The 308 caliber is an extremely popular caliber for both hunters and competition shooters alike. Not only is the 308 caliber fast, but it can deliver enough power to take down a wide variety of big game that ranges from whitetail deer to elk.
Another added benefit of the 308 caliber is that because of its popularity, ammo is readily available and priced competitively. But this type of popularity can be a bit of a burden. With so many options and brands, it’s hard to figure out which is the best 308 ammo.
That’s why in today’s article we are going to be taking a look at the top eight 308 loads on the market. Each type of ammo will get its own mini-review that will examine its key features and properties.
And to make sure that we cover every use for 308, we have included products for both hunting and competition shooting. So get ready to hit the woods or the shooting bench confident that you have the best ammo for your 308!
Best 308 Ammo
Black Hills brings unbeatable performance to its best in class Gold 308 ELD-X ammo line.
Key Features
- ELD-X Bullet Style
- 178 Grain Weight
- 2650 FPS
- 20 Or 100 Count Boxes
Whether you like to use your 308 to hunt or to competition shoot, Black Hills has you covered. Their different lines of ammo cover a wide variety of uses, but the all-around best has to be the Gold 308 ELD-X. Black Hills even state that this particular run of ammo is handcrafted and also rigorously inspected and tested for peak performance.
This particular run of ammo uses an ELD-X style of bullet that includes a polymer ballistic tip and a slightly higher casing. The actual bullet weights 178 grains, somewhere near the heavier end of 308 ammunition.
Testing by Black Hills states that each shot should average about 2650 FPS. Overall, the Gold 308 ELD-X ammo is probably best suited for long-range hunting or competition shooting.
This is also backed up by the fact that Black Hills specifically specifies that this ammo is meant to be reloaded for better ballistic consistency. The Gold 308 ELD-X is available for about $2 a shot and is sold in boxes of 20 or 100 rounds.
Pros
- Handcrafted For Reliability
- Rigorous Inspection & Testing
- Great For Competition Shooting
Cons
- Slightly Expensive
Premium materials, handcrafted manufacturing, and rigorous testing make the Black Hills Gold 308 ELD-X one of the best 308 rounds on the market.
2. Federal Gold Medal
Put your shot right where you want it time and time again with the Federal Gold Medal Match 308 NPBT.
Key Features
- Hollow Point Boat Tail Bullet Style
- 168 Grain Weight
- 2650 FPS
- 20 Or 200 Count Boxes
Long-range shooting requires the tightest tolerances for a more consistent shot. Federal has taken on this challenge and created the Gold Medal Match 308 HPBT. This round not only flies true but also offers superior consistency.
As for the construction of this round, Federal uses a proprietary powder formula, premium primer, reloadable brass casing, and a 168 grain Hollow Point Boat Tail Bullet. Federal has tuned each round to achieve an average of 2650 FPS while producing 2,619 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
With all this focus on accuracy and consistency, it’s no wonder that the Gold Medal Match 308 HPBT is made for competition shooting. Shooters can find this ammo in boxes of 20 or 200 rounds.
Federal does not mention anything about individually inspecting rounds/boxes, so you may need to check each round for slight variances before using them in competition.
Pros
- Premium Components
- Very Consistent Flight
- Made For Competition Shooting
Cons
- None
Thanks to high-end components and design, you can dominate the competition with the Federal Gold Medal Match 308 HPBT.
3. Hornady Black
Hit the woods with the Hornady Black 308 A-Max and have the confidence to take on a variety of shot types.
Key Features
- A-Max Bullet Style
- 155 Grain Weight
- 2850 FPS
- 20 Or 200 Count Boxes
When it comes to hunting, Hornady 308 bullets are some of the best in the business. But the best version of hunting ammo from Hornady has to be the Black 308 A-Max. It truly has the power and ballistics to take down a variety of big game.
As with other Hornady offerings, the Black 308 A-Max uses premium cases, primer, and propellant. The difference with this particular load is that the bullet used is a special A-Max style bullet. Specifically, this bullet uses a copper-coated body with a polymer ballistic tip.
