Has anyone tried the light magnum or high energy ammo in .308? I'm thinking about trying them for pronghorns.

I have fired the Hornady Light Magnum 308 ammo with the 168 and 180 Match bullets at 1000 yards. It shot good.

I have also killed a few deer with the Hornady 165 gr Light Magnum, and the Federal 165 TBBC High Energy, and the Federal 180 Nosler Partition Hugh Energy.

All these loads shot good in my rifles.
If they shoot accurately in your guns, use them.

I have shot several pronghorns and you do not need [nor probably want] a Premium deep penetrating bullet.

Some other loads I have used, on game, that have proven to be very accurate in several rifles [shot on paper to 600 yards] are the Federal 150 gr Ballistic Tip, and the Winchester 168 gr Ballistic Silvertip.

Let us know what your tests show.

I have killed several pronghorn with a 308, it works great.

I dont see much use for it really.
theres only a 7-8% difference in the same rifle.
if 7% increase in speed means that much to you then just use a 30-06.

Ive shot the Federal High Energy 180 nosler in my Kimber 308. Shot well and kicked like a mule in a 5and half pound rifle

Hornady LM 165 BT work great on Deer.

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Blauwkamp:
Hornady LM 165 BT work great on Deer.

the hornady LM 165 BTSP uses the same bullet i shoot out of my 20" steyr at 2550 MV. i have had complete penetration on a 185 pound whitetail at 285 yards.

quote:

Originally posted by KSTEPHENS:
I dont see much use for it really.
theres only a 7-8% difference in the same rifle.
if 7% increase in speed means that much to you then just use a 30-06.

That's about the dumbest statement I've heard in a while. If you can get .30-06 velocities out of a .308, what possible need would you have for the .30-06? The ammo costs about the same as other .308 ammo, gives you a velocity boost, and negates the need of another rifle. All in all a good deal if you ask me.

I've used it extensively in the 165 grain version and in one of my .308's it shoots the tightest groups.

I have used alot of the light mag ammo including the 308 stuff. I have had good results and accuracy with their loads.

They do exactly what they claim to do, if you think thats a good thing or makes any difference then use them...I have only used them on a couple of deer and they are great, but I am not a big velocity fan, faster bullets stress bullet performance in many cases, 2700 FPS kills just as well as 3000 FPS and trajectory in the field is beyond our holding capabilities for the most part.

My hunting .308s use Hornady Light Magnums almost exclusively. Me and my son have taken blacktail deer, coyotes, springbok, warthogs, caracal, baboons, snakes, and birds with that factory loading. I've missed a lot of jackals with the light magnaum though. It must be the loading.

Namibiahunter

[quote]White Owl
new member
Posted 12 June 2008 04:32
Has anyone tried the light magnum or high energy ammo in .308? I'm thinking about trying them for pronghorns.


White Owl, I have tried in my .308 Win the following factory ammo:
Remington Core-Lokt PSP 150 gr and 165 gr (The 150’s shot less than 1†and 165’s shot a little more. groups.)
Winchester Super-X Power-Point 150 gr (The 150’s shot less than 1†groups.)
Federal PREMIUM VITALSHOK 150 gr Nosler Partition (The 150’s shot 1¼†groups.)
Hornady Light Magnum 150 gr and 165 gr BTSP (The 150’s shot 1 ½†and 165’s shot almost 2†groups.)

I have used the Hornady Light Magnum 150 gr and 165 gr BTSP ammo in my 30-06 with similar results. I also tried Hornady Light Magnum 130 gr and 140 gr BTSP in my .270 Win with similar results.

My handloads shot alot better than any of the factory ammo.

So, if you are not handloading, my advice is buy several boxes of each and use what shoots best in your rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by ColeK:


So, if you are not handloading, my advice is buy several boxes of each and use what shoots best in your rifle.

Sound advice. In most instances accuracy is the first criteria that must be satisfied. rarely is velocity alone a deciding factor. That said, my little lightweight .308 actually shoots best with the Hornady light mag ammo. I used the 165's and shot two nice California piggies with them. It's not my best shooting rifle but it seems to be the one that gets grabbed first everytime I head to the field That and a handfull of light mag ammo..

Thanks everyone for the good info!