Ammo Reports Team
| Official Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Remington |
| Cartridge | 308 Winchester |
| Product Line | Premier Long Range |
| Bullet Name / Type | Speer Impact |
| Bullet Weight | 172 gr |
| SKU / Part Number | R21345 |
| UPC | 047700485706 – retailer-listed |
| Rounds per Box | 20 – retailer-listed |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,635 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | Not found |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | Not found |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Brass – retailer-listed |
| Primer | Boxer – retailer-listed |
| Reloadable | Yes – retailer-listed |
| Test Barrel Length | Not found |
| Zero Distance | Not found |
| Sight Height | Not found |
| Intended Use | Big game hunting; long-range hunting |
| Product Status | Current |
| Closest Competitors | Federal Fusion .308 Win, Hornady Precision Hunter .308 Win 178 gr ELD-X, Federal Trophy Bonded Tip .308 Win 168 gr, Nosler Trophy Grade .308 Win 168 gr AccuBond, Winchester Expedition Big Game .308 Win 168 gr, Speer Gold Dot .308 Win 150 gr (LE) |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Values labeled retailer-listed are retained only where the manufacturer does not publish the identifier or packaging detail.
Ballistics Table
Remington manufacturer data. No calculated wind values are mixed into this table.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 2,635 |
The Speer Impact Bullet
The Speer Impact is a bonded, polymer-tipped hunting bullet developed by Speer as part of their premium hunting line. Unlike cup-and-core designs, the Impact uses an electro-chemical bonding process to fuse the lead core to the copper jacket, which dramatically reduces core-jacket separation on impact. This bonding is the defining feature that separates the Impact from standard soft-point or even standard polymer-tip bullets: retained weight at impact is typically above 95%, delivering deep, straight-wound channels even when striking heavy bone.
The polymer tip serves a dual purpose — it initiates reliable, consistent expansion at a wide range of impact velocities and also improves the bullet’s ballistic coefficient relative to an open soft-point design of the same weight. For a .308 Winchester chambering, the 172 gr weight places this projectile at the heavier end of the standard .308 spectrum, which contributes to higher sectional density and better resistance to wind deflection at distance.
The pairing of Remington brass with the Speer Impact bullet represents a crossover product between two brands under the Vista Outdoor corporate umbrella, which also owns Federal, CCI, and Speer. This means the component bullet itself has an established independent track record under the Speer brand, giving buyers a reasonable basis for evaluating bullet performance separate from the Remington-branded load.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- White-tailed deer, mule deer, and pronghorn hunting at ranges from close to approximately 400 yards
- Elk and black bear hunting where deep penetration and high retained weight are priorities
- Precision hunting applications where a bonded bullet is preferred over a match-style open-tip
- Hunters who want a single load capable of handling both lighter and heavier North American big game
- Shooters who value brass reusability and want a premium component case for future handloading of other projectiles
Not the right tool for:
- Competitive target shooting or F-Class/PRS where published BC and match-grade consistency are required — this load lacks published BC data
- Varmint or small-game applications where rapid fragmentation is desirable
- Jurisdictions or hunting units that prohibit lead-core projectiles — the Speer Impact is a lead-core bonded bullet, not a lead-free design
- Budget-conscious shooters doing high-volume range work; this is a hunting and precision load, not a practice round
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product descriptions, this load uses brass casing and is positioned as a premium hunting round. The Speer Impact bullet has a documented performance record across multiple calibers under the Speer brand, with independent testing by firearms media generally confirming high retained weight and consistent expansion. These observations come from open-source reviews of the Speer Impact bullet in other calibers and from manufacturer claims — not from structured, verified submissions specific to this Remington-branded 308 Win 172 gr load. No reliability issues, feeding problems, or accuracy complaints specific to this SKU have been identified in available sources at the time of writing.
Competitors
The complete comparison set from the original report is preserved below. Internal links appear only where an exact published Ammo Reports review exists.
