308 Ammo

Overview of .308 Winchester Ammo

Introduced by Winchester in 1952 and adopted by NATO as 7.62x51mm in 1954, .308 Winchester is one of the most versatile and widely used rifle cartridges in the world. It fires a .308-inch diameter bullet in weights from 110 to 220 grains, covering everything from high-volume range training to precision competition to deer and elk hunting from the same short-action platform. More factory load options, more rifle platforms, and more published load data exist for .308 Win than for virtually any other centerfire rifle cartridge.

One important distinction for buyers: .308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO are closely related but not identical. .308 Winchester is loaded to slightly higher pressure. Rifles marked 7.62x51mm NATO will safely fire both. Rifles marked .308 Winchester only should use commercial .308 ammo. For a deeper look at the differences, see our guide to buying .308 range ammo in bulk.

Popular .308 Winchester Brands We Carry

• Federal .308 Ammo: including American Eagle 150gr FMJ for range training and Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 168gr and 175gr for precision shooting
• PMC .308 Ammo: 147gr FMJ-BT and 150gr soft point in bulk quantities at competitive per-round pricing
• Hornady .308 Ammo: including ELD-X hunting loads and ELD Match for long-range precision
• Black Hills .308 Ammo: 175gr OTM match loads used by military precision teams and competitive shooters
• Sellier and Bellot .308 Ammo: reliable brass-case FMJ at value pricing for high-volume range use

Best .308 Winchester Ammo for Specific Uses

Why Buy .308 Ammo from BulkMunitions?

• In stock and ready to ship. We only list ammunition that is physically in our warehouse. No backorders.
• Next-business-day shipping from our Knoxville, TN warehouse on orders placed before our daily cutoff.
• Bulk pricing on top brands. The more you buy, the lower your cost per round. Case quantities deliver the best per-round price on every load we carry.
• We tithe 10% of profits to Christian-based, 2A-supporting organizations every quarter, and our customers vote on where it goes.

.308 Winchester Ballistics Chart

The tables below show how popular .308 Winchester loads compare out to 1,000 yards. Heavier match bullets with higher ballistic coefficients hold velocity and resist wind drift far better at long range.

Loads compared:

• 150gr FMJ: Federal American Eagle 150gr FMJ, 2,820 fps
• 150gr SP: Federal Power-Shok 150gr soft point, 2,820 fps
• 168gr Match: Federal Gold Medal 168gr Sierra MatchKing, 2,650 fps
• 175gr Match: Federal Gold Medal 175gr Sierra MatchKing, 2,600 fps

Velocity (fps)

Energy (ft-lbs)

Bullet Drop (inches, 100-yard zero)

Wind Drift (inches, 10 mph crosswind)

Calculated from each manufacturer's published muzzle velocity and G1 ballistic coefficient, standard atmosphere, 1.5-inch sight height, 100-yard zero, 10 mph full-value crosswind. Velocities come from manufacturer test barrels. Your rifle, barrel length, and conditions will change these numbers, so always confirm your own data at the range.

For side-by-side comparisons, see 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .308 Winchester the same as 7.62x51mm NATO?

.308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO share the same bullet diameter and very similar case dimensions but are not identical. .308 Winchester is loaded to slightly higher pressure. Rifles marked 7.62x51mm NATO will safely fire both cartridges. Rifles marked .308 Winchester only should use commercial .308 ammo. For practical civilian use the two are functionally interchangeable in most modern platforms, but always verify your chamber markings.

What is the best .308 load for deer hunting?

A 150-165gr soft point or bonded load is the most practical choice for whitetail deer inside 300 yards. PMC 150gr soft point is one of our most popular hunting loads and is available in 800-round cases. For elk and larger game, a 165-180gr bonded bullet provides the penetration needed for clean kills through heavy muscle and bone. Browse our full selection of rifle ammo for additional hunting calibers.

What is the best .308 match load for long-range shooting?

Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 168gr is the benchmark competition load at 600 yards. For 1,000 yards, the Federal Gold Medal 175gr Sierra MatchKing and Black Hills 175gr OTM are the most widely used loads in precision rifle competition. The 175gr bullet retains more velocity past 800 yards than the 168gr, making it the preferred choice at extended distances.

Related reading: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Win Ammo