[LeeMajors]

I tried 3 different rounds for hunting today, and none seemed to perform very well. I have been shooting the 168g Amax for a good zero on my 17 and I've also shot M118LR (175 grain hollowpoint, but technically ball ammo). Obviously, these rounds are not suitable for hunting. I picked up some Federal Trophy in 165 grain and 180 grain. These rounds were all over the place. They would put make groups of 5 inches at 100 yards. It was so bad that I thought I was the problem or my scope was loose, but I put 168 Amax in and my group of 3 made 1 big hole, so that wasn't the issue. I then tried some Hornady 165 SST and those seemed to work decent, made a 1.5 inch group at 100 yards, but were all landing about 3 inches higher than the 168 Amax (which is what m80 ball does for me too).

I'm still not finding a suitable load for hunting, and before I go buy several more boxes of hunting loads to try and find one that works, I'd like to know what you guys have found that shoots close to the Amax. Otherwise I'm looking at zeroing for the 165 SST and M80 ball since those seem to shoot about the same.

I'm also not opposed to making hand loads that fit the bill either, so if you've made loads that compare to the 168Amax, I'd like to hear about those as well.

 

[kcub]

I'd look at whatever Black Hills, Hornady, and Federal Premium offers. Get a box of each and see what SCAR likes to eat. In fact that's exactly what I'll do when mine gets in. Sounds like you've started down this path, try other weights. You never know.

 

[LeeMajors]

The federal premium was the worst, although the federal premium Sierra match king 168 was really nice.

 

[cdiamond]

I shoot Hornady GMX 165g to hunt, but not out of my SCAR. It is an awesome round and devastating to deer. I have not shot a lot of different things other than the NATO stuff through my SCAR. My son shoots .308 in a bolt gun that really does well with the Hornady SST 150g.

 

[DJFIT3]

There is nothing finer than the Berger VLD's. I first started shooting them in 7 Rem Mag through my Winchester Model 70 Supergrade with a 26" barrel and performed on deer and elk so well that I switched to loading it in the 30 Cal. I have 168gr Berger VLD's doing 2820 average through my 17S. That is a full load though and I slowly worked up to it to make sure the Scar would handle it. It handles them fine. I can shoot a 5/8"s group at 200 yards. Let me know if want the recipe. I've taken 5 deer now with them and 3 elk. Worked just as good on the elk as it did the deer.

 

[LeeMajors]

Yes please, I almost picked up a box of those to try loads with today, but wanted to wait and see what others came up with first.

 

[MinnesotaOperator]

What are you hunting? I've had good groups with hog hammer 308 and will be testing its ability to drop hogs shortly.

 

[fmunk]

Federal Fusion? can't find the thread now but seem to recall it being said to be good for hunting.

 

[LeeMajors]

My daughter will hopefully be shooting a deer. I prefer to hunt deer and elk with a bow.

 

[loki*hunter]

I am getting consistent 1" groups or better with 155 AMAX under 44.8grn (do you own load work up...this is close to max) of IMR 8208 XBR. The 155 AMAX gives almost perfect ballistic performance, you will be very happy with it short of the largest game out there.

 

[Alpha-17]

I've used Hornady Z-Max (same as A-Max), as well as Mk 319 and 150gr SSTs. This year I'll be using 165gr SGK or 168gr Barnes TSX. Never had any accuracy issues with any of them, but I don't expect any of these rounds to have the same zero as M80 ball.

 

[JohnSKiS]

I use Barnes Vor-tx 168gr for bigger game or federal fusion 150s for like, coues deer. Although, I'm looking at maybe 2moa at best. Minute of deers chest @500 max works for me...here in AZ

 

[LeeMajors]

Tried Barnes 168 and 150; Federal Fusion 150; Hornady 165 sst, 165gmx, and Hornady 150 American Whitetail.

The Barnes 168 was sporadic, some decent groups with others being 3 or more inches off.

The Barnes 150 made nice groups. However, it was 3 inches off from m80 ball impact zone.

Hornady Superformance 165 SST and GMX were bad. No consistency at all.

Hornady American Whitetail 150, their cheap stuff, worked great, nice 1 inch groups, but I did have one go far enough off paper that I don't know where it impacted, really random, since all 19 other rounds were right where they should be. These rounds impacted in the same area as m80 ball.

Federal Fusion 150 was the overall winner. Same size groups as the Barnes 150 and HAW 150, bit no random flyers and also impacted in the same area as m80 ball.

The best thing is, the cheaper rounds worked the best for me.

 

[kcub]

The federal premium was the worst, although the federal premium Sierra match king 168 was really nice.

There are other federal premiums. Try the Nosler partition. I've had great results with that in .30-06, I will try it in .308 when my SCAR 17 comes in. Whether or not it groups with your other ammo is another matter.

Federal Premium Ammunition - Rifle

 

[LeeMajors]

I know, but they didn't have any in stock and I found one that works great.

 

[kcub]

Tried Barnes 168 and 150; Federal Fusion 150; Hornady 165 sst, 165gmx, and Hornady 150 American Whitetail.

The Barnes 168 was sporadic, some decent groups with others being 3 or more inches off.

The Barnes 150 made nice groups. However, it was 3 inches off from m80 ball impact zone.

Hornady Superformance 165 SST and GMX were bad. No consistency at all.

Hornady American Whitetail 150, their cheap stuff, worked great, nice 1 inch groups, but I did have one go far enough off paper that I don't know where it impacted, really random, since all 19 other rounds were right where they should be. These rounds impacted in the same area as m80 ball.

Federal Fusion 150 was the overall winner. Same size groups as the Barnes 150 and HAW 150, bit no random flyers and also impacted in the same area as m80 ball.

The best thing is, the cheaper rounds worked the best for me.

Which Federal Fusion 150?

Federal Fusion MSR .308 Winchester 150gr --F308MSR1

Federal Fusion .308 Winchester 150gr Spitzer Boat Tail 20rds F308FS1

 

[LeeMajors]

The standard 308 version. I picked up a box of the msr as well, and will test it soon, but it has different muzzle velocities than the standard. (Not sure if it was based on 16 inch barrel length)

 

[kcub]

I ordered up a box of each fusion 150 as well as a box of partition 150. My 17S should arrive Thursday.

Federal 308 150gr Nosler Partition Vital-Shok Ammunitiion 20rds - P308S

 

[MinnesotaOperator]

I tested group sizes with a few alternative hog rounds the other day. The Barnes 168gr vor-TX won with consistent 1.5" groups at 100 yards. Not sure of it's game dropping ability yet. Hog trip in 5 weeks and will update.

 

[LeeMajors]

I was getting 1 inch groups with the 150 grain Barnes. Did you try that? Though 1.5 inch is probably sufficient.