Published: October 2025 | Last updated: April 2026
The 308 Winchester has been the most widely used precision rifle cartridge in the world for over sixty years. Adopted by NATO as the 7.62x51mm in 1954 and chambered in every short-action hunting rifle platform since the mid-1950s, its ballistic profile is the reference against which most other cartridges are measured. It is not the flattest-shooting or the most wind-resistant .30-caliber cartridge available today, but its combination of accuracy, barrel life, component availability, and reliable terminal performance on large game has kept it dominant despite more efficient alternatives.
This article covers external ballistics across four practical load weights plus terminal performance for the five most relevant bullet types. For reloading data, see the 308 Winchester complete guide. For direct comparisons, see 308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Winchester vs 30-06 Springfield, and 308 Winchester vs 7mm-08 Remington.
Core Ballistic Parameters
| Load | MV | BC (G7) | Muzzle Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip | 2,820 FPS | 0.206 | 2,648 ft-lbs |
| 165 gr Hornady SST | 2,700 FPS | 0.225 | 2,672 ft-lbs |
| 168 gr Sierra MatchKing | 2,650 FPS | 0.253 | 2,620 ft-lbs |
| 175 gr Sierra MatchKing | 2,600 FPS | 0.264 | 2,627 ft-lbs |
All data below uses a 100-yard zero, 1.5-inch sight height, 59°F, sea level. The 308 Winchester is predominantly zeroed at 100 yards by hunters and service rifle competitors – the standard for a short-action cartridge used at typical North American hunting distances of 50-350 yards.
Bullet Drop (100-Yard Zero)
| Range (yards) | 150 gr BT | 165 gr SST | 168 gr SMK | 175 gr SMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | -3.3 | -3.6 | -3.5 | -3.6 |
| 300 | -12.5 | -13.5 | -13.0 | -13.4 |
| 400 | -28.5 | -30.5 | -29.5 | -30.3 |
| 500 | -52.5 | -56.5 | -54.5 | -56.0 |
| 600 | -87.0 | -93.5 | -90.5 | -93.0 |
| 700 | -133.5 | -143.5 | -138.5 | -142.5 |
| 800 | -194.0 | -208.5 | -201.0 | -207.0 |
| 900 | -271.0 | -291.0 | -280.5 | -289.0 |
| 1,000 | -367.0 | -394.5 | -379.5 | -391.5 |
Drop in inches. Zero at 100 yards.
With a 100-yard zero, the 308 Winchester is about 3.3-3.6 inches low at 200 yards – which most experienced hunters manage instinctively by holding slightly high. At 300 yards the drop is 12.5-13.5 inches depending on load, requiring deliberate holdover or a dialed turret correction. This is the practical edge of comfortable field shooting for most hunters without a confirmed distance.
At 400 yards the drop reaches 28-30 inches – more than twice the depth of a deer’s vital zone. Hitting at 400 yards with a 100-yard zero requires knowing exact distance and precise holdover. The 308 Winchester at 400+ yards is workable for experienced shooters with rangefinders; it is not a point-and-shoot proposition beyond 300 yards with a 100-yard zero.
The 175-grain MatchKing drops slightly more than the 150-grain Ballistic Tip at all distances because of lower starting velocity. The heavier bullet’s BC advantage compensates partially but does not fully offset the 220 FPS velocity deficit at these distances.
Wind Drift – 10 MPH Full-Value Crosswind
| Range (yards) | 150 gr BT | 165 gr SST | 168 gr SMK | 175 gr SMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| 300 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.6 |
| 400 | 15.1 | 14.2 | 12.6 | 12.0 |
| 500 | 24.2 | 22.8 | 20.1 | 19.2 |
| 600 | 35.8 | 33.8 | 29.8 | 28.4 |
| 700 | 50.5 | 47.6 | 42.0 | 40.0 |
| 800 | 68.5 | 64.5 | 57.0 | 54.0 |
| 900 | 90.0 | 84.5 | 74.5 | 70.5 |
| 1,000 | 115.0 | 108.0 | 95.0 | 90.0 |
Drift in inches. Half-value crosswind = divide by 2.
Wind drift is where the 308 Winchester shows its limitations relative to modern high-BC cartridges. At 500 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 168-grain MatchKing drifts 20 inches. Compare that to a 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain ELD-M at the same distance: about 10 inches. A 2 MPH wind-reading error at 500 yards moves the 308 about 4 inches; the Creedmoor moves 2 inches.
