.308 Win
02-02-2006, 05:08 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 18
.308 Win
Is the .308 win sufficiant for elk? I was thinking that it would be IF used with premium bullets. From what I understand it is pretty much the same as a 30-06. I am not trying to start any fights here just wanting to know what you guys think. Thanks.
Rob
Rob
02-02-2006, 07:45 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: WYO
Posts: 2,298
RE: .308 Win
If you really wanted to you could kill an elk with a .22, so a .308 will work fine. People I hunt with have killed several elk with the 7mm/08 (.308 necked down for 7mm bullets) using plain jane 140 gr. Winchester Super X ammo. And most of the guys I hunt with have used .270's and 30-06's with cheap 150gr bullets for over 30 years and killed elk almost every year with no probelms. I also know people who have killed elk using a .243. Just place your shots in the kill zone. Regardless of how big of a gun you're using, if you make a bad shot the elk won't go down.
02-02-2006, 08:37 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cheyoming
Posts: 870
RE: .308 Win
Elk can travel even with a well placed shot huh WTG.
If .308 is all you got, just try and stay within' a couple hundred yards or closer. Wapiti can be a nightmare to track. First some blood, then no blood, then no tracks. (Hope there's a little snow).
Bam, you've made cayote bait. That's my main reason to use bigger calibers, so you don't have to chase, and potentially lose, that trophy you went so far for and spent so much money on.
If .308 is all you got, just try and stay within' a couple hundred yards or closer. Wapiti can be a nightmare to track. First some blood, then no blood, then no tracks. (Hope there's a little snow).
Bam, you've made cayote bait. That's my main reason to use bigger calibers, so you don't have to chase, and potentially lose, that trophy you went so far for and spent so much money on.
02-02-2006, 10:24 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tacoma WA USA
Posts: 131
RE: .308 Win
I've used a 308 for several elk kills. All were basically short range in timber. Depending on the situation, a 308 could be fine. As already stated you will need to discipline yourself to reasonable ranges.
If the hunt is a one time deal and you shoot the gun well I would use it. If you're looking for a long-term go-to elk gun you might look at another weapon. Especially if you are hunting open country where that far away bull will be awfully tempting. If that is the situation you'd be better off looking for something else now. My two cents.
If the hunt is a one time deal and you shoot the gun well I would use it. If you're looking for a long-term go-to elk gun you might look at another weapon. Especially if you are hunting open country where that far away bull will be awfully tempting. If that is the situation you'd be better off looking for something else now. My two cents.
02-03-2006, 10:41 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 116
RE: .308 Win
there is a great artical in these months handloader magazine about the 308 WIN says hows great it is and thats its a 350 yard elk caliber...... and its my favorite caliber also,just order one in a browning a-bolt composite stalker gonna use it for my moose and deer...... heres a moose my unkle took this year with his 308 remington model 7400
02-03-2006, 11:18 AM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Nocona, Texas
Posts: 248
RE: .308 Win
Caliber is in the eye of the beholder!!!
No matter the caliber, there are stipulations, rules and logistics that must be obeyed in order to make an "ethical and efficient" harvest. As long as you realize that the list of those observed restrictions is longer as you travel down the caliber ladder. That is to say that as the caliber and gun size increase, you have greater opportunity in the field. But with that comes greater responsibility! As many have stated here, some think that because they are using a big gun they can accomplish unbelievable feats of marksmanship.
My advice........spend an adequate time on gun and caliber but don't get overlycaught up in it. Spend more time learning to get"in amongst them"!!! The better you are at that, the less important the gunbecomes!
No matter the caliber, there are stipulations, rules and logistics that must be obeyed in order to make an "ethical and efficient" harvest. As long as you realize that the list of those observed restrictions is longer as you travel down the caliber ladder. That is to say that as the caliber and gun size increase, you have greater opportunity in the field. But with that comes greater responsibility! As many have stated here, some think that because they are using a big gun they can accomplish unbelievable feats of marksmanship.
My advice........spend an adequate time on gun and caliber but don't get overlycaught up in it. Spend more time learning to get"in amongst them"!!! The better you are at that, the less important the gunbecomes!
02-05-2006, 02:47 PM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: .308 Win
With the right bullet, the 308 will retain 1688 LB of ME at 300 yards 1444 Lb ME at 400 yards. Thats enough power for elk if shot placement is good. In the end thats what takes game.
02-09-2006, 02:08 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA
Posts: 494
RE: .308 Win
ORIGINAL: RedRiverHntr
Caliber is in the eye of the beholder!!!
No matter the caliber, there are stipulations, rules and logistics that must be obeyed in order to make an "ethical and efficient" harvest. As long as you realize that the list of those observed restrictions is longer as you travel down the caliber ladder. That is to say that as the caliber and gun size increase, you have greater opportunity in the field. But with that comes greater responsibility! As many have stated here, some think that because they are using a big gun they can accomplish unbelievable feats of marksmanship.
My advice........spend an adequate time on gun and caliber but don't get overlycaught up in it. Spend more time learning to get"in amongst them"!!! The better you are at that, the less important the gunbecomes!
Caliber is in the eye of the beholder!!!
No matter the caliber, there are stipulations, rules and logistics that must be obeyed in order to make an "ethical and efficient" harvest. As long as you realize that the list of those observed restrictions is longer as you travel down the caliber ladder. That is to say that as the caliber and gun size increase, you have greater opportunity in the field. But with that comes greater responsibility! As many have stated here, some think that because they are using a big gun they can accomplish unbelievable feats of marksmanship.
My advice........spend an adequate time on gun and caliber but don't get overlycaught up in it. Spend more time learning to get"in amongst them"!!! The better you are at that, the less important the gunbecomes!
