal terminal ascent. Always an exit even at long range. Flys like a match bullet and penetrates like a true bonded or copper bullet.

Any experience with Sierra game changer?

Thank you for display, description and opinion. Happy hunting.

Honestly surprised you dont use handloads considering your interests and attention to detail with other things on the channel.

I have tried the Hornady precision hunter ammo in 7 Rem Mag. Complete garbage.