Light bullets

[NightStalker]

Looking at different 308 bullet weights for my AR10.

Im thinking about a lighter bullet for this winter for varmints. Im also consider the rifle for an elk hunt in October 

[shooterrex]

I haven't tried any in my gas gun but I load 110 gr carbine bullets for my bolt gun for varmints.

[jtallen83]

If you can find them the bullets used in the MK319 mod 0 are devastating. The surplus 319 is good stuff.

 

[98Z5V]

8 hours ago, NightStalker said:

Looking at different 308 bullet weights for my AR10.

Im thinking about a lighter bullet for this winter for varmints. Im also consider the rifle for an elk hunt in October 

You reload?  For the Elk, I'd recommend a Barnes 168gr TSX or TTSX projectile. 

[NightStalker]

Yes I reload, and Barnes bullets are definitely turning out to be my go to in several calibers.  

I just haven’t loaded light bullets in 308  

 

[NightStalker]

I decided to stick around the 150 grn bullets, but will be getting 168 grn Barnes for bigger beasts.  
i worked up a nice load and my AR308 shoots it well. 

[Magwa]

308 and 168 Barnes TTSX are like a light switch you turn it off and poof your animal is dead...I know 8 or 9 elk would vouch for this but they B dead!

[NightStalker]

Elk hunt this year, working up Barnes loads now in 150 and 168 grn 

[shooterrex]

Elk are big animals. The heavier bullet will do a better job.

[98Z5V]

11 hours ago, NightStalker said:

Elk hunt this year, working up Barnes loads now in 150 and 168 grn 

 

9 hours ago, shooterrex said:

Elk are big animals. The heavier bullet will do a better job.

If you're working up a Barnes 168 TSX load for an elk - then stick with it.  BANG.  Flop.

Ask @Magwa about that.  Forget that 150.  Do the 168.

[NightStalker]

Ron Spoomer talks about dropping large animals in Africa with the 130 grn Barnes bullets, but I don’t want to go that small. 
If I go with the 150 grn I can keep the speed higher and I can practice with cheaper bullets is my thoughts right now. 

[Magwa]

20 hours ago, NightStalker said:

Ron Spoomer talks about dropping large animals in Africa with the 130 grn Barnes bullets, but I don’t want to go that small. 
If I go with the 150 grn I can keep the speed higher and I can practice with cheaper bullets is my thoughts right now. 

you need a bigger bullet when you use copper bullets example a 168 is how big you need to get the equevelent of a 150 and I can tell you speed it NOT what you need you need accuracy and energy  both of which a 168 ir way better that a 150 in 308 history 168 and 308 are like peanut butter and jelly . I have many one shot elk kills dropped in their tracks at ranges over 300 yards and I get the accuracy of less than 3/4 of a inch at 100 yards can your 150's do that? just buy a box of the barnes 168 TTSX 20 hunting rounds will last you years!

[98Z5V]

On 7/30/2026 at 8:17 AM, NightStalker said:

with the 130 grn Barnes bullets,

Barnes bullets are solid coppers.  Copper weighs less than lead, in composite bullets.

I'll get straight to the point.  Barnes 70 TSX, in 5.56.  That turned into a SOF round, the "Optimized Brown TIp" round, that was deadlier than the Mk262 load, a 77 MatchKing OTM projectile.  

If you compare the length of the Barnes 70TSX to the length of the 77 SMK OTM - the Barnes bullet is lighter - but longer - then the 77 SMK.  Solid copper.  98% weight retention, in the TSX, which means it expands, doesn't break apart and fragment all over. Maintains it's weight, and drives through. Believe, or not believe.  Maybe that was what Spomer was talking about - quote what he said, or the article he said it in.  

I posted this picture here on this board on 25 Aug 2017, just to get the point across...

 

Here's the thread I posted that in:

You can believe, or not believe.  I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you...   

[NightStalker]

No I believe it and appreciate the info

[98Z5V]

7 hours ago, NightStalker said:

No I believe it and appreciate the info

Any of those Barnes bullets that you've looked up will do you right, for certain.  Even if they're lighter - they'll fly fast, accurate, and maintain their weight and punch through an animal - very, very well worth loading up and trying them out.   

Sorry if I sounded harsh in that last one - wasn't intended...  

[NightStalker]

No your good thanks