Hornady 308 165gr CX Bullets

Hornady 308 165gr CX Bullets are designed for hunters who want a lead-free projectile with high weight retention, deep penetration and controlled expansion. The 165 grain CX uses a one-piece copper-alloy construction with a Heat Shield® tip. As a result, it provides a strong option for demanding .308 calibre hunting applications.

Why Choose Hornady 308 165gr CX Bullets?

The Hornady 308 165gr CX combines a versatile 165 grain bullet weight with Hornady’s monolithic copper-alloy construction. The design provides 95% weight retention, helping the bullet maintain substantial mass during expansion. Therefore, it supports deep penetration while delivering the controlled expansion expected from a dedicated hunting bullet.

In addition, the Heat Shield® tip is made from a heat-resistant polymer. It helps maintain the bullet’s aerodynamic shape and provides a consistently high ballistic coefficient throughout its flight. As a result, the CX combines terminal performance with efficient external ballistics.

The bullet has a .440 G1 ballistic coefficient and .221 G7 ballistic coefficient. Furthermore, its .248 sectional density gives the 165 grain projectile a useful heavy-for-calibre profile.

Key Features of Hornady 308 165gr CX Bullets

• 165 grain bullet weight
• .308″ bullet diameter
• CX® lead-free hunting bullet
• One-piece copper-alloy construction
• 95% weight retention
• Heat Shield® tip
• Controlled expansion design
• Deep penetration
• .440 G1 ballistic coefficient
• .221 G7 ballistic coefficient
• .248 sectional density
• Optimized groove geometry
• Reduced bearing surface and fouling
• Extended-range performance
• 50 bullets per box
• Hornady item #304704

Furthermore, the CX groove design is intended to maximise aerodynamic performance while reducing bearing surface and fouling. This gives the bullet another practical characteristic beyond its monolithic construction.

Hunting Applications

The 165gr CX is suited to hunters looking for a lead-free .308 calibre projectile with substantial bullet weight and high retained mass. In particular, the 95% weight retention and monolithic copper-alloy construction make penetration an important part of the bullet’s design.

At the same time, the .440 G1 BC helps the projectile retain velocity as distance increases. This can be useful when hunting in open terrain or when longer shots are possible.

Hornady positions CX bullets as an option for medium-size to large game. Therefore, the 165gr CX can be considered for suitable hunting applications where a lead-free projectile is required.

For South African hunting, this bullet can be considered for appropriate applications involving game such as impala, blesbok, kudu and other suitable game. However, bullet selection should always take account of the specific cartridge, rifle, load, impact conditions and game species.

Impact Velocity and Hunting Performance

Hornady specifically provides an impact-velocity illustration for the 30 Cal 165gr CX at 2600 fps, 2300 fps and 2000 fps. These figures show the bullet’s intended impact-velocity performance across different hunting conditions.

Importantly, Hornady does not describe these three velocities as a formal minimum-to-maximum reliable expansion range. Therefore, they should not be presented as such.

For hunters, this information is still useful because impact velocity changes significantly with distance. As a result, understanding the expected impact velocity of the bullet at the intended hunting range is an important part of choosing the right projectile.

Hornady CX for .308 Hunting

The CX design combines several characteristics that are valuable in a .308 hunting bullet. First, the one-piece copper-alloy construction provides 95% weight retention. This helps the bullet retain substantial mass during expansion and supports deep penetration.

Furthermore, the Heat Shield® tip helps maintain a consistent aerodynamic profile. The optimized groove geometry also maximises aerodynamic performance while reducing bearing surface and fouling.

The .440 G1 BC and .221 G7 BC provide useful ballistic efficiency for a 165 grain .308 projectile. Meanwhile, the 165 grain weight offers a practical balance between bullet mass and external ballistic performance.

For this reason, the 165gr CX is a strong option for hunters seeking a lead-free .308 hunting bullet with high weight retention, deep penetration and controlled expansion.

Browse our complete range of Hornady bullets to find the right projectile for your calibre and hunting application.

For detailed manufacturer specifications and technical information, visit the official Hornady website.

Product Specifications

Product: Hornady 308 165gr CX Bullets
Manufacturer Item Number: 304704
Calibre: .308
Bullet Diameter: .308″
Bullet Weight: 165gr / 10.7g
Bullet Type: CX®
Construction: One-piece copper alloy
Bullet Tip: Heat Shield® tip
G1 Ballistic Coefficient: .440
G7 Ballistic Coefficient: .221
Sectional Density: .248
Weight Retention: 95%
Pack Quantity: 50 bullets