Who Makes .308 Ammo?

Who Makes .308 Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .308 ammo today. The .308 has persisted in common use with a variety of shooters for many decades now for a myriad of purposes. Today we will cover the round’s traits, who produces .308 ammo, and other considerations such as use cases and more. Without further ado, lets talk about who makes .308 ammo and more.

What is .308?

The .308 Winchester is an American cartridge that was introduced in 1952. The cartridge served as the basis for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, a long-standing military cartridge utilized by many countries. The .308 was derived from the .300 Savage and was designed to provide ballistic performance similar to the .30-06 Springfield in a smaller package. Both the .308 and subsequent 7.62 NATO were designed with a length conducive to reliable cycling in autoloading mechanisms. This made the cartridge well suited for use in everything from rifles to machine guns. When compared to something such as the .30-06, .308 features a tamer recoil impulse than the longer cartridge. The .308 will exhibit more recoil impulse than intermediate rifle cartridges such as the 5.56 and 7.62×39 due to higher velocities and heavier projectiles. As a full-sized rifle cartridge, the .308 boasts a great effective range than the aforementioned intermediate rifle cartridges. Depending on the specific use case, firearm, and ammo used, one can employ .308 effectively out to distances exceeding 1,000 yards.

What Firearms Use .308 Ammo?

At this point in time, the market is full of firearms which use .308 ammo. Firearms of this type have been available in one form or another for as long as the cartridge has been around. Shooters will typically encounter rifles chambered in .308 in either bolt action or semi-automatic form. Designs range from traditional bolt action rifles to semi-automatic designs like AR-10s and battle rifles such as M1As and FALs. Beyond bolt action and semi-auto form, shooters can even find single shot and lever action firearms in the caliber. These types of firearms come in various forms and configurations, often optimized for general use or specific purposes. This is to say that shooters will encounter everything from short barreled tactical models to long barreled models for precision use. Remington, Daniel Defense, POF, Tikka, Bergara, and Springfield Armory are among the manufacturers of .308 chambered firearms. These manufacturers represent just a small sample size of those providing firearms of this type. As mentioned, firearms of this type can be had in many forms and configurations. This allows an end user to find a firearm which aligns with their intended use cases and preferences. Additionally, these firearms are available at various price points, allowing shooters of all budgets to purchase a .308 firearm. Of course, shooters can also build a .308 of their own from the various components available on the market. The prevalence of bolt action designs derived from the Remington 700 and prolific nature of AR-10s make building a viable choice. Purchase .308 Ammo

What is .308 Ammo Used For?

Shooters employ .308 ammo for many use cases and roles. Like many calibers, the .308 is great for plinking and target shooting. This use case is easily accessible by many shooters thanks to the shootability of the cartridge and its widespread support. Shooters of all budget types can acquire firearms in the caliber and get shooting. Or course, the price of .308 is noticeably higher than many cartridges often used for plinking use. While ammo prices may be higher, the cartridge is still enjoyable to plink with, especially due to the round’s considerable effect on reactive targets. Another popular use case for the cartridge is going to be hunting. The cartridge is employed a wide range of hunters in pursuit of various game. .308 is appropriate for dispatching medium and larger-sized game with the right loads. Shooters can ethically take a wide range of game such as hog, whitetail deer, elk, and some types of bears. The cartridge’s effectiveness in the field is augmented by the many tailormade hunting loads on the market. These loadings ensure ethical and efficient kills, especially when utilized at proper ranges. As always, one should utilize proper firearms, ammo, practices, and equipment when hunting. Doing so helps ensure an ethical and optimal hunt. The .308 is also commonly employed in competition and match roles. These types of matches range from rapid fire multigun competitions to long range precision-oriented matches. Shooters also employ .308 firearms in service rifle and battle rifle themed matches. .308 ammunition of all types is utilized in this type of use case. Everything from ball ammunition to specialty match grade loadings are employed in matches depending on the course of fire and requirements of the event. Shooters employ everything from 147 grain ball ammo to specialized Federal Gold Medal Match loadings for precision work.

