The Truth About Hunting With 308

Published on October 27, 2025
Duration: 13:17

The .308 Winchester remains a highly viable hunting cartridge despite modern alternatives. Ballistic gel tests at 500 yards showed 20 inches of penetration with reliable expansion. While it exhibits more drop and wind drift than cartridges like 7 PRC, its widespread availability, affordability, and inherent accuracy make it a top choice for hunters, ranking second in popularity.

Quick Summary

The .308 Winchester remains a viable hunting cartridge, demonstrating 20 inches of penetration in ballistic gel at 500 yards. Its key advantages are low cost, accuracy, and widespread availability, making it the second most popular hunting cartridge despite higher drop and drift than newer calibers like 7 PRC.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Is .308 Obsolete?
  2. 01:01500-Yard Ballistic Gel Test
  3. 01:53Gunsmithing Tip: Bullet Seating
  4. 02:41Gel Results Analysis
  5. 03:47Ballistics: Drop & Drift Comparison
  6. 07:39Recoil Comparison
  7. 09:55The Case for .308 Winchester
  8. 11:55Conclusion: .308 Still Relevant

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the .308 Winchester still a good hunting cartridge?

Yes, the .308 Winchester remains a viable and effective hunting cartridge. Despite newer alternatives, it offers reliable performance, good expansion in ballistic gel tests, and is widely available and affordable, making it a top choice for many hunters.

How does the .308 Winchester perform at 500 yards?

At 500 yards, a 165gr Sierra GameKing in .308 Winchester achieved 20 inches of penetration in ballistic gel with reliable expansion, demonstrating its effectiveness for medium to large game at extended ranges.

What are the main advantages of the .308 Winchester for hunting?

The .308 Winchester's primary advantages are its low cost, excellent inherent accuracy, and the vast availability of ammunition and rifles. These factors make it an accessible and reliable option for hunters of all levels.

How does the .308 Winchester compare to 7 PRC in terms of ballistics?

Compared to 7 PRC at 400 yards, the .308 Winchester has significantly more bullet drop (32" vs 22.8") and wind drift (18.5" vs 10.9"). However, the .308's lower cost and availability often outweigh these ballistic differences for many hunters.

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