The little .308 Steyr Scout puts yet another elk in the pot.

[H&Hhunter]

Alright,

YES I am archery deer hunting at the moment. And I happen to have had a cow elk tag in my pocket. So while archery deer hunting I threw my .308 Scout Rifle in the truck justncase.

Last night I was watching a herd of deer right at dark. While I’m watching them a herd of cow elk start filtering out of the tree line into the open. It’s obvious that I don’t have enough time to put an archery stalk on the buck I’m watching, AND it’s getting pretty late to try and slip in on the cows with archery gear as well.

So I do what any red blooded American would do, I walk back to the truck and grab my rifle. I was able to get into about 300 yards with not too much trouble. I picked out a fat cow dropped the integral bipod on the Scout went prone from a small rise and sent a 165 Gr Accubond through her heart. She dropped to the shot.

She was a big cow, it took me about an hour to quarter her up and get her loaded into the truck. Dressing and loading elk solo is getting to be less fun every year, my back was sore this morning.

The wife was just complaining that we were almost out of elk meat, problem solved!

I’ve lost count of how many elk we’ve killed with a .308 Win. But it’s more than 10 I’m pretty sure. No drama, no fuss just dead elk.

 

[Enfielder]

But…. a 308 won’t kill an elk………..that didn’t happen. It’s imposible.

 

[H&Hhunter]

But…. a 308 won’t kill an elk………..that didn’t happen. It’s imposible.

I know, right! ; )

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wow, thats a big deer ya got there!

What's elk taste like, and whats the best way to prepare it?

 

[H&Hhunter]

Wow, thats a big deer ya got there!

What's elk taste like, and whats the best way to prepare it?

Cows don’t tend to have any gamey smell or taste. I take the loins and back straps put some salt, pepper and thyme on them and sear the outside. I cook them until the center gets to about 160 deg. Slice the meat thin, and my wife makes a pepper hollandaise sauce, It eats real good. I’ll grind the meat off the fronts and some of the back quarters and cut roasts out of the rest. That way if I want steaks I’ll pull out a roast and slice it into steaks later.

Bulls tend to be more gamey, I prefer to shoot cows over any bulls for meat. I’m not saying I wouldn’t shoot a great big beautiful bull, but for filling the freezer it’s cows for me. I don’t shoot rag horns or sub trophy bulls if I have an either sex tag. They just don’t eat as good as cows.

 

[dh1633pm]

Those scout rifles are pretty handy hunting rifles. Thanks for sharing about your hunt.

 

[Patocazador]

What's elk taste like, and whats the best way to prepare it?

I've only killed 2 elk. One was a 5x6 bull and the other was a cow. To be honest I didn't notice any gamey taste in either one. In fact, the meat of both was excellent ... like deer meat but sweeter and much better IMO. I'm too old to go mountain hunting any more but elk meat is the best I've ever had except for warthog and gemsbok.

 

[jmr40]

If I recall that is the closest shot you've had and posted about here with that rifle. IIRC you've taken at least 2 others at ranges closer to, or over 500 yards with that rifle. The 308 is my go-to big game cartridge and I have complete faith in it working.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Jmr

My wife killed one at about 200 yards year before last. Other than that and the ones reported here they’ve all been 500 yards + or - and my wife finished one off at 623 yards. All with a .308.

 

[WisBorn]

Congratulations on your Elk. Long time fan of the 308win

 

[.38 Special]

But…. a 308 won’t kill an elk………..that didn’t happen. It’s imposible.

I hear the Scout concept is equally useless....

 

[H&Hhunter]

I hear the Scout concept is equally useless....

A total waste of time and money! (unless you want an easy carry, ergonomic, general purpose, stupid accurate, easy to shoot, game killing machine.)

 

[Show Me]

Alright,

YES I am archery deer hunting at the moment. And I happen to have had a cow elk tag in my pocket. So while archery deer hunting I threw my .308 Scout Rifle in the truck justncase.

Last night I was watching a herd of deer right at dark. While I’m watching them a herd of cow elk start filtering out of the tree line into the open. It’s obvious that I don’t have enough time to put an archery stalk on the buck I’m watching, AND it’s getting pretty late to try and slip in on the cows with archery gear as well.

So I do what any red blooded American would do, I walk back to the truck and grab my rifle. I was able to get into about 300 yards with not too much trouble. I picked out a fat cow dropped the integral bipod on the Scout went prone from a small rise and sent a 165 Gr Accubond through her heart. She dropped to the shot.

She was a big cow, it took me about an hour to quarter her up and get her loaded into the truck. Dressing and loading elk solo is getting to be less fun every year, my back was sore this morning.

The wife was just complaining that we were almost out of elk meat, problem solved!

