Remington Core-Lokt 308 Winchester Ammo 180 Grain Jacketed Soft Point

Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, NRA-certified firearms instructor.

The Remington Core-Lokt 308 Winchester 180 grain jacketed soft point is one of the most widely fielded hunting loads in North America. Launching a 180 grain jacketed soft point at 2620 feet per second, it delivers 2743 foot-pounds at the muzzle—enough energy to anchor whitetail, mule deer, black bear, and feral hogs inside 300 yards. The Core-Lokt bullet uses a progressively tapered copper jacket mechanically locked to a solid lead core, controlling expansion from first contact through deep tissue and bone. Since its introduction, the design has accounted for more harvested game than any other expanding bullet on the continent. Remington loads this cartridge in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases with non-corrosive primers, making it a practical choice for both the one-trip hunter and the reloader building a seasonal stockpile.

Performance at a Glance

The 180 grain weight sits at the heavy end of the 308 Winchester spectrum, sacrificing some velocity for sectional density and wind resistance. At 2620 fps, the bullet remains supersonic past 800 yards and retains over 1500 foot-pounds of energy at 200 yards—well above the threshold for ethical medium-game harvest. The jacketed soft point nose initiates expansion on impact, while the locked core prevents jacket-core separation even when bone is encountered. The G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.248 is modest by modern standards, but sufficient for the ranges at which most whitetail and hogs are taken.

For hunters running bolt-actions, lever-actions, or semi-automatic platforms chambered in 308 Winchester, this load provides consistent terminal performance across a range of shot angles and distances. More Remington 308 ammo options are available for target and long-range applications, but the 180 grain Core-Lokt remains the standard for woods and field hunting east of the Mississippi.