Last updated September 2026 · By Nick Hall, .308 shooter who has run hunting, home defense, and range ammo through bolt and semi rifles
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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Quick Answer: 308 hunting ammo in 2026 for whitetail, elk, and most North American big game. The 178 gr ELD-X bullet delivers high ballistic coefficient, controlled expansion, and 1 MOA accuracy in most factory rifles. Best premium hunting load: Federal Premium Barnes TSX 168 gr for shooters who want a monolithic copper bullet with deep penetration on tough game.
308 load: Speer Gold Dot 150 gr in a short-barrel rifle. Best match load: Black Hills 168 gr or 175 gr Tipped MatchKing for sub-MOA at 600 yards.
The biggest mistake .308 buyers make is sighting in with cheap range ammo and hunting with premium loads, since point of impact can shift 2 to 4 inches at 100 yards between bullet weights. Always confirm zero with your hunting load. Every round on this list was velocity-chronographed and accuracy-tested before ranking.
Trying to pick a cartridge first? Our .308 vs .30-06 comparison weighs ballistics, recoil, rifles and cost.
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
The Big Winners, at a Glance
Federal Premium Barnes Triple Shok is our tip for the best 308 ammo if you’re going hunting. But if you want something a little more tactical, or cheaper FMJ for the range, we have those too.
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Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection |
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Hornady Precision Hunter |
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Black Hills Tipped Matchking |
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PMC Bronze |
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Why .308 Winchester Still Earns Its Place
308 Winchester is the world’s favorite hunting round and the 7.62×51 military equivalent is still pretty damned popular, too. So the best 308 ammo is a big subject.
Military and police snipers love 308 Winchester up to 500 yards and Designated Marksman Rifles, semi-auto battle rifles chambered in this tougher round, are common now.’
Winchester Ammunition saw the potential for a civilian version of this chopped down, user friendly version of the 30-06 Springfield and brought us 308 Winchester ammo in 1952. It’s come a long way since then.
But what is the best 308 ammo for hog hunting, big game hunting or even people?
Firstly, if you’re looking for bulk deals and big savings, try these links first:
- Firearms Depot – Bulk 308 ammunition deals.
- Palmetto State Armory – Bulk deals and constant ammo deals.
Here are our picks for the best 308 Winchester ammo for sale in 2023.
Table of Contents
.308 Ammo Deals Right Now
On-sale 308 from 200+ retailers · Updated every 4 hours
What SAAMI Actually Specifies for .308 Winchester
Every guide to this cartridge argues about pressure and twist. These are the numbers the standard itself carries. They come out of the SAAMI centerfire rifle standard, Z299.4, which is the document American ammunition is actually built to.
| Specification | .308 Winchester | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 62,000 psi | The ceiling every commercial .308 load is built under |
| Standard barrel twist | 1:12 right hand, 4 groove | What a factory .308 is assumed to have |
| Cartridge overall length | 2.490 in min to 2.810 in max | Anything longer will not feed from a box magazine |
| Case length | 1.630 in to 1.640 in | Trim to this if you reload |
| 7.62×51 NATO | Not in the standard | It is a military spec, so SAAMI does not define it |
The twist number is the one that will cost you
SAAMI puts the standard .308 barrel at one turn in 12 inches. That is not an accident: it is the twist that stabilizes the 150 to 168 grain bullets this cartridge was built around, which is most of the list below. Spin them faster and nothing bad happens. Spin the heavy ones slower and they will not go to sleep.
🛑 Which is why the 200 grain subsonic further down this page is the one to think about before you buy a case of it. A bullet that heavy is long, and a long bullet at 1,030 feet per second is asking a lot of a 1:12 barrel. If your rifle came out of a factory with the standard twist and you want to shoot subsonic .308 through a can, buy one box and shoot it at paper at a hundred yards before you commit. Keyholing is obvious when you see it.
Everything else on this list, from the 147 grain PMC up to the 180 grain Core-Lokt, sits inside what a standard barrel handles comfortably.
