Hunting construction
Soft-point, bonded, partitioned, and monolithic expanding bullets are designed differently. Their intended impact-velocity ranges and use cases come from the bullet or ammunition manufacturer.
THE CARTRIDGE LIBRARY · SPORTING & MATCH RIFLE
.308 Winchester
A short-action .30-caliber cartridge with extensive hunting, target, and match factory offerings. Its sporting designation is closely related to, but distinct from, 7.62 NATO terminology.
2A Ledger reference desk · Sources checked October 18, 2026
Read the dimensions
- Overall · min–max
- 2.490–2.810 in
63.246–71.374 mm - Case length · max
- 2.015 in
51.181 mm - Bullet maximum
- 0.309 in
7.849 mm - Rim diameter · max
- 0.473 in
12.014 mm
Know the exact name
At a glance
- Cartridge family
- Sporting & match rifle
- Bullet specification
- 0.3090 in / 7.849 mmBullet maximum
- Factory examples
- 46 loadsSelected, sourced examples below
- Weight in cited examples
- 110–185 grGrains measure mass, not powder charge
.308 Winchester is identified by its complete cartridge designation. The resource-table alternative is 308 Win. A caliber number, bullet diameter, or family resemblance on its own does not identify ammunition compatibility.
Use the firearm manufacturer's guidance for .308 Winchester and 7.62 NATO. This relationship is not a universal compatibility statement.
Dimensions: open the exact dimensional drawing ↗. The displayed number is bullet maximum, rather than an assertion that every manufactured projectile or barrel has this exact diameter.
Origins & evolution
Background & development
The .308 Winchester grew alongside the U.S. military’s postwar search for a shorter replacement for the .30-06. Experimental T65 cartridges developed through a series of revisions, with work drawing on the .300 Savage case concept. Winchester brought a sporting version to market while the military trials were still underway.
The closely related military cartridge became the 7.62 NATO, with the M14 rifle and M60 machine gun adopted by the United States in 1957. The .308’s civilian history developed in parallel: the Model 70 and many later rifles supported hunting, target shooting and several forms of competition. That broad acceptance eventually made it a major commercial parent-case family as well as a successful cartridge in its own right. Its story is therefore not simply that a military round was renamed for hunters; commercial introduction and military standardization were related but distinct developments.
Historical sources: Sierra: .308 Winchester cartridge history ↗
Construction changes the story
Loads, variations & specialty offerings
Match construction
Open-tip match and tipped match bullets prioritize consistency and aerodynamics. A match designation does not by itself mean the projectile was designed for hunting expansion.
Specialty offerings
Lead-free, reduced-recoil, and premium long-range products are separate load designs when offered. Compare the exact SKU, bullet weight, test barrel, and intended role rather than relying on a cartridge-wide average.
In the cited .308 Winchester examples, bullet weights are 110, 125, 130, 150, 155, 165, 168, 175, 178, 180, 185 grains. These are the weights actually present in this source selection, not a claim that every possible loading is listed.
Bullet construction background: Hornady: anatomy of a bullet ↗. Exact product descriptions and velocities are cited in the factory table.
