.308 for elk

[BruinPoint]

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

Accubonds was where I found the sweet spot too. I think a .308 with 165 ABs would be a great combo IF they'll shoot.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[11boo]

This bullet was only doing about 2600 fps from a 16" AR, connected with a 4 pt bull at 45 yds and was found just under the hide after smashing thru a shoulder bone and destroying the heart.

 

[Dougfir]

I took a cow elk this past fall with my 7mm-08. 200 yard shot, bullet probably going about 2400 at the time. I used a 150 grain Nosler Accubond lr. Found it just under the hide on the other side. I'd estimate it had 60% of its weight left. I wouldn't have any reservations about using a .308 for elk at reasonable distances. Frankly, I think modern bullet technology has made cartridge choice (almost) obsolete for general hunting.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Frankly, I think modern bullet technology has made cartridge choice (almost) obsolete for general hunting.

I agree completely.

 

[KINGSNAKE]

I have been load testing 130 grain accu bonds in my 260 Rem. I wouldn't have a problem dropping the hammer on an elk 300 or less with that gun. Might go 400. I think the most critical factor is quality bullets accurate shots and reasonable distance. That being said I'm Taking my 338 06 to New Mexico in Oct.

 

[aorams]

4 years later.... finally made it happen

 

[backcountry_hunter]

that sir, is a nice rifle....

 

[Brooks]

.308 Savage and Nosler 165 Accubond ...my daughter has killed elk 3 years in a row with that combo.

 

[bowrunner81]

4 years later.... finally made it happen
View attachment 173386

Awesome! Is that a Sako Finnlight? And did you end up getting the .308 like you planned? I just bought a Tikka stainless in .308 as well.

 

[aorams]

Awesome! Is that a Sako Finnlight? And did you end up getting the .308 like you planned? I just bought a Tikka stainless in .308 as well.

Yes! .308. I kept my 300 wm though. This will be mostly for deer.

 

[AkRyan]

Oh boy! Thank you everyone! This is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for! I currently shoot 180 grain accubonds out of a Tikka T3 in 300WM (26" barrel). Loaded it weighs 8.5lbs and it has handily killed the two elk I've shot with it. I would like a shorter barrel(20" would be perfect) and to get closer to 7 pounds, but I'm nervous about losing 500fps or so moving down to the .308. Would shooting a bullet that expands at a lower impact velocity such as the accubond lr be a good way to compensate for the loss in velocity? I'm not excited about shooting that light of a rifle in a magnum or short magnum cartridge as I'm not the most experienced shooter in the world and have some recoil anticipation.

Just a thought but why not cut down you wm?? I have a 300wsm at 19" and a 300wm at 18" and both are great guns. My 300wsm gets 2850fps with federal premium 180g accubonds.

 

[Short Track]

They've been killing Moose with a 6.5 for 100 years.

 

[Newtosavage]

4 years later.... finally made it happen
View attachment 173386

Very nice choice.

 

[Newtosavage]

I've come into possession of a Ruger Compact Mark II in .308 ... my father won it in a raffle before he died. I took it out last year and killed a cow elk and, later, a bull. I used Barnes TTX 168 grain bullets for both. My son shot a pronghorn buck with the same. Due to the sentimental value, it's my new favorite rifle. The compact size is great ... I'm done with toting a long-barrelled heavy rifle around when this lightweight rifle will work fine. No compromise on accuracy at "reasonable" distances of <350 yards, and I don't anticipate using it past that, anyway.

Once a person has carried a short-barreled lightweight rifle like that, it's really hard to ever go back.

 

[Fishinsea]

As an elk guide, I watched elk shot with a lot of different calibers, 25.06, 30-30, through the .27's, .30's, and all the way to the venerable 45.70.

I would much rather have a hunter come into camp with his old .270 than I would see him come with his brand new .300 Ultra Mag. As long as you limit the distance you shoot at, a .308 will do the job.

My preference will always be a .30 caliber magnum though.
I shoot a .300 Win Mag.
An elk is one tough animal and can absorb a lot of energy and still walk away.

I guided elk hunts in Steamboat Spring for over 20 years and have seen many of bull elk go down with a 308, not my choice of caliber as i am fond of my 300WM, i would keep to shorter distant shots, this is just my opinion though

 

[FLATHEAD]

Yeah, I just bought a .308.
But for Elk, definitely my .300WM, with 200 gr. Partitions.
But I wouldnt feel under gunned with a .308

 

[DirtyRoads]

As said in other post...the bullet is more important than the caliber.

 

[Operator]

I have a 308 browning a bolt with boss so barrel is only 22 oal but 20" actual with boss removed, handloads 165gr accubond 2720fps good to 400yds, my grandson will carry it elk hunting this fall.

 

[ericthered]

I love my Kimber Montana in 308. Its the families go run - my daughter took an AK Grizzley 8' 2" this spring, and I took a cow and bull elk, Muley buck and two antelope - all this year. 60 yrds to 400 yrds. With ammo availability and cost I'm dumping my 300 WSM and 270 WSM...can't get ammo! We use Nolser Trophy Grade AB 165s'

 

[thinhorn_AK]

They've been killing Moose with a 6.5 for 100 years.

Those European moose are like the size of a cow elk so not the best comparison.

Yes within 400yds a well placed shot with a 308 and a quality bullet will do great. Early in this thread somebody mentioned varget but 4895 will work too. I believe the trick to the 308 is using a lighter bullet. In my opinion a 165 or under bullet is better with the sweet spot being between 130-150g.