Thread: Best factory ammo for 308 @300-400 yards

Hi, looking for everyones recommendations on what ammunition to use. I recently bought a tikka lite in .308 and plan on using it at 200-300 yards but would still like a round that can confidently go out to 350-400 yards if need be. I've been looking at superformance 150grain sst but since im based in the south island I'm worried that it won't have enough umph to kill a bull tahr at 350yards, so maybe a sako 165 grain? Was also thinking 178 grain precision hunters for the greater fire power but from my understanding it's to heavy and is too inconsistent at 400-400 yards.

Would appreciate what everyone is using for their 308 as an all rounder bullet.

Unfortunately reloading is out of my budget.

You are going to have to buy some different types, try them and see what your rifle likes. A .308 of mine shoots win 150gr to zero at 200m which is the trajectory off the packet - 1.7" high at 100m all good. The 300m drop is listed as 9.1", but actual is over 24" drop at 300m which is completely bizarre.

A discontinued PMC ammo also 150gr hits 7" down and a bit right but with a much flatter trajectory. I need to look further into reloading for it I think, to get the velocity up a bit...

I can't comment on Tahr but I've shot some big reds with the 150gr sako ammo and it is very accurate, this is a "normal" group for it at 120 yards.
It's not fast 2753 on the garmin for a 20inch tube. I'd give it a try if I was you.



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Yes, I'm going to look into that too - Sako Gamehead. You can get it in a 50-round box for around $160 depending where you shop - which is $3 a round thereabouts (very good money for hunting ammo in today's economy). If your rifle likes it, could be good to go. I suspect that's why there is suddenly a heap of used Sako .308 brass at every range haha (it used to be an 'exotic' brand).

My concern with it for my rifle is not likely to relate to the OP's - and that is that the barrel on mine would appear to be quite slippery and doesn't seem to produce near the velocities on the box (this is more just to illustrate that you really need to check the results you get at all the ranges you are wanting to shoot to confirm where the thing is throwing the bullets).

long range, highest BC, soft fragmenting projectile, highest speed possible.
Don't worry about the projectile weight as the extra BC will over ride it. Consider the barrel twist for the longer projectiles also.
I load 178 eldx which in loaded ammo is the Hornady precision ammo, from what I have heard the 178 eldm preforms better at range on animals. Have also been collecting Sako brass from the range & it looks good much better than Hornady which comes pretty well last in my book.
Accuracy first then right project for the job, applies to all calibers.

I would suggest you pick 3 or 4 or 5 types of off the shelf ammo and try them. A 308 aint usually too fussy, so you should be able to find one that works. Dont get hung up on projectile weight, or speed, or BC etc etc. Get out there and put some shots down range, get to know your rifle, and get to know the ballistic's of the ammo that suits your rifle best. Doesnt take any fancy projectile to anchor a tahr - it takes your ability to put it in the right place. And I wouldnt be thinking too much of trying a 350-400 metre shot on tahr until you have a few under your belt, and a good range finder.

I find the 165 SST works well in my partners 308, anchors most animals on the spot. I prefer the 178 ELDX, but Im running a bit faster than a 308.

Originally Posted by BRADS

I can't comment on Tahr but I've shot some big reds with the 150gr sako ammo and it is very accurate, this is a "normal" group for it at 120 yards.
It's not fast 2753 on the garmin for a 20inch tube. I'd give it a try if I was you.



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I can second this, the Sako Gameheads are the business. I hunt with a mate who runs them and have seen him smash reds from 400m. They group like hand-loads in the tikka too. I can't remember if he is using the 150's or 165's but both would be worth a look.

As everyone else is suggesting, there's no way to know how any given ammo will shoot in your rifle until you try it. That could get expensive quickly. And then you need to buy more of the ammo that does shoot well as supply can often be inconsistent down here at the lower end of the Pacific Ocean.

Maybe look at this the other way around. If you want to get confident at shooting live animals out to 400 metres, where are you going to do your regular practice shooting? Do you have somewhere to shoot whenever you want or will you need to join a club? If it's the latter then a smart choice is the Handloaders Club at McLean's Island. You get somewhere to shoot and a comprehensively stocked reloading room to craft quality ammunition for much less than factory ammo costs, especially if you're crafty about component choice. There's reloading courses on offer for members as well.

Have a look at this thread - there's a good range of perspectives on offer: https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....reload-105568/

Have a look at the Sako gamehead pro factory ammo. It's loaded with the 165gr Sierra tipped gameking so a good high BC projectile that will hold together pretty well.
And being Sako ammo it's guaranteed to shoot 1 inch or better in a tikka or Sako rifle. (or was when they re-launched Sako ammo a few years ago)

Sako Brass is terrible, PM if you want it destroyed

Hornady Superformance ssts 165gr will deal with any NZ game out to 450yds with accurancy and energy.Has done for me in the last 20yrs.But as others have said,try different brands of ammo.308s not too fussy tho.

Originally Posted by Trout

Hornady Superformance ssts 165gr will deal with any NZ game out to 450yds with accurancy and energy.Has done for me in the last 20yrs.But as others have said,try different brands of ammo.308s not too fussy tho.

That would be my pick as well IF your rifle will shoot it well.
The Sako ammo does generally shoot well but is pretty lethargic or at least the 150gr soft point is.

Originally Posted by Chch_hunter

Hi, looking for everyones recommendations on what ammunition to use. I recently bought a tikka lite in .308 and plan on using it at 200-300 yards but would still like a round that can confidently go out to 350-400 yards if need be. I've been looking at superformance 150grain sst but since im based in the south island I'm worried that it won't have enough umph to kill a bull tahr at 350yards, so maybe a sako 165 grain? Was also thinking 178 grain precision hunters for the greater fire power but from my understanding it's to heavy and is too inconsistent at 400-400 yards.

Would appreciate what everyone is using for their 308 as an all rounder bullet.

Unfortunately reloading is out of my budget.

Get the 165 Sako Gamehead pro mate, it goes well on steel to about 600 yards in my mates 308 Tikka T3 Lite
Then just buy some cheap ammo for bush hunting, my tikkas and all my mates tikkas all shoot most ammo at the same spot at 100 yards anyway

If i was you id do this
Get the 165 gamehead pro (sierra gamechanger) sakos for long range and the 150gr bulk (50 packs) of Sako gameheads (softpoint) for allround hunting at shorter distances, then once you have 50x or 100x cases, sell them on here to reloaders.


The precision hunter and superformance offerings will also work, but the sakos seem to be more consistently available, and they all shoot great in tikkas.

I reload for my tikka, but have used the 150 gameheads before and they worked great up close

Another +1 for gamehead 150's, my 308 strata shot easily sub moa with the cheap stuff, and it still goes well at a bit of range, dropped a large bodied red at 400 without issues, large internal wounds.
My rifle loves the copper powerhead blade factory offering, but this worked out at nearly double the price of the gamehead