308 ammo for Africa

[lcq]

Marius (Paw Print) uses hand loaded 130gr GS custom monometals running at 2900 and they flatten all plains game. You can't ask for a better recommendation. I was astounded that they could do a through and through on a bull eland

 

[ArmyGrunt]

I'm a Barnes TTSX guy..... They work!!!

180 gr TTSX had a clean pass through on all three of my PG shots. No one ran very far after getting hit.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

150grain accubonds in the 308 dropped everything my son shot in Namibia

 

[Buffalo1]

I've never hunted Africa with a gun per se. I have had to use a rifle on 2 bad bow shots. I used a British .303 on an eland and a .270 on a zebra. Dropped each animal with one shot.

When I had a Remington 600 Series .308 the 165Gr Sierra Gamekings (BTHP) killed every whitetail I shot. I also loaded this same bullet for buddies for their 30.06's - same results.

Based on my experiences with African plains game, I would not hesitate to use this bullet, if I could find the bullet in a factory ammo or a reload.

 

[curtism1234]

When I had a Remington 600 Series .308 the 165Gr Sierra Gamekings (BTHP) killed every whitetail I shot. I also loaded this same bullet for buddies for their 30.06's - same results.

Based on my experiences with African plains game, I would not hesitate to use this bullet, if I could find the bullet in a factory ammo or a reload.

Federal makes it. I have been using that load here at home the past few seasons on whitetails. It mushrooms perfectly and normally is found on the opposite hide. I would strongly prefer it complelty exit (I'm sure with the 30-06 it would). I think it's a good bullet for 200-250lb animals. Some people call it an elk bullet; it's a rather tough cup/core design. I would just be concerned about penetration on large game in a 308.

 

[John Telford]

Any 180 gn we’ll constructed bullet doing 2500 FPS is ok. I have used Sako Hammerheads with great success when I didn’t have time to load Noslers. I assume you are hunting Bushveld ie 150 m max? If not pack some 150grainers...

 

[shark_za]

You will know if your rifle likes 180gr bullets or not, I have seen .308 that don't.

If you only aim is to flatten the animal and bag the trophy then dropping down to 150gr premium bullets will do fine; I also assume you are not after Eland.
150gr Nosler Accubond or even the 150gr Federal Fusion would offer long MPB range and while it may damage meat up close you are not worried about that.

 

[James Adamson]

I shot a 308 using 165gr winchester ballistic tips last year in Namibia, very happy with the performance on the handful of animals I shot, biggest was a zebra. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

 

[archer36]

I've never hunted Africa with a gun per se. I have had to use a rifle on 2 bad bow shots. I used a British .303 on an eland and a .270 on a zebra. Dropped each animal with one shot.

When I had a Remington 600 Series .308 the 165Gr Sierra Gamekings (BTHP) killed every whitetail I shot. I also loaded this same bullet for buddies for their 30.06's - same results.

Based on my experiences with African plains game, I would not hesitate to use this bullet, if I could find the bullet in a factory ammo or a reload.

.303 on Eland and "dropped" with one shot? Must have been spine shots.

 

[BeeMaa]

Swift A-Frame, Barnes TTSX, Norma Oryx...etc
Get a box of each and stick with quality premium bullets.

Put the range time in to do the load development and continue to practice.
The good news is that even premium loaded ammo in 308WIN is still affordable.
Use the stuff that doesn't shoot the best for practice afterwards, then switch to cheaper target loads.

See what shoots best in your rifle and go with that.
What works for someone else may not work for you.

 

[BWH]

Barnes TTSX 165 gr.......