Texan 308 or 357

The 308.

308

154 gr slug is best

Honestly, both can be accurate and having owned both a .308 Texan in the past and still own a .357 (and a 457 Texan too) I had more trouble with the .308 finding something it liked.

I kept the .357 because I have three other 35 calibur rifles for the ammunition commonality (with a Slayer coming soon).

I actually found a 148gr and a 152gr .357 bullet cast from NOE molds more accurate than any other. Both HP's and suitable for hunting. I also got fewer fliers from the larger calibur than the smaller so average group size ended up being smaller with the .357 Texan. Note there was only about 1/2" difference in group sizes between the two caliburs...

SO, it really depends your preference and what other things you want out of the airgun than just the simple accuracy question you asked.

I bought the .308 over the .45 and .357 for three reasons: It was cheaper to shoot when buying bullets, I wanted to play at long range, and I can't hunt deer in California with an airgun. The variety of .308 ammo is expansive and it's getting to the point where the 'OG's' have now done most of the research on what works and what does not. Even still there are a lot of opinions and preferences out there. It seems like the 154 gr. has been good for a lot of guys. I've had moderate success with it. The best I have found has been the NOE 134 grain flat nose boattail and the Arsenal .309 115 grain flat nose gas check. Both of these are very, very accurate.

I have both ,308 and .357....my experiences ,for whatever reason are the opposite....my .308 is pretty darn good at a lot of "nondescript" ammo...right on down to .30 cal pellets (50 yds).....I simply don't have more shooting real estate....My .357 on the other hand is a picky lil B**ch!...Hikal is the best performing ammo I have found for it...

30 cal pellets .308





Hikal 153 gr .357





DJ

I have both ,308 and .357....my experiences ,for whatever reason are the opposite....my .308 is pretty darn good at a lot of "nondescript" ammo...right on down to .30 cal pellets (50 yds).....I simply don't have more shooting real estate....My .357 on the other hand is a picky lil B**ch!...Hikal is the best performing ammo I have found for it...

30 cal pellets .308

Hikal 153 gr .357

DJ

Click to expand...

This is funny

The HiKal 153gr is based on a bullet designed by Bob (or Rsterne on GTA) which was never produced but I had him change the front band dimensions to a 'bore riding' {based on my 48 years of shooting experience, 14 with big bore air rifles} and shorten the bullet to lighten it... AND got Al, owner of NOE molds to make [note there is a $300 dollar cherry fee to have a new mold machined!!!!!!] Which was then added to the store because it shot well.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_578&products_id=5489

The other bullet I designed for use in high powered .357 air rifles SOLD OUT of it's production run (batches of 10 molds, new batch made after first sold out and now I see they only have one left in the latest batch) in the first couple weeks, it cost me over $1200 for the test molds of versions 1, 2 and the final one seen here. This bullet does 5/8" CtoC groups at 100 yards and was tested in 11 rifles before the production run. Because I sent test bullets around the country to shooters who wrote up their experiences prior to the molds going on sale, they knew it was an accurate bullet. I think the bullet seller Mr. Hollowpoint is stocking it too. Casts as a 148gr

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=35_590&products_id=5622

A key thing to remember is that no matter how good a bullet design is, if it's poorly made / cast it will not shoot right. And one size definitely doe not fit all with airguns, I test several, like .356, .357, or .358 to see what that particular rifle likes.

FYI - Right now I am working on getting a new 7mm / .284 barrel mandrel made in a slower twist to better suit airgunners needs. 14" twist is too fast for the weight bullets most air guns can push... 18" twist is more suitable. I am going to pay TJ's barrels to make the mandrel so they will stock the barrels for those who want to try this calibur.

One final note : I sold my .308 Texan because it was too finicky but an acquaintance has one manufactured later that is not as bad so my point is the 308 you buy might be good or it might not be. That's why I am still open minded

If you must: Pellets

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/JSB_Match_Diabolo_Exact_35_Cal_81_02_Grains_Domed_100ct/1087

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/index.php?cPath=35_586

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/p/Predator_Polymag_35_Cal_81_01_Grains_Pointed_50ct/1383

I think the .308 is the more versatile of the 2 calibers. I can turn the power down and have a good squirrel gun with .30 pellets, or turn the power up and have a good deer gun with sluts. My .308 Texan is the SS model. Not sure how the different barrel lengths between the SS and normal model might make a difference. 

I think the .308 is the more versatile of the 2 calibers. I can turn the power down and have a good squirrel gun with .30 pellets, or turn the power up and have a good deer gun with sluts. My .308 Texan is the SS model. Not sure how the different barrel lengths between the SS and normal model might make a difference.

Click to expand...

I hate autocorrect, changes words on me all the time

Have to constantly keep proofreading!

Of course if it's not a typo.....

Anyway, agreed there is a range of uses and there is some overlap between the power spreads. Just depends on what and how far you are shooting. Or what part of the country you are shooting in for forests or prairies, desert or swamp

Woah. 

Slugs. I hunt deer with slugs. Bullets. I swear it. 

I'm jealous. I've been waiting 35 years for a slut with a deer gun. I still think the odds are better of that than the Hammer being released.