Within the 308’s practical deer-hunting range of 300-350 yards, wind is still manageable – 7 inches of drift at 300 yards in a 10 MPH full-value crosswind means a 5 MPH error costs you 3.5 inches, which stays inside a deer’s vital zone. The wind problem becomes decisive past 500 yards, which is why service rifle competitors cap their effective range and why PRS shooters moved to the 6.5 Creedmoor.
The difference between the 150-grain and 175-grain loads at 300 yards is only 1.7 inches of wind drift – negligible in the field. The advantage of heavier, higher-BC bullets compounds past 500 yards where the 175 SMK beats the 150 BT by 25 inches at 1,000 yards.
Velocity Retention
| Range (yards) | 150 gr BT | 165 gr SST | 168 gr SMK | 175 gr SMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,820 | 2,700 | 2,650 | 2,600 |
| 100 | 2,593 | 2,493 | 2,468 | 2,428 |
| 200 | 2,376 | 2,292 | 2,292 | 2,261 |
| 300 | 2,167 | 2,097 | 2,121 | 2,099 |
| 400 | 1,965 | 1,907 | 1,955 | 1,941 |
| 500 | 1,771 | 1,722 | 1,793 | 1,787 |
| 600 | 1,584 | 1,542 | 1,636 | 1,637 |
| 700 | 1,405 | 1,367 | 1,483 | 1,491 |
| 800 | 1,237 | 1,201 | 1,337 | 1,350 |
| 900 | 1,083 | 1,050 | 1,197 | 1,214 |
| 1,000 | 959 | 929 | 1,070 | 1,085 |
Velocity in FPS. Supersonic threshold approximately 1,340 FPS at sea level.
The 150-grain and 165-grain hunting loads cross into transonic territory between 825 and 875 yards. Once a bullet enters that zone (roughly 1,100-1,400 FPS), aerodynamic stability can degrade and groups open unpredictably. The 308 Winchester with standard hunting loads is not a reliable 900-yard cartridge.
The 168-grain and 175-grain MatchKings do better, staying supersonic past 900 yards. The 175 SMK at 1,085 FPS at 1,000 yards sits only marginally above transonic – and wind drift at that distance is 90 inches in a 10 MPH crosswind. The honest picture: the 308 Winchester with a 175-grain SMK is a capable 700-yard precision cartridge and reaches 900+ yards only in ideal conditions with experienced shooters. The “1,000 yards” figure used in marketing is technically achievable, not practically routine.
At altitude (5,000+ feet), air density drops and supersonic range extends by roughly 50-75 yards across all loads – relevant for western mountain hunting where the 308 is widely used.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 150 gr BT | 165 gr SST | 168 gr SMK | 175 gr SMK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 2,648 | 2,672 | 2,620 | 2,627 |
| 100 | 2,240 | 2,275 | 2,271 | 2,289 |
| 200 | 1,882 | 1,923 | 1,959 | 1,982 |
| 300 | 1,563 | 1,610 | 1,677 | 1,714 |
| 400 | 1,285 | 1,334 | 1,425 | 1,464 |
| 500 | 1,044 | 1,086 | 1,200 | 1,241 |
| 600 | 835 | 872 | 998 | 1,042 |
| 700 | 656 | 685 | 820 | 865 |
| 800 | 509 | 528 | 666 | 708 |
| 900 | 389 | 403 | 534 | 572 |
| 1,000 | 306 | 315 | 427 | 457 |
Energy in ft-lbs.
For deer (1,000 ft-lbs practical minimum with expanding bullets), the 175-grain SMK holds above that threshold to 600 yards; the 150-grain Ballistic Tip crosses below 1,000 ft-lbs around 500 yards. For elk (1,500 ft-lbs threshold with quality bonded bullets), the 175-grain SMK holds above that mark to approximately 430 yards.
The MatchKing entries in this table are target bullets and not appropriate hunting loads. The Ballistic Tip and SST are the hunting bullet comparison points. A 165-grain Nosler AccuBond or Hornady ELD-X would show similar energy numbers to the SST with substantially better terminal performance at reduced velocities.
Terminal Performance Profiles
Hornady ELD-X 178 gr
Construction: Polymer tip with Heat Shield, tapered copper jacket. Designed to expand reliably from 1,600 to 3,000+ FPS – which for the 308 Winchester means reliable expansion from muzzle contact out to approximately 550 yards where impact velocity drops near 1,750 FPS.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.55-0.62 inches with 95%+ weight retention. Penetration in elk-sized tissue: 20-24 inches. The expansion is controlled – adequate for heavy muscle penetration to the vitals on quartering shots, unlike lighter or faster-expanding bullets that exhaust their energy in surface tissue.
