.308 Winchester Ballistics: Complete Data Guide (Gel Tests, Drop Charts & Load Comparisons)

The .308 Winchester has been chambered in more rifles than perhaps any other centerfire cartridge in history. It has fed bolt guns, semi-automatics, and machine guns across six decades and every inhabited continent. Yet the data behind it — real velocity numbers, measured gel results, honest drop figures — is scattered, inconsistent, or buried in manufacturer marketing sheets that do not always reflect what happens in the field.

This guide pulls that information together. You will find six loads compared side-by-side, terminal performance data from standardized 10% ballistic gelatin, bullet drop charts out to 500 yards (with a 200-yard zero), a direct comparison against 6.5 Creedmoor, and practical guidance on choosing the right load for your rifle, your barrel length, and your intended use. The numbers here come from published manufacturer data, independent ballistic testing, and documented range work. Nothing is rounded to make things look better than they are.

1. What Makes .308 Unique

The .308 Winchester was introduced commercially in 1952, two years before the U.S. military adopted the dimensionally similar 7.62×51mm NATO round. That timing distinction matters to shooters today, but the cartridge’s enduring appeal comes down to something simpler: it delivers a heavy, accurate projectile at velocities that are genuinely useful from 100 to 800 yards, in a case that feeds reliably in short-action rifles, and with recoil that most shooters can manage without losing their zero or their composure on a cold morning.

It is not the flattest-shooting round in its class. It is not the most wind-resistant. But it is chambered in an enormous range of platforms, it accepts bullets from 110 to 240 grains, and the load variety available means you can tune it for deer hunting, precision competition, suppressor use, or close-range defense from the same rifle — often without changing your zero significantly.

.308 Winchester vs. 7.62×51mm NATO — What You Actually Need to Know

The .308 Winchester and 7.62×51mm NATO are based on the same case and are externally nearly identical, but they are not interchangeable without some thought. The distinction is pressure specification and chamber geometry, not case dimensions.

The .308 Winchester is loaded to a SAAMI maximum average pressure of 62,000 PSI. The 7.62×51mm NATO is tested under NATO EPVAT methods to a specification of roughly 60,191 PSI — but the measurement methods differ enough that direct comparison is misleading. More practically relevant: NATO chambers are typically cut with a slightly longer headspace than SAAMI .308 chambers. This means:

• Commercial .308 Winchester ammunition fired in a rifle marked 7.62×51mm NATO: generally safe, but the additional headspace can cause increased case stretch over time.
• Military surplus 7.62×51mm ammunition fired in a rifle marked .308 Winchester: also generally safe in modern commercial chambers, but verify with the rifle manufacturer.
• If your rifle is marked “.308 Win,” feed it .308 Win ammunition and do not assume military pull-downs are equivalent.

For the purposes of this guide, all data applies to commercially produced .308 Winchester ammunition fired through SAAMI-specification chambers.

Understanding BC, Velocity, and Sectional Density

Three numbers show up repeatedly in .308 ballistic discussions, and they are worth understanding before you read the tables below.

Ballistic Coefficient (BC) measures how efficiently a bullet retains velocity against air resistance. The G1 BC model, which most ammunition manufacturers publish, uses a flat-based blunt projectile as its reference. The G7 BC model uses a long boat-tail projectile and is more accurate for modern rifle bullets at long range. When you compare loads, compare G1 to G1 or G7 to G7 — mixing them produces meaningless results. A G1 BC of 0.462 (like the Federal Gold Medal 168gr SMK) is meaningfully different from a G1 BC of 0.523 (Hornady ELD Match 168gr) — the ELD Match bullet bucks wind noticeably better at 600+ yards.

Muzzle Velocity (MV) is measured at the muzzle of a test barrel, typically 24 inches for rifle cartridges. Your rifle’s barrel length affects the velocity you actually see — a topic covered in detail in Section 8. All manufacturer-published velocities are optimistic benchmarks, not guarantees.

Sectional Density (SD) is the bullet’s mass divided by the square of its diameter. For .308 bullets: a 150gr bullet has an SD of 0.226; a 168gr bullet has an SD of 0.253; a 175gr bullet has an SD of 0.264. Higher SD generally means deeper penetration at equivalent velocities, which matters for hunting elk-sized game. A 168gr .308 bullet has better penetration potential than a 150gr bullet of the same design, assuming both are at sufficient velocity to expand.

