.308 muscle

All in moderation · January 24, 2007, 09:50 AM

I can not find the rifle that I want in a 30-06 cal but can get it in a .308 version. I know that the differences in those two cal. is spliting hairs, but I elk hunt and like using a 180 grn. bullet. A bullet in that weight just seems to limit the .308 more than I would like. Does anyone have any ideas how to improve the performance of the .308 with a 180 grn bullet, or have a different bullet suggestion?

rantingredneck · January 24, 2007, 11:28 AM

I would think a good quality bonded bullet would do the job on Elk out of a
.308. Look at your controlled expansion loads. You can either handload them to your own specs which may get you an increase over standard factory velocities or you could look at some of the light magnum factory offerings from makers like Hornady. As you say the difference between an '06 and .308 is splitting hairs (amounts to about 100fps in comparable loads). Bottom line, with good quality bullets intended for large game it will do the job if you do your part.

hpg · January 24, 2007, 07:50 PM

Nosler makes great bullets for controlled expansion.......hpg

Ruger4570 · January 24, 2007, 10:32 PM

I have shot a few elk in my day and I normally use a bigger gun anyways. That said, the 308 will tag any elk I have ever seen with good shot placement. I generally use Nosler Partitions for hunting as I have always had good luck with them. There may be better ones and lesser ones, it is just that Nosler have never let me down.

hunter5325 · January 26, 2007, 10:45 AM

I have used 150gr and 165gr Hornady Interbonds on elk with excellent results out of a 30-06. If these shot accurately in your gun, I wouldn't hesitate to use them on elk.

mrawesome22 · January 26, 2007, 06:24 PM

What kind of gun do you want? I would look around. There are many fine rifles to be had in .30-06. But anyway, you're only losing about 100fps with the .308Win. You're not going to notice this in the field or on paper. I'd be going for accuracy over velocity anyway and the .308Win has a long reputation for great accuracy. Now if you want to go higher than 180's, I'd definitely go with the .30-06.

All in moderation · February 1, 2007, 08:50 AM

I'm looking for a 30-06 in a target or varmint style rifle. 26" med. heavy or heavy barrel, with a good trigger and action. If anyone knows of a production rifle of that style let me know.

cheygriz · February 1, 2007, 01:31 PM

In the old days, I hunted elk with 180 gr bullets. Today, I use the 150 grain Barns "X" bullet.

These will drop an elk as quickly, or perhaps quicker, than any 180, and they can be driven much faster, giving flatter trajectory. And the .30 cal 150gr Barnes "X" will outpenetrate any 180 grain load except a 180 Barnes "X."

Another option for the .308 is the 165 partition from Nosler.

tINY · February 1, 2007, 02:39 PM

If you get the Rem700 short action, you have lattitude to seat the bullet out further - longish magazine and long throat.

But I wouldn't worry about it. A modern 165gr pill should be fine for Elk. They are big, but not particularly tough like a Griz or Boar.

-tINY

mrawesome22 · February 1, 2007, 09:33 PM

The Remington 700 Sendero SF II comes in that configuration, but not in 30-06. It comes in .300WinMag though. Plenty for elk. I can't imagine why anyone would want such a heavy gun for elk hunting. It wears me out carrying around my VLS just walking around in fields hunting groundhogs. I hope you know what you're in for. By the time you get a scope, rings, loaded mag, bipod, sling on that thing, it's gonna feel like you're carrying an anchor around.

All in moderation · February 6, 2007, 11:05 PM

I had a Remington Sendaro in a 300 winchester mag. I carried it for almost a month straight elk hunting in the Rockies. Loved the rifle, and I didn't notice the weight any more than any other rifle I have ever carried. The problem with the 300 mag, is that I shoot a lot on the off season, and boy does it ever burn through the powder. The same rifle in a 30-06 is just what I am looking for.

Trapper L · February 6, 2007, 11:24 PM

If you are into reloading and a wildcat doesn't scare you, have the 308 reamed out to a 30/284 Winchester. It should be a simple reaming and then loading dies. Ballistics would be identical to a 3006 as the case capacity is identical to a 3006. One of the benefits would be a shorter action which lends to a more accuracte rifle. Just a thought.

Ruger4570 · February 6, 2007, 11:49 PM

Trapper: I made a 35-284 that will equal a 35 Whelen all day. The 284 case is great as a basis for many wildcats..Mine made a great Elk gun and I have dropped 4 of them so far, with the worst case scenerio of him taking 5 or 6 steps before he collapsed.

The Gamemaster · February 7, 2007, 10:30 AM

You aren't going to want to lug that heavy rifle around.

Even if you do, if you use a guide service that packs you in. They give you a weight limit for your gear, and I would rather carry a couple of necessities than a heavy barrel rifle.

People use mystical terms when they think of hunting elk. All you really have to think about is that it is a BIG DEER. It's not a moose or a Buffalo, just a big deer.

You aren't going to impress him anymore if you shoot him with a .270 or a .375 H&H Magnum.

One good well placed shot is all you will need, and a elk is a pretty good sized target.....

pumpkinheaver · February 8, 2007, 11:33 PM

Never used them myself but I bet a 165 partition or 165 or 168 TSX would work great on elk.

