I am looking for suggestions on what factory ammo to use for a mule deer hunt in November. This will be my first hunting trip out West and I am used to using soft points for close range whitetail hunting in NY but I am open to using any type of bullet. My rifle is a Browning X-Bolt in 308. I was told to be prepared to shot out to about 350 yards so I will be looking for ammo that will fly and expand well out to that distance. I plan on testing at least 3 different loads to see what works the best. Thanks for the help!
Mule Deer Ammo Recommendations
- Thread starter christiejr123
- Start date
JimP
Administrator
Use whatever your rifle shoots best. If it is the round that you are now shooting, shoot that one.
For a 350 yard shot it is more on the person pulling the trigger than the ammo that is being shot.
For a 350 yard shot it is more on the person pulling the trigger than the ammo that is being shot.
gypsumreaper
Active Member
- Mar 13, 2014
- 308
- 0
Agreed with JimP, when hunters come into camp with me I don't worry as much about ammo they are shooting vs. their capabilities.
Personally I shoot a 270 with 150 grain hornady sst bullets hand loaded. I have had good success with these. Before that I just shot regular old Remington or Winchester 150 gr factory loads. I could shoot just as far with either but got into reloading myself and like to use my stuff now. I like the hornadys and if I had to would buy the hornady factory loads as wel
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Personally I shoot a 270 with 150 grain hornady sst bullets hand loaded. I have had good success with these. Before that I just shot regular old Remington or Winchester 150 gr factory loads. I could shoot just as far with either but got into reloading myself and like to use my stuff now. I like the hornadys and if I had to would buy the hornady factory loads as wel
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you are looking for more new loads to try, besides whats been mentioned, Federal Fusion is affordable bonded bullet ammo, Hornady's regular inter lock design is good, Rem core-lokt is a fav, all are excellent, as are many others. You might want to shoot what you use now at 200-300 and see, it may be fine. If not, pick 2-3 more flavors and one should do it. Don't just trust a 100 yard group, stretch it out to at least 200 and better 300, to be sure.
I use the same bullet/loads for MD and WT. Hit em right and down they go. You might want to consider a bi-pod or shooting rest/sticks, if you don't have any. They help. If you carry a tripod for glassing, they work well for shooting rests too. Just hope this winter does not come with a bad kill...
I use the same bullet/loads for MD and WT. Hit em right and down they go. You might want to consider a bi-pod or shooting rest/sticks, if you don't have any. They help. If you carry a tripod for glassing, they work well for shooting rests too. Just hope this winter does not come with a bad kill...
The Nosler Accubond is a great premium bullet I've used on a lot of deer at a lot of angles. I love their on game performance and that they hold together for tough shot angles. They have a high enough BC to help on the longer shots too.
I have a box of Hornady Superformance loaded with the 150gr SST bullet to try in my wife's 308 also. They claim a velocity of 3000fps from a 24" barrel, so that might be a good choice also. I don't have much experience with the SST bullet, the only ones I have shot are from a 7.62x39 carbine and they expanded very rapidly, more like a varmint bullet than a game bullet. I'd expect these to be tougher.
A quick look at Hornady's ballistic calculator on their site running standard 308 ammo claiming 2800fps shows with the gun 2.5" high at 100yds you are looking at nearly a foot of drop at 350yds. That velocity might not match your rifle, it's usually optimistic especially if your barrel is shorter than 24". You should practice with your rifle out to as far as you will shoot with the ammo you chose to make sure of your actual drop.
I have a box of Hornady Superformance loaded with the 150gr SST bullet to try in my wife's 308 also. They claim a velocity of 3000fps from a 24" barrel, so that might be a good choice also. I don't have much experience with the SST bullet, the only ones I have shot are from a 7.62x39 carbine and they expanded very rapidly, more like a varmint bullet than a game bullet. I'd expect these to be tougher.
A quick look at Hornady's ballistic calculator on their site running standard 308 ammo claiming 2800fps shows with the gun 2.5" high at 100yds you are looking at nearly a foot of drop at 350yds. That velocity might not match your rifle, it's usually optimistic especially if your barrel is shorter than 24". You should practice with your rifle out to as far as you will shoot with the ammo you chose to make sure of your actual drop.
JimP
Administrator
One thing about a mule deer is that they are no harder to kill than a whitetail, even at longer ranges.