From the factory catalog
110 grains
3,300 fps
HORNADY V-MAX
150 grains
2,820 fps
COPPER HP
168 grains
2,650 fps
SIERRA MATCHKING BTHP
Compare all 46 cited factory load records
| Maker / product | Bullet mass | Published construction | Muzzle velocity | Test barrel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FederalV308VM110 | 110 gr 7.13 g | HORNADY V-MAX | 3,300 fps 1,006 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| Hornady80866 | 125 gr 8.10 g | SST® | 2,675 fps 815 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| FederalAE308130VP | 130 gr 8.42 g | JHP | 3,050 fps 930 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| Federal308150LFA | 150 gr 9.72 g | COPPER HP | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| Federal308A | 150 gr 9.72 g | SP | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| FederalAE308D | 150 gr 9.72 g | FMJ BT | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalF308FS1 | 150 gr 9.72 g | FUSION | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalF308MSR1 | 150 gr 9.72 g | FUSION | 2,770 fps 844 m/s | 20 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalP308TC3 | 150 gr 9.72 g | TROPHY COPPER | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| FederalP308V | 150 gr 9.72 g | BARNES TRIPLE-SHOCK | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| Hornady8090 | 150 gr 9.72 g | InterLock® SP | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady8093 | 150 gr 9.72 g | SST® | 2,820 fps 860 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80933 | 150 gr 9.72 g | SST® | 3,000 fps 914 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80934 | 150 gr 9.72 g | SST® | 2,810 fps 856 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80944 | 150 gr 9.72 g | CX® | 2,900 fps 884 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80920 | 155 gr 10.04 g | FTX® | 2,785 fps 849 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80927 | 155 gr 10.04 g | A-MAX® | 2,850 fps 869 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80967 | 155 gr 10.04 g | BTHP Match | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| FederalF308FS2 | 165 gr 10.69 g | FUSION | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalP308H | 165 gr 10.69 g | BARNES TRIPLE-SHOCK | 2,650 fps 808 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| FederalP308SS1 | 165 gr 10.69 g | SWIFT SCIROCCO II | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| FederalP308TC2 | 165 gr 10.69 g | TROPHY COPPER | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| FederalP308TT2 | 165 gr 10.69 g | TROPHY BONDED TIP | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| Hornady80904 | 165 gr 10.69 g | InterLock® SP | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80983 | 165 gr 10.69 g | SST® | 2,840 fps 866 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady809864 | 165 gr 10.69 g | CX® | 2,610 fps 796 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80990 | 165 gr 10.69 g | CX® | 2,750 fps 838 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| FederalGM308M | 168 gr 10.89 g | SIERRA MATCHKING BTHP | 2,650 fps 808 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗ |
| FederalGM308OTM1 | 168 gr 10.89 g | CENTERSTRIKE OTM | 2,650 fps 808 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗ |
| FederalP308BCH1 | 168 gr 10.89 g | BERGER HYBRID HUNTER | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| Hornady80963 | 168 gr 10.89 g | ELD® Match | 2,840 fps 866 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80966 | 168 gr 10.89 g | ELD® Match | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady8097 | 168 gr 10.89 g | BTHP | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady80971 | 168 gr 10.89 g | A-MAX® | 2,700 fps 823 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| FederalGM308M2 | 175 gr 11.34 g | SIERRA MATCHKING BTHP | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗ |
| FederalGM308OTM2 | 175 gr 11.34 g | CENTERSTRIKE OTM | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗ |
| FederalP308TA1 | 175 gr 11.34 g | TERMINAL ASCENT | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| FederalP308ELDX1 | 178 gr 11.53 g | ELD-X | 2,610 fps 796 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| Hornady80994 | 178 gr 11.53 g | ELD-X® | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Hornady8105 | 178 gr 11.53 g | BTHP | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| Federal308B | 180 gr 11.66 g | SP | 2,570 fps 783 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗ |
| FederalF308FS3 | 180 gr 11.66 g | FUSION | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalF308TFS3 | 180 gr 11.66 g | FUSION TIPPED | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗ |
| FederalP308TT1 | 180 gr 11.66 g | TROPHY BONDED TIP | 2,620 fps 799 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗ |
| Hornady80772 | 180 gr 11.66 g | SST® | 2,650 fps 808 m/s | Not stated here; see source | Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗ |
| FederalGM308BH185 | 185 gr 11.99 g | BERGER JUGGERNAUT OTM | 2,600 fps 792 m/s | 24 in | Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗ |
Explore the published data
Ballistics you can inspect
Select a legend entry to add or remove its line. Hover or tap a plotted point, or use the position slider. With the graph focused, arrow keys move the inspector. Solid dots identify source points; dashed connectors show estimates between them. Load construction, pressure category, and test setup can differ even at the same grain weight.