1. Federal Premium Barnes TSX Triple Shok
- Bullet Type: Barnes HP
- Bullet weight: 165 grain
- Muzzle Velocity: 2,650fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2573 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Best 308 Ammo For Hunting
| Price | Terminal Ballistics | Range | Expansion | Prestige |
| 2/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Pros
- Monolithic copper holds together on bone
- Deep straight penetration on elk
- Lead-free where regulations require it
Cons
- Costs more than lead bullets
- Needs velocity to open reliably
- Overkill for whitetail up close
Federal Premium Barnes TSX Triple Shok might not be your every day ammo, but it is pretty much the best for al all round hunter and, as a consequence, tactical round.
Loaded into your trusty 308 bolt action rifle, or semi-automatic rifle, this high price, all copper jacketed hollow point should drop North American big game as effectively as anything here.
Have some mags loaded up for your 308 battle rifle and you have a potent weapon indeed for self defense and a very serious gunfight. It’s not just for picking off large sized game animals at 500 yards, or deer hunting, although it does both really well.
This 165 grain open tip bullet really could be the best 308 Winchester ammo for your centerfire rifle. With good shot placement, you’re good to go with almost all big game hunting.
All Copper, Rifled Design
The lead free design means this 308 Winchester ammunition retains 100% of its weight. Combined with literal cutting edge JHP tech and a deep point makes for massive expansion and a huge wound cavity.
That Barnes TSX bullet has been called the deadliest hunting round in the world in a variety of calibers. Mated to a Federal Premium brass case, you really cannot go wrong with this round.
I mean it will overpenetrate if you live in an apartment block, but apart from that it is arguably the ultimate hunting and tactical round. This is high price, high spec 308 Win ammunition.
Get some, try it out and then buy more. The price will hurt a little, but the performance is incredible and it will make your 308 rifle that little bit better.
Also check out other Federal Premium options, including the Trophy Bonded Tip match ammo.
2. Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection
Worth saying up front: this one is hard to find. The .308 Gold Dot is a law-enforcement line and civilian stock comes and goes, so the pricing card below may show nothing on any given day. It is on the list because it is the right round, not because it is easy to buy.
- Bullet Type: 150 grain Soft Points
- Muzzle Velocity: 2820fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2648 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Best for Tactical Use
| Price | Terminal Ballistics | Range | Expansion | Prestige |
| 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Pros
- Bonded core resists jacket separation
- Law enforcement pedigree behind it
- Reliable expansion from short barrels
Cons
- 🛑 Civilian stock comes and goes
- The card may show nothing
- Priced above plain soft points
Law enforcement, the Feds, just about anybody that legitimately uses 308 ammunition to off people in the line of duty rely on Speer Personal Protection.
Designed to FBI spec so it goes through barriers like windscreens and drywall with minimal deflection.
This Nickel plated brass bonded soft point bullet is the industry standard for tactical engagement at long range and short. Things tend to be that way for a reason…
Due to the company’s Uni-Cor process where the jacket is bonded to the bullet one atom at a time. So core jacket separation just doesn’t happen and the high price bullet maintains its trajectory through common barriers without veering off course.
The police largely think this is the best 308 Winchester ammo, especially in a semi-automatic rifle. On the right day, in the right circumstances, they are absolutely right for your centerfire rifle.
3. Hornady Precision Hunter
- Bullet Type: ELD-X
- Bullet Weight: 178 grain
- Muzzle Velocity: 2600fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2672 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Best 308 Ammo for Deer Hunting
| Price | Terminal Ballistics | Range | Expansion | Prestige |
| 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Pros
- High BC holds energy downrange
- Heavy for caliber, deep penetration
- Tip resists heat deformation
Cons
- 178gr asks more of twist
- Slower muzzle velocity than lighter loads
- Not a budget practice round
Horrnady Precision Hunter is a solid comprpmise of price, performance and range in one compelling package.
Hornady Match ammo, Hornady American White Tail and Critical Defense are all great bullets as well. They make everything for competitive shooting through to hunting big game hunting, too. But we think the Hornady Precision Hunter is the best ammo for deer hunting.
4. Black Hills Tipped MatchKing
- Bullet Type: Open Tip Match
- Weight: 175 grain
- Velocity: 2626fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2648 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Best for Competition Shooting
| Price | Terminal Ballistics | Range | Expansion | Prestige |
| 1/5 | 2.5/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Pros
- Match accuracy straight from the box
- 175gr carries well past 600
- Consistent from lot to lot
Cons
- Match hollow point, not hunting
- Expensive per round
- Hard to find in bulk
This is one of those companies with near God tier status, thanks to the likes of the Honeybadger FTM AAC Blackout ammo, 9mm ammo and a slavish devotion to excellence.
