Originally Posted by
Colorado Luckydog
Wouldn't you know it, I had the bull of my dreams at 385 yards. He just stood there and fed. I had all day to take a shot. If I had my 300 RUM, he would be on my wall right now but I had to let him walk without firing a round.
That's the stuff great hunting memories are made of. If the bull of your dreams were hanging on your wall, would there be such a thing as the "bull of your dreams" anymore?
Running a quick comparison in LoadBase using 2600 and 3200 fps for .308 Win and .300 RUM respectively, and a .507 BC 180 grain bullet, no wind, all other variables equal: at 385 yards, the .308 will drop 46.3", while the .300 RUM will drop 30". What does 46.3" or 30" look like at 385 yards? I'd suggest that if you can't estimate 46.3" from various elk body parts (legs, chest depth, etc.), you're unlikely to be able to estimate 30" either. If I'd "had all day", I'd have been able to convert 46.3" to scope adjustments and held dead on. I'd have been able to do the same thing with my .30-06.
But, all things considered, I'd have done just as you did and let him walk. I might have thrown the big lens on the camera and taken a few photos, but I'd have let him walk.
I think you made a good choice.