Re: .308 Hunting bullet
I prefer bullets that hold together well, and expand a little bit, but not excessively. I like the Nosler BT's, but they can expand pretty violently, I'll show pictures to prove it if you like. I don't shoot .308's, but I have experience with .308 calibers (.300 winmag). So keep in mind that the velocities I'm speaking about are .300 winmag, so you'll probably get a little more expansion with a .308.
I MUCH prefer the 180 grain accubonds, they hold together real well, even in .300 winmag. Every deer I've ever shot with a 180 grain accubond has passed through the other side, although I haven't shot a deer past 350 yards with them. They will expand some, but not as violently as the BT's. I've shot quite a few deer and friends have shot them (I was there) and many times, they don't exit. You get DRT deer, but the expansion can sometimes be pretty violent.
I like the Barnes Triple shock bullets, they work well. I think they expand more violently than the Nosler AB's in the same weight. I've seen a few wounds up that were up close with the Triple shocks, and they had a bit more blood shot meat than the Triple Shocks. All the bullets mentioned will perform reliably and take deer down. From what you have mentioned so far in what you desire from performance, I think the Nosler AB's will do more of what you want. Keep in mind that if you punch one behind the shoulder, you usually won't get an exit wound much bigger than 1" (sometimes less) with the 180 grain bullets.
If you were going to shoot a .308 Nosler Accubond bullet, I'd recommend you look at their 165 grain bullets. They probably have a little better ballistics, and may be a nice compromise between 180's and the 150's. Hope that helps, but that's the little bit of knowledge I have to contribute.
