Is .308 enough for elk and large bear?

metro · 10-17-2004, 02:06 PM

Well I thought I was filling out my cabinet nicely with the edition of the 30-30, I already have a Remington 788 .308 for longer range deer but now I am starting to wonder if that gun is enough for the real big game like elk and bear. What do you guys think? Am I just looking for an excuse to buy another rifle?

Metro

frizzellr · 10-17-2004, 02:10 PM

The 308 Win is enough for elk all day long, but on the big bears no 30 caliber is optimum. We are talking BIG bears here, not black bear.

metro · 10-17-2004, 02:21 PM

On another thread of mine one of the guys said that 1000 ft pounds at least is the knock down power you want for deer, is there a guidline regarding ft pounds and large game?

Metro

Fireblade545 · 10-17-2004, 02:22 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: frizzellr

The 308 Win is enough for elk all day long, but on the big bears no 30 caliber is optimum. We are talking BIG bears here, not black bear.

NO .30 Cal i optimum? .300 Weatherby Mag Will take any bear you can point at.

frizzellr · 10-17-2004, 02:42 PM

Quote:

300 Weatherby Mag Will take any bear you can point at.

And you can kill a deer with a 223 Rem as well but it is far from optimum. You might want to look up optimum in the dictionary. If you are shooting something that will eat you then why take chances? 338 Win Mag and above for big bear.

James B · 10-17-2004, 02:59 PM

1500 lb ME is considered minimum for Elk Black Bear would be included in this. The big Bears however might require a bit more. A 45-70 will do the job as would the 444 and 450 Marlins. The 7 Mags and 30-06's and even 270's have taken all Game in North America. For the big Bears for me, a minimum of 30-06 or 7 Mag would be my choice along with the 45-70. I have never been a fan of the 338 and would jump to the 375 H&H if my smaller guns would not suffice.

Fireblade545 · 10-17-2004, 03:13 PM

dont try and get smart frizzellr by telling me to look something up in a dictionary. A message board is for discusing things..and thats what were doing..Im not trying to tell you your WRONG , im just giving my opinion.

gopher slayer · 10-17-2004, 04:02 PM

elk should be fien im not sure about bear, a 300 win mag is a perfect all around caliber. it will take a bear easy, its all about shot placment. even there a 300 will give you some breathing room.

Quote:

no 30 caliber is optimum

so what do suggest a 50 Bmg. haha

Sixgun_Redneck · 10-17-2004, 04:09 PM

you can take down damn near anyhting with a .30 cal. .300win mag can easily take down a bear. That's why packers used to carry .45colts and .30-30s with them to defend against bears.

metro · 10-17-2004, 05:07 PM

[
That's why packers used to carry .45colts and .30-30s with them to defend against bears.

I have no doubt that I could drop a bear at 20 or 30 yards with my 30-30 or .308 even further, I am talking about big big game out to 200-300 yards.

Metro