Bullet Weights

[Shootability]

I am going hog hunting in about 3 weeks and trying out various .308 ammo to use in my FAL. I want expanding ammo - and am trying 150 gr Spitzer and 150 gr Round Nose and have some 180 gr spitzer. Mil ammo for the 308 is all around 150 gr - is there any reason to stick to 150 or is 180 ok - it kicks noticeably harder? I do not know if it is a myth but that round nose looks like it would have a harder impact and with a bonded core ought to hold together and punch right through - better for tracking if it runs - what do you guys think?

I would welcome your handload suggestions.

[kotengu]

It depends - out of a stock FAL barrel (1 in 12" twist) I'd stick more toward the 150gr weight. It may not stabilize the 180's, although they would penetrate better, and from what I understand you'll need plenty of penetration on hogs.

You might try some 180's in your gun at a few different ranges (100, 200, 300 yds or whatever distances you're likely to shoot them at) to see if you get nice round circles in the paper or get oblong holes (not stabilized).

[JohnnyMac]

I'll preface this by saying that, although I'd really like to, I have never hunted hogs myself.

I have, however, read alot of traffic on the Hunt America "Hog Hunting" forum. The consensus among the experienced hog hunters seems to be for penetration over expansion. The vital area of a hog is much smaller than that of a deer, and you may have to put your bullet through a lot of "pork armor" to get there. The neck and shoulders of wild hogs, particularly one's with real Eurasian boar genes, are covered with a tough "gristle plate" that can severely slow down a slug.

Some of the most experienced hog hunters lean toward calibers with weight and large frontal areas, like .45-70's, .444 Marlin, etc. Those that use .30 cal, speak highly of bullets with a strong core, such as the Nosler Partition.

All that aside, everyone reccomends that the best round is the one that you can place where it's needed. Practice. Practice. Practice.

JMc

[Shootability]

I went to the range and tried out the 150gr round nose Hornady bullets - when seated to the cannelure they would not feed reliably - I am hoping that if I seat them long that they will work, but clearly the rifle was designed for spitzers.

[olephart]

Get some nosler partition bullets - either 150 or 165 grain. They simply perform better than anything else and they do it every time. Federal makes the loaded round.

The front (40% of bullet weight) will fragment completely and cause serious vascular damage and the rear will never deform and will penetrate to the max. Every time.

[shootist87122]

I've played with the Federal Premium 165g Seirra load a little with good results in .308 (bolt and FAL). I used to load the Hornady 165g in 30-06 and it was a very good all around load. These are both deep penetrating bullets.