Due to the bullet’s lighter 155 grain weight, Hornady has gotten the average feet per second up to 2850. This incredible speed mixed with a ballistic tip makes this the best round of 308 for elk hunting. Currently, Hornady Black 308 A-Max ammo can only be found in either 20 or 200 round boxes.
Pros
- Premium Components
- Optimized For Variety of Platforms
- Made For Hunting
Cons
- None
If you are someone who hunts for deer or elk with a 308, you need to shoot Hornady Black 308 A-Max.
4. Federal Power Shok
Power Shok ammo from Federal has a history among hunters of being a reliable and cost-effective choice.
Key Features
- Soft Point Bullet Style
- 150 Grain Weight
- 2700FPS
- 20 Count Boxes
For a majority of hunters, reliability matters. Because there is nothing more frustrating than getting the shot of a lifetime only to have a bullet jam or fail to fire. But with the Power Shok 308 SP, Federal has given hunters a reliable round that will go off each and every time.
The round itself isn’t anything too special. Made with a reliable primer, brass, and soft point bullet this is a mainstay hunting round. With a bullet weight of only 150 grain, this isn’t a round meant for superior long-range accuracy. But with 2700 FPS, this round still packs a punch.
Elk hunters probably want to choose another type of 308 ammo as Federal only designates the Power Shok as effective against the medium game. But if all you are after is whitetail or mule deer, this is a more than effective round.
20 count boxes of Federal Power Shok 308 SP ammo can be found at most hunting and sporting goods stores as well as online.
Pros
- Reliable Performance
- Optimized For Variety of Platforms
- Made For Hunting
- Good Value
Cons
- Not Great For Long Distance Shooting
Federal Power Shok 308 SP ammo has been a mainstay for decades and will continue to be the go-to hunting round for decades to come.
5. Federal Gold Medal Berger
Get the most popular bullet on the Precision Rifle series – the Federal Gold Medal Berger 308!
Key Features
- Juggernaut OTM Bullet Style
- 185 Grain Weight
- 2600 FPS
- 20 Or 200 Count Boxes
Precision is the name of the game with the Federal Gold Medal Berger 308 round. Made to the tightest specifications with the best performing bullet type, this round is almost unbeatable.
So it’s no wonder the Gold Medal Berger is the most popular round at the Precision Rifle Series events. In the construction of the Gold Medal Berger, Federal uses only top of the line components.
This includes a Gold Medal Match primer, Federal brass, specially formulated propellant, and a Juggernaut OTM Bullet. While the “Juggernaut OTM Bullet” sounds cool, it is just a slightly modified Boat Tail style of bullet.
To keep the bullet as accurate as possible, Federal chose to keep the bullet at a weight of 185 grains and the FPS to an average of 2600. This combination also creates a flatter trajectory as well as less wind drift. At just $1.60 a shot, this really is a great value for competition shooters.
Pros
- Unbeatable Accuracy
- Held To The Tightest Specifications
- Made For Competition Shooting
Cons
- Not For Hunting
Overall, the Federal Gold Medal Berger 308 round is a truly impressive long-range competition round that will leave both you and your wallet happy.
6. Federal Fusion
Hunters who want a bit more stopping power with the same great reliability Federal is known for opt for the Fusion 308 Bonded BT.
Key Features
- Bonded Bullet Style
- 180 Grain Weight
- 2700 FPS
- 20 Count Boxes
In the simplest terms, Federal’s Fusion 308 Bonded BT is a mix of the classic Power Shok with a newer style of bonded bullet. So all the same reliability hunters have come to expect from Federal’s hunting line of ammo is still present.
Plus a modest upgrade in impact energy and ballistics make this a truly great hunting round. Construction of the Fusion 308 Bonded BT is a relatively simple affair. Federal starts with its usual brass casing and primer plus its regular mix of propellant.
The round is finished off by adding an electrochemically bonded bullet that is tipped with a polymer ballistic tip. This results in a 180-grain weight bullet that travels at an average of 2700 FPS.
