.308WIN: effectiveness of MHPBTs

[haliaetus]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some insight with regards to expansion charicteristics of a 168gr. Match Hollow Point Boattail projectile out of a .308win platform. Specifically, I ask because I would like to hunt whitetail with my Savage 10FLP .308 rifle, and I know it shoots that type of projectile much more consistently than any of the off-the-shelf hunting fodder that I have tried at or below the pricepoint of the target ammo I have the rifle dialed in for. I'd prefer not to try weeding through the various premium hunting loads, if the load I currently shoot would be effective. It is a hollow point, but does it perform well on game? I've no idea.

Oh, and I don't reload.

Thanks,
Ben

[charles p]

Most questions of this type are addressed in the bullet manufacturers web site.  

I feel like you should have no problem finding a bullet to do the accuracy job, especially one of the many with the polymer tips, etc.

[shot1]

Most bullet manufactures like Sierra state it this way. "Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting applications."

The match bullets are made to do one thing and that is to shoot very accurate and punch a hole in a target. If they are used on game and IF THEY OPEN UP they are devastating. That IF is a big one. Sometimes they open up and some times they don't and when they don't you better be a good tracker because a deer can go a loooooooooog way with just a small hole punched through their lungs. Been there and done that and got the T-shirt.

The exception to this is with the Hornady 168 gr A-MAX  Match bullet. They do recommend it for use on thin skin game like deer. The Plastic Tip on these bullet makes them expand by it being shoved back into the bullet core. They have a thin jacket and really come apart at closer ranges but at long range 200 yards and out they do stay together better. If you just had to hunt with a factory match load this would be the one.

I would suggest that you get you some ammo loaded with 165 gr Nosler ballistic tips for game. Most deer are killed inside 100 yards and you don't have to have something that shoots into the same hole to kill a deer in those ranges.  I am sure that these bullets will shoot well enough at most any distance that you will want to try on deer and close enough to your zero with your match loads that you will not have to change things much. 

[nomosendero]

You did not say which brand ? Berger has pure Match bullets & Hunting VLD bullets which are equally suited for Match & Hunting.

 www.bergerbullets.com   go to hunting bullets

[chutesnreloads]

You mentioned premium bullets.You don't need premium bullets from a .308 to kill deer.Ditto what the other posters said about match bullets.That's not what they're made for.

[simplicity]

 haliaetus  I kinda am in the same boat but in a slightly different way (just because I hand load) I have a rem. 700 vtr in a bell & carlson stock that I have found only shoots three bullet weights well 110' 168's and 175's. My rifle will not shoots 150's or 165's to beat hell but a 168 shoots under .5 moa all the time. I ended up going with the berger vld 168's and they shoot very well. The down fall to this is no one factory loads this bulllet. I have not tryed the combined technologys 168 yet but the good news is winchester factory loads it in their surpreme line up and is pretty easy to find. If I had to just shoot factory ammo and needed a good load with that weight of bullet I think the winchester surpreme is gonna be your best bet, they just ain't cheap.