January 24, 2007, 09:50 AM	#1
All in moderation Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 74	.308 muscle I can not find the rifle that I want in a 30-06 cal but can get it in a .308 version. I know that the differences in those two cal. is spliting hairs, but I elk hunt and like using a 180 grn. bullet. A bullet in that weight just seems to limit the .308 more than I would like. Does anyone have any ideas how to improve the performance of the .308 with a 180 grn bullet, or have a different bullet suggestion?

January 24, 2007, 07:50 PM	#3
hpg Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2002 Location: in the Bluegrass State Posts: 1,610	Nosler makes great bullets for controlled expansion.......hpg __________________ NRA member Semper Paratus

February 1, 2007, 01:31 PM	#8
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	In the old days, I hunted elk with 180 gr bullets. Today, I use the 150 grain Barns "X" bullet. These will drop an elk as quickly, or perhaps quicker, than any 180, and they can be driven much faster, giving flatter trajectory. And the .30 cal 150gr Barnes "X" will outpenetrate any 180 grain load except a 180 Barnes "X." Another option for the .308 is the 165 partition from Nosler. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs. Last edited by cheygriz; February 1, 2007 at 01:33 PM. Reason: sp

February 8, 2007, 11:33 PM	#15
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	Never used them myself but I bet a 165 partition or 165 or 168 TSX would work great on elk. __________________ Just because your paranoid don't mean they aint out to get ya.

January 24, 2007, 11:28 AM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	I would think a good quality bonded bullet would do the job on Elk out of a .308. Look at your controlled expansion loads. You can either handload them to your own specs which may get you an increase over standard factory velocities or you could look at some of the light magnum factory offerings from makers like Hornady. As you say the difference between an '06 and .308 is splitting hairs (amounts to about 100fps in comparable loads). Bottom line, with good quality bullets intended for large game it will do the job if you do your part.

January 24, 2007, 10:32 PM	#4
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have shot a few elk in my day and I normally use a bigger gun anyways. That said, the 308 will tag any elk I have ever seen with good shot placement. I generally use Nosler Partitions for hunting as I have always had good luck with them. There may be better ones and lesser ones, it is just that Nosler have never let me down.

January 26, 2007, 10:45 AM	#5
hunter5325 Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 8	I have used 150gr and 165gr Hornady Interbonds on elk with excellent results out of a 30-06. If these shot accurately in your gun, I wouldn't hesitate to use them on elk.

January 26, 2007, 06:24 PM	#6
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	What kind of gun do you want? I would look around. There are many fine rifles to be had in .30-06. But anyway, you're only losing about 100fps with the .308Win. You're not going to notice this in the field or on paper. I'd be going for accuracy over velocity anyway and the .308Win has a long reputation for great accuracy. Now if you want to go higher than 180's, I'd definitely go with the .30-06.

February 1, 2007, 08:50 AM	#7
All in moderation Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 74	I'm looking for a 30-06 in a target or varmint style rifle. 26" med. heavy or heavy barrel, with a good trigger and action. If anyone knows of a production rifle of that style let me know.

February 1, 2007, 02:39 PM	#9
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	If you get the Rem700 short action, you have lattitude to seat the bullet out further - longish magazine and long throat. But I wouldn't worry about it. A modern 165gr pill should be fine for Elk. They are big, but not particularly tough like a Griz or Boar. -tINY

February 1, 2007, 09:33 PM	#10
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	The Remington 700 Sendero SF II comes in that configuration, but not in 30-06. It comes in .300WinMag though. Plenty for elk. I can't imagine why anyone would want such a heavy gun for elk hunting. It wears me out carrying around my VLS just walking around in fields hunting groundhogs. I hope you know what you're in for. By the time you get a scope, rings, loaded mag, bipod, sling on that thing, it's gonna feel like you're carrying an anchor around.

February 6, 2007, 11:05 PM	#11
All in moderation Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 74	I had a Remington Sendaro in a 300 winchester mag. I carried it for almost a month straight elk hunting in the Rockies. Loved the rifle, and I didn't notice the weight any more than any other rifle I have ever carried. The problem with the 300 mag, is that I shoot a lot on the off season, and boy does it ever burn through the powder. The same rifle in a 30-06 is just what I am looking for.

February 6, 2007, 11:24 PM	#12
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	If you are into reloading and a wildcat doesn't scare you, have the 308 reamed out to a 30/284 Winchester. It should be a simple reaming and then loading dies. Ballistics would be identical to a 3006 as the case capacity is identical to a 3006. One of the benefits would be a shorter action which lends to a more accuracte rifle. Just a thought.

February 6, 2007, 11:49 PM	#13
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Trapper: I made a 35-284 that will equal a 35 Whelen all day. The 284 case is great as a basis for many wildcats..Mine made a great Elk gun and I have dropped 4 of them so far, with the worst case scenerio of him taking 5 or 6 steps before he collapsed.

February 7, 2007, 10:30 AM	#14
The Gamemaster Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2007 Posts: 135	You aren't going to want to lug that heavy rifle around. Even if you do, if you use a guide service that packs you in. They give you a weight limit for your gear, and I would rather carry a couple of necessities than a heavy barrel rifle. People use mystical terms when they think of hunting elk. All you really have to think about is that it is a BIG DEER. It's not a moose or a Buffalo, just a big deer. You aren't going to impress him anymore if you shoot him with a .270 or a .375 H&H Magnum. One good well placed shot is all you will need, and a elk is a pretty good sized target.....