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Advertised Velocity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Fusion .308 Win | 165 gr | Fusion bonded SP | Not verified | Not verified | Budget bonded alternative; lighter bullet |
| Hornady Precision Hunter .308 Win 178 gr ELD-X | 178 gr | ELD-X polymer tip | 0.552 | 2,600 fps | Published BC; heavier bullet; strong competitor |
| Federal Trophy Bonded Tip .308 Win 168 gr | 168 gr | Trophy Bonded Tip | 0.447 | 2,650 fps | Bonded; published specs; same use case |
| Nosler Trophy Grade .308 Win 168 gr AccuBond | 168 gr | AccuBond bonded PT | 0.480 | 2,650 fps | Premium bonded; published BC; direct comparison |
| Winchester Expedition Big Game .308 Win 168 gr | 168 gr | AccuBond CT | 0.480 | 2,670 fps | Uses same AccuBond CT bullet; published specs |
| Speer Gold Dot .308 Win 150 gr (LE) | 150 gr | Gold Dot bonded HP | Not verified | Not verified | Same parent company bullet tech; lighter; LE-oriented |
Price and Availability
Retail availability changes by seller, location, and lot. Use the retailer links above to check current stock and checkout totals.
Where to Buy
Confirm the exact SKU and package quantity before ordering.
FAQ
What makes the Speer Impact bullet different from a standard soft point in .308 Winchester?
The Speer Impact uses an electro-chemical bonding process that locks the lead core to the copper jacket before the bullet is formed into its final shape. This is fundamentally different from a standard cup-and-core soft point, where the core and jacket are mechanically formed together but not chemically bonded. The practical result is dramatically higher retained weight on impact — typically above 95% — which translates to deeper, more consistent penetration, especially when the bullet strikes heavy bone. The added polymer tip also improves the bullet’s aerodynamic profile and initiates expansion more reliably at lower impact velocities than an open soft-point design.
Is the Remington 308 Winchester 172 gr Speer Impact suitable for elk hunting?
Yes, this load is a reasonable choice for elk at appropriate distances. The 172 grain bonded bullet offers high sectional density and the Impact’s bonding ensures the bullet holds together through heavy muscle and bone — both important factors for elk-sized game. Ethical shot placement and range discipline remain the shooter’s responsibility; estimated energy retention above 1,400 ft-lbs at 400 yards is generally considered adequate for elk, though closer shots are always preferable. Hunters should confirm actual velocity from their specific rifle barrel length before committing to extended-range shots.
Why doesn’t this load have published muzzle velocity or BC data?
The absence of published ballistic coefficient and velocity data in available retail listings is a notable gap for a load positioned at this price point. It may reflect the relatively recent introduction of this specific Remington/Speer crossover SKU, or it may be a retailer data issue rather than a manufacturer omission. Buyers who require confirmed BC data for ballistic solver input — particularly for shots beyond 300 yards — should consider competitors such as the Hornady Precision Hunter 178 gr ELD-X or Nosler Trophy Grade 168 gr AccuBond, both of which publish BC values. Community-submitted chronograph data on this page will help fill the gap over time.
How does the 172 gr bullet weight compare to other .308 Winchester hunting loads?
Most factory .308 Win hunting loads cluster between 150 and 168 grains. At 172 grains, this Speer Impact load sits at the heavier end of the standard .308 spectrum, offering higher sectional density than 150–165 gr options. Higher sectional density generally means better penetration and less wind deflection at distance, at the cost of slightly lower muzzle velocity compared to lighter loads from the same barrel. For hunters targeting larger or tougher game, or shooting in windy conditions, the heavier bullet is a defensible choice. Shooters primarily interested in flat trajectory at longer range may prefer the slightly faster 168 gr options common in this caliber.
Is this load lead-free, and can it be used in California or other lead-restricted zones?
No — the Speer Impact is a bonded lead-core bullet, not a lead-free projectile. It is not compliant with California’s Condor Zone lead-free ammunition regulations or any other jurisdiction that mandates lead-free hunting ammunition. Hunters in California or other states with lead restrictions should look at copper or copper-alloy alternatives such as the Barnes TTSX, Federal Trophy Copper, or Hornady GMX in .308 Winchester. Always verify local regulations before selecting a hunting load, as lead-free requirements continue to expand in some regions.