Who Makes General Purpose .308 Ammo?

At this point in time, general purpose .308 ammo is produced by a wide range of companies. Both large scale and small ammunition companies produce .308 ammunition. These manufacturers hail from various countries across the globe, a testament to the widespread popularity of the cartridge in various markets. Offerings are typically made to stringent standards and manufactured in accredited facilities. These loadings will generally feature full metal jacket, or FMJ type projectiles and typically exist in the 147 – 168 grain range. Saltech, PMC, Aguila, Sterling, and Winchester are just a few of the producers of general purpose .308 ammo.

Who Makes .308 Defensive Ammo?

Beyond general-purpose loadings, there are a number of companies who produce .308 defensive ammo. While the round is not typically considered a go-to in the realm of personal defense, it is certainly viable. These loadings are optimized for self-defense use and are designed to stop threats and minimize potential collateral damage and overpenetration. Loadings of this type depart from traditional FMJ projectiles and feature projectiles which are purpose-built for defensive use. Projectiles are typically going to be in the form of hollow points or other bullets conducive to self-defense. These loadings prioritize terminal ballistic performance, often featuring projectiles conducive to expanding within the target. Companies such as Underwood, Hornady, and Lehigh Defense produce .308 ammo suitable for defense.

Who Makes .308 Specialty Loadings?

Specialty .308 ammo is produced by a number of companies for various purposes. Shooters utilize specialty .308 ammunition for training, hunting, suppressed shooting, and precision shooting. These types of loadings are available in various grain weights and with purpose-built projectiles suitable for specialized tasks. For example, solid copper frangible loadings are well-suited for training and utilizing steel targets at close ranges. These types of projectiles can range from solid copper, V-MAX, open tip match (OTM), and Sierra bullets. Additionally, some offerings, such as subsonic loadings, feature reduced powder charges to reduce their sound signature. Loadings of this type are produced by companies such as Winchester, Barnes, Federal, and Velo to name a few. Purchase .308 Ammo

Is .308 Ammo Expensive?

Generally speaking, like most calibers and ammo offerings, price is contingent upon the specifics of a given loading. It is also worth noting that cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition as well. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, a 147 grain FMJ ball offering will almost always be cheaper than a precision-oriented 168 grain loading. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Doing so allows shooters to stock up easily to build or maintain their ammo stock. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that prices are often subject to change and fluctuation factors such as supply and demand come into play. All in all, some .308 ammo offerings are economically priced while others are going to be more expensive, especially if they are specialty products.

Is .308 Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, .308 ammo is prevalent on the market in a variety of forms. The cartridge is one of the most common rifle cartridges found on the market. This is due to its widespread support and use around the globe. Loadings are available in many forms such as full metal jacket (FMJ) range loadings and specialized loads for specific use cases such as suppressed shooting and hunting. Loadings can generally be found in various styles in the 147 grain to 180 grain range. Typically, one can purchase .308 ammo in various quantities. Quantities range from individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk .308 ammo offerings can be found in the form of battle packs, ammo cans, and case quantities. These bulk ammo offerings allow users to quickly build up their stock of .308 ammo in various increments. Loadings for .308 are commonly found at most places where ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to shop for ammo online, their .308 ammo options become even broader. This can come in handy if one is looking for a specific loading for specialized use cases such as hunting or precision shooting. Simply put, one will have no issue finding .308 ammunition.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, there are a wide range of ammunition companies producing .308 ammo. The cartridge continues to see widespread support many decades after its introduction. This support makes it easy for shooters to get ahold of .308 ammo and firearms for a variety of purposes. The versatility of the cartridge and its viability in various use cases allows it to remain relevant even today. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of .308 ammunition in our inventory of ammo for sale. This inventory spans popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy .308 ammo or purchase bulk ammo of another type, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.