.308 capabilities?

macsters · April 28, 2011, 09:50 PM

Is the 308 round capable of taking large elk at a range of up to 300 yards or so?

i am setting up a hunt in NM in the october-ish time frame, so i have plenty of time to get proficient with whatever round/gun combo i choose.

the location has forest areas that could mean close-ish shots and open meadows that can mean longer range.

Please don't say "the 7mm mag is better," or "go with 30-06," etc. i just need an answer to whether .308 can take elk. if the consensus is that it cannot, or at least not reliably, then i will be open to new cartridge suggestions.

Buzzcook · April 28, 2011, 10:50 PM

Yes

Lawyer Daggit · April 28, 2011, 11:24 PM

Its up to it if you are.

HiBC · April 29, 2011, 01:20 AM

Brother set his boss's14 yr old kid up with one.1 shot,1 kill.,300 yds.165 gr Accubond and Varget.

BIG P · April 29, 2011, 01:28 AM

IT will do its part NO PROBLEM.

PRONE2 · April 29, 2011, 09:49 AM

No problems from the 308, if the shooter can hit it the 308 will kill it!

Wyosmith · April 29, 2011, 09:58 AM

Without any doubt!
Use a bullet that holds together. 150 to 165 grain range is best.

The 30-06 is one of the "standards" for elk hunting.
The 308 is 98%-99%% of a 30-06 with 150-165 grain bullets. (Talking about hand loads here)

So what a 30-06 will do at 320 yards is what the 308 will do at 300 yards.
20 yards is not even a consideration in the game field for elk hunters.

(It's actually less than that because of real world ballistics. A 30-06 which starts its bullet 50 FPS faster does not retain the full 50 FPS advantage all the way to 300 yds. The faster a bullet moves, the more air resists it, the actual velocity advantage between the 2 shells at 300 yds is more like 35 FPS)

No problem at all with the 308 as an elk round.

BikerRN · April 29, 2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

No problem at all with the 308 as an elk round.

I agree.

bamaranger · April 30, 2011, 02:02 AM

Never killed an elk, much the pity.

But, for all intent and purpose, the .308 and '06 are equals. Sure all things equal, the "06 should be faster, especially with heavier slugs. But all things are not equal. When you start considering barrel length, distance of shots, quirks in rifles, the comparison is same same. Its a .30 cal slugs at similar velocity to each other.

What the '06 will do, so will the .308. I hope you kill a big one.

Kreyzhorse · April 30, 2011, 07:11 AM

If you can shoot at 300 yards the .308 can certainly bring it down.

cornbush · April 30, 2011, 07:30 AM

Use a good strong 165 or 180gr bullet and put it in the sweet spot and you will have no problems. I regularly use a 270 with 130 and more often 140gr bullets.

This one was over 400 yards, high shoulder shot with a 140 Fail safe.... using a good bullet makes all the difference.

JohnO · April 30, 2011, 07:43 AM

You can't kill and elk with anything less than a 300 win mag at 400 yds. Nevertheless with a measly .270. That must be a mullie with a great big rack.

Nice shootin

mehavey · April 30, 2011, 08:07 AM

I'd use my 375H&H, myself ... and that's for whitetail.
I reserve the 458 for muleys.

(Actually, I did use the 458 on Alabama whitetail during war college -- but loaded down to trapdoor 45-70 level)

Daryl · April 30, 2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

The 30-06 is one of the "standards" for elk hunting.
The 308 is 98%-99%% of a 30-06 with 150-165 grain bullets.

While true (if both are shooting 165 grain bullets), the 30-06 has a definite advantage over the .308 with heavier bullets.

But that's not the point of this thread.

I agree with the posts above; the .308 is perfectly capable of taking elk out to 300 yards. Personally, I'd not stretch it much beyond that.

A word of caution: .30 caliber bullets of 150 grains can be fragile in some cases. Make sure you get good quality bullets that are made to expand, but will also stay together for good penetration.

A friend of mine uses a .308 with 180 grain Speer Grand Slams for shooting bison, and chest shots give him quick kills. No reason the same wouldn't work for elk.

Daryl

TX Hunter · April 30, 2011, 01:19 PM

Yes the .308 is up to the task, but you need to be a good marksman and put the bullet in the right place. Good luck with your hunt.

