.308 Win for Waterbuck bullet selection.

[Treeman]

The first thing I want to know is, is a 180 bullet too heavy for for general .308 use?. I have always said that the 180 gr is just too heavy and a 168-168 gr bullet is far more suited, but now I have to set up a .308 for general hunting and Waterbuck on a more than once in a while basis.

I am sure a 165-168 gr bullet will work fine, but then think of that less than perfect shot scenario and the 180 gr bullet just plowing on forward long after the 165 gr has run out of steam.
Trajectory of 180 gr ??

Thing is I have 300 Norma 180gr bullets on stock, so ..........

[Treeman]

Side note, this rifle is for a 17 year old and his circle of friends to use on their farm.

[Ds J]

The 180gr is good medicine for waterbuck.

I don't know whether penetration between 165/168gr and 180gr differs that much once one is in the field. Shot placement is more critical.

[Ds J]

Side note, this rifle is for a 17 year old and his circle of friends to use on their farm.

Does the rifle have a silencer and a recoil pad? My 308 still has the hard stock and it can hurt at times.

[Treeman]

Side note, this rifle is for a 17 year old and his circle of friends to use on their farm.

Does the rifle have a silencer and a recoil pad? My 308 still has the hard stock and it can hurt at times.

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Yes, both items fitted, Howa .308

[Tripodmvr]

Look at ballistic tables and compare the bullet drop of a 303, 308 and 30-06 with 180gr bullets at 300m. Then make a decision as to using that weight as an all-rounder for the 308.