308 Ammo

About .308 Winchester Ammo

Introduced by Winchester in 1952 and adopted by NATO as the 7.62x51mm standard cartridge in 1954, .308 Winchester is among the most produced and widely distributed centerfire rifle cartridges in history. It fires a .308-inch diameter bullet in weights ranging from 110 to 220 grains, with the 150 and 168 grain weights being the most popular for hunting and precision shooting respectively. Muzzle velocity runs from 2,600 fps with heavy 175gr match loads to over 3,000 fps with lightweight 110gr varmint loads, covering a wide spectrum of applications from a single chambering.

The cartridge's broad appeal comes from its combination of power, accuracy potential, manageable recoil, and near-universal rifle and ammunition availability. .308 Winchester is the benchmark against which most other short-action hunting and precision rifle cartridges are measured, and it has an unmatched depth of load development data, reloading components, and factory ammunition options. From budget steel-case range fodder to world-class match ammunition from Lapua and Black Hills, virtually every tier of ammunition quality is available in .308 Winchester.

What Is .308 Winchester Best For?

• Deer, elk, and big game hunting: A 150-165gr soft point or bonded load is a proven choice for whitetail deer, mule deer, and elk at distances out to 400 yards. The cartridge delivers adequate energy and bullet selection for virtually every North American big game animal.
• Precision and long-range target shooting: The 168gr Sierra MatchKing load became the gold standard for 600-yard F-Class and benchrest competition and remains one of the most accurate factory loads ever produced. The 175gr load extends competitive performance to 1,000 yards.
• Law enforcement and military: .308 Winchester and its 7.62x51mm NATO equivalent remain in widespread use by military and law enforcement precision teams worldwide, with an enormous base of rifles, suppressors, and support equipment chambered around the cartridge.
• Semi-automatic platforms: .308 Winchester is the dominant cartridge for AR-10 and SR-25 pattern rifles, the M1A, and other semi-automatic precision platforms. The combination of semi-auto capability and .30-caliber performance makes it a popular choice for precision rifle competition and defensive use.
• High-volume range training: The broad availability of budget-priced brass and steel-case .308 loads makes it one of the more economical centerfire rifle calibers to shoot at high volume.

Bullet Types Available

• FMJ / M80 Ball (147-150gr): The military-specification range load. Widely available and affordable for high-volume training. PMC, Federal American Eagle, and numerous surplus sources offer M80-specification loads.
• Soft Point (150-180gr): The standard hunting load for deer and elk. Remington Core-Lokt 150gr and Winchester Power Point are two of the best-selling hunting loads in this caliber.
• Polymer Tip / Bonded (150-180gr): Higher BC for flatter trajectory and consistent long-range expansion. Hornady ELD-X, Federal Trophy Bonded Tip, and Nosler AccuBond are top picks for hunters who shoot at extended distances.
• Open Tip Match / HPBT (168-175gr): The precision shooter's choice. Sierra MatchKing 168gr and 175gr, Hornady ELD Match 168gr, and Lapua Scenar-L 185gr are the benchmark match loads for .308 Winchester at 600-1,000 yards.
• Steel Case (147-154gr): The most affordable .308 option for high-volume range use. Wolf and Tula were the dominant suppliers before 2022 Russian import sanctions; non-Russian steel-case options continue to be available at lower cost than brass.
• Subsonic (175-220gr): Designed for use with suppressors. Heavy subsonic loads stay below the sound barrier for maximum sound reduction. Reliable cycling in gas-operated platforms requires an adjustable gas block or subsonic-specific tuning.

Rifles Chambered in .308 Winchester

.308 Winchester has been chambered in more production rifle models than virtually any other centerfire cartridge. Common bolt-action platforms include the Remington Model 700, Winchester Model 70, Tikka T3x, Savage 10/110, Browning X-Bolt, Ruger American and Hawkeye, Bergara B-14, and Christensen Arms Mesa. Semi-automatic options include the DPMS LR-308, Aero Precision M5, Springfield Armory M1A, Knight's Armament SR-25, and numerous other AR-10 pattern builds. If a manufacturer builds rifles, they almost certainly chamber at least one model in .308 Winchester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .308 Winchester the same as 7.62x51mm NATO?

.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO are closely related but not identical. They share the same bullet diameter and very similar case dimensions, but 7.62x51mm NATO is loaded to slightly lower pressure than commercial .308 Winchester. In practical terms, the two are functionally interchangeable for most civilian uses. Always verify your rifle's chamber markings and consult the manufacturer if you are uncertain.

How does .308 Winchester compare to 6.5 Creedmoor?

6.5 Creedmoor fires a smaller-diameter, higher-BC bullet with a flatter trajectory and less wind drift at distances beyond 600 yards. .308 Winchester delivers more muzzle energy with heavier bullet options and a deeper catalog of factory loads, rifles, and support equipment. For precision target shooting at 800 yards and beyond, 6.5 Creedmoor has a measurable ballistic advantage. For hunting large game, suppressor use, and shooters who want the broadest possible ecosystem of rifles and ammunition, .308 Winchester remains the more versatile choice.

What is the best .308 Winchester load for deer hunting?

For whitetail deer inside 300 yards, a 150-165gr soft point like the Remington Core-Lokt or Winchester Power Point is reliable, affordable, and proven over decades of use. For shots at longer distances or on larger-bodied deer, a 165-180gr bonded or polymer-tip load like the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip or Hornady ELD-X provides better BC and more consistent long-range expansion. For elk and larger game, a 180gr bonded bullet is the recommended minimum.

What is the best .308 Winchester load for 1,000-yard shooting?

The 175gr Sierra MatchKing is the most widely used 1,000-yard .308 load in competition and has been for decades. Federal Gold Medal Match 175gr and Black Hills 175gr Match are two of the most respected factory loads built around this bullet. For most shooters, Federal Gold Medal 175gr is the practical benchmark.

How much does .308 Winchester ammo cost per round?

Expect to pay roughly $0.65-$1.10/rd for standard FMJ and soft point loads, $1.25-$2.00/rd for premium hunting loads, and $1.50-$3.00+/rd for match-grade ammunition from Lapua, Black Hills, or Hornady. As one of the most produced centerfire rifle cartridges in the world, .308 Winchester is broadly available and competitively priced across all quality tiers. Buying in bulk reduces your per-round cost further.