Is the .308 a good hunting round?

Dave3006 · October 27, 2000, 12:03 AM

Is this considered a good hunting round for deer? Would it be too small for elk? I was curious as to the limitations of this round for North American game. Thanks.

Jay Baker · October 27, 2000, 12:39 AM

IMO, .308 Win. is ONE of the best, for deer hunting, and not a bad all around round, either.

As for elk, I've seen quite a few who've fallen quickly to the .308, and my cousin, who is a good shot, practices, and is a good hunter, has not only killed quite a few elk with his Mdl. 70 Featherweight in .308, but pulled an Idaho permit for Shiras moose several years ago, and killed a really nice bull near Island Park, Idaho. Two shots, factory Fed. Premium 180 Nosler Partition.

The key is practice, being a good hunter and using the proper bullets.

FWIW. J.B.

bk40 · October 27, 2000, 01:08 AM

agree with Jay. Great for deer and not a bad choice for elk (shot placement!). The .308, I would dare say, will take any game animal in N America (know your and the rifles range limits, proper bullet selection and placement). Take a look at factory ammo variety and you'll see one of the reasons the .308 is so popular.

Al Thompson · October 27, 2000, 07:40 AM

Dave, truthfully, I don't see much practical difference in any cartridge from .270 through .30-06. The .300 Win Mag has some difference, the .300 Weatherby and above start to get into truely more effective cartridges.

I have both .308s and '06s and defy any critter to tell the difference.

Practice is the key, as usual..

Giz

M1911 · October 27, 2000, 12:19 PM

And the .308 has the advantage in that it can use a short-action, resulting in a slightly shorter, lighter rifle.

M1911

Poodleshooter · October 27, 2000, 03:36 PM

.308 surplus ammo is also much cheaper than 30/06 and it is a more economical cartridge to reload for. That price difference translates into more practice and better shot placement making it, in a sense, an excellent game cartridge!

Ron Ankeny · October 27, 2000, 08:24 PM

I agree with Gizmo, the critter can't tell the difference. It puzzling to me as to why the .308 is not at all popular in the western states. I guess the old .30-06 has just been touted as the best all around rifle for a long, long time.

October 27, 2000, 12:03 AM	#1
Dave3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2000 Location: Lake Forest, CA USA Posts: 494	Is this considered a good hunting round for deer? Would it be too small for elk? I was curious as to the limitations of this round for North American game. Thanks.

October 27, 2000, 12:39 AM	#2
Jay Baker Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2000 Location: S.W. Idaho Posts: 1,295	IMO, .308 Win. is ONE of the best, for deer hunting, and not a bad all around round, either. As for elk, I've seen quite a few who've fallen quickly to the .308, and my cousin, who is a good shot, practices, and is a good hunter, has not only killed quite a few elk with his Mdl. 70 Featherweight in .308, but pulled an Idaho permit for Shiras moose several years ago, and killed a really nice bull near Island Park, Idaho. Two shots, factory Fed. Premium 180 Nosler Partition. The key is practice, being a good hunter and using the proper bullets. FWIW. J.B.

October 27, 2000, 01:08 AM	#3
bk40 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 1999 Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,004	agree with Jay. Great for deer and not a bad choice for elk (shot placement!). The .308, I would dare say, will take any game animal in N America (know your and the rifles range limits, proper bullet selection and placement). Take a look at factory ammo variety and you'll see one of the reasons the .308 is so popular.

October 27, 2000, 07:40 AM	#4
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,574	Dave, truthfully, I don't see much practical difference in any cartridge from .270 through .30-06. The .300 Win Mag has some difference, the .300 Weatherby and above start to get into truely more effective cartridges. I have both .308s and '06s and defy any critter to tell the difference. Practice is the key, as usual.. Giz

October 27, 2000, 12:19 PM	#5
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,062	And the .308 has the advantage in that it can use a short-action, resulting in a slightly shorter, lighter rifle. M1911

October 27, 2000, 03:36 PM	#6
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,536	.308 surplus ammo is also much cheaper than 30/06 and it is a more economical cartridge to reload for. That price difference translates into more practice and better shot placement making it, in a sense, an excellent game cartridge!

October 27, 2000, 08:24 PM	#7
Ron Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 316	I agree with Gizmo, the critter can't tell the difference. It puzzling to me as to why the .308 is not at all popular in the western states. I guess the old .30-06 has just been touted as the best all around rifle for a long, long time.