I’ve lost count of how many elk we’ve killed with a .308 Win. But it’s more than 10 I’m pretty sure. No drama, no fuss just dead elk.

View attachment 1180030

That was a hunting day. How did you ever have success with such an old fashioned cartrage. Ha. Awesome

 

[buck460XVR]

Sometimes you gotta dance with who is there, not just with who you brought. Congrats on being flexible. Down at our cabin, during the fall deer archery season, I always have a turkey call or two with me. Many times a slow night for deer, turns into a good night of turkey hunting. I have found over the years, not only does a turkey call not frighten deer, but it can actually attract deer. Don't know if it's because it makes the deer feel safe knowing turkeys with all their eyes are there, or if it's cause they both eat the same food sometimes. Have also found that a hen assembly call is one of the best coyote calls you can use. Have actually shot a turkey with the bow and later still had deer come in. Have yet to do a double, but maybe someday.......

 

[bratch]

Have you went back to a traditional rear mounted scope on your Scout? Looking at some of your older pictures I see a mix of forward and rear mounted.

 

[Armored farmer]

I've been checking out the little Steyr since you posted this thread....
Pretty cool little rifle!

 

[md7]

I’m a new comer to 308, and this will be my first season with it.

A few things that I’ve learned to appreciate about it. A 308 may not start out with a lot of velocity, but it also doesn’t lose much by going with short barrels.

An 18” through 20” barrel 308 is effective, nimble, and also make excellent suppressor hosts.

Mines an 18” barrel and with a suppressor, it’s no longer than a 24” barrel rifle. I’m so pleased to see how effective you have been with your steyr scout, and expect comparable results with my rifle.

 

[Hookeye]

I have a PH in ..30-06.
Neat but heavy rifle.
Was thinkin bout selling it.............until I read this thread.
Steyrs are just different enough to maintain a cool factor

Just got a .308 but its a Ruger #1A (why I was gonna get rid of the Steyr, as one .30 cal is enough for me).

 

[H&Hhunter]

Have you went back to a traditional rear mounted scope on your Scout? Looking at some of your older pictures I see a mix of forward and rear mounted.

Yes that rifle is a “psuedo scout” it’s a 22” barrel thats a bit thicker than the original Steyr Scout. For my current style of hunting I’ve gone with a Night Force 2.5X10X24 and a MilRad dial.

For tons of snap shooting on hogs I really like the forward mounted. Overall the gains out weigh the limitations with the 2.5x10.

 

[md7]

Alright,

YES I am archery deer hunting at the moment. And I happen to have had a cow elk tag in my pocket. So while archery deer hunting I threw my .308 Scout Rifle in the truck justncase.

Last night I was watching a herd of deer right at dark. While I’m watching them a herd of cow elk start filtering out of the tree line into the open. It’s obvious that I don’t have enough time to put an archery stalk on the buck I’m watching, AND it’s getting pretty late to try and slip in on the cows with archery gear as well.

So I do what any red blooded American would do, I walk back to the truck and grab my rifle. I was able to get into about 300 yards with not too much trouble. I picked out a fat cow dropped the integral bipod on the Scout went prone from a small rise and sent a 165 Gr Accubond through her heart. She dropped to the shot.

She was a big cow, it took me about an hour to quarter her up and get her loaded into the truck. Dressing and loading elk solo is getting to be less fun every year, my back was sore this morning.

The wife was just complaining that we were almost out of elk meat, problem solved!

I’ve lost count of how many elk we’ve killed with a .308 Win. But it’s more than 10 I’m pretty sure. No drama, no fuss just dead elk.

View attachment 1180030

What barrel length is the scout in your pic?

 

[H&Hhunter]

What barrel length is the scout in your pic?

Steyr produced the Scout with a 22” barrel for several years. That is one of them.

 

[hillman23]

Wow, thats a big deer ya got there!

What's elk taste like, and whats the best way to prepare it?

We’re pretty simple folks. I prefer thick steaks, coat them in olive oil (elk tends to be mighty lean), and grill them on the bbq as rare as your palate allows (my wife and kids prefer still cool in the middle: blue). I don’t mess with the gristle/connective tissue as it’s tough, chewy and generally has a stronger flavor.

That said, there are many right ways to cook elk (and a few wrong ways), but my best experiences have been when the meat is on the rare side.

 

[hillman23]

But…. a 308 won’t kill an elk………..that didn’t happen. It’s imposible.

The real old timers out here seemed to prefer a Winchester model 94 chambered in 25-35. Somehow meat kept getting hung up and plates kept getting filled. Weird

 

[Enfielder]

A total waste of time and money! (unless you want an easy carry, ergonomic, general purpose, stupid accurate, easy to shoot, game killing machine.)

I didn’t want to COMPLETELY embarrass the man!