Here the company’s Gold level casings and coatings work with a 175 grain Sierra Matchking Hollow Point. for the best target shooting ammo.
It is an intriguing choice for our favorite match grade 308 Win ammo. But with the polymer tip designed for ultimate flat shooting and long range, this enhanced 175 grain Sierra Matchking bullet easily outperforms most 175 grain Sierra Matchking FMJ 308 Winchester.
That 175 grain HPBT ballistic tip really isn’t designed for ultimate expansion, it is an open tip match cartridge, not a hunting bullet. But a simple JHP allowed for a super sharp polymer tip and a streamlined 175 grain HPBT 308 Winchester cartridge for long range target shooting.
The sharp acetyl resin tip helped create FMJBT 308 Win ammo. A super flat trajectory, minimal bullet drop and total repeatability are company calling cards, which is what you need in a rifle cartridge for top level shooting sports and target shooting.
We look forward to trying this tech in a wide range of rifle calibers.
Check out Trophy Bonded Tip ammo from Federal and Nosler, and you can also get Federal Gold Medal ammo with the Sierra Matchking business end. So have a look at the Gold Medal ammo if you need target shooting options.
5. Remington Core Lokt
- Regular price per round: $1.87
- Bullet Type: 180 grain Soft Points HP
- Velocity: 2640fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2785 lb/ft
A Great Balance of Performance and Price
Pros
- Sixty years of deer season proof
- Reliable expansion at ordinary ranges
- Widely stocked and affordable
Cons
- Plain profile drops fast far out
- No bonding or polymer tip
- Accuracy trails the match loads
Remington Core Lokt is a soft tip hollow point that has evolved over more than 80 years. That’s how long the Remington Core Lokt has been out there in some form or another, althuough it used to be more basic.
Now there’s nothing particularly unique. But these lead core hunting rounds are a solid compromise of performance vs price.
Remington claims the Core Lokt is the original controlled expansion cartridge and it was the best ammo for deer hunting. It’s fast, opens up relatively quickly and this is important in your hunting ammo when you’re going after slim chested American Whitetail.
This relatively light and fast moving ammo is some of the best ammo for deer hunting. So don’t forget about the good old lead Core Lokt.
6. PMC Bronze 308 Win Ammunition
- Bullet Type: 147 grain FMJ
- Muzzle Velocity: 2780fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2522 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Best for Target Shooting at the Range
| Price | Terminal Performance | Range | Expansion | Prestige |
| 4.5/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 | 1.5/5 |
Pros
- Cheapest way to shoot real volume
- Clean burning and consistent
- Brass cases worth saving
Cons
- FMJ, so no hunting use
- Accuracy is adequate, not match
- 147gr is light for .308
You can take PMC Bronze 308 Win ammunition hunting, but really this 147 grain FMJ is for the range. It’s the civilian version of M80 FMJ rifle ammunition and realistically there are more humane ways to harvest animals these days.
Still, this 147gr FMJ PMC 308 Win ammo is affordable, without getting into real cheap and dirty ammo. This PMC is kind to your rifle and is ideal for informal target shooting and just sending hundreds of rounds of FMJ BT PMC downrange when the mood strikes.
Mil-Spec 7.62×51 NATO Boat tail FMJ M80 NATO PMC X-TAC is slightly cheaper and the South Korean army love it. Soooo, yeah… We’re not entirely sure that’s the ringing endorsement you were looking for.
The FMJBT 308 Win ammo is manufactured in South Korea, and PMC X-TAC has gained a reputation for quality, dependable and cheap ammo. So it’s better than that initial backhanded compliment for this 147gr FMJ might suggest.
PMC X-TAC 147 grain M80 ball ammo gives slightly higher velocity and energy than the Bronze 308 Win ammunition. X-Tac Match ammo is also decent.
FMJBT tends not to drop off the same and is great for long range precision shooting with a centerfire rifle. But it isn’t designed for terminal performance when it gets there and isn’t meant for a kill shot. It’s all about the shot placement for target shooting.
Get that here and look out for 500 round bulk handgun ammo cans and other bulk ammo deals on Full Metal Jacket FMJ, and PMC X-TAC ammo.
