Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles .308 winchester

Why? Why not? For some reason in my old age it is a cartridge that interests me. Just how good is this thing called a .308win?

Seems that with the 130gr TSX to Federals High Energy 180gr Nosler Partitions what can't it handle? All this magnum ,hyper velocity stuff and then you kill a bull or buck at 60yds.

Why not just use a .308 win? Lightweight, short action package.. Starting to think that it would kick some ass as an all round big gamer...? And don't even start with this 300yd BS...

I think the 308 Win is one of the most underrated cartridges out there.

That is my most-used caliber. I have others, but the .308 is the one I go to most. It can shoot as far as I can.

I generally load 150 or 165 grain bullets, mostly Interlocks. Bear in mind I am Whitetail deer hunting. I would go with premium bullets for bigger game.

If I know absolutely the range will not exceed a hundred yards or so, my .30-30 or 45/70 will get to go about 50% of the time.

I've hunted with a .308 since I got my first centerfire rifle in 1964. I've used it on deer, hogs, moose, elk, coyotes, etc. from 30 to 300 yards, and I've never felt as if I should have been using something else. My two sons started their big-game hunting with one, too, and have shot the same kinds of game with the same results. I've shot bullets from 150 to 180-grs., both premium and non-premium - all with good results. The .308 is accurate, versatile, and shootable - what's not to like? It may not be sexy but it works.

I recently got me a 308 Ruger compact as my primary deer rifle from now on(in theory). Havn't shot it yet, or even outfitted with a scope, but it just makes sense. Former 7mag and 30-06 user on deer with much success. Switching for a smaller rifle only.

You mean like this one?



Ironically, I used to use a 260 and 30-06 to hunt everything in Montana. And the two calibers I load and shoot most are 308 and 223. I have more than a few 308s between bull barrel tactical guns, M1A, HK91, and an FNFAL. Last January I decided I needed a 308 sporter to go along with them. The theory was, I didn't need to load ammo for another caliber that way. So for me it was more of a "Why Not" than a "Why"

I've done all my hunting this year with the Montana. It wears an FXII 4x Loopy (I don't play the insane yardage game either) Once deer season was close, I loaded up 50 sticks of Lapua brass with 165 Partitions instead of 168 SMKs. No suprises there, SUB-MOA and 2750 FPS. That'll kill anything in Montana that needs killin' Whole rifle, loaded with ammo and the Turner M1903 sling is right at 7 Lbs. Doesn't get much more simple...

Exceptin of course for the sling....grins

Dober

I totally concur and I would guess that 98% of the game taken by campfire members this fall could of easily been done with the lowly and underprivaledged 308...

Dober

.308 is boring as hell but but a kick arse cartridge. Easy to load for, super accurate and bullet selection is out of this world. Whats not to like.

Geez Mark, whats wrong with the sling? I admit, it is a little ironic that there's a 1 POUND sling on a 6 Lb gun. But I couldn't find a 1" Brownells Latigo sling before season started.

I also admit, if I'd had this many 308s sitting around back in 95, I never would've built a 6.5-08. Especially not when I usually have 1500-2500 rounds loaded for "The Kids"

You can't load any centerfire ammo cheaper than a 147 FMJ pull from HI-Tech, in once fired LC 308 brass, over 20# jugs of surplus 4895. Not even 223

Nothing's wrong with a 1 lb sling as long as you're carrying it and not me...grins

Seriously, it sounds like you're a leather man but I'd say buy a Uncle Mikes Mtn sling (3 oz with the swivels) and be on with it.

Personally I couldn't do the "Dolly sling".

Dober

I've got a couple Uncle Mikes slings, and I like them for what they are..

I guess its a throwback to my high-power days. You give me a loop and time to sit, and nothings safe inside of 400 yards. I tend to do a lot of "Ambush Hunting" Using a "Hasty Sling" just ain't the same for me.

Wife and I were out hunting today. We stayed put on a high mountain "Park" until the end of legal shooting light, AND THEN walked 2 1/2 miles back to the truck. We tripped over some Whitetails on the way out and one blew right next to her... I thought she was going to climb into my pocket I gave her crap all the way back to the truck too...

Whassat!!?? OH CRAP!!! A BOOGEYMAN!!

She smoked like a half a pack when we got back to the truck, and drank all the road-beer too

First year with a Montana in 308. Whats not to like. 150 hornady's for deer, 150 ttsx's for Elk. Fits, shoots, and carries great.

Heck, the .308 is a fine round - and 300 yards is no BS - it will do the job there just fine. Like the .30-06, it can readily handle the vast majority of hunting situations for the vast majority of hunters. I've been shooting one for years and it's just great!

Really easy to work up an accurate load too... Here's the results from two shots - sling supported prone - at three hundred yards from my .308 Win/Rem 700:



Regards, Guy

The only "problem" with the 308 is that it's so versatile that you have a hard time finding a reason to get a rifle in another caliber. My first and still main rifle is my M700 in 308 and this covers everything I hunt. Luckily, I decided I "needed" a varmint rifle too so now I have a 204 to help out with the light work. Now all I need is a big magnum, maybe 338 or 375 and I'll have everything covered.

While I really like the 308 these days and have had sweet K. Montana so chambered for a while now I still reach for the magnums when the ranges get longer.

I agree that the 308 could do it. I suppose!

Do not knock the .308 as a "past 300 yard" gun. yeah I know there are more suitable cartridges out there but....

One shot .308 mule deer kills past 300 yards,since 2000, off the top of my head:

2 at 598 yards w/ Tikka varmint
1 at 525 yards w/Savage heavy barrel
1 at 575 yards w/ Tikka varmint
1 at 398 yards w/Savage heavy barrel.

Somehow I always get the x98 shots.

The 398 yard shot was by far was the most interesting one I have ever taken on big game. It was a true head shot on a forkie bedded down. The 175 grain SMK entered just below the ear, right where it was supposed to. My partner was backing me with his 300 win precision rifle in case things did not go as planned. We had all the time in the world to laser him and do our cosine,as the buck was bedded, so we drug out the gear,shooting mats and even the sand bags. It all went like it should have, but we were prepared for things to go wrong.

I am a fan of the .308

Shag,
So does this mean when you get older yet, you will come to like the .270Win? Both really could be all-arounders.

Funny you say that. A while back Brad was selling a featherwight in 270. That is to date the only 270 i've ever wanted in a real abd way. And being a hugh featherweight fan IMO nothing screams .270 like a featherweight. If I ever own one it would only be in a fwt. Never in the last 27 yrs have I even considered a .270. Just the way it's been. Don't know why.

Some day I do hope to have one in a Stainless fwt.

A .308 in a Montana would be a beautiful thing!

That's a good lookin pic............547.