How do .308 whitetail loads differ?
.308 Winchester deer loads differ mainly in bullet construction — cup-and-core soft points, bonded soft points, and bonded polymer-tipped designs — and in bullet weight, usually 150, 165 or 175–180 grains. Construction decides how a bullet expands and whether it holds together through bone; weight trades velocity and flatter trajectory against momentum and penetration. Published muzzle energy across common deer weights is similar, so construction usually separates loads more than energy does.
This page compares named loads on attributes that can be checked against the manufacturer's published data, and lays out the criteria hunters apply. It does not rank them.
What are the specs of common .308 deer loads?
| Load (part no.) | Weight | Construction | Published muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy (computed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Core-Lokt PSP (27842) | 150gr | Cup-and-core soft point with mechanical jacket lock | 2,820 fps | about 2,650 ft-lbs |
| Federal Fusion (F308FS2) | 165gr | Bonded soft point (jacket electrochemically applied to core) | 2,700 fps | about 2,670 ft-lbs |
| Federal Terminal Ascent (P308TA1) | 175gr | Bonded, polymer-tipped, copper shank | 2,600 fps | about 2,630 ft-lbs |
Velocities are the manufacturers' published figures from their test barrels; energy is computed as weight × velocity² ÷ 450,400. The three loads sit within about 40 ft-lbs of each other at the muzzle, even though bullet weight spans 25 grains.
For trajectory and energy at distance across common .308 weights, see the .308 ballistics chart.
How do the bullet constructions differ?
Cup-and-core soft point (Remington Core-Lokt). A copper jacket over a lead core with an exposed lead nose. Core-Lokt, introduced in 1939, uses a jacket that is mechanically locked to the core to limit separation. Cup-and-core bullets expand readily and can shed some weight, which can mean more expansion at close range and less retained weight on heavy bone.
Bonded soft point (Federal Fusion). The jacket is bonded to the core so the two stay together. Bonded bullets typically retain more weight and penetrate deeper than cup-and-core designs, with somewhat more controlled expansion. Federal designed Fusion specifically for deer hunting.
Bonded polymer-tip (Federal Terminal Ascent). A bonded core, a polymer tip to start expansion, and a solid copper shank. Federal markets it for expansion across a wide range of impact velocities, including at long range, with a high ballistic coefficient for flatter trajectory and less wind drift.
Other loads in each family include Winchester Power-Point and Hornady InterLock (cup-and-core); Hornady American Whitetail (cup-and-core); Nosler AccuBond and Swift Scirocco (bonded polymer tip); and monolithic copper designs such as Barnes TTSX, which are required where lead ammunition is restricted.
How does bullet weight change .308 performance on deer?
150gr — The fastest of the three common weights, with the flattest trajectory of the group. Lighter bullets in a given construction tend to expand more readily at close range.
165gr — Between the other two on velocity and momentum. A common weight for deer-class game in .308.
175–180gr — The slowest at the muzzle but carrying the most momentum. Heavier bullets in a given construction tend to penetrate deeper, which some hunters prefer for larger-bodied deer, steep angles, or hunts where larger game is possible. High-BC designs at this weight can retain velocity well downrange.
More on how bullet weight works: What does grain mean?
What criteria do hunters apply to a deer load?
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| Expected shot distance | Impact velocity at your longest shot against the bullet's designed expansion range |
| Shot angle and bone | Weight retention — bonded designs hold together more consistently |
| Accuracy in your rifle | Group size from your rifle; factory loads vary rifle to rifle |
| Meat damage at close range | How readily the bullet expands at high impact velocity |
| Legal requirements | Your state's rules on expanding bullets and lead ammunition |
| Cost per round | Tracked prices — though a season's hunting uses few rounds |
The accuracy row is the one only the hunter can measure: confirm zero and group size with the exact load before the season.
What should not be used for deer hunting?
FMJ (full metal jacket). FMJ is designed not to expand. Many states require expanding bullets for big game, and a non-expanding bullet produces a small wound channel. See FMJ vs hollow point.
Match bullets (OTM/BTHP). Open-tip match bullets such as the Sierra MatchKing are designed for accuracy, not controlled expansion. Their terminal behavior on game is less predictable, and bullet makers sell them for target use.
Varmint bullets. Light, rapidly fragmenting designs are built for small animals; on deer-class game they may not penetrate adequately.
What if a specific load is unavailable?
Hunting ammunition availability often tightens ahead of deer seasons. Loads are comparable when they share construction type, bullet weight, and a similar published velocity. Examples within each family are listed above (for instance, Winchester Power-Point and Hornady InterLock alongside Core-Lokt). A different load can change point of impact, so a substitute needs a zero check before the hunt.
Compare current .308 soft point hunting ammo prices → | Search .308 150gr → | Search .308 165gr →
How much does .308 deer ammo cost?
Premium bonded and polymer-tipped hunting loads are priced well above cup-and-core soft points, and all three are priced above .308 FMJ practice ammunition. Deer hunting uses few rounds — the bulk goes to zeroing and confirming groups — so the per-season difference between loads is a function of how many boxes you shoot. Rather than freeze ranges that drift, see tracked prices:
Set a price alert for .308 hunting ammo →
Related articles
Sources
- Remington Core-Lokt .308 Win 150gr PSP (27842) — Published velocity
- Federal Fusion .308 Win 165gr — Published velocity and construction
- Federal Terminal Ascent .308 Win 175gr (P308TA1) — Published velocity and construction
- .308 Winchester — Wikipedia — Cartridge history
- SAAMI Cartridge & Chamber Drawings — Chamber standards