I don't reload so I need a factory load, I need a lead free round for the great state of CA. I will be hunting deer, and wont shoot pass 300 yards. I currently use Federal 168gr for range use, so I want a round that wont change my POI/POA much. Should I go for 150gr or 168gr TTSX? Also, has anybody used Barnes Vortex ammo?
Hunting & Fishing 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
- Thread starter para38super
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Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
I don't use factory loads but if I was going for deer...there isn't a lick of difference between 150 and 168 within 300 yards that the deer will notice. If it were boar or something bigger then 168's every time.
I don't use factory loads but if I was going for deer...there isn't a lick of difference between 150 and 168 within 300 yards that the deer will notice. If it were boar or something bigger then 168's every time.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
I've used the Barnes factory loaded TTSXs in 150, 168 and 180 from Antelope to Elk. Have yet to need a shot over 300 yards and the bullet has always passed through, exiting. It uually leaves something very small on entry, about the size of a quarter through the lungs and smallish exit. Since I'm hunting for meat I'm happy the round isn't exploding large holes. None of the rounds have had problems breaking shoulders or ribs of elk.
150s are statistically flatter shooting than the others. Can't speak to which will shoot closer to your present round.
I've used the Barnes factory loaded TTSXs in 150, 168 and 180 from Antelope to Elk. Have yet to need a shot over 300 yards and the bullet has always passed through, exiting. It uually leaves something very small on entry, about the size of a quarter through the lungs and smallish exit. Since I'm hunting for meat I'm happy the round isn't exploding large holes. None of the rounds have had problems breaking shoulders or ribs of elk.
150s are statistically flatter shooting than the others. Can't speak to which will shoot closer to your present round.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
Cor-Bon DPX hunter is lead free.
Cor-Bon DPX hunter is lead free.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
I'm in CA too. All the copper rounds I have tried have had a different POI than lead, EXCEPT for Hornady Superformance GMX. I use the GMX and the SST both in 150gr and they have the same POI in my rifle. No need to adjust when switching between Leaded and Unleaded.
I'm in CA too. All the copper rounds I have tried have had a different POI than lead, EXCEPT for Hornady Superformance GMX. I use the GMX and the SST both in 150gr and they have the same POI in my rifle. No need to adjust when switching between Leaded and Unleaded.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
Barnes Vortex or Federal Premium with the Barnes T-TSX will work great. I shoot the Barnes 168 gr. T-TSX exclusively, but I reload. I can shoot 1/2 moa out to 300.
I have experience with the Federal 168 TSX and they shoot sub moa at 100 out of my Savage 10FP. With the solid copper bullets you will not need anything heavier than 150 gr. My experience on game is the same as stated above; a small entrance, large wound channel, and small exit.
You will not see too much difference in POI between the 150's and the 168's at 300. JBM puts the difference at .7 inches difference in drop at 300 yards and .2 inches in a 10 mph 90 degree cross wind at average velocities for those rounds. That is pretty negligable given that the kill zone on a deer is the size of a basketball.
Barnes Vortex or Federal Premium with the Barnes T-TSX will work great. I shoot the Barnes 168 gr. T-TSX exclusively, but I reload. I can shoot 1/2 moa out to 300.
I have experience with the Federal 168 TSX and they shoot sub moa at 100 out of my Savage 10FP. With the solid copper bullets you will not need anything heavier than 150 gr. My experience on game is the same as stated above; a small entrance, large wound channel, and small exit.
You will not see too much difference in POI between the 150's and the 168's at 300. JBM puts the difference at .7 inches difference in drop at 300 yards and .2 inches in a 10 mph 90 degree cross wind at average velocities for those rounds. That is pretty negligable given that the kill zone on a deer is the size of a basketball.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
I tried the 165 gr tnx and the 165 gr ttsx. 5 moa out of a .5moa gun at 100 yards. 130 went to the 130gr ttsx and it deposed it back to .5 moa at 100 yards. The heavier bullets are longer and my gun will not stableize them.
By the way they shoot 6min less at 750yards than my 175smks.
I tried the 165 gr tnx and the 165 gr ttsx. 5 moa out of a .5moa gun at 100 yards. 130 went to the 130gr ttsx and it deposed it back to .5 moa at 100 yards. The heavier bullets are longer and my gun will not stableize them.
By the way they shoot 6min less at 750yards than my 175smks.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
Federal also has a new trophy copper round, basically a tipped triple shock.
Federal also has a new trophy copper round, basically a tipped triple shock.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
So I have made a decision of trying the 150gr ttsx. Hopefully the POI doesn't change much comapared to my 168gr load.
So I have made a decision of trying the 150gr ttsx. Hopefully the POI doesn't change much comapared to my 168gr load.
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
Hornady GMX bullets have been doing pretty well in my 30-06
Hornady GMX bullets have been doing pretty well in my 30-06
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
triple shocks have been devastating on a few deer & a couple elk for me
triple shocks have been devastating on a few deer & a couple elk for me
Re: 308 win lead free Factory hunting round
If all you have access to are the factory Vor-TX loadings, either the 150 or 168 will provide hits within a deer's vital zone using your 168 FGMM sight-in upto about 350 yards.
I'd have picked the 150 TTSX for smaller game like whitetails as it expands quicker, or 130 TTSX if you handload.
Beyond 500 yards or so (well beyond the expansion range of the 150 or 168 TTSX in a .308) the 150 TTSX is ballistically closer to the 175 FGMM.
At the distances you're shooting at, just about anything would give you hits within an inch of your 168 FGMM sight-in; I'd just pick Federal Vital Shok 150 TSX, or either TTSX Vor-TX loading, whichever was on sale.
If all you have access to are the factory Vor-TX loadings, either the 150 or 168 will provide hits within a deer's vital zone using your 168 FGMM sight-in upto about 350 yards.
I'd have picked the 150 TTSX for smaller game like whitetails as it expands quicker, or 130 TTSX if you handload.
Beyond 500 yards or so (well beyond the expansion range of the 150 or 168 TTSX in a .308) the 150 TTSX is ballistically closer to the 175 FGMM.
At the distances you're shooting at, just about anything would give you hits within an inch of your 168 FGMM sight-in; I'd just pick Federal Vital Shok 150 TSX, or either TTSX Vor-TX loading, whichever was on sale.