7. Winchester Deer Season XP
- Bullet Type: Polymer Tipped HP
- Bullet Weight: 150 grain
- Muzzle Velocity: 2820fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2648 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Large tip drives rapid expansion
- Built specifically for whitetail
- Sensible price for a hunting load
Cons
- Rapid expansion limits deep penetration
- Too soft for elk shoulders
- Not a match accuracy load
Winchester USA Ammunition brought us the first civilian version of 7.62×51 NATO M80 ball, and it has never stopped working to improve upon that old school design.
This deer hunting ammo is a brass jacketed copper 150 grain hollow point with a plastic tip that ensures straight and true flight. On impact the Winchester Deer Season drives backwards into the round to create oversized expansion and massive energy transfer at the point of entry.
That creates organized chaos, and also a massive wound channel with the best weight retention for your rifle ammunition. Winchester Deer Season is some of the best ammo for deer hunting, at this price point anyway.
Polymer R&D has changed the ammo industry and the best hunting ammunition in particular has felt the benefits. So if you haven’t looked at this new bulk rifle ammo, then get some from WInchester USA and see what you’re missing out on.
Winchester Deer Season comes in a number of calibers and this one is aimed at American whitetail and black tail. But this rifle cartridge is tough enough to take down American game up to Elk. hunting and Black Bear. So all big game hunting really.
That’s almost as big as game gets and that has to make this some of the best ammo for deer hunting and the best all-round hunting load here.
8. Sig Sauer Elite Hunter
- Bullet Type: Hollow Point BT
- Weight: 165 grain
- Velocity: 2840fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2956 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Highest muzzle energy on this page
- Blemished stock direct saves money
- Boat tail helps downrange
Cons
- Newer name in hunting ammunition
- Distribution thinner than Federal
- Blem boxes look cosmetically rough
You can buy blemished ammo direct from Sig Sauer and make some serious savings.
The company makes ball ammo, too, but we like the open tipped hunter bullets, especially at this price. Sig produces quality target shooting ammo as well.
9. Federal Power Shok
- Bullet Type: Hollow Point Boat Tail
- Weight: 150 grain
- Velocity: 2820fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2648 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Honest hunting performance, low cost
- Widely stocked every season
- Enough bullet for hogs
Cons
- Basic bullet construction
- Groups trail the premium loads
- Not for long range work
Federal Power Shok is a great all round hunter for medium sized game hunting, hog hunting and white tail deer ammo.
There is newer, more expensive rounds of 308, but the 150 grain open tip Power Shok rifle ammunition works like gangbusters and is relatively cheap ammo for sale.
So if you’re not going black bear, mule deer or elk hunting, these hollow point boat tail rounds will probably do you just fine in your centerfire rifle.
10. Prvi Partizan SP
- Bullet Type: 150 grain Soft Point
- Velocity: 2805fps
- Muzzle Energy: 2620 lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Cheaper than domestic soft points
- Brass is reloadable
- Honest hunting accuracy
Cons
- Import supply can be erratic
- Quality varies more by lot
- Less published data than majors
Prvi Partizan is working its way in to the US scene nicely and we like this 150 grain soft point 308 Winchester cartridge a lot.
This Serbian manufacturer started out with bulk deals on budget ammo, and that is still its calling card. But Prvi Partizan is starting to impress with its match ammo for target shooting and its best hunting ammo.
Now this Prvi Partizan 150 grain soft point 308 Winchester cartridge is really the middle ground. This is a budget hunting round that is fine for varmint and critter hunting, or general shooting with rifle ammunition.
Depending on your ethical stance it’s OK to hunt medium game with this Prvi Partizan ammo, too, although we prefer to use hollowpoints for a faster, more humane exit from this world. Essentially it’s an open top 150 grain FMJ with a lead core that expands considerably, but haphazardly, on impact.
This is legit 308 Winchester hunting ammo, but technology has moved on and we kind of think we owe the animal hollowpoint rifle ammunition. Prvi Partizan can supply those, too, but this is great for recreational shooting.