Barrel Length Velocity Chart

The .308 Winchester loses approximately 25 feet per second of muzzle velocity per inch of barrel length when moving away from the 24-inch test standard. The table below shows what that means in practice for common barrel lengths.

These are approximations. Specific loads, powder charges, and chamber dimensions all affect the actual number. Use these figures as planning tools, not as zeroing data.

2. Six Loads Compared — Master Table

The six loads below represent the most common categories of .308 Winchester use: precision match, controlled-expansion hunting, cup-and-core hunting, monolithic hunting, and budget hunting. All velocity and energy figures are manufacturer-published from 24-inch test barrels. BC values are G1 unless noted.

If you are shopping for ammunition, .308 Winchester loads in all six of these categories are available at Tatted Tacticals, where inventory reflects what actually ships rather than what is theoretically in stock.

Velocity Retained at Distance (168gr Loads)

To illustrate how BC affects real-world performance, here is how the three 168-grain loads compare in remaining velocity at distance, assuming a 24-inch barrel and standard conditions (sea level, 59°F, no wind):

These are calculated approximations using G1 drag models. Your actual results will depend on altitude, temperature, and specific rifle performance.

3. Terminal Ballistics — Gel Results

Terminal ballistics describes what happens when a bullet enters tissue. Ballistic gelatin standardized at 10% concentration is the accepted medium for this testing because it replicates the resistance of muscle tissue in a consistent, repeatable way. It does not perfectly simulate bone, hide, or clothing, but it gives you a baseline for comparing bullet designs under controlled conditions.

How Ballistic Gelatin Works

The 10% ballistic gelatin standard, used by the FBI and most independent testers, is mixed at 10 grams of gelatin per 100 milliliters of water, chilled to 39.2°F (4°C). At this concentration and temperature, the gel block resists bullet penetration in a manner that closely mirrors what documented wound channel data shows in live tissue at autopsy. FBI protocol requires bare gel results and four-layer denim-covered gel results, because heavy clothing is a real-world variable that dramatically affects bullet expansion.

When you read gel data, three numbers matter: penetration depth (total distance traveled), expanded diameter (how wide the bullet mushroomed), and weight retention (what percentage of original mass was retained). Together they tell you whether a bullet expands reliably, how deep it drives into tissue, and whether it holds together or fragments.

Expansion, Penetration, and Retention by Load

Bonded vs. Monolithic Construction

The Federal Fusion uses an electrochemically bonded jacket — the copper is actually fused to the lead core rather than mechanically swaged around it. This is why it retains roughly 90% of its mass through gel. Jacket separation is significantly reduced compared to traditional cup-and-core designs like the Winchester Power Point.

The Barnes TTSX takes a different approach entirely: there is no jacket. The bullet is machined from a solid copper alloy. Expansion occurs through four pre-cut petals that fold back on impact. Because there is no lead core to shed, weight retention approaches 99%, and the minimum expansion velocity is a low 1,500 fps — which gives you a meaningful margin at extended ranges.

For elk or larger deer at distances beyond 400 yards, the Barnes TTSX’s combination of deep penetration, high retention, and low expansion threshold gives it measurable advantages over bonded lead-core designs. For whitetail inside 300 yards, the Federal Fusion or Hornady SST will perform equivalently in practice.

Minimum Expansion Velocity — Why It Matters

Every expanding bullet has a threshold velocity below which it will not reliably mushroom. If you shoot a deer at 600 yards with a bullet that requires 1,900 fps to expand — and that bullet arrives at 1,850 fps — you may be firing what is effectively a solid projectile into the animal. It will likely penetrate, but the wound channel will be significantly smaller than the bullet’s design intends.

The Federal Fusion’s 1,900 fps minimum expansion threshold is the most limiting in this comparison. At 2,820 fps muzzle velocity from a 24-inch barrel, the Fusion 150gr maintains that threshold to approximately 650 yards in standard conditions. The Barnes TTSX, with its 1,500 fps threshold, maintains expansion capability to roughly 950+ yards — although energy and accuracy considerations make those distances academic for hunting.

4. Bullet Drop Charts 100–500 Yards

All drop figures below assume a 200-yard zero, sea-level conditions, 59°F, standard atmospheric pressure, and a 24-inch barrel producing published muzzle velocities. Drop is expressed as inches below line of sight. Wind deflection figures assume a 10 mph full-value crosswind from 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock.

Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr SMK (MV 2,650 fps, G1 BC 0.462)

Hornady ELD Match 168gr (MV 2,700 fps, G1 BC 0.523)

Federal Fusion 150gr (MV 2,820 fps, G1 BC 0.414)

Hornady Superformance 165gr SST (MV 2,840 fps, G1 BC 0.447)

Winchester Power Point 150gr (MV 2,820 fps, G1 BC 0.294)

Barnes TTSX 168gr (MV 2,690 fps, G1 BC 0.470)

5. .308 Winchester vs. 6.5 Creedmoor

This is the most-asked comparison in modern rifle ballistics, and it deserves a data-first answer rather than an opinion. The two cartridges serve overlapping but not identical roles. Understanding the specific numbers makes the choice straightforward for most shooters.

Trajectory Comparison

Using common long-range loads for each cartridge — .308 Win 175gr at 2,750 fps (G7 BC 0.263) vs. 6.5 Creedmoor 130gr at 2,960 fps (G7 BC 0.295) — here is how trajectory compares from a 200-yard zero:

Wind Drift Comparison

Wind drift at long range is often more consequential than trajectory because you cannot always read or account for it precisely. All figures below assume 10 mph full-value crosswind:

Energy at Distance

The .308 Winchester’s heavier bullet carries a significant energy advantage at the muzzle and at all distances, because mass multiplies kinetic energy. At 1,000 yards the advantage narrows but does not disappear:

The crossover occurs around 900 yards, where the 6.5 CM’s superior BC begins to compensate for its lighter starting weight. For hunting inside 700 yards, the .308’s energy advantage is real and meaningful. At 1,000 yards the 6.5 CM arrives with more energy because it retained velocity more efficiently.

Transonic Comparison

The transonic zone — roughly 1,340 fps to 900 fps — is where bullets become aerodynamically unstable. The transition from supersonic to subsonic flight creates turbulence that can cause even a perfectly stabilized bullet to yaw, resulting in unpredictable impacts.

The Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr SMK enters transonic flight at approximately 850–900 yards under standard sea-level conditions. The Hornady ELD Match 168gr extends this to approximately 950–1,000 yards due to its higher BC. The 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr ELD Match (G7 BC 0.315) remains supersonic to approximately 1,250–1,350 yards.

If your target distances are consistently 800 yards and under, the .308’s transonic ceiling is not a practical concern. If you are shooting past 900 yards, the .308 requires heavier, higher-BC bullets (175gr or 185gr) or you accept reduced predictability.

Decision Matrix

6. Long-Range Ballistics: 600–1,000 Yards

The .308 Winchester is a legitimate long-range cartridge when paired with the right bullet and the right rifle. What limits it is not accuracy potential — many .308 rifles will shoot sub-0.5 MOA — but rather the transonic onset of common match bullets and the wind sensitivity of lower-BC hunting loads.

168gr SMK Transonic Failure — Understanding the Limit

The Sierra 168gr MatchKing is one of the most decorated precision bullets ever produced. It was the dominant choice at Camp Perry and in military sniper programs for decades. It is also a bullet that encounters transonic instability at approximately 850–900 yards under sea-level standard conditions — and this is not a secret that Sierra or Federal keep.

What happens in the transonic zone is not catastrophic. The bullet does not tumble wildly. What typically occurs is a shift in group center and an increase in vertical dispersion of 3–8 inches at 1,000 yards compared to groups fired on the same rifle at 600 yards. At a 600-yard F-class target this is irrelevant. At a 1,000-yard Palma target, it is the difference between a 10-ring and an 8.

Several factors affect exactly where transonic onset occurs for your rifle:

• Altitude: At 5,000 feet above sea level, the air is roughly 17% less dense. The 168gr SMK remains supersonic to approximately 1,000–1,050 yards at altitude.
• Temperature: Cold air is denser. A 40°F day brings transonic onset 30–50 yards closer than a 90°F day for the same load.
• Barrel length: A 20-inch barrel loses approximately 100 fps vs. the 24-inch test standard, moving transonic onset from ~875 yards to approximately 820 yards.

Heavy Bullet Solutions for Extended Range

When .308 shooters push past 900 yards, they typically move to 175gr or heavier bullets to delay transonic onset and improve wind performance. The Sierra 175gr MatchKing (G7 BC 0.264) and Berger 185gr Juggernaut (G7 BC 0.296) are the most common choices.

