.308 Henry Long Ranger good for Elk?

[Wolfshead]

Thank you for your insight!
Much appreciated!

 

[abbrown]

A browning BLR in 7mm08 has been plenty for a cow elk and red deer hind (so far).

 

[West.mass.hunter]

I’m kind of in a similar situation. I also have a 308 Long Ranger and am also going to CO for elk. I’m not worried about it being inadequate as I’ve taken a moose with an old model 99 in 308 and the Long Ranger is more accurate than my 99.
My problem is “wanting” a dedicated “elk” gun which to me is a bolt gun. No real need for a bolt action where and how I hunt in New England so I don’t have any beside a 223. It’s a bit hard to justify buying a bolt gun for elk as I’d probably end up getting it in 308 anyways but it’s also hard to justify NOT getting a new gun
Long winded way for me to state that your 308 Long ranger will be just fine if you do your part

 

[Kyguy]

Take said rifle.... kill elk. Tell "friends" to f-off. I've got one in 6.5 that shoots well too. I was going to sell it because the LOP is long for me, but I decided to cut and see what happens. I was thinking it would get me too close to the bolt, but after cutting it and playing around, I think it's going to work out just fine.... as long as I don't crawl the stock too much. LOL. If it works out, I know that I'll be buying the rest of the damn things. They're just too neat of a rifle.

 

[LongWayAround]

Man, if I didn't know any better, I'd think it sounds like you guys are saying .308 is more than adequate for killing an elk.

^^ sarcasm

I keep getting told it's equivalent to shooting a whitetail with a 5.56

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Check out the .223 kill thread. There's a whole lot of dead animals in there. Probably most of them being whitetails.

Your gun would be just fine. Probably not most people's first pick, just being a lever.

Everyone sees videos of elk being shot at mid to long range and expects that's how it's done. Reality is that most of the are killed at very manageable ranges. Closer shots are usually quick opportunities and are not conducive to getting on film.

Also realistically, first time elk hunters are typically less successful than more experienced hunters. I would roll with what you have for a first trip and buy a new gun if you want for a future trip.

You would be better off buying ammo to practice than buying a new gun. I've never shot a scoped lever gun, but I would try to practice keeping the target in the scope while running the lever.

 

[Tobe_B]

Straight irons, haha what a badass you'd be. I've been fairly impressed with this rifle.

Henry did a good job with it. I initially thought it would be a sweet fun gun to take into the brush. It's far more than that. As accurate as my bolt guns and a little faster. If anyone's interested in buying one I highly recommend it!

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Great. I’ve been meandering around contemplating the 5.56 long Ranger…this isn’t helping me save money.

 

[LaFever]

I would advise everyone, no matter what they're shooting to go somewhere and shoot their rifle to maximum point blank range or 400 yards. Previously, we would shoot prairie dogs close to Denver and hitting a golden baseball at 200 to 300 yds. Was an eye opener, shoot your rifle just before you go and leave the barrel dirty or fouled .clean it when you get back from Colorado.

 

[goldylocks333]

Great. I’ve been meandering around contemplating the 5.56 long Ranger…this isn’t helping me save money.

Have you seen the Henry Supreme? Not sure what you're wants or needs are for the rifle, but if you're getting it in 5.56, that rifle would allow you to have greater mag capacity and to mount a can to it.

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[Kyguy]

I don't need the magazine capacity but if that would take the duramag flush mags for the Ruger American ar style I'd buy one. They're getting ready to release that rifle in .450 Bushmaster too.

 

[Jared8054]

Personal opinion is 308 is not a great long range cartridge, but as long as you’re conscience of your velocity and use a good bullet it will take down an elk no problem.

 

[Tobe_B]

Have you seen the Henry Supreme? Not sure what you're wants or needs are for the rifle, but if you're getting it in 5.56, that rifle would allow you to have greater mag capacity and to mount a can to it.

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I actually checked out one of the Henry supremes this week. LGS had one on the rack. The magazine looked funny to me, I didn’t much care for the aesthetic of it.

Have you had an issues with the rotary bolt function on your long ranger?

 

[JackButler]

Personal opinion is 308 is not a great long range cartridge, but as long as you’re conscience of your velocity and use a good bullet it will take down an elk no problem.

There certainly are better rounds these days, but military and police snipers did/do just fine with it to 800 yards or so.

 

[Jared8054]

There certainly are better rounds these days, but military and police snipers did/do just fine with it to 800 yards or so.

Ballistics wise it’s below average at best. Doesn’t do well in the wind and drops quick.

 

[sawatch]

I've killed a lot of elk with a 308. I wouldn't go past 400 yards, but it's a great round up to that distance. I've been using Barnes TTSX in 150 and it's deadly. You can also look at the Lrx since it has better than expansion at 400 yards. I hunt with a 300wm now and frankly I like th extra range and power that comes with the magnum, but I wouldn't hesitate to use a 308 on elk in CO.

 

[JackButler]

Ballistics wise it’s below average at best. Doesn’t do well in the wind and drops quick.

Still perfectly great for elk at ranges 95% of people are capable of shooting at.

 

[Jared8054]

Still perfectly great for elk at ranges 95% of people are capable of shooting at.

Yeah it will definitely kill. The reason I’m not a fan of it is the wind puts a beating on it and I feel there are better cartridges for mountain/long range hunting. This is coming from someone who probably has more kills with a 308 than 90% of this entire forum never taken an elk with one though.

 

[JimTom]

Check out the .223 kill thread. There's a whole lot of dead animals in there. Probably most of them being whitetails.

Your gun would be just fine. Probably not most people's first pick, just being a lever.

Everyone sees videos of elk being shot at mid to long range and expects that's how it's done. Reality is that most of the are killed at very manageable ranges. Closer shots are usually quick opportunities and are not conducive to getting on film.

Also realistically, first time elk hunters are typically less successful than more experienced hunters. I would roll with what you have for a first trip and buy a new gun if you want for a future trip.

You would be better off buying ammo to practice than buying a new gun. I've never shot a scoped lever gun, but I would try to practice keeping the target in the scope while running the lever.

I like your idea of using what you have and see if you need something different later on. 308 is more than adequate you just need to know how much your bullet drops and how much energy your bullet has. 1,500 ft lbs is minimum recommended for elk.

 

[Taudisio]

I like your idea of using what you have and see if you need something different later on. 308 is more than adequate you just need to know how much your bullet drops and how much energy your bullet has. 1,500 ft lbs is minimum recommended for elk.

What does 1500 ft lbs do? Who recommends it?

 

[Jared8054]

What does 1500 ft lbs do? Who recommends it?

I think they recommend 1500 pounds so if you hit bone you still get adequate penetration.

 

[Taudisio]

I think they recommend 1500 pounds so if you hit bone you still get adequate penetration.

Who is “they”?
The 1500 ft lbs has to do with penetration after hitting bone?