11. Federal American Eagle 308 Winchester
- Type: 150 grain FMJ
- Velocity: 2820fps
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Bulk practice at a fair price
- Federal consistency in a cheap box
- Reloadable brass
Cons
- FMJ only, no hunting use
- Nothing special about accuracy
- Bulk pricing moves with demand
Federal American Eagle is one of those great bulk ammo deals for 150 grain FMJ bullets that are great for plinking and won’t spring any major surprises.
A bucket of this, or the 150 grain FMJ 7.62×51 NATO ammo, should keep you going for a while. It’s pretty easy to find big boxes of this entry level Federal 308 too.
How 308 Winchester Ammunition was born
Back in the 1940s the US military started to experiment with the .300 Savage cartridge. Frankford Arsenal created the T65 line of experimental cartridges that started out as 30-06 Springfield and provided similar ballistic performance.
Two years before NATO adopted the 7.62×51 NATO rifle ammunition round, Winchester spotted the opportunity and branded the T65 cartridge in 1952. It also produced Model 70, Model 88 and Model 100 rifles chambered for the new round.
It started with 150 grain FMJ, but Winchester and others have taken 308 to new heights in terms of energy, velocity and weight retention for lead core rifle ammunition.
The top hunting bullets you see today are a world away from that classic M80 mil spec ammo that is 70 years old and still going strong.
12. Sellier & Bellot Subsonic FMJ
- Type: 200 grain FMJ
- Muzzle velocity: 1030fps
- Muzzle Energy: 471lb/ft
- Primer Type: Boxer
Pros
- Genuinely quiet behind a suppressor
- Cheapest way into subsonic .308
- Heavy bullet, very low report
Cons
- 🛑 200gr may not stabilize
- 471 ft-lb is not hunting energy
- Will not cycle every gas gun
This 200 grain FMJ subsonic ammunition offers intriguing potential for running with a suppressor, where your 308 centerfire rifle will suddenly sound almost like a BB gun. Well, not, but it will be quieter.
It also gives you the chances to use this heavier grain Full Metal Jacket FMJ Sellier & Bellot as home defense ammo, thanks to the much reduced velocity and power. Now it’s still a niche choice, but this 200 grain FMJ ammo is finding a following.
Now this firm produces budget ammunition that you bulk buy, but there is some intriguing specialist ammo and custom competition 308 Winchester ammunition too.
13. Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing
- Bullet: 168gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP
- Muzzle velocity: 2,650 fps
- Muzzle energy: 2,620 ft-lb
- G1 ballistic coefficient: 0.462
Pros
- The benchmark .308 match load
- Published G1 BC of .462
- Consistent from lot to lot
Cons
- Match bullet, not for game
- Premium price per round
- 168gr fades past 800 yards
If you only ever buy one match load for a .308, this is it. Federal Gold Medal with the 168gr Sierra MatchKing has been the reference standard for factory precision ammunition for decades, and it is the load most rifles get tested against at the factory. Federal publishes 2,650 fps and a 0.462 G1 BC, which makes it the easiest load on this page to build a dope card around.
What you are paying for is consistency rather than headline velocity. Lot-to-lot spread is tighter than anything else at this price, and that is what actually produces small groups at distance. The 168gr goes transonic somewhere past 800 yards, so if your shooting lives beyond that the 175gr version of the same load is the better buy.
Best For: Precision rifle work, load development baselines, and anyone who wants a known quantity.
14. Hornady Match 168gr ELD Match
- Bullet: 168gr ELD Match
- Muzzle velocity: 2,700 fps from a 24 inch barrel
- Muzzle energy: 2,719 ft-lb
- Heat-resistant polymer tip
Pros
- Hornady publishes 24 inch test data
- Heat resistant tip holds shape
- Match accuracy at sane money
Cons
- Velocity quoted from 24 inch barrel
- Match bullet, not for game
- Short barrels lose meaningful speed
Hornady publishes 2,700 fps and 2,719 ft-lb from a 24 inch test barrel, so it runs a shade faster than the Federal for the same bullet weight. The ELD Match tip is the interesting part: it is a heat-resistant polymer designed not to deform from friction in flight, which is the failure Hornady identified in conventional tipped match bullets at long range.
In practice the two match loads shoot close enough that availability and price should decide it. Buy whichever your rifle likes and then buy the rest of that lot.
Best For: Long-range match shooting where you want a high-BC tipped bullet rather than a hollow point.
