Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum A case for the .308

Many old timers told me in my life that the .308 was inherently an accurate cartridge. For many of my 54 years on this earth, I ignored the .308. It wasn’t intentional, I just spent many years chasing the performance of magnum cartridges. I have been blessed to have the resources to acquire many many rifles of many different calibers. Furthermore, my father had quite the collection of guns that I inherited. But I honestly didn’t become a big follower of the .308 until a decade or so ago. My current arsenal has 3 separate.308 rifles. A Tikka T3X veil wideland, a Daniel Defense DDM5V1, and recently acquired a Steyr Pro Hunter III. The amazing thing about this amazing caliber is that in each of the guns, almost every weight, charge, and type of cartridge fires well out of these guns. However, I do not believe it is the gun. Like the old timers always told me, the .308 is a very very accurate cartridge.

My favorite load is 44.5gr of Varget with a 150gr SST. I have found this load to be devastating on whitetails. However I have several friends who swear by the 165/168gr bullets of different makes. I have no doubt about the ability of these loads as well. But the 150’s have just worked so well for me, I can’t imagine changing.

Another amazing thing about the .308 is that it is the parent cartridge of the .243, .260, .7-08, .338 federal(which I love), and the .358 Winchester. All of which have been incredibly successful in their own right!

I have seen many discussions on here about the best caliber for hunting and I have to make a case for the .308 because it is available in a short barrel, short action, light rifle, or it can be in a 12lb M14 socom! It is also very popular in the long range precision crowd eventhough they have many other round to chose from these days in precision rifles. In the end, for me, after years of using magnum calibers that eventhough I respect and will still use in my arsenal, I can honestly say that if I could just have one, I could make a case for it to be the .308!

Thoughts? Similar experience?

.308 is ole faithful. If there’s a more consistent round at practical hunting ranges I don’t know about it.

How does a .308 compare to the 30.06 that I use now?

Good as it ever was

30-06 will push a little faster with a bit more recoil. Real world, not much different. 30-06 is a long action and .308 is the short action.

I think your really Smart
Imr4064 varget, rl15 .
Such a easy cartridge to develop loads for

My exact thoughts.

I was hoping that others would agree. Something about the .308 just seems easy and foolproof.

I like the 308 too. It’s my current everyday rifle, a 4# 13oz Kimber Mountain Ascent.

I prefer the short action in a bolt gun every time.

I've got the hunter pro and it's a fine rifle

One of the best whitetail rounds ever made IMO.

Agreed. Have shot many different caliber combinations, but the efficiency, accuracy, and terminal performance of the .308 IMO puts it at the top of the line for deer rifles. The 165 accubond with 44.5 grains of varget groups 1/2” at 200 yds in my tikka. Best groups I’ve ever gotten and had pass through on shoulders of buck at 275 yds a few weeks ago. Couldn’t ask for anything more.

308 for the win. Not the oldest, not the fastest, not the most powerful, not the flashiest... but year after year, decade after decade, there she is making memorable hunts and cleanly killing game.

I shoot 165 gamekings and 165 speer BTSPs at deer. At the range, my target rifle shoots 168 TMKs out to 1000 yds. My best group ever was 3 shots just a smidge under 2" at 600 yds.

Both my boys have Pro Hunters one in .300mag and the other in .308. I jumped on the ProHunter III deal at PSA the other day just because I couldn’t pass it up. Steyr makes an amazing rifle! Got to shoot it today and was amazed how it shot. Sent 3 different loads down it and all hit the same spot. Feels good when that happens at the range and makes life real simple!

Now I got big magnums I'll carry before the 308 but if I had to choose one cartridge to hunt or shoot competition for the rest of my life it would be 308
I wouldn't feel under gunned with anything in North America with 308 either.
And could shoot f-tr f class.its an awesome cartridge
Screw 270 ,screw creedmoors get a 308 it's the Jesus cartridge
Honestly years ago if you bought a 270 you was the guy who had no clue about rifles or cartridges.kinda like red necks buying savage rifles at Walmarks.dudnt know any better.lol
Y'all gotta get right.308 is the way
But seriously it's inherently accurate and best white tail cartridge there is
And being NATO military cartridge is big plus

No hate for the T65 here. The ONLY negative on the 308 is 180/200/220 bullets for Elk/moose etc. The 06 will push them faster. Remember the 308 replaced the 06 in Military service and yes as accurate as the 308 is(and it is!) The old aughtsix set those accuracy records first. If we pushed the 06 to 308 pressures its touching Hollands Super .30. Okay that's my contrary opinion....but I've NEVER been around a .308 that wouldn't shoot well including Walmarks rifles for $319.00

#308gang here too. Got a 30.06 too but rarely use it. .308 seems to do everything just as well and is a bit gentler

You boys are making me proud! Wasn’t sure if the response I would get on this one but clearly I have some like minded friends out there.

My Ruger M77 308 is my favorite.