Read the original values as accessible tables
.308 Winchester: factory velocity downrange
| Exact load | Source / publisher | Published points |
|---|---|---|
| 110 gr Federal HORNADY V-MAX | Federal | 0: 3,300; 100: 2,954; 200: 2,635; 300: 2,336; 400: 2,058; 500: 1,799 |
| 125 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 2,675; 100: 2,389; 200: 2,121; 300: 1,871; 400: 1,642; 500: 1,437 |
| 130 gr Federal JHP | Federal | 0: 3,050; 100: 2,691; 200: 2,359; 300: 2,052; 400: 1,769; 500: 1,516 |
| 150 gr Federal COPPER HP | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,497; 200: 2,195; 300: 1,915; 400: 1,661; 500: 1,434 |
| 155 gr Hornady FTX® | Hornady | 0: 2,785; 100: 2,499; 200: 2,231; 300: 1,980 |
| 165 gr Federal FUSION | Federal | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,501; 200: 2,310; 300: 2,128; 400: 1,954; 500: 1,789 |
| 168 gr Federal SIERRA MATCHKING BTHP | Federal | 0: 2,650; 100: 2,460; 200: 2,277; 300: 2,103; 400: 1,936; 500: 1,778 |
| 175 gr Federal SIERRA MATCHKING BTHP | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,427; 200: 2,262; 300: 2,102; 400: 1,949; 500: 1,803 |
| 178 gr Federal ELD-X | Federal | 0: 2,610; 100: 2,452; 200: 2,299; 300: 2,152; 400: 2,009; 500: 1,872 |
| 180 gr Federal SP | Federal | 0: 2,570; 100: 2,345; 200: 2,131; 300: 1,929; 400: 1,740; 500: 1,565 |
| 185 gr Federal BERGER JUGGERNAUT OTM | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,442; 200: 2,289; 300: 2,143; 400: 2,001; 500: 1,864 |
| 150 gr Federal SP | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,532; 200: 2,261; 300: 2,007; 400: 1,771; 500: 1,557 |
| 150 gr Federal FMJ BT | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,597; 200: 2,385; 300: 2,183; 400: 1,990; 500: 1,808 |
| 150 gr Federal FUSION | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,600; 200: 2,391; 300: 2,191; 400: 2,001; 500: 1,821 |
| 150 gr Federal FUSION | Federal | 0: 2,770; 100: 2,553; 200: 2,345; 300: 2,148; 400: 1,960; 500: 1,782 |
| 150 gr Federal TROPHY COPPER | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,625; 200: 2,439; 300: 2,260; 400: 2,089; 500: 1,925 |
| 150 gr Federal BARNES TRIPLE-SHOCK | Federal | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,574; 200: 2,341; 300: 2,120; 400: 1,911; 500: 1,717 |
| 150 gr Hornady InterLock® SP | Hornady | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,561; 200: 2,316; 300: 2,085; 400: 1,868; 500: 1,667 |
| 150 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 2,820; 100: 2,601; 200: 2,393; 300: 2,194; 400: 2,005; 500: 1,826 |
| 150 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 3,000; 100: 2,772; 200: 2,556; 300: 2,350; 400: 2,153; 500: 1,966 |
| 150 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 2,810; 100: 2,588; 200: 2,377; 300: 2,176; 400: 1,984; 500: 1,804 |
| 150 gr Hornady CX® | Hornady | 0: 2,900; 100: 2,679; 200: 2,468; 300: 2,267; 400: 2,076; 500: 1,894 |
| 155 gr Hornady A-MAX® | Hornady | 0: 2,850; 100: 2,639; 200: 2,438; 300: 2,245; 400: 2,062; 500: 1,887 |
| 155 gr Hornady BTHP Match | Hornady | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,482; 200: 2,274; 300: 2,076; 400: 1,888; 500: 1,712 |
| 165 gr Federal BARNES TRIPLE-SHOCK | Federal | 0: 2,650; 100: 2,430; 200: 2,220; 300: 2,021; 400: 1,833; 500: 1,659 |
| 165 gr Federal SWIFT SCIROCCO II | Federal | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,511; 200: 2,329; 300: 2,156; 400: 1,990; 500: 1,830 |
| 165 gr Federal TROPHY COPPER | Federal | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,510; 200: 2,329; 300: 2,155; 400: 1,988; 500: 1,829 |
| 165 gr Federal TROPHY BONDED TIP | Federal | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,503; 200: 2,314; 300: 2,133; 400: 1,960; 500: 1,797 |
| 165 gr Hornady InterLock® SP | Hornady | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,496; 200: 2,302; 300: 2,116; 400: 1,939; 500: 1,772 |
| 165 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 2,840; 100: 2,636; 200: 2,440; 300: 2,253; 400: 2,074; 500: 1,904 |
| 165 gr Hornady CX® | Hornady | 0: 2,610; 100: 2,412; 200: 2,224; 300: 2,044; 400: 1,872; 500: 1,711 |
| 165 gr Hornady CX® | Hornady | 0: 2,750; 100: 2,546; 200: 2,352; 300: 2,166; 400: 1,988; 500: 1,820 |
| 168 gr Federal CENTERSTRIKE OTM | Federal | 0: 2,650; 100: 2,455; 200: 2,268; 300: 2,089; 400: 1,918; 500: 1,758 |