Because of its popularity, Fusion308 Bonded BT ammo can be found at most hunting or gun shops. Currently, Federal only sells 20 count boxes. But at just $1.25 a shot, this is a great value for a ballistic tip hunting round.
Pros
- Great Mix of Accuracy & Power
- Reliable In A Variety Of 308 Platforms
- Made For Hunting
- Great Value
Cons
- None
Bring along some extra stopping power for a price that won’t break the bank with the Federal Fusion 308 Bonded BT.
7. Winchester Super-X
For almost 100 years, hunters have chosen the superior performance of Winchester’s Super-X line of ammunition.
Key Features
- Power Point Bullet Style
- 150 Grain Weight
- 2820 FPS
- 20 Count Boxes
With so many new ammo types and bullet designs which really is the best? Well, perhaps the one that has been made and used for close to 100 years. That’s right, Winchester’s Super-X 308 Power Point has a long history of reliable stopping power.
Created with a special 150 grain Power Point bullet, the Super-X load has great speed and knockdown power. At 2820 FPS, this bullet is fast. But because of its low weight, it isn’t super accurate for long-range shooting.
Most hunters should not have to worry about this problem as most shots will be within 200 yards. Due to this round’s popularity, 20 count boxes can be found at almost any store that sells guns and ammo. Plus, at just $1 a shot, this round is an absolutely great value and makes hunting a bit cheaper.
Pros
- Great Mix of Accuracy & Power
- Reliable In A Variety Of 308 Platforms
- Made For Hunting
- Great Value
Cons
- None
If you want to keep your hunting ammo budget low without sacrificing and performance, then the Winchester Super-X 308 Power Point is for you.
8. PMC Bronze
Need to get some practice with your 308 without breaking the bank? Then look to the PMC Bronze 308!
Key Features
- Full Metal Jacket Bullet Style
- 147 Grain Weight
- 2780 FPS
- 20 Or 500 Count Boxes
PMC is well known as a company that creates low cost and well-performing ammunition for a variety of calibers. In the case of the 308 caliber, PMC has the ever-popular Bronze 308 line of ammo.
While it isn’t meant for hunting or competition shooting, it is perfect for a fun day at the range for some practice. To keep costs down, PMC did choose to go with a slightly less expensive construction. Boxer-primed brass and precisely measured powder power a 147 grain Full Metal Jacket Bullet.
PMC reports average bullet speeds of 2780 FPS with a muzzle energy of 2,522 pounds. At just $0.85 a round, this is by far the best cheap .308 ammo available.
There are some slightly cheaper steel case options, but the potential jamming and wear issues aren’t worth the price difference. Most ammo stores will carry 20 round boxes but full 500 count cases can be found online.
Pros
- Great For Practice
- Made For Recreational Target Shooting
- Low Cost
Cons
- Not Great For Hunting Or Competition Shooting
PMC Bronze 308 really does outshine all the other ammo options in the “cheap practice” category.
Bottom Line
Because of the 308 caliber’s popularity, we definitely understand how hard it is to find the best ammo for your needs. While this list includes just eight products, we think that these eight cover the majority of the needs of 308 owners.
So forget all the fancy terms and marketing, because what matters at the end of the day is performance and results. We also recommend that before you choose any ammunition from this list to make sure that it fits the type of shooting you will be doing.
Hunters should stick with bullet types that offer ballistic tips or expanding cores. Long-range or competition shooters should choose loads that feature tighter tolerances and slightly heavier bullets.
And if you just want some practice, nothing beats a low price! At the end of the day, we are confident that these eight 308 ammunition options are some of the best on the market. So for your next hunt, competition, or trip to the range, be sure to grab a box or two of any of these 308 ammo options.
You won’t be disappointed!
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The Review
Best 308 Ammo
Get ready to hit the woods or the shooting bench with confidence. We have reviewed the best ammo for your 308!
Review Breakdown
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Black Hills Gold
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Federal Gold Medal
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Hornady Black
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Federal Power Shok
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Federal Gold Medal Berger
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Federal Fusion
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Winchester Super-X
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PMC Bronze
Best 308 Ammo DEALS
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