The trade-off with heavier bullets in .308 is reduced muzzle velocity (the case capacity and safe pressure ceiling set a firm upper limit) and the need for a faster twist rate. A 1:10 twist handles 168gr reliably. A 175gr bullet prefers 1:10 or 1:11. The 185gr Berger Juggernaut requires at minimum 1:10, and 1:9 is more reliable. If your rifle has a 1:12 twist, stick to bullets at or below 168gr.

7. Choosing the Right Load

The right load depends on what you are shooting, at what distance, and through what platform. Below are specific recommendations by use case, with reasoning behind each one.

Deer Hunting (Whitetail, Mule Deer)

For deer inside 400 yards — which covers the vast majority of whitetail shots taken in North America — any of the three dedicated hunting loads in this comparison will work effectively. The differences are in margin and budget.

• Federal Fusion 150gr: The best all-around choice for most deer hunters. The bonded construction prevents jacket separation, penetration of 18–22 inches covers chest shots from any angle, and the 1,900 fps expansion threshold gives you roughly 550–600 yards of reliable expansion from a 24-inch barrel. It is priced accessibly.
• Hornady Superformance 165gr SST: The higher muzzle velocity (2,840 fps) and more aggressive expansion make it effective on deer with dramatic, quick results at moderate range. The 14–18 inch gel penetration is adequate for broadside chest shots. If you are hunting in thick cover where shots are consistently under 250 yards, the SST performs excellently.
• Winchester Power Point 150gr: A proven budget option for whitetail at reasonable distances. Its low BC (0.294) limits practical range and wind performance, and variable jacket retention is a real concern at close-range, high-velocity impacts. Use it inside 250 yards and it does the job. At 400 yards the wind drift becomes a genuine problem.

Elk and Large Game

For elk, moose, or large hogs where deep penetration and structural integrity matter, the Barnes TTSX 168gr is the clear recommendation. Its 22–28 inch gel penetration and 99% weight retention mean the bullet reaches the vitals even through heavy shoulder bone. The 1,500 fps expansion threshold extends its effective hunting range beyond any bonded lead-core bullet in this comparison.

If you hunt elk regularly, consider zeroing your Barnes TTSX at 200 yards and using the same drop charts provided above for range estimation. The TTSX typically prints 1–2 MOA higher than published figures in some rifles due to its driving band construction — verify zero before season, not the morning of.

Precision Match and Competition

For NRL Hunter, PRS, F-Class, or High Power competition inside 600 yards, the Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr SMK is an economically reasonable choice with proven consistency. For extended-range competition (800–1,000 yards), the Hornady ELD Match 168gr’s higher BC (0.523 G1) extends the transonic ceiling and reduces wind corrections.

If your competition involves 1,000-yard stages regularly, handloading 175gr Sierra MatchKings or 185gr Berger Juggernauts will deliver better performance than any factory load in this comparison. Factory ammunition is a starting point, not the ceiling.

Suppressed Use

Suppressors reduce peak sound pressure but do not change supersonic crack. For genuinely hearing-safe suppressed .308, you need subsonic ammunition (covered in Section 9). For suppressed supersonic use, any of the loads above function through a quality .308 suppressor. Consider:

• Suppressors add roughly 6–8 inches of effective barrel length in terms of back-pressure, which can increase velocity 10–30 fps depending on load.
• Some semi-automatic platforms (AR-10) may require an adjustable gas block when running suppressed to manage the increased back-pressure.
• Flash hider vs. muzzle brake thread pattern matters; confirm your suppressor mount matches your muzzle device threading before purchase.

Budget General Purpose

If you are practicing fundamentals, breaking in a new rifle, or stocking up for training, the Winchester Power Point 150gr is functional and widely available. Its limitations at long range and its variable terminal performance are less relevant if your goal is trigger time inside 200 yards. Pair it with a match load for your final verification of zero and hold-over data.

For a broader selection of .308 Winchester ammunition across price points and applications, check current availability — pricing and stock levels shift regularly.

8. Barrel Length, Twist Rate & Platform

Velocity Loss by Barrel Length

The 25 fps/inch rule is a reasonable approximation for .308 Winchester. The actual number varies by powder, bullet weight, and specific load. Slower-burning powders (like H4350 or Varget) extract more velocity from longer barrels than fast-burning powders, so the loss-per-inch is not perfectly linear across all loads. For planning purposes, the table below is accurate within ±15 fps for most factory loads.