I used cup and core bullets for a long time before I switched over to some premium bullets but the deer that I shot with those old bullets were just as dead as if I had shot them with the more expensive bullets.
I used cup and core bullets for a long time before I switched over to some premium bullets but the deer that I shot with those old bullets were just as dead as if I had shot them with the more expensive bullets.
HiMtnHnter
Active Member
Mule deer don't take anything special to knock over. Any well constructed bullet that shoots well out of your rifle will do.
RICMIC
Veteran member
I agree with the advice to use what shoots best in your rifle. In my experience, I find that most eastern hunters who hunt deer and elk out west just don't do enough shooting before they go on a trip towards the setting sun. I have recruited and brought along about 20 other hunters through the years, and it's like pulling teeth to get them to expend some ammo and to go through the drills to improve your skills. Mule deer are generally bigger bodied that white-tails, but the 5 I have shot were all DRT with either a 300 WM or a 30-06 (130-263 yards). I used premium bullets at $30+ a box, then reloaded a variety of Barnes TTSX, shot a lot, and finally found that the cheap Federal Core-lokt 165 grain for my 30-06 outshoots everything. I found them on sale, with a $5 rebate ($14), and bought a lifetime supply. So far they have pasted 3 mulies and 5 white-tails. It helps that I have a 200 yard range on my property.
I've never used anything other than standard $29 factory loads to shoot antelope, mule deer or elk in over 40 years of hunting. The premium ammo that goes for $40-$60 for my rifle are totally unnecessary, the animals never knew the difference.
Whatever ammo you use for whitetails is good enough for mule deer.
Whatever ammo you use for whitetails is good enough for mule deer.
xtreme
Very Active Member
Test I have read always show Remington Cor-loks as the number one lethal bullet. Past experience prove them to work for me. If they were $50.00 a box they would sell out. That said, I shoot Berger. When I used nine mule deer points, I used Berger in the unlikely chance I needed to go to 600 yds. Turns out to be a 200 yd shot. Any bullet would have been fine. Like JimP said, shoot what your gun likes. BTW I am looking for A Remington Cor-lok deal like RICMIC found.
Eberle
Veteran member
wy-tex
Veteran member
I have been using core lokt 165 gr in my 300 wsm for years, as well as Speer grand slams. Big mule deer bucks are larger framed than our whitetails but not as big as some farm land whitetails. Well placed shot is the key. 150 gr bullets will shoot flatter through that 308 but the drop off is still pretty great.Practice your shooting. These wide open spaces are deceiving to some shooters. Any of your deer loads will be fine, but like the above advice shoot out to 350 yards in practice.
Slugz
Veteran member
All solid advice already given...that being said. Rather than be over concerned with ammo.....come up with a good practice/shooting program.
Spend all year shooting with what you are going to be hunting with.....ie. shoot off your bipod, sticks or backpack. Stay away from the range bench. Do push ups and situps to get your heart rate up then shoot. Practice controlling your breathing......and lastly and most important be an honest broker when determining your max shot distance. Most people dont have the ability to practice 400+ yard shots all year.
Spend all year shooting with what you are going to be hunting with.....ie. shoot off your bipod, sticks or backpack. Stay away from the range bench. Do push ups and situps to get your heart rate up then shoot. Practice controlling your breathing......and lastly and most important be an honest broker when determining your max shot distance. Most people dont have the ability to practice 400+ yard shots all year.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I agree with most in that it doesn't take special ammo to dispatch a mule deer. Here is a relatively cheap factory load that is using a great Hornady bullet. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiClan7hLjRAhXF1IMKHbWdD8cQFggaMAA&url=https://www.midwayusa.com/product/218202/hornady-american-whitetail-ammunition-308-winchester-150-grain-interlock-spire-point-box-of-20&usg=AFQjCNFtVbOWKUKABswRLz1nImLC7jVBjA&sig2=UIXevb_ExEPPA_BdF7M2qQ
In my guiding experience I found that many eastern hunters weren't aware of the term MPBR (Maximum Point Blank Range). The concept is to sight your rifle in at a distance that allows you to be able to hold dead on and hit within the vitals at the maximum range possible for your intended game. In a 308, that sight in distance should be around 260 yards. The flight path of the bullet will stay within a deer's vitals from zero to 300 yards. For 350 yards, you would need to adjust hold to slightly over top of back as you will have 10-11" of drop. Here is a link to a ballistics calculator that is fun to play with. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiBkLWuhbjRAhWl7IMKHc6XBEoQFggaMAA&url=http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator&usg=AFQjCNFxO8mJ9LuR1edsag0O1o1k22YIIA&sig2=FMb3QEWPPVsGbleNC_rkoQ
I encourage you to shoot a lot in the field to confirm what the charts tell you. I also encourage you to plug in different elevations and temperatures so you can see the effects of changing from sea level to 8500' in elevation as well as 70 degrees to 20 degrees. Wish you good luck on your hunt and hope you post pics and tell the story afterwards.