30-30remchester · April 30, 2011, 05:14 PM

I was an elk guide for 9 years and have either killed myself or guided hunters in an excess of 100 elk. I am also a terminal ballistian student, so I do have some knowledge. The 308 Win. is an excellent cartridge for taking elk with the following factors in play. First no bullets lighter than 165 grain, second only premium bullets of controlled expansion, no extended ranges (300 would be the max in my experence) and if only broadside lung shots are taken at the extended ranges. The rub is, seldom do elk cooperate. You should be fine if you remember these factors. Here is hoping I shoot a huge bull this year myself and you get a bigger one.

doofus47 · April 30, 2011, 06:54 PM

Yes, at 300 but know your bullet drop.

Remchester 3030 had the definitive detailed answer.

GeauxTide · April 30, 2011, 10:17 PM

Remchester said it the best.

Jack O'Conner · April 30, 2011, 11:05 PM

Longest distance I ever fired my 308 Remington rifle to take an elk: approx 225 yards or so.

The bull's front legs folded but rear legs remained upright. I worked the action and fired again. The bull rolled over and kicked a few times; then it was over. Two good center chest strikes with my 308 got the job done. I'm certain that this feat is replicated at longer distances each year. 180 grain bullets fired from an accurate .308 rifle do not bounce off bull elk.

ammo: FEDERAL HI SHOCK featuring 180 grain soft tip bullet with spitzer point.

Jack

macsters · May 1, 2011, 06:57 PM

thanks for all the info, guys.

glad i can stick with .308. i dont reload; ill just go buy the most expensive box of 180 grain i can buy. should i consider twist rate with a bullet that heavy?

one more question: jsp, jhp, or fmj? i'm thinking a good jsp would be best, but again, my experience with large game is lacking (non-existent).

mehavey · May 1, 2011, 07:23 PM

Jacketed Soft Point.... or something like this:

http://www.hornady.com/store/308-Win...Superformance/

sc928porsche · May 18, 2011, 07:57 PM

dont worry about the twist rate.....it is the same as the 06 which is pretty much the same for all .30 cal............1 in 10.

grubbylabs · May 19, 2011, 09:02 AM

I would not base the quality on price. Do you know a friend who reloads? If you do it would be worth your time to work with them and work up some loads you could trust. You can still find quality ammo without paying 60 buck a box.

Oh and never go with a full metal jacket. Get a bullet that is designated as a big game bullet. My 308 really likes 165 grain bullets, I bet yours will also.

Zen Archery · May 19, 2011, 10:57 AM

beyond capable.

if you can put the bullet in the right place.

doofus47 · May 19, 2011, 09:44 PM

yep. Now all you have to do is find a 300 yard range to practice....
Good luck out there!

April 28, 2011, 09:50 PM	#1
macsters Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Posts: 119	.308 capabilities? Is the 308 round capable of taking large elk at a range of up to 300 yards or so? i am setting up a hunt in NM in the october-ish time frame, so i have plenty of time to get proficient with whatever round/gun combo i choose. the location has forest areas that could mean close-ish shots and open meadows that can mean longer range. Please don't say "the 7mm mag is better," or "go with 30-06," etc. i just need an answer to whether .308 can take elk. if the consensus is that it cannot, or at least not reliably, then i will be open to new cartridge suggestions.

April 29, 2011, 09:49 AM	#6
PRONE2 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: St.Louis Mo. Posts: 113	+1 No problems from the 308, if the shooter can hit it the 308 will kill it!

April 30, 2011, 02:02 AM	#9
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,303	.308 Never killed an elk, much the pity. But, for all intent and purpose, the .308 and '06 are equals. Sure all things equal, the "06 should be faster, especially with heavier slugs. But all things are not equal. When you start considering barrel length, distance of shots, quirks in rifles, the comparison is same same. Its a .30 cal slugs at similar velocity to each other. What the '06 will do, so will the .308. I hope you kill a big one.

April 30, 2011, 07:11 AM	#10
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	If you can shoot at 300 yards the .308 can certainly bring it down. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

April 30, 2011, 07:30 AM	#11
cornbush Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: The retarded place below Idaho Posts: 1,408	Use a good strong 165 or 180gr bullet and put it in the sweet spot and you will have no problems. I regularly use a 270 with 130 and more often 140gr bullets. This one was over 400 yards, high shoulder shot with a 140 Fail safe.... using a good bullet makes all the difference. __________________ The best shot I ever made was an accident

April 28, 2011, 10:50 PM	#2
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Yes

April 28, 2011, 11:24 PM	#3
Lawyer Daggit Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 1,181	Its up to it if you are.