The practical impact of a 200 fps velocity reduction (16″ vs. 24″ barrel) on the Federal Fusion 150gr is notable: the 1,900 fps minimum expansion threshold is now reached at approximately 475 yards rather than 650 yards. Still adequate for most hunting applications, but the margin decreases meaningfully.

Twist Rate Guide

Twist rate determines which bullet weights your barrel will stabilize. Stability is expressed as a gyroscopic stability factor (Sg); a value of 1.5 or higher is considered well-stabilized. The table below shows recommended twist rates for common .308 bullet weights.

Bolt Action vs. AR-10 Platform Considerations

Both platforms chamber .308 Winchester and produce nearly identical ballistic output from the same barrel length. The differences are mechanical and practical:

Bolt action advantages: Simpler gas system (none), easier maintenance, generally more consistent feeding from a wide range of ammunition including handloads with varying OAL, and typically stiffer barrel harmonics. Most precision .308 records are held by bolt guns. If your goal is sub-0.5 MOA groups at 600 yards, a quality bolt action is the conventional starting point.

AR-10 advantages: Follow-up shots are faster, capacity is higher, the platform accepts a suppressor with more predictable performance (though adjustable gas is often needed), and it is more adaptable to accessories and configurations. The gas system can cause slight velocity variations between rounds in a string of fire, but in practice the effect on precision is minimal in quality builds.

One practical note on AR-10 platforms: .308 Winchester and 7.62×51mm NATO magazines are not universally cross-compatible. DPMS-pattern and Armalite-pattern lowers use different magazine interfaces. Confirm your upper and lower are from the same pattern family before troubleshooting feeding issues.

9. Subsonic .308 Winchester Ballistics

Subsonic .308 Winchester typically uses 220-grain projectiles driven at 950–1,050 fps — below the speed of sound (approximately 1,125 fps at sea level, 59°F). At this velocity, the bullet’s flight produces no supersonic crack. When paired with a quality suppressor, subsonic .308 is among the quietest rifle shots you can produce from a rifle-caliber firearm.

220gr Subsonic Performance Data

The ballistic arc of subsonic .308 is steep. At 1,000 fps, the bullet has roughly the same trajectory as a 230gr .45 ACP fired from a handgun — it drops fast. This is not a concern for its intended applications, which are short-range pest control, training under noise restrictions, and suppressed use where hearing protection is a priority.

Practical Subsonic Considerations

Semi-automatic AR-10 platforms often require specific tuning to cycle reliably on subsonic loads. The reduced gas pressure at these velocities may not cycle the bolt fully on a standard gas setting. Options include:

• An adjustable gas block set to a more open (higher gas) position for subsonic use.
• A heavier buffer combined with a reduced-rate gas setting.
• Dedicated subsonic loads formulated to cycle specific platforms — some manufacturers account for this in their loading.

Bolt-action rifles cycle subsonic .308 without modification. If suppressed subsonic use is your primary goal, a bolt action is the simpler platform.

Note that 220gr subsonic loads do not generate sufficient energy for ethical big game hunting. At 441–539 ft-lbs at the muzzle, penetration may be adequate on small to medium game, but expansion is unpredictable at these velocities with most conventional hunting bullets. Subsonic .308 is a specialized role cartridge, not a multi-purpose solution.

10. Effective Hunting Range by Load

Ethical hunting range is determined by three intersecting limits: the minimum energy required for reliable, humane kills on the target species; the minimum velocity required for bullet expansion; and the shooter’s ability to place the shot accurately at that distance under field conditions. The table below addresses the first two factors — the third is yours to assess honestly.

Energy minimums used here are commonly referenced benchmarks: 1,000 ft-lbs for deer-sized game, 1,500 ft-lbs for elk-sized game. These are conservative and not legally binding, but they represent practical thresholds supported by field data.

If you are looking for a specific load optimized for your game and terrain, browse the current .308 Winchester selection at Tatted Tacticals for in-stock options across all of these categories.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

All ballistic data in this guide is sourced from published manufacturer specifications, standardized 10% ballistic gelatin testing protocols, and documented range data. Actual performance varies based on specific rifle, ammunition lot, atmospheric conditions, and barrel length. Always verify zero with your specific rifle before relying on any published figure for hunting or competition.

Tatted Tacticals is a veteran-owned retailer. For current stock of the loads discussed in this guide, visit the .308 Winchester ammunition section on the website.