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.308 for Elk hunting #6037797 11/19/15 12:31 AM
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mason15 Offline OP
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Looking to do a Elk hunt next year will the .308 be enough gun?

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6037802 11/19/15 12:34 AM
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Sure. Use the right bullet, and limit your range and you'll be fine.

What barrel length? What ammo (or handload) were you planning to use?


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038029 11/19/15 02:27 AM
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Yes, 308 is fine for Elk. It will work well.

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038233 11/19/15 04:39 AM
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Unless I was expecting extreme ranges, I'd take my .308 rather than buy something new. If the guide said be prepared to go to 500-600 yards, I'd add a 300 Win Mag to my collection or borrow one.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038237 11/19/15 04:43 AM
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Killed mine a couple of months ago, loaded with Chad's bullets.

http://dallasreloads.com


Originally Posted by LandPirate
We kept it as a pet for several months until it got run over by a truck. Then we ate him.
Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038560 11/19/15 02:58 PM
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I'd say under 400 yards is fine for .308.

As others said, bullet selection will be more of a factor. Go with something like a TSX, GMX, partitions, etc.

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038630 11/19/15 03:26 PM
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mason15 Offline OP
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Thanks guys,im thinking about using TSX

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038664 11/19/15 03:38 PM
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The 308 Win is fine for elk. The most elk killin' fool that I know uses a 308 Win and culls about 500-800 cows a year.

Originally Posted By: mason15
Thanks guys,im thinking about using TSX


However, I would not recommend the TSX. The copper bullets will punch all the way through, but they do not have the shock of a lead bullet. If you did go TSX, I'd lean towards a fast one, like a 150 grain. But a 165 or 180 grain bonded bullet would be very good medicine.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: kmartinusa] #6038665 11/19/15 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: kmartinusa
Killed mine a couple of months ago, loaded with Chad's bullets.

http://dallasreloads.com


Awesome!! Which round did you use?


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: ChadTRG42] #6038701 11/19/15 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
However, I would not recommend the TSX. The copper bullets will punch all the way through, but they do not have the shock of a lead bullet. If you did go TSX, I'd lean towards a fast one, like a 150 grain. But a 165 or 180 grain bonded bullet would be very good medicine.


I agree with chad, 308 doesn't have enough speed for a tsx.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6038730 11/19/15 04:13 PM
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A 175gr bullet running 2700 for will carry 1000ftlbs out to 700 yards under most all environmental condition. That is plenty of killing power. If you have 100% confidence in your 308, happy hunting and don't over think it

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: SingleShot85] #6038794 11/19/15 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted By: SingleShot85
A 175gr bullet running 2700 for will carry 1000ftlbs out to 700 yards under most all environmental condition. That is plenty of killing power. If you have 100% confidence in your 308, happy hunting and don't over think it


Big +1!!


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: ChadTRG42] #6039113 11/19/15 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
The 308 Win is fine for elk. The most elk killin' fool that I know uses a 308 Win and culls about 500-800 cows a year.

Originally Posted By: mason15
Thanks guys,im thinking about using TSX


However, I would not recommend the TSX. The copper bullets will punch all the way through, but they do not have the shock of a lead bullet. If you did go TSX, I'd lean towards a fast one, like a 150 grain. But a 165 or 180 grain bonded bullet would be very good medicine.

What kind of bullets would you recommend?

I ask so that in the future I won't recommend something that might not be ideal. Sorry for any misinformation. hammer

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: 7x57] #6039511 11/20/15 12:02 AM
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I'd try 165gr Partitions, AccuBonds, or Hornady SP /BTSP from your .308 at normal .308 Win speeds. See which one your rifle likes, sharpen your knives, and go find yourself an elk!

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: ChadTRG42] #6039553 11/20/15 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42
The 308 Win is fine for elk. The most elk killin' fool that I know uses a 308 Win and culls about 500-800 cows a year.

Originally Posted By: mason15
Thanks guys,im thinking about using TSX


However, I would not recommend the TSX. The copper bullets will punch all the way through, but they do not have the shock of a lead bullet. If you did go TSX, I'd lean towards a fast one, like a 150 grain. But a 165 or 180 grain bonded bullet would be very good medicine.


Who has to kill 500-800 elk a year? That's alot of meat.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039567 11/20/15 12:41 AM
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I'd go with a good 165 grain bullet and not think twice.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039580 11/20/15 12:46 AM
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I would hunt elk with a .308 if that's what I had.

Given a chance to take my pick though, it would not be near the top (or bottom) of the list.

My first choice would be a .338 Winchster mag, maybe a 325 WSM.

Last edited by charlesb; 11/20/15 12:48 AM.

Kind regards, charlesb


Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039587 11/20/15 12:51 AM
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I've been shooting Hornady SST's out of my 308 on whitetail and mule deer. I wouldn't hesitate using them on an elk



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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039800 11/20/15 02:39 AM
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308, 309, whatever it takes.....

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039980 11/20/15 04:41 AM
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308 is great for elk.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6039999 11/20/15 05:02 AM
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I shot a few with the 178gr AMax from.308 with good results from 100 to 420 yards.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: ChadTRG42] #6040007 11/20/15 05:21 AM
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178 A-Max.

I've got what's left of the bullet, will text a picture to you tomorrow in case you're interested.

Wasn't my best shot for a couple of reasons...a little far back however he was done within 100 yds and about 60 seconds.

I highly recommend Chad. He's a responsive and helpful.


Originally Posted by LandPirate
We kept it as a pet for several months until it got run over by a truck. Then we ate him.
Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6040970 11/20/15 09:31 PM
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thanks guys for the advice!

Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6041691 11/21/15 02:09 PM
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I used a 180 grain accubond in a 300 Weatherby on my last bull. Shot was 259 yards. The bull shuddered at each hit but just kept walking. I finally broke the offside shoulder and he fell. Three of the five shots went right through his ribs. No doubt fatal but he showed minimal reaction to the shots. All bullets except the last one passed all the way through. Please understand that I hunt with a few guys from Wyoming and their rule is you shoot until he quits standing or you no longer have a shot. Long story short.... I would have preferred something that expanded a bit quicker and imparted a bit more shock. But a dead bull is a dead bull.


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Re: .308 for Elk hunting [Re: mason15] #6041755 11/21/15 02:47 PM
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My wife just shot her Utah elk, with a 308 and 165 gr Accubond. Didn't go over 50yds after a hit behind the shoulder. It was a mature, big bodied bull. I would not hesitate to use the 308 for elk.

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