Caliber Question

[MNHNTR]

I have question which I'm sure has been asked before, but does anyone have any experience with the 308 as an Elk cartrige? What bullet weight have you used with success? And at what distance? I'm considering going to 300 WSM. What do you think? Thanks!

 

[wmidbrook]

Gosh, I wish I had saved an artical that came out last year in either Guns & Ammo or America Hunter. Basically, the 270 & .308 were at the bottom of the list for acceptable cartridges for hunting Elk.

**edited** Just found this link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm


I think the two driving criteria for that recommendation were as follows:
--Must use a projectile with a Sectional Density greater than .250 which would be 165 grains for .30 cal. and 140 gr. for the .270
--Energy should be 2000 ft lbs or greater at the distance where elk is hit

Also, good bullet construction geared towards penetration/'controlled expansion' is a factor.

There are people who have successfully taken elk and not met the above listed criteria.

But the odds of wounding and not finding the elk go up dramatically as penetration and energy charactaristics of the load used decrease below those min. standards.

As always, shot placement is key...should be taking shots only where you feel that shot placement in the vital region is a sure thing. For most shooters that means sticking to shots under 200 yds. For shots under 200 yds to the vitals, a 308 and 270 are perfectly okay with the right cartridge.

It amazes me at how many people will blaze away (meaning taking multiple pot shots) at game out past 200 yds until they run out of ammo, make a so-so hit, or a good hit--not a good thing. Should be striving towards 1 shot kills. Or a good shot followed by an anchoring shot or two.

 

[MNHNTR]

Wmidbrook, thanks for the info.....answered my question....

 

[doghouse95]

I agree with wmidbrook 100%. I wouldn't go any smaller than 308 or 270.
More important is bullet placement. If you shoot your 308 well, then you are ahead of many who pack cannons and are scared of them and don't shoot them well.
Practice, practice, practice. At the range, and walking in the mountains shooting from every situation you can make up. If I can't take my bigger rifles out, I take out a 22 that is set up like a larger rifle.

 

[brut]

like stated above shot placement is critical whether it is the 308 or a 338. put it behind the front sholder and squeeze. the 308 has worked great for our group.

 

[COHunter]

Shhhhhh............A friend of mine uses a 7mm-08 and has dropped a few Elk with it. If she see's that article, it might not work anymore.

My buddy has stoned two Elk with a .308 using standard Hornady 165gr BTSP. One thing I've noticed is that the further away folks live from Elk the bigger the caliber they need to kill one. Most folks I know use a 30/06 or 270 and seem to do just fine with them. And whats the difference between a 30/06 and a 308 ??? 90 fps or something like that ???

 

[tmoniz]

I hunted with two guides in Wyoming that used the 25/06 and the 257 Roberts on Elk. Not something I would do. During a booking conversation he recommended nothing less than the 30/06 and 165's. And that I should practice at ranges around 300 yards or so. I opted for my 7mm rem mag and 175's and took a nice bull.

A friend of mine in Colorado uses the 308 and Rem Ammo. He has now gone to 165 Grand Slams. He gets an elk every year, but then again he practically lives with 2 herds.

Many of my hunting friends prefer the 300 win mag or the 338 win mag, but being of a smaller stature than them I have concentrated on the 30/06 with 165's and alot of practice from 50 to 300 yards.

As discussed earlier, shot placement is critical.

I use a rem stainless model 7 in 308 for deer only on trips where I have to do alot of climbing.

 

[SDHNTR]

Especially with hot rounds like the Hornady Light Mag and the Federal Premium High Energy, it is a fine choice in the hands of a good shooter. But it looks like you will be shooting a BAR and these rounds should not be shot out of a Semi auto. Like the others have said, the .308 is fine. The question lies in the competency of the shooter and the restraint to pass on all but broadside and quartering away shots.

 

[doghouse95]

I'm planning a trip to NE Or elk hunting next fall. I'll be packing a 280 Rem, shooting 160 nosler partitions. Between now and then I'll be shooting every chance I get. The backup rifle I'll have with me will be a 270 Ruger RL.
When I'm not at the range I'll be out killing pinecones.

 

[oneclearshot]

I've been using a 30-06 for many years, very effectively and reloading my own, for almost as long! This gives me a lot of capability with the one caliber (even though I have other guns) The 06' just happens to be my favorite! Hi doghouse!

Bob

 

[threeforks]

I have to agree with COHunter, Most folks I know use an 06. My back up is a 270, and when I came across the biggest bull I ever had the chance to shoot, it just happend to be what I had with me. No problem dropping him right in his tracks. My mother has a 308, and has never missed that I know of. She has been using it for about 40 years, and I have seen her drop a moose at 400yds no problem. We do all reload, and I belive my dad loads a 165 hornady for her. I do normaly prefer to use my 300 win mag. It's better for long range.

 

[AZBob]

A factory-loaded Hornady .308 Light Magnum ammunition with a 165 gr Hornady bullet leaving the muzzle around 2800 fps will do the job on elk, just like one did on my son's first bull this past Fall. Hopefully the picture I've attached will show up.