I have several boxes of Hornady 308, 168 gr, Tap ammo, Could this ammo be used ethically for deer sized game?

Question

I have several boxes of Hornady 308, 168 gr, Tap ammo, Could this ammo be used ethically for deer sized game?

Answer 1

Hornady seems to be playing the specifics close to the vest, but the TAP rifle load line seems to have its bullets chosen for frangibility, or at least very rapid expansion, and to limit penetration, so I suspect, with no real knowledge at all, the things would risk blowing up on a shoulder shot, or anything else that hits bone on entry.  

Answer 2

anything in .308 above 150 gr in weight should work very well for deer sized game

Answer 3

yea man thats pretty much the perfect ammo type

Answer 4

yes actually very ethically because if you see a person with a 270 and 150 grainers can put a deer down instantly with one shot i can give you no doubt it will drop a deer dead on the spot

Answer 5

Yes.

I shot many deer with Hornady TAP and Amax Match. I even killed a doe with 110 Tap in .308.

I will say that I shot all the deer either broadside or frontal. In 3 frontal shots, I never broke the diaphragm. These things expand like you would not believe. There is hardly anything left of the vitals in its path.

The only problem however, is that if you have a quarter away shot, and you don't place the round well, you will not get an exit wound. In fact of the deer I shot broadside(about 8 to 10), I can recall that only 2 made it through. This is problematic if you have to track the animal. Without an exit wound, the blood trail is very thin.

If you are patient, and make a good shot, the TAP loads deliver all their energy in a short 10 to 14 inch wound. The wound is HUGE. All the deer I shot died within seconds, and didn't run more than a few yards.

Keep in mind that the load was developed as a police sniper round. Its intended purpose is to kill a threat, but not penetrate through and become a danger to innocent bystanders. In police work, collateral damage is unacceptable, and this round does its job well.

I have also used Barnes X bullets. I use Cor-Bon in 30-06 for every thing. It does not expand like a ballistic tip, an Amax, or a TAP, but it will produce an exit wound.