Honorable Mentions
This list could easily have gone to 25 bullets, but you might have got bored. Hell we might have got bored. So things like the Remingon Core Lokt polymer tipped 308 Winchester Ammunition probably belong here, along with Federal Non Typical and Hornady American White Tail rifle ammunition
Where to Bulk Buy Ammo Online
If you’re buying 147 grain FMJ 308 Win ammo, handgun ammo, 223 ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 10mm ammo, 45 Long Colt Ammo, rifle ammo, rimfire ammo & shotgun ammo, you often end up back at the same places.
So what are our inside tips for cheap ammunition deals and buying in bulk, especially high grain FMJ 308 Win ammo, 223 ammo and 12 gauge ammo?
Always look out for free shipping with rifle ammunition when you buy in bulk cheap 150 grain FMJBT. It’s more important than you think to get free shipping on bulk 308 win ammo purchases, because it’s heavy stuff when you’re looking at 500-1000 rounds of 178 grain FMJBT.
Best Places to Bulk Buy Ammo
Best Places to Bulk Buy Ammo
OK so we have shown you some of our favorite budget 308, and cheap 308 Winchester ammunition and the 7.62x51mm NATO rifle ammo the military still loves.
And the good stuff.
But what are the best places to buy bulk 308?
Here are our top picks.
Lucky Gunner
Lucky Gunner has a website straight from the 90s, but some of the best bulk 308 deals, and other calibers you’re likely to find.
If you burn through a lot of ammo then you should definitely check the ammo deals on Lucky Gunner. You’ll get big discounts on handgun ammo, 308 Winchester ammo, 339 Lapua Magnum ammo, hard to find ammunition and Lucky Gunner quite often throw in free shipping.
So if you’re deer hunting and need hunting bullets, you want custom competition 308 Winchester ammunition, or you want ammo for target practice, try Lucky Gunner for your rifle ammunition.
Check out their rifle ammunition, rimfire ammo, 45 ACP ammo, 44 Magnum ammo, gun cases, 12 gauge ammo and more.
Sportsman’s Guide
One of the biggest mainstream outdoors stores has really raised its game with ammunition of late. So if you want 7.52x51mm NATO ammo, bulk 308 ammo, custom competition 308 Winchester ammo, 357 Magnum ammo, 12 gauge ammo, 10mm ammo, S&W ammo, ammo cans, gun cases, 45 ACP ammunition etc.
Palmetto State Armory
Palmetto State Armory has a goldmine of guns, gun parts & accessories, 308 Winchester ammunition, other hunting bullets and more. Check the daily deals.
Organize the price low to high and you can uncover some real bargains with bulk 308 ammo for deer hunters, or something else.
Bullet Weights and Twist Rate
Most modern rifles will stabilize most modern bullets, but there’s no doubt that knowing how bullet weights and the twist rate of your barrel interact will help you make wiser choices when you buy ammo in bulk.
Heavier bullets ideally like a tighter twist rate. So know your rifle when you’re looking at rifle ammunition bullet weights and you will find they behave better at the extremes during target practice.
For the best .308 prices online and bulk buying strategies, see our complete guide to buying ammo online.
Which .308 Load for Which Game
Most .308 round-ups give you one undifferentiated hunting category. Game animals do not work like that. A 110gr varmint bullet that is perfect on coyotes is the wrong tool on an elk, and a bonded 180gr that drives through an elk shoulder will waste a lot of meat on a whitetail. This is the table I wish these guides came with.
| Quarry | Bullet weight | Construction | Pick from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varmints, coyote, predator | 110 to 130gr | Rapid expansion | Barnes-style all-copper at the light end |
| Whitetail deer | 150 to 165gr | Controlled expansion soft point or tipped | Remington Core-Lokt, Winchester Deer Season XP |
| Mule deer, larger deer at range | 165 to 178gr | High-BC tipped | Hornady Precision Hunter 178 ELD-X |
| Elk, black bear | 165 to 180gr | Bonded or monolithic, deep penetration | Federal Premium Barnes TSX |
| Wild hogs | 150 to 180gr | Tough bullet, shoulder-capable | Federal Power-Shok, Barnes TSX |
| Paper and steel | 168 to 175gr | Match hollow point or tipped match | Federal Gold Medal, Hornady ELD Match |
| High-volume practice | 145 to 150gr | FMJ | PMC Bronze, Federal American Eagle |
One rule that matters more than the table: use a bullet built for the impact velocity you will actually get. A tough bonded bullet needs speed to open. Shoot one into a deer at 400 yards out of a short barrel and it can pass straight through without doing much at all.
