308 For Elk

[learningman]

Hello I am thinking of getting myself a 308 and was wondering how many out there use this caliber for elk sized game. A couple of years back I buggered my shoulder and so now my 300wm kind of hurts a little to shoot. I don't want to develop a flinch so I'm taming down my caliber choices for hunting. Now IMHO I think that the 308 is plenty big enough to use for elk, I've my 270 for elk so why not a 308. I was just wondering what some of the opinions of my fellow hunters would be on this subject. The other reason for asking is that my buddy thinks it too small. He's a good guy but has a bad case magnumitus. So other experience on the subject would be good for him to hear. Thanks agian for all the response's.

 

[3pairs12]

I have no personal expeirence shooting elk, however a good friend of mine hunts elk every year and uses .308.

 

[eliphalet]

A 308 for elk is fine, just use good shot placement. I doubt however there is much difference in the felt recoil between a 270 and 308. In fact a 130 grain bullet from a 270 would be fine and have better trajectory than a 150 grain 308. If your gonna use a 180 grain bullet in a 308 might as well use a '06.
Me and mine have been using 150 grainers in both 30 calibers with no problems for nearly all our deer, antelope and every elk 20 some years now.

Elk aren't bullet proof and heavy bullets and hyper velocities are not necessary, knowing when to shoot and when not to with good shot placement is what counts most.

 

[deadasslast2004]

a 308 took my first one

These work fine. i did go to the 300 ultra mag for th elong distance punch later though

 

[ClarkEMyers]

A .308 is fine. Loaded with one of the new super bullets better than just adequate.

It's not obvious to me why not stick with the .270 and a good bullet?

Given a choice I'd take a .308 over a .270 but given a .270 I'd go hunting. I'd take a .280 over either - maybe the .280 Ackley will be standardized.

I'd expect anything within a day's drive of Boise to be crowded and I'd prefer something a little bigger so I'd feel more comfortable I wouldn't be tracking an animal to somebody else's tag. It doesn't have to be a magnum; anything from the .338 Federal to the .35 Whelan would in my opinion be a better choice but a .308 has worked just fine before and will again.

For trophy hunting - where just any elk won't do and it may be necessary to take the shot offered rather than wait - and for walk in or drop camp hunting where it is not a social activity I'd seriously suggest a muzzle brake and/or a hydrocoil type stock. The muzzle brake works best in conjunction with hunter's ears or some of type hearing protection - no point in going deaf with a sound shoulder.

My own preference is a bigger bore and a premium bullet - something in the .375 bore but much of that is romanticism.

 

[30-06 lover]

I used a 308 for my first elk. She dropped in her tracks with a well placed shot. The 308 is a great caliber and is very sutible for elk. Stick to premium bullets like the Nosler Partition or the Barnes TSX bullet and you will be lethal to any elk within 300 yards.

 

[waffentomas]

I've been hunting elk for 7 years now with my .308, killed four. I use a 180gr Barnes bullet (XLC, but TSX is more redily available) and have had no problems with them dropping quick when I've made lung shots.

Heavier, premium bullets are the way to go.

Tom

 

[brian923]

guys are now using 6.8 spc, out of the notorious black rifle to take elk. .308, i think, is a perfect round for this use. as you can tell due to the above metioned taking of elk with the .308. i believe that magnums, though neet to own, are un-nessisary. yes, they have there place, but most hunters will not use them to their full potential. .308, 270, and 30-06 will do for 90% of all hunters in north america.

 

[T.R.]

I've toppled many elk with my .308 and none got away. Any 180 grain soft tip bullet shot into the chest will get the job done. I usually shoot 'em twice.

TR

 

[1911NM]

TR that picture has me drooling. I grew up eating elk, and most were killed with a 250-3000 Savage, yeah small, but placement is everything. .308 oughta be dandy if you can put the bullet where you want it.

 

[springmom]

Drooling, indeed...

My brother and I drew tags for the Bridger National Forest between Jackson and Yellowstone, horseback hunting from a 6500' base camp for 7 days.

I'm planning on using a .30-06, 180 gr ballistic tip, which my outfitter says should work just fine, as long as I place it well.

 

[Regolith]

I'm planning on using a .30-06, 180 gr ballistic tip, which my outfitter says should work just fine, as long as I place it well.

My grandfather used a .30-06 out of a 1903 Springfield for all of his elk hunts. I don't know which load he used, but it worked extremely well.

Also, elk is probably one of the better meats I have ever had.

I was just wondering what some of the opinions of my fellow hunters would be on this subject.

.308 should work well, too. I'd go with something in the 180 grain range, personally. Hell, you can take moose with that load if you want to.

 

[learningman]

Nice draw springmom. Good luck with the hunt. I have confidence that a 308 would be plenty to take an elk. I just like to hear from those who have first hand experience. Things like bullet weight are a big help. Looking forward to getting the new gun and trying it out. Thanks to all for the reply's.