Hey guys, I am wanting to get a new deer rifle that will be mainly used for deer, but could be used for elk in a pinch. Would a 308 be a good choice? I have shot and enjoyed them. but never killed anything with one.

The .308 will be just fine for both. I use a .270 every year elk hunting and havn' t had to shoot twice yet. If you put a bullet in the boiler room it' s going to die fairly fast. My hunting camp uses a 7mm-08, 270, 308, 30-06, and 7mm mag. None of us have ever had any problems taking an elk.

A .308 will work just fine for deer and elk.

The 308 Win. will work just use a premium bullet when hunting elk. Use a bullet like Barnes X, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame, or Win. Fail Safe. Good luck.

308....

Great Target Round.

Great Deer Round.

.... and exactly like you said in your post, " used for elk in a pinch."

I think you already understand the trade offs. Good job!

If you go for elk, then handloader1 offers some good advice.

Assuming you don' t already own a 270 or 30-06, then go for it and good luck!

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM

i use a .308 also and use trophy bonded bearclaws and regular federal 165 gr and ihave no problem killing anything..

An unqualified " anything" ?

EKM

NOW, NOW .EKM, YOU AND I, AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW WHAT HE MEANS.-----------------------AFRICA??????????-----ELKNUT1

Stand Back! All caps, dashes, multiple question marks, and patronage in a single utterance. []

BTW, would " AMERICAN PEOPLE" per chance include those living along the Pacific coast of ALASKA?

EKM

EKM

I thought about including BEARS with the AFRICA comment but decided NAH!
Hope you realize it was just a friendly ribbin. LOL

By your past comments and thoughts one can appreciate that you want game taken quickly and humanely as possible, hence the statement, never be under gunned. ---And I agree!

However, I too have taken elk with a .308 with no problem. It' s more of a close range caliber. 200yds max. elknut1