308 Winchester for Elk....?

[jagermeister]

Hi Folks,

how would you see this caliber performing on the big Elk ?

Is there Any of you Guys who uses it ? ....what results ?

I know there are better calibers out there for this type of game...but...
...if one has already a rifle chambered in 308....does it really need to upgrade or the old round would still do the job well enough, even for "stretched out" long shots ?

What bullet weight/type would you reccommend ?

Thanks
JM

 

[Anonymous]

I've not shot an elk- but I've taken a 500+ pound caribou with the .308 at 300yds. and witnessed first hand a couple of moose readily tipped over with one.

If I "only" had a .308 I sure wouldn't let it stop me from hunting elk. I'd stoke it up with 165gr bullets and head for the mountain.

Are there better elk cartridges? Certainly, but if you have one you shoot well there's no reason to not use it. I'd have to say that longer shots over 300 or so yds are best avoided, but I try to avoid those with much stouter rounds as well.

 

[DrMike]

The .308 will work just fine on elk. My grandson carries a .260 Remington and a previous hunting partner carried a 7mm-08--neither cartridge was severely limited in effectiveness with elk. I would load a premium 165/168 grain bullet that gave me decent accuracy and go hunting. I've worked up loads for several people that were using the .308 Winchester for elk, and they appear to have brought home the game. Fine cartridge that will work just fine.

 

[JD338]

I think the 308 Win would serve you well for elk loaded up with 165 gr PT's.

JD338

 

[Dr. Vette]

I'd look for a load with the Barnes TTSX if it were me. However, any solid bullet such as the NP or AB will be very suitable.

Given the option I would lean toward a 180gr, as any extra mass at an elk is usually a good thing. However, what the rifle shoots best is what I'd use.

 

[Kodiak]

A quality 165 gr. bullet is a fine choice in the .308 win. for elk hunting. Put it where it needs to go,

 

[hunting1]

Yes it will and very well. If it makes you feel any better it is the same bullet as your 06 just a 100FPS slower.
If you can get a hold of the Handloader magazine issue #239 do so. There are many on 24hourcampfire who have killed a bunch of elk, big bulls using nothing but the .308.

 

[jmad_81]

My brother has taken a few elk with a 308. I think he was shooting the 130 TTSX at about 3150 fps. Worked pretty well.

I think you'll be fine.

 

[SJB358]

I'd hunt elk with a 165AB and 308 all day long. I just wouldn't try stretching it beyond 400 yards.

 

[6mm Remington]

I'd hunt elk with a 165AB and 308 all day long. I just wouldn't try stretching it beyond 400 yards.

I like Scotty's thinking on bullet and range. The Partition or E-tip in the same weight would also work very well. The E-tip is a fine performer from my experience with it, or I should say my son's.

 

[Elkman]

I currently own a 308 as well as rifles of several other calibers. "If" that was my only option I would use it for elk at under 300 yards. I have stated here numerous times that a 22LR will kill elk with a properly placed bullet. So will many other "light" cartridges, but if you are not capable of waiting for the perfect shot, at the right angle, with the elk in the right stop, you need something more powerful.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I have shot 3 elk over the years with a .308 WCF. I have mostly used the 180 grain Remington Corelokt factory loads (clocked at a smoking 2550 fps from my 22" barrel). I killed one with a head shot at 40 yards with a 165 grain Sierra handload going about 100 fps faster.

All three were dead right there. The furthest shot I took was just shy of 200 yards. The other two were much closer. I think I much prefer my .30-06 as an elk cartridge but my Dad has shot a ton of elk with this same rifle I spoke of. Though most of them were 150 yards or closer in thicker timber type settings.

Dale

 

[Gunner46]

No reason to look any further, the 308 is a d@mn good round for elk (and a billion other critters).

Find a 165 or 180 AB/PT/E-Tip bullet your rifle likes and Go For it !

 

[nvbroncrider]

It will work no doubt about it good bullets perfect shot placement and keep your range down in my opinion 300 would be pushing it for an absolute max range.

 

[jagermeister]

Thank you all Guys for your thoughts and experiences on this topic.
To sum it all up, I think I can consider the 308 a capable hunting cartridge for Elk up to 300 yards, providing a "premier" (tough) bullet is used, possibly in the 165/180 grain range.
For shots to be taken at much further range, Ones is better off using much more powerful calibers (.300 Win.Mag., 300 WSM.... To name a few).
Did I get it right ?

 

[hunting1]

You got it! I have never killed an elk over 100-yards either so you are well armed!

 

[Elkman]

I have guessed my average shot over a large number of years to be about 300 yards. My first 12 elk wee killed with a 30:06. In 1970 I bought. 300 WM and have used it for both deer and elk. This fall I was lucky to take two elk with a 7mm RM. I would use nothing smaller for the long range shooting in the country I typically hunt.

 

[Elkman]

I have guessed my average shot over a large number of years to be about 300 yards. My first 12 elk wee killed with a 30:06. In 1970 I bought.j 300 WM and have used it for both deer and elk. This fall I was lucky to take two elk with a 7mm RM. I would use nothing smaller for the long range shooting in the country I typically hunt.

I think you are right.

 

[Thebear_78]

I'm running 165gr Partition in my 308 Kimber Montana. I have all faith that it will do in a moose! I wouldn't think twice shooting a bear with it either!


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[AzDak42]

I'm with most of the other posters, in that you're in good shape with a .308 and a premium bullet like the Partition or AB. The only thing you really need to be thoughtful of is that your max range is lower. But, realistically, most folks aren't going to take a shot over 300 and you're just fine in that range for penetration.