308 for Elk?

[Guest member 25165]

Thoughts on the 308 caliber for big game out west? I am trying to thin the safe out. I currently have 3 big game rifles. A Browning X-bolt in 270, a Tikka Superlight Camo in 308, and a Savage 114 American Classic in stainless in 30-06. All are good shooters, but the 30-06 seems to be more of a safe queen. I usually use the 308 and the 270 for whitetail deer hunting while the 30-06 sits idle. Due to my job situation, I won't be heading out west anytime soon. However, when it does happen for me, I don't want to be kicking myself that I sold the savage. Your thoughts on the 308 please? Thanks for your time.

-Jess

 

[JohnCushman]

I bought my wife a .308 as an 'all around' rifle for whatever she might hunt. I think it's plenty good enough for elk. A good bullet and good shot placement and you're good to go.

 

[MThuntr]

308 has killed a ton of elk as well as the 270 and 30-06. Randy (aka BigFin) recommends the 308 in his most recent Elk E-guide. http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=264748&highlight=bigfin

 

[Rooster52]

I hunted 4 or 5 years ago in colorado for elk with my 308 loaded with 165 Accubonds over Reloader 15 powder, it worked for me.

 

[HighDesertSage]

The .308 is an excellent elk cartridge. As with anything, shot placement is everything.

 

[mike123red]

keep the .30

I am a .30 cal guy for all my life. when I reload my bullet I can use most .30 bullet ranging from 168gr smk to 210gr smk. If you like a gun that has less kick .308 is good, but if you want to take any animal in north America I would go with the old trusty 30/06.
If your reload 30/06 can take a heavy bullet.

.270 is ok, but .308 and 30/06 is where it at for me.

good luck. I always regret selling a gun.

 

[.280 Remington]

308 will work just fine for elk. You can match '06 factory loads if you handload for your .308.

Absolutely no problems.

 

[sbhooper]

308 will work just fine for elk. You can match '06 factory loads if you handload for your .308.

Absolutely no problems.

This is correct. The 06 has the edge for 180-200-grain bullets. There is not much difference in the 150-165-grain loads. My 22-inch barreled.308 with 150-grain Interlocks shoots 2934 fps, which is 30-06 velocity.

 

[skeet20]

308 on elk

I have killed 2 bull moose with a 308. Should do well on elk too.

 

[sbhooper]

Another thing that is good about the .308, is that it does just fine with average bullets. Premiums are fine, but a .308 and a Hornady Interlock will do anything you want in the elk woods.

 

[MT_elk]

I think the consensus is clear that using a premium bullet and shot placement is paramount.

 

[Deleted member 20812]

In the hands of a competent shooter, the '06 and the .308 are virtually the same gun.

I'd find a load the Tikka likes and use it. If you need the cash to fund other gear, sell the '06.

 

[mtmander]

All good calibers, keep the ones that shoot the best for you

 

[greatwhitebuffalo]

Our host's (BigFin) most recent publication cited the .308 as his elk caliber of choice.

Tough to argue with.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

Any of the 3 calibers you mentioned will kill elk just fine. My personal choice would be the .270 over the '06 or .308.

 

[mtmuley]

This is correct. The 06 has the edge for 180-200-grain bullets. There is not much difference in the 150-165-grain loads. My 22-inch barreled.308 with 150-grain Interlocks shoots 2934 fps, which is 30-06 velocity.

Hmmmm. That's smokin. Powder? mtmuley

 

[TheTone]

308 for elk? No way that will work!

(Heavy sarcasm)

 

[.280 Remington]

Hmmmm. That's smokin. Powder? mtmuley

I don't know what he's using but I've got that from mine with Alliant MR-2000

 

[sbhooper]

Hmmmm. That's smokin. Powder? mtmuley

It is 51 grains (.5 grains under max) of CFE223. It does great things with 165s, also, if your gun likes it. My Ruger shoots 165s all over the place with this powder, but I have never seen better with 150 Interlocks. Should be great on my white-tailed does.

I believe that the 2000MR is exactly the same powder, if what I read about it is correct.

 

[PRM]

As mentioned, with the exception of heavy bullets >180gn, the 308 of today is as good as the 30-06 that garnered a well earned reputation for effectiveness in NA and Africa in years past. Of course you can load a 30-06 up and get more, but the point is that the performance that gained it its reputation can be matched with the 308 today. And, with the quality of bullets available, it really is a great cartridge. Not to mention that all 308s seem to shoot well!