.308 for elk

[Fjelljeger]

Got my first elk last year (4x5 bull) with a .308 180 grain Federal Premium Nosler Partition out of a Sako A7 22 inch barrel. Don't plan on changing from a .308 in the future.

 

[luke moffat]

Here's a swift ballistic table of what a .308'll manage at 2690 fps with a 165 Partition & a 4" high, 100yd zero......

Dang man...not sure I'd want 5" high at 150 yards. Means you have to hold low at 150 and high at 350...just doesn't make sense in my head atleast. Rather start just hold over at 300" with a 8" or so drop there and then only be 2" high at 100. But to each their own I guess.

 

[robtattoo]

Weeell....I figure a 12" vital area on an elk & being an Easterner I struggle to judge distance out West. Without a range finder I honestly can't judge the difference between 100 & 300 yds.
4" high at 100 gives me a maximum point blank of 320ish yds
Maybe once I've got a little more experience under my belt that'll change, but for now it's 'inexperience insurance!'

 

[aorams]

I love that chart robtattoo! Would be able to make a similar one for a 180 grain bullet? That is of course if it's not too much trouble or time consuming.

Thank you!

 

[robtattoo]

No problem. Any idea on velocity?
I'm pretty sure, from memory, I was getting around 2550 with 180 partitions, but I'm only shooting a 20" barrel.

 

[robtattoo]

Here you go!
I've assumed the same atmospherics & conditions as the 165gn load, but with a 180 Partition.
8000' ASL, 69°, 20% humidity.
2550fps with a 4" high, 100yd zero.

 

[migolito]

I have shot several with my Savage model 99 in 300 savage (pretty much a 308 win). I handload 130 gr Barnes tipped tsx. My ranges have varied from 30 yards to about 200. All have been one shot. the ttsx will penetrate the shoulder bone and exit the opposite shoulder much of the time. IMO, its a great 250 yard caliber. Ofcourse, if I was building a rifle, I'd build a short magnum 30 or 270.

 

[aorams]

Thank you robtattoo!!!! That's perfect!

 

[darcytribe]

Thank you robtattoo!!!! That's perfect!

I am consider building an elk rifle too. Have been considering a .308 but recently read some info on a newer round Federal has developed- .338 Federal. Better performance and similar recoil. you might do a little reading on it.

 

[JP7]

Last year I shot my bull (rag horn) at 270 yards with a 180 grain Remington Core-Lok bullet out of a .308 Remington youth model 700. I have my .308 sighted in at 3 inches high at 100 yards. I have a self imposed limit of 300 yards with my .308. My limitation has just as much to do with my lack of practice at longer ranges with my rifle than it does my perceptions of its capabilities as a longer range rifle. Another thing to consider is the cost of ammo, as the .308 is pretty affordable to shoot, almost half as expensive as my 7mm to shoot and far cheaper than the ultra mags.

 

[aorams]

Thank you everyone for the excellent input. I'm going to move forward with the planning process. I LOVE my Tikka, so I'm probably going to start there... I just finished reading the article on here about the Tikka compact. I can see myself getting the compact in 308, replacing the stock with a bell and carlson and putting a leupold 3-9x33 on some talley one piece rings on it... thoughts?

 

[luke moffat]

Thank you everyone for the excellent input. I'm going to move forward with the planning process. I LOVE my Tikka, so I'm probably going to start there... I just finished reading the article on here about the Tikka compact. I can see myself getting the compact in 308, replacing the stock with a bell and carlson and putting a leupold 3-9x33 on some talley one piece rings on it... thoughts?

Honestly, if going the Tikka route I would go with the 30-06. Same action for short actions vs. long actions so might as well pick up a bit extra speed shooting the exact same bullets. Can even cut the barrel back to 22" like the .308 if you like and still be 150+ fps faster....just my opinion if going on the Tikka platform...which is a very good platform for the $$$ IMO.

 

[Ian]

View attachment 37627
not sure if pic will show up, but I've used the .308 for over 20 years. This is my first elk with it, many deer prior. I've used a 168gn A-Max, for a few years with great results. I'm forever faithful to the .308. This bull was at I think about 365yds, with a 20" AR10. I'm confident the first shot would have done it, but I was pretty excited, and prompted to send another, or two.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Honestly, if going the Tikka route I would go with the 30-06.

Have been shooting .308 for years and just went the 30-06 route with my new Tikka T3. I figure lots of bullet weights, a bit faster and ubiquitous ammo (and cheaper). 308 is an excellent workhorse caliber and would serve you well.

 

[robtattoo]

I've got to agree with Luke. If you're going Tikka, they ALL use a long action. Better to go with the '06
If you're dead set on a lightweight .308 ($ there's absolutely no reason not to be...) then the Savage Lightweight Hunter can't be bettered.

 

[luke moffat]

I agree Robatoo!! If set in 308 which I really like the get a savage lightweight. If set on Tikka which I also like my then get a 30-06.

 

[SunShine]

.308 is about as good as it gets for anything hunting. .3006 is a more versatile round.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[missjordan]

My first hunting rifle was a .308 and I loved it. I hunt with a different. 308 now and shoot 168 gr Berger vld and it does fantastic.

 

[aorams]

Got it! The tikka compact doesn't come in 30-06 from what I can see. Only in 308. If I move up to the lite then the barrel increases to 22". I'll take a look at the savage also! Thank you!

 

[gmajor]

I did something similar with a 7mm-08 for elk. No regrets and several dead elk so far. I'd do the same with a .308 in half a heartbeat.

Looking forward to taking mine out this year. Been hearing a lot of good reviews. Mine loooves accubonds.