Hunting application: The best all-range 308 Winchester hunting load for deer and elk. At 300 yards with a 165-grain SST or 178-grain ELD-X, the 308 delivers over 1,600 ft-lbs – sufficient for elk on broadside shots. The ELD-X’s reliable expansion at the 308’s reduced long-range velocities extends the ethical hunting range compared to older cup-and-core hunting bullets. Practical range: 525 yards on deer, 400 yards on elk.
More details: Hornady ELD-X bullet profile
Nosler Partition 165 gr
Construction: Dual-core partitioned design. The front core expands rapidly on impact; the partition stops further expansion and the retained rear core drives to guaranteed minimum penetration depth.
Terminal behavior: Front core mushrooms to 0.60-0.68 inches in the first 5-8 inches of tissue. The partition retains the rear core, which adds 12-16 more inches of penetration. Total penetration in elk-sized tissue: 18-24 inches. Weight retention 65-75%. The Partition consistently exits deer and usually exits elk on broadside shots.
Hunting application: The benchmark 308 Winchester hunting bullet for elk. The partition design handles both a 50-yard brush-country shot at full velocity and a 400-yard open-country shot at reduced velocity without bullet failure. For tough quartering angles through heavy shoulder bone on elk or for large bears, the Partition’s guaranteed rear-core penetration is the safety margin no other design provides. Practical range on elk: 400 yards.
More details: Nosler Partition bullet profile
Sierra MatchKing 168 gr and 175 gr
Construction: Open-tip match (OTM) bullets with thin, precision-formed jackets. Not designed for controlled terminal expansion – designed for the smallest possible groups on paper.
Terminal behavior: At close-range high-velocity impacts above 2,200 FPS, the thin jacket causes rapid, violent expansion effective on deer. Below 1,800 FPS (around 600 yards for the 308), expansion becomes inconsistent – the bullet may yaw, tumble, or pass through without useful expansion. This velocity sensitivity makes the MatchKing unreliable as a hunting bullet at extended range.
Competition application: The 168 SMK is the standard 600-yard National Match load. The 175 SMK is the standard 1,000-yard service rifle load. Both produce consistent sub-0.5 MOA groups in quality 308 barrels. The 175’s BC advantage over the 168 is most valuable past 800 yards, where it retains about 30 FPS more and drifts about 5 inches less in a 10 MPH wind at 1,000 yards.
More details: Sierra MatchKing bullet profile
Barnes TTSX 168 gr
Construction: All-copper tipped expanding bullet, lead-free, 100% weight retention. Relief grooves reduce bearing surface pressure.
Terminal behavior: Expands to a four-petal mushroom of 0.54-0.60 inches. Full bullet weight continues forward after expansion, producing 22-30 inches of penetration in elk-sized tissue. Consistently exits deer from any angle and frequently exits elk on broadside shots, providing blood trails from both entry and exit points.
Hunting application: The lead-free 308 Winchester option for California and other regulated areas. The TTSX requires approximately 1,800 FPS minimum for reliable petal expansion – the 308 provides this to about 475 yards with a 168-grain load. Effective hunting range: 450 yards on deer, 350 yards on elk. Copper fouling requires a dedicated copper solvent; reduce starting handload charges 5% from published lead-core data.
More details: Barnes TTSX bullet profile
Federal Fusion 165 gr
Construction: Electrochemically bonded copper jacket fused to a lead core. The molecular bonding prevents core-jacket separation under high-velocity impact or bone strike.
Terminal behavior: Expands to 0.55-0.65 inches with 85-95% weight retention – higher than most standard cup-and-core bullets. Penetration in deer-sized tissue: 16-22 inches. At close-range 308 Winchester velocities around 2,700 FPS, the Fusion performs almost identically to the Nosler AccuBond. At extended-range reduced velocities, the bonded construction maintains expansion where an unbonded bullet might fail.
Hunting application: The practical working-hunter’s choice – genuinely bonded terminal performance at a price point between cup-and-core and premium bonded bullets. Reliable on deer to 450 yards and on elk to 375 yards with broadside shots. The Fusion is widely available at every sporting goods store and is an honest answer for hunters who want better bullet construction than standard cup-and-core without paying Nosler AccuBond prices.
More details: Federal Fusion bullet profile
Practical Range Recommendations
Deer – the 308 Winchester with a 165-grain Hornady ELD-X or Federal Fusion is capable to 450-475 yards in calm conditions with confirmed distance. In typical field conditions with variable wind and estimated range, a self-imposed 350-yard limit is realistic for most hunters. The trajectory with a 100-yard zero at 300 yards (about 13 inches of drop) requires deliberate holdover, which is manageable; at 400 yards (29-30 inches) it requires a dialed correction or precise holdover knowledge.
