.308 Win/7.62 Ammo
The .308 Winchester—also known as 7.62x51mm NATO—is one of the most widely used precision rifle cartridges in the world, equally at home in bolt-action hunting rifles, semi-automatic platforms like the AR-10 and M1A, and dedicated long-range precision builds. It offers an excellent balance of power, accuracy, manageable recoil, and ammunition availability that has made it the default choice for military snipers, competitive shooters, and hunters for over 60 years.
Read our full .308 Winchester Ammunition Buying Guide ↓
Ballistics Overview
A 168-grain .308 load exits a 24-inch bolt-action barrel at approximately 2,650 fps with 2,620 ft-lbs of energy. A 175-grain match load runs 2,600 fps and retains excellent accuracy past 1,000 yards. A lighter 150-grain hunting load pushes 2,820 fps for a flatter trajectory at moderate range. Recoil in a 9-pound rifle runs 12–18 ft-lbs—manageable for most shooters. The .308 remains supersonic to approximately 1,200 yards from a full-length barrel, covering most practical long-range shooting applications.
Hunting Loads
For deer, elk, and bear hunting, look for controlled-expansion loads in 150–180 grain: Federal Trophy Bonded Tip, Hornady CX, Nosler AccuBond, and Winchester Copper Impact are all proven choices. The 165-grain weight is a popular all-around hunting bullet balancing velocity and energy for shots inside 400 yards. For elk and larger game, step up to 180-grain bonded or partition bullets that provide adequate penetration on heavy bone. The .308 is fully capable on any North American big game with the right load selection.
Match and Precision Loads
For long-range precision and competition, the 168-grain Sierra MatchKing and 175-grain Sierra MatchKing are the benchmark loads—Federal Gold Medal Match and Black Hills are the most common factory offerings using these bullets. Hornady ELD-M in 168 and 178 grain and Berger Hybrid loads offer similar performance with improved ballistic coefficients. For precision work past 600 yards, the 175-grain load is the standard choice due to its superior BC and better transonic stability compared to the 168-grain.
Practice Loads
For high-volume practice, FMJ loads from Federal American Eagle, PMC Bronze, and Winchester USA are reliable and cost-effective. Steel-case .308 from Tula and Wolf is available at lower cost and suitable for semi-automatic practice where brass recovery isn’t a priority. The difference in point of impact between practice and match loads should be verified at your actual shooting distances before a competition or hunt to avoid surprises in the field or on the stage.
.308 vs. 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor has largely replaced .308 for pure long-range precision work due to higher BC bullets and better performance past 600 yards. The .308 retains advantages in energy at medium range, wider platform availability, and greater historical data for handloaders. For hunting inside 400 yards, the .308 is equal or better. For competitive long-range shooting past 600 yards, 6.5 Creedmoor has a real advantage. Many serious rifle shooters own both. See our 6.5 Creedmoor page for comparison.
Related Pages
Browse our rifles page for .308 bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms, or visit our Bergara page for one of the best-value precision rifles in the caliber. See our rifle ammo overview for other calibers.