.308 Winchester vs 7.62×51 NATO: Not Quite the Same Thing
They share external dimensions and most rifles will chamber both, but they are not identical and the difference is worth two minutes of your time.
Here is the part that settles it: 7.62×51 NATO is not a SAAMI cartridge at all. Search the whole of SAAMI Z299.4 and it is not in there, because it is a military specification rather than a commercial one. SAAMI standardizes .308 Winchester and gives it a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi. The NATO round is measured to a different protocol entirely, so the two pressure figures people compare are not measured the same way and were never meant to be. The difference that actually reaches you is the chamber, not the ammunition. NATO chambers are cut with a longer headspace tolerance so they keep running when dirty. That means .308 in a 7.62 NATO chamber is the safe direction, while 7.62 NATO in a tight match .308 chamber is the combination to think about.
For practical purposes: if your rifle is stamped .308 Winchester, shoot either but check your manual. If it is stamped 7.62×51 NATO, shoot either. If it is a precision rifle with a tight match chamber, feed it the .308 commercial ammunition it was throated for. And never assume surplus 7.62 is loaded to a spec anyone has verified recently.
FAQ: .308 Winchester Ammo
What is the best .308 ammo for deer hunting?
Federal Premium Barnes TSX and Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X are the top .308 deer hunting loads. The Barnes TSX is all-copper with deep penetration and high weight retention. The Hornady ELD-X offers excellent long-range accuracy with controlled expansion. Both are proven performers on whitetail and mule deer.
What is the best .308 ammo for the range?
PMC Bronze 147gr FMJ and Federal American Eagle 150gr FMJ are the best .308 range ammo. Both are affordable, reliable, and accurate enough for general range work. PMC Bronze is slightly cheaper in bulk. For precision shooting, Black Hills 168gr Tipped MatchKing is the gold standard.
Is .308 good for home defense?
.308 Win is effective but overpowered for most home defense situations. The round will penetrate through multiple interior walls, creating a serious overpenetration risk. If you use a .308 for home defense, choose a soft point or ballistic tip that expands rapidly. For most people, a 9mm pistol, 5.56 AR-15, or 12 gauge shotgun is a better home defense choice.
What grain .308 ammo is best?
150 grain is the most versatile .308 bullet weight, suitable for deer, target shooting, and general use. 168 grain is ideal for precision and match shooting. 180 grain is best for large game like elk. For home defense, 150gr soft points offer the best balance of expansion and reduced penetration risk.
Is .308 the same as 7.62 NATO?
They are very similar but not identical. SAAMI gives .308 Winchester a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi. It does not define 7.62x51 NATO at all, because that is a military specification measured to its own protocol, so the two pressure numbers people set side by side are not comparable measurements in the first place. You can safely shoot 7.62 NATO in a .308 chamber. Shooting .308 commercial loads in a 7.62 NATO chamber is safe in modern rifles but technically exceeds the NATO spec. Most modern rifles handle both without issue.
How much does .308 ammo cost?
Budget .308 FMJ range ammo (PMC Bronze, Federal American Eagle) costs $0.70 to $1.00 per round. Mid-range hunting ammo (Remington Core-Lokt, Winchester Deer Season) runs $1.20 to $1.80 per round. Premium match and hunting ammo (Federal Barnes TSX, Black Hills) costs $2.00 to $3.00+ per round. Buying in bulk (200+ rounds) reduces the per-round cost significantly.
What is the best .308 ammo for hunting?
Premium controlled-expansion loads lead, with the Federal Premium Nosler Partition, Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X and Barnes TTSX all excellent for deer and elk. Match the bullet weight, 150 to 180 grains, to your game and range. The best load is the one your rifle groups well and that opens reliably on impact.
What is the best .308 ammo for home defense?
A bonded or controlled-expansion soft point or a quality hunting load is the safer choice over full metal jacket, which over-penetrates badly. That said, .308 is powerful for indoor use and will pass through walls, so many people choose a 5.56 carbine or a shotgun for home defense and reserve .308 for hunting and longer-range work.
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