Choosing 308 Winchester Ammo

Range and practice: 147–150 gr FMJ from Winchester USA and Fiocchi keeps cost per round down. Match: 168 gr HPBT and OTM loads from Sellier & Bellot, Sig Sauer and Hornady ELD-M, plus Federal Gold Medal 175 gr Sierra MatchKing. Hunting: Federal Fusion, Hornady SST and ELD-X, Remington Core-Lokt Tipped and Barnes TTSX for deer, hogs and elk.

308 vs 7.62x51

The 308 Winchester and 7.62x51mm NATO share outside dimensions but are not loaded to identical specs. Always follow your rifle maker’s guidance on which cartridge your chamber is rated for.

.308 Winchester Ammo Guide

.308 Winchester is one of the most widely used full-power rifle cartridges in the US. It is a standard for deer and elk hunting, long-range target shooting and battle-rifle platforms such as the AR-10, M1A and FAL-pattern rifles. Winchester introduced it as a commercial cartridge closely related to the military 7.62x51mm NATO.

.308 and 7.62x51 are close but not identical: chamber specs and loading pressures differ. Many rifle makers state that their .308 rifles may fire 7.62x51. Check your rifle's manual or contact the manufacturer if you are unsure.

Best .308 Ammo by Use

Range and Practice

For range practice, FMJ and boat-tail FMJ loads in 147 to 150 grain are the economical choice, and military-style 7.62x51 is common in bulk. For precision and long range, shooters use match loads with boat-tail hollow point bullets, usually 168 or 175 grain, such as Federal Gold Medal Match and Hornady Match.

Self-Defense

.308 is rarely chosen as a home-defense round indoors because of how far it can travel through walls. If you use it for defense on property, pick an expanding hunting-style load and know your backstop.

Hunting

This is where .308 shines. 150 and 165 grain bullets are common choices for deer, and 165 to 180 grain bonded or copper bullets are common for elk and larger game. Lines such as Federal Fusion, Hornady American Whitetail and Precision Hunter, Nosler and Barnes are made for hunting. Check your state's rules on cartridges and bullet types; some areas require lead-free bullets.

.308 Grain Weights and Bullet Types

Our .308 listings center on 150, 165, 168, 175 and 180 grain. Bullet types include FMJ, soft point, polymer tip, bonded, solid copper and boat-tail hollow point match.

Quick bullet-type key: FMJ (full metal jacket) is a lead core with a copper jacket that does not expand, the usual range load. JHP (jacketed hollow point) is designed to expand and is the usual defensive load. Soft point and polymer tip bullets are designed to expand and are common for hunting. Solid copper bullets are lead-free and are required for hunting in some areas. Frangible bullets are designed to break up on hard targets and are used at some indoor ranges and steel-target courses.

Brass, Steel and Aluminum Cases

Most .308 is loaded in brass cases, which are the most widely accepted at ranges and can be reloaded. Steel-case ammo, usually lacquer or polymer coated, often costs less per round but cannot be reloaded, and some ranges and some firearms do not accept it. Aluminum-case ammo, such as Blazer, is a budget option that is also not reloadable. Whatever the case material, the product title and box list the exact cartridge, bullet weight and bullet type, so match those to your gun and your use.

Storing .308 Ammo

Store ammunition in a cool, dry place away from heat sources and out of reach of children, ideally locked. Sealed ammo cans with a gasket help keep moisture out for long-term storage. Keep different calibers in labeled containers so the wrong cartridge never ends up in a magazine. If ammo is corroded, dented or has been wet, do not fire it.

.308 Winchester Ballistics: Common Loads

Published velocity and energy for common .308 range, hunting and match loads.

Load key: FMJ = full metal jacket; BTHP = boat-tail hollow point.

Figures are as published by Federal Premium on each product page (checked October 30, 2026). Velocity from your own barrel will differ.

.308 Brands We Carry

As of October 30, 2026, this category lists 71 .308 products. Brands we carry in .308 include Federal, Hornady, Winchester Ammunition, Nosler, Barnes, PMC, SIG SAUER, DoubleTap Ammunition, Sellier & Bellot, Aguila Ammunition, Atomic Ammunition, Fiocchi Ammunition, HSM Ammo, Remington, Armscor, Prvi Partizan, Sierra Bullets and Speer Ammunition. Stock changes daily, so filter by availability in the grid above.

Buying .308 in Bulk vs by the Box

A 20- or 50-round box is the cheapest way to try a load in your gun. Once you know what runs well, larger cases of 250, 500 or 1,000 rounds almost always cost less per round. To compare listings fairly, divide the price by the round count to get the cost per round, and include shipping. Orders of $500 or more ship free, which usually makes a case the better deal. See what .308 has been costing in our Ammo Price Index, and browse bulk ammo.

How to Choose .308 Ammo

• Confirm the cartridge stamped on your barrel matches the box exactly.
• Pick the bullet type for the job: FMJ for practice, expanding bullets for defense and hunting.
• Buy a small quantity first and test it in your gun, then buy in bulk.
• Check your range rules for steel case, steel core or bi-metal bullets.
• Check your state and local laws before ordering.

Shipping and State Laws

Orders of $500 or more ship free. Ammunition orders under $500 ship for $15.99. Ammunition is not returnable. You must be of legal age to buy ammunition, and some states and cities restrict ammo shipments, require a license or background check, or limit certain bullet types. Read our ammo and magazine laws by state before ordering. Tactical Surplus USA has been selling firearms, ammunition and gear since 2022.

Related Calibers, Guides and Firearms

Related ammo: 7.62x51 NATO ammo, .223 Remington ammo, 7.62x39 ammo. Comparisons: .308 vs 7.62x51, ammo caliber chart. Shop bolt-action rifles, semi-auto rifles, rifle magazines.