In my guiding experience I found that many eastern hunters weren't aware of the term MPBR (Maximum Point Blank Range). The concept is to sight your rifle in at a distance that allows you to be able to hold dead on and hit within the vitals at the maximum range possible for your intended game. In a 308, that sight in distance should be around 260 yards. The flight path of the bullet will stay within a deer's vitals from zero to 300 yards. For 350 yards, you would need to adjust hold to slightly over top of back as you will have 10-11" of drop. Here is a link to a ballistics calculator that is fun to play with. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiBkLWuhbjRAhWl7IMKHc6XBEoQFggaMAA&url=http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator&usg=AFQjCNFxO8mJ9LuR1edsag0O1o1k22YIIA&sig2=FMb3QEWPPVsGbleNC_rkoQ
I encourage you to shoot a lot in the field to confirm what the charts tell you. I also encourage you to plug in different elevations and temperatures so you can see the effects of changing from sea level to 8500' in elevation as well as 70 degrees to 20 degrees. Wish you good luck on your hunt and hope you post pics and tell the story afterwards.
I never really liked the MPBR range personally. I know it works for most and I am guessing by your numbers you're figuring +/- 4" as being within the vitals. I just never liked having a full 4" of midrange rise on my bullet. I think it's because when I was using one rifle for everything when I was younger I shot over to many coyotes in the 150yd range with that much rise and not enough adjustment in my holds. I changed my zero to never have more than about 2.8" of midrange rise and have stuck pretty close to that since on scopes without a range turret or a ballistic reticle. Also I had times I was trying to shoot through a small hole in the brush in the 100 to 200yd range and worried about hitting limbs. Like I said, it's just a personal deal for me. It makes sense for big game and fits a lot of people's open country hunting very well. Shooting a lot everyone finds what works for them.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Completely understand your stance. I went with about 3" as I like to recommend people stay in a 6" circle for deer. I recommend it especially for hunters who aren't used to shooting out west as it eliminates the need to adjust hold until an animal is about out of average hunters range. Going through the process also teaches people a lot about their individual rifles trajectory. I do however realize it isn't for everyone, especially with the different BDC and turret systems out there.
RICMIC
Veteran member
We're pretty much preaching to the choir here, but many easterners don't quite accept that their experiences need an upgrade for a western hunt. In the big woods of NE MN, our shots are seldom even 100 yds. (my deer this year was 20 yds.), and you are sitting quietly in a tree, not winded, no altitude issues, a good brace, lots of time, etc. Military experience is a huge plus, army or USMC, or navy SEALS anyway. Every guy I have taken out west I have tried to get out to do some range time with some real word practice, but the "pie plate mentality" still prevails. And it showed.
I agree with the other members advice here. See how well your existing bullets shoot and group, especially out to 200 yards. I shoot a Browning A Bolt 270 and the best ammo group's were Federal Classic or Premium loads. Also shot some custom loads with Nosler partitions and they grouped real tight @ 200 yards but ran out of them and never could get the recipe to reload. Hornady, Winchester and Remington brands don't group as well as the Federals so that's why I suggest trying several brands 150/165 is plenty . Good Luck
Hilltop
Veteran member
I would take issue that Hornady, Winchester, and Remington don't group as well as Federals. It really depends on what ammunition shoots best in each gun. I had one gun that grouped Remington Core Lock factory ammo better than anything else I tried. I was getting 1.5" groups at 300 yards...still the best group I have ever shot. My current rifle shoots Hornady 165s better than any other factory ammo.