I have had great results with using Hornady, SST, 165 gr. and putting the bullet here:
That said, I can't imagine you having nothing but good results when using any of the "hunting", "game king", etc... recommended when you put the bullet where I have marked as my aim point. Any of those will make a wound channel big enough to impact the nervous and circulatory system. Watch some videos of deer being shot. The ones that have their back legs fold up underneath them and they are dead on their feet are shot in this spot. This has been my experience 100% of the time when I make this shot.

I use Federal Fusion 180 grain. Shot placement is the key.

Your .308 is a good choice and ammo is fine. Practice enough to get comfortable and have confidence in your shooting. Don't take long shots. Don't take things too serious....relax and enjoy your hunt and your time in the woods. Good luck.

I use Sierra GameKing 165 in my 30.06. Not sure what kind of hunt you are doing or if you will be with someone. After the shot is most important in identifying where you hit it, blood trail and recovery. Of course dropping it dead is great too but a heart or lung, many times they will run. Sometimes 1 yard, 10 yards, sometimes 100 or more... Most of the time 50 or less though and easy recovery.

The most important thing is to get out there and do it. So don't worry too much about gear. My stepbrother killed deer and pigs with stepdad's .222 regularly when I was growing up. I think any .308 load will do, as long as your rifle is sighted in with that load.

Don't get too bent around the axle over gear and loads and etc. You could be in your 30's bu the time you get into the deer woods!

I only ever killed one deer in my life. Used a .243 i picked up super cheap (like $180 plus tax), a $30 tasco scope, and a box of perfecta soft points. Cheapest ammo in the store. Shot him in the base of the neck and he collapsed where he stood.

I think you are on the right track searching the web though. It helped me a lot being in the same shoes you are in right now. You are doing it right by getting started early and getting practice before the season starts.

You have a good rifle. You dont need to find the best or most accurate load to kill anything, but it also doesn't hurt. Just keep those targets from the ones your rifle likes from target practice and lable them. That way instead of dropping $100 on ammo and shooting your rifle till it is too hot to group, you can work your way up to it gradually a range session and a box of shells at a time. Confirm your zero with the same box of shells you hunt with because factory ammo may shoot a little different one box to the next.

Good luck my man I can't wait to see pictures of those deer and pigs you kill.