180gr round nose Core Lokt 308

[Purebred Redneck]

I wasn't too happy with the quality of Winchester 150 power points last year so I went with the big 180 round nose soft points this year.

I shot a doe at 40 yards and she ran over the ridge. Aiming at the shoulder, I was shocked she didn't collapse right there so I was afraid I hit a tree limb. I kept hunting and went after her a few hours later. It left a massive blood trail and she ran about 60 yards.

It hit her square in the shoulder & came out the neck. I could put my fist through the shoulder and it left an exit about the size of a quarter. With it hitting the big shoulder bone I would have thought there would be bullet fragments, but it showed no signs of slowing down. The tougher bullet might explain why she was able to run away - I'm not sure I like that as the whole point was to dump her right there and not spook the small woodlot very much.

One is a small sample size though; I guess the jury is still out.

Anyone use that load before?

[Jack]

Congrats on getting the doe.
I haven't used that load. I use 150's or 165's in my 308 - that seems the appropriate weight bullet for deer. If I were after something larger, like elk, I'd use 180's in a 308.
But, like you said, one kill isn't a sample that you can draw much from.

[dovehunter]

I use Sierra 150 gr. Game Kings for my son's 30-06. It's a spitzer boat-tail. He has dropped every deer he has shot with it right on the spot, from about 50 yds. out to 250 +/-. I think you can get that bullet in Federal Premium ammo for a 308. I have been using Sierra 175 gr. spitzers in my 8mm (which is 32 caliber) for years now and I don't recall any deer not dropping right on the spot. I used to use Hornady 150 gr. spitzers but found that they broke up really bad, even though deer would usually drop right on the spot.

[Jack]

I reload all my ammo, and reload for several of my hunting buddys, too. When Nosler came out with the Accubond bullet, I switched to that in 25-06, 270, 7mm-08, 7x57, 308 and 30-06. 110's in the 25-06, 130's in the 270, 140 in the 7's, and 150's in the 30 caliber.
So far we haven't recovered a bullet, and 90% of the time the deer has dropped on the spot. The Accubond is as accurate as the older Ballistic Tip, too. IMO, Nosler has accomplished the perfect deer bullet in the Accubond.
I don't hunt hogs, but some of the guys using my reloads do, and they report the same results with the Accubonds.
Red, if you can find factory ammo loaded with Accubonds, they'll work for you.

[Purebred Redneck]

I have a box of gamekings downstairs but haven't shot them since shots are relatively close where we hunt right now. 40 bucks a box seems silly when you don't need them; but I have heard great things about them.

I liked the appeal of the 180 round nose because 200 yards is the absolute max shot where we are and it seems to also be about the max distance for that bullet. I read a lot of reviews from people who hunt the north/northeast where they can kill a deer, bear, and moose --- they love that bullet.

As to the Accubonds in the 308, I'm not sure they are needed considering I still have a 7mm rem mag and would just assume use that if hunting out west where shots are long.