April 29, 2011, 01:20 AM	#4
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Brother set his boss's14 yr old kid up with one.1 shot,1 kill.,300 yds.165 gr Accubond and Varget.

April 29, 2011, 01:28 AM	#5
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	IT will do its part NO PROBLEM.

April 29, 2011, 09:58 AM	#7
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	Without any doubt! Use a bullet that holds together. 150 to 165 grain range is best. The 30-06 is one of the "standards" for elk hunting. The 308 is 98%-99%% of a 30-06 with 150-165 grain bullets. (Talking about hand loads here) So what a 30-06 will do at 320 yards is what the 308 will do at 300 yards. 20 yards is not even a consideration in the game field for elk hunters. (It's actually less than that because of real world ballistics. A 30-06 which starts its bullet 50 FPS faster does not retain the full 50 FPS advantage all the way to 300 yds. The faster a bullet moves, the more air resists it, the actual velocity advantage between the 2 shells at 300 yds is more like 35 FPS) No problem at all with the 308 as an elk round.

April 30, 2011, 07:43 AM	#12
JohnO Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2000 Posts: 502	You can't kill and elk with anything less than a 300 win mag at 400 yds. Nevertheless with a measly .270. That must be a mullie with a great big rack. Nice shootin

April 30, 2011, 08:07 AM	#13
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,886	I'd use my 375H&H, myself ... and that's for whitetail. I reserve the 458 for muleys. (Actually, I did use the 458 on Alabama whitetail during war college -- but loaded down to trapdoor 45-70 level)

April 30, 2011, 01:19 PM	#15
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	Yes the .308 is up to the task, but you need to be a good marksman and put the bullet in the right place. Good luck with your hunt.

April 30, 2011, 05:14 PM	#16
30-30remchester Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: mountains of colorado Posts: 977	I was an elk guide for 9 years and have either killed myself or guided hunters in an excess of 100 elk. I am also a terminal ballistian student, so I do have some knowledge. The 308 Win. is an excellent cartridge for taking elk with the following factors in play. First no bullets lighter than 165 grain, second only premium bullets of controlled expansion, no extended ranges (300 would be the max in my experence) and if only broadside lung shots are taken at the extended ranges. The rub is, seldom do elk cooperate. You should be fine if you remember these factors. Here is hoping I shoot a huge bull this year myself and you get a bigger one.

April 30, 2011, 06:54 PM	#17
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	Yes, at 300 but know your bullet drop. Remchester 3030 had the definitive detailed answer.

April 30, 2011, 10:17 PM	#18
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Remchester said it the best.

April 30, 2011, 11:05 PM	#19
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Longest distance I ever fired my 308 Remington rifle to take an elk: approx 225 yards or so. The bull's front legs folded but rear legs remained upright. I worked the action and fired again. The bull rolled over and kicked a few times; then it was over. Two good center chest strikes with my 308 got the job done. I'm certain that this feat is replicated at longer distances each year. 180 grain bullets fired from an accurate .308 rifle do not bounce off bull elk. ammo: FEDERAL HI SHOCK featuring 180 grain soft tip bullet with spitzer point. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

May 1, 2011, 06:57 PM	#20
macsters Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2011 Posts: 119	thanks for all the info, guys. glad i can stick with .308. i dont reload; ill just go buy the most expensive box of 180 grain i can buy. should i consider twist rate with a bullet that heavy? one more question: jsp, jhp, or fmj? i'm thinking a good jsp would be best, but again, my experience with large game is lacking (non-existent).

May 1, 2011, 07:23 PM	#21
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,886	Jacketed Soft Point.... or something like this: http://www.hornady.com/store/308-Win...Superformance/

May 18, 2011, 07:57 PM	#22
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	dont worry about the twist rate.....it is the same as the 06 which is pretty much the same for all .30 cal............1 in 10. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

May 19, 2011, 09:02 AM	#23
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	I would not base the quality on price. Do you know a friend who reloads? If you do it would be worth your time to work with them and work up some loads you could trust. You can still find quality ammo without paying 60 buck a box. Oh and never go with a full metal jacket. Get a bullet that is designated as a big game bullet. My 308 really likes 165 grain bullets, I bet yours will also. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

May 19, 2011, 10:57 AM	#24
Zen Archery Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Posts: 274	beyond capable. if you can put the bullet in the right place.

May 19, 2011, 09:44 PM	#25
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	yep. Now all you have to do is find a 300 yard range to practice.... Good luck out there!