.308 Henry Long Ranger good for Elk?

[goldylocks333]

Hey guys!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm planning my first elk trip in CO this year. I'm planning to bring my trusty Henry Long Ranger, chambered in .308. The fellas I'm going with are absolutely CLOWNING on me saying that it makes me a 200yrds and in shooter, isn't optimal for killing elk, and that if I'm shooting .308 I need at least a 24in barrel (because an extra 100fps "could be the difference)." Ideally, they think I should bring another rifle since "a Texas brush gun isn't optimal."

Now I grew up in Colorado, and while I never got the opportunity to elk hunt, I know a lot of people who have killed a lot of elk. Several of them did it with .308, barrels shorter than 24 inches, and not all of their shots were under 200 yards.

If you've shot an elk with a .308, and even better yet, a Henry Long Ranger, could you chime in and let me know that I'm not crazy?

I've shot MOA groups with this rifle. I feel pretty good about it and I think they're full of Kentucky Fud Lore. But maybe I'm wrong, and if I am I'll listen to the wisdom of the Rok!

Thanks guys!

(If you're unfamiliar with the Long Ranger, here's a link and some specs to it:

H14 Long Ranger Rifle | Henry Repeating Arms

While customer demand has been strong enough for the models we built our reputation on to keep us plenty busy at all of our facilities (which we appreciate), we’ve taken on other market segments with the expansion of our centerfire lines in both handgun and classic rifle calibers like the .30-30...

www.henryusa.com

7lbs, free floated barrel, 6 Lug rotary bolt, 2.7lb trigger, basically a bolt gun, gear driven by a lever)


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[Teaman1]

As a Fudd myself, I’d say they are just giving you a hard time. If the shooter is up to it, the .308 will definitely kill elk 400+ yards.
Watch a few of Randy Newberg’s elk hunts.
Lot of dead elk with the “underpowered” .308 and 7mm-08.
If you shoot rifle well, take it and be confident.

 

[Taudisio]

Just check your MV and look at your drop charts. Plug in the lowest elevation you will be hunting at. Whatever distance shows the minimum upset, for your chosen bullet, is the yardage you shouldn’t be shooting beyond. I’d assume you should be able to find a bullet and MV combo that will let you effectively hunt out to 400+ yards with the moa accuracy you are claiming.

 

[3325]

There was a time when many saddle scabbards in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho held Savage ‘99s in .250 or .300 Savage (very close to .308). Plenty of elk fell at ranges past 200 yards.

The rifle and caliber are capable if you are.

Please wear plaid. Your lever action will work better if you wear plaid. It won’t work as well if you wear Sitka. Besides, in addition to carrying a lever rifle, wearing plaid will drive your hunting companions crazy.

 

[goldylocks333]

There was a time when many saddle scabbards in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho held Savage ‘99s in .250 or .300 Savage (very close to .308). Plenty of elk fell at ranges past 200 yards.

The rifle and caliber are capable if you are.

Please wear plaid. Your lever action will work better if you wear plaid. It won’t work as well if you wear Sitka. Besides, in addition to carrying a lever rifle, wearing plaid will drive your hunting companions crazy.

A man of culture!

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[ckt3]

Practice at the distances you’ll hunt at. Pick a good bullet and chrono your rifle so you understand the trajectory velocity decay. Then you should have a good idea of what distances you can effectively hunt.

 

[coyotekilla]

Bullets in organs kill animals not pretty rifles.
Id rather see you spend the time to be as accurate as possible with your rifle that you have compared to buying a new 1 and not knowing it. Realistically you need to hit a 9 inch paper plate, and moa level accuracy does than farther than you should ethically be shooting. Learn its drops, verify your holdovers, read your wind and your gonna be better off with that 308 than you would be with a new 7 mag.

 

[mtnbound]

Hey guys!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm planning my first elk trip in CO this year. I'm planning to bring my trusty Henry Long Ranger, chambered in .308. The fellas I'm going with are absolutely CLOWNING on me saying that it makes me a 200yrds and in shooter, isn't optimal for killing elk, and that if I'm shooting .308 I need at least a 24in barrel (because an extra 100fps "could be the difference)." Ideally, they think I should bring another rifle since "a Texas brush gun isn't optimal."

Now I grew up in Colorado, and while I never got the opportunity to elk hunt, I know a lot of people who have killed a lot of elk. Several of them did it with .308, barrels shorter than 24 inches, and not all of their shots were under 200 yards.

If you've shot an elk with a .308, and even better yet, a Henry Long Ranger, could you chime in and let me know that I'm not crazy?

I've shot MOA groups with this rifle. I feel pretty good about it and I think they're full of Kentucky Fud Lore. But maybe I'm wrong, and if I am I'll listen to the wisdom of the Rok!

Thanks guys!

(If you're unfamiliar with the Long Ranger, here's a link and some specs to it:

H14 Long Ranger Rifle | Henry Repeating Arms

While customer demand has been strong enough for the models we built our reputation on to keep us plenty busy at all of our facilities (which we appreciate), we’ve taken on other market segments with the expansion of our centerfire lines in both handgun and classic rifle calibers like the .30-30...

www.henryusa.com

7lbs, free floated barrel, 6 Lug rotary bolt, 2.7lb trigger, basically a bolt gun, gear driven by a lever)


Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

No experience with that platform, but my grandfather, dad, and I have used the same 308 Savage levergun to kill elk. Find new friends.

 

[goldylocks333]

No experience with that platform, but my grandfather, dad, and I have used the same 308 Savage levergun to kill elk. Find new friends.

Another man of culture!

Sent from my SM-G970U1 using Tapatalk

 

[txtransplant]

The rifle and caliber are capable if you are.

Please wear plaid. Your lever action will work better if you wear plaid. It won’t work as well if you wear Sitka. Besides, in addition to carrying a lever rifle, wearing plaid will drive your hunting companions crazy.

This.

 

[Matt5266]

You'll be just find using that gun. Just pick a good bullet and be reasonable with your distance and ability

 

[Hunthigh1]

Comical to think 308 is under gunned. Hunting buddy used a Winchester 88 in 308 for many years. That rifle took 1 moose, and lots of elk, mule deer and bears. Killed everything without problem and even mopped up 2 elk rodeos from hunting partners with that fast shooting gun. I was always envious of that rifle.

 

[Luke S]

Never shot an elk but my 308 goes through bears and occasionally moose just fine. I'd be more worried about the quality of the rifle and scope. Oh and figure out how to carry it. Some way to attach it to your pack so you can use trekking poles is nice.