Elk – 375-400 yards maximum with a 165-grain Partition or ELD-X on broadside shots. The energy at 400 yards (approximately 1,334-1,464 ft-lbs depending on load) is adequate for elk but not generous – shot placement must be precise, and quartering-toward angles through heavy shoulder bone are not appropriate at that distance with the 308. A practical self-imposed 300-yard limit on elk in anything but ideal conditions is not overcautious.
Precision target shooting – the 168-grain or 175-grain MatchKing is effective and consistent to 700 yards in the hands of skilled shooters. At 800-900 yards the 308 is workable in calm conditions but wind sensitivity is a serious constraint. Competitors who shoot at 1,000 yards regularly with the 308 understand they are at the cartridge’s ceiling and manage accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what range does the 308 Winchester go subsonic?
With standard 150-165 grain hunting loads, the 308 Winchester crosses into the transonic zone (approximately 1,340 FPS) between 825 and 875 yards at sea level. The 168 and 175-grain MatchKing loads stay supersonic slightly past 900 yards. At altitude or in hot conditions, air density drops and supersonic range extends by 50-75 yards. Practically speaking, consistent accuracy at 900 yards and beyond with the 308 Winchester requires the 175-grain SMK and calm conditions.
How does the 308 Winchester compare to the 6.5 Creedmoor at 500 yards?
At 500 yards in a 10 MPH crosswind, the 308 Winchester 168-grain SMK drifts approximately 20 inches while the 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain ELD-M drifts about 10 inches. The energy figures are closer: the 308 delivers around 1,200 ft-lbs versus the 6.5 Creedmoor’s roughly 1,263 ft-lbs at that distance. For hunting inside 400 yards, the difference is minor. For precision work at 600-800 yards, the wind gap is consequential. See 308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor for full analysis.
Is the 308 Winchester adequate for elk?
Yes, inside 350-400 yards with appropriate bullet selection. The 165-grain Nosler Partition or Hornady ELD-X delivers 1,334-1,464 ft-lbs at 400 yards – sufficient energy for elk with a broadside or clear quartering-away shot. The cartridge’s limitation on elk is not energy at practical hunting distances but the need for precise shot placement and bullet selection. Cup-and-core hunting bullets like the Winchester Power Point or Remington Core-Lokt are adequate for deer but marginal for elk past 250 yards; use bonded or partitioned construction for elk at any range with the 308.
What is the effective range of the 308 Winchester for deer hunting?
With a 100-yard zero and a 165-grain ELD-X or equivalent, the 308 is reliably effective on deer to 450 yards in calm conditions with confirmed distance. The practical self-imposed limit for most field shooting conditions – variable wind, estimated range, field rest – is 300-350 yards. The cartridge is not the limiting factor at 400 yards; trajectory management and wind reading are.
Does bullet weight make a significant difference in the 308 Winchester at hunting distances?
At practical deer-hunting distances of 100-300 yards, the difference between 150-grain and 180-grain loads is small in drop (under 1 inch at 200 yards) and wind drift (under 2 inches at 300 yards). The real difference is terminal performance: heavier bullets retain more momentum through heavy bone and muscle, making them more appropriate for elk and large game. Choose bullet weight for the game you are hunting, not for marginal trajectory differences that matter only past 500 yards.
Can the 308 Winchester be used suppressed?
Yes, and it is widely used suppressed in tactical and hunting applications. Standard supersonic loads are simply quieter suppressed – still supersonic crack but reduced muzzle blast. True subsonic 308 Winchester loads (typically 220-240 grain bullets at 1,050-1,100 FPS) are available and produce the quietest possible report but sacrifice long-range capability entirely. Subsonic 308 is effective inside 150 yards on deer with proper heavy expanding bullet selection, but terminal performance at those reduced velocities requires bullets specifically designed for subsonic use.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in October 2025 and revised in April 2026. The revision corrected the zero to 100 yards per site standard for standard hunting cartridges, recalculated all drop and wind drift figures for the 100-yard zero, replaced G1 BC values with G7 values, added a velocity retention table with honest transonic threshold discussion, expanded terminal performance profiles to five bullets with specific mushroom diameter and penetration data, replaced the 180-grain Partition with the more practical 175-grain SMK as the fourth load reference, added game-specific practical range recommendations, and added an FAQ section covering the most common 308 Winchester ballistics questions.