| 168 gr Federal BERGER HYBRID HUNTER | Federal | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,518; 200: 2,343; 300: 2,176; 400: 2,015; 500: 1,860 |
| 168 gr Hornady ELD® Match | Hornady | 0: 2,840; 100: 2,665; 200: 2,496; 300: 2,334; 400: 2,177; 500: 2,027 |
| 168 gr Hornady ELD® Match | Hornady | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,530; 200: 2,366; 300: 2,209; 400: 2,057; 500: 1,912 |
| 168 gr Hornady BTHP | Hornady | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,503; 200: 2,315; 300: 2,134; 400: 1,962; 500: 1,799 |
| 168 gr Hornady A-MAX® | Hornady | 0: 2,700; 100: 2,513; 200: 2,333; 300: 2,161; 400: 1,996; 500: 1,839 |
| 175 gr Federal CENTERSTRIKE OTM | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,427; 200: 2,262; 300: 2,102; 400: 1,949; 500: 1,803 |
| 175 gr Federal TERMINAL ASCENT | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,432; 200: 2,271; 300: 2,116; 400: 1,967; 500: 1,824 |
| 178 gr Hornady ELD-X® | Hornady | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,443; 200: 2,291; 300: 2,145; 400: 2,004; 500: 1,868 |
| 178 gr Hornady BTHP | Hornady | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,436; 200: 2,278; 300: 2,125; 400: 1,979; 500: 1,839 |
| 180 gr Federal FUSION | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,427; 200: 2,260; 300: 2,101; 400: 1,947; 500: 1,801 |
| 180 gr Federal FUSION TIPPED | Federal | 0: 2,600; 100: 2,426; 200: 2,259; 300: 2,099; 400: 1,944; 500: 1,798 |
| 180 gr Federal TROPHY BONDED TIP | Federal | 0: 2,620; 100: 2,445; 200: 2,277; 300: 2,116; 400: 1,960; 500: 1,812 |
| 180 gr Hornady SST® | Hornady | 0: 2,650; 100: 2,467; 200: 2,292; 300: 2,123; 400: 1,962; 500: 1,809 |
How to interpret the comparison
Changing bullet weight also often changes bullet design and propellant choice. Two curves are comparisons of the listed products, not a controlled experiment proving that bullet weight alone caused the difference. Catalog downrange points are projections under the maker’s conditions; barrel-study points are recorded observations in the study firearm.
Direct answers
Common questions
What is .308 Winchester?
A short-action .30-caliber cartridge with extensive hunting, target, and match factory offerings. Its sporting designation is closely related to, but distinct from, 7.62 NATO terminology.
What diameter does .308 Winchester use?
The cited dimensional standard lists 0.3090 inches (7.849 mm), bullet maximum. This drawing convention is different from a casual caliber nickname.
Are similarly named cartridges interchangeable?
Use the firearm manufacturer's guidance for .308 Winchester and 7.62 NATO. This relationship is not a universal compatibility statement.
Are the graph values measured or estimated?
Factory datasets show manufacturer specifications and any published downrange projections. Chronograph and barrel-study datasets identify recorded measurements and the original test source. Dashed connectors and intermediate inspector values are labeled linear estimates; single source points are not extended into invented curves. Energy is calculated from bullet mass and velocity.
Does higher energy mean the best load?
Energy is calculated from mass and velocity. It does not establish accuracy, expansion, penetration, pattern density, recoil, or suitability for a particular firearm. Use the exact product documentation and firearm manual.
Trace the facts
Sources & methodology
Compiled by 2A Ledger from the linked standards, manufacturer publications, and identified test records. Checked October 18, 2026. Historical tests and older catalogs retain their original dates; a listing here does not establish current availability.
- SAAMI: dimensional drawing · PDF p. 130 ↗
- Sierra: .308 Winchester cartridge background ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 56–57 ↗
- Hornady · PDF p. 186 ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 58–59 ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 52–53 ↗
- Federal · PDF pp. 54–55 ↗
Diameter figures preserve the cited drawing convention. Inch–millimeter conversion uses exactly 25.4 mm per inch. Factory specifications describe the maker’s test setup; your firearm, ammunition lot, temperature, and measuring method can produce different results. This is an educational factory-ammunition reference, not a reloading manual.