Elk bullet for 308 backup rifle

[aschuler]

Hello everyone,

My primary rifle I will be using my elk hunt this fall is a 7 saum, but I don't have a great option for a backup rifle. I decided to spin a 308 barrel on an old Savage I had on hand. I found some used brass and I'm looking to work up some quick loads that will suffice in a backup role. Please help me choose a bullet!

Pictured are the 308 caliber bullets I have to choose from. Which, if any, of these would be best for elk? My first choice would be to use partitions but I can't find them anywhere. I wouldn't mind buying a box of something else but there isn't a lot available out there right now. I don't want to spend too much on this since I just need a serviceable backup to use in a pinch.

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

I wouldn't pick any of those. Buy a box of Hornady Precision Hunter or Barnes Monos and know you are ready to go. Wont take the time to develop a load and you can focus on knowing what you will have is the right bullet. Most of the weights you have are a bit heavier than the average 308 hunting bullet. Just my 2 cents.

 

[SouthPaw]

The classic hunters are very forgiving and easy to find an accurate load, and they kill well. At 308 speeds it'll perform from point blank to way out there. That would be my pick.

 

[Laramie]

I like the 150 grain hot-cor out of those options for the .308. Keep shots reasonable and in the vitals and they will cleanly take an elk.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

185 or 180 grain...I use 180gr NP in my 308 for elk.

 

[archp625]

I wouldn't pick any of those. Buy a box of Hornady Precision Hunter or Barnes Monos and know you are ready to go. Wont take the time to develop a load and you can focus on knowing what you will have is the right bullet. Most of the weights you have are a bit heavier than the average 308 hunting bullet. Just my 2 cents.

Looks like he had a picture of ELD-X bullet.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

180 and 185 would be my choice out of that group. Killed my bull last fall with 175 Terminal Ascent.

180 grain Trophy Bonded and 180 Federal soft points all group well out of my Ruger.

Trying out 165 Trophy Bonded and Hornady ELD and Sierra TMK in 168 for daughter's cow hunt. These were recommended by some guys on here that shoot pallets of ammo and animals.

 

[inkedspot]

Norma has 170gr and 180gr bonded ammunition available for the 308 as well.

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

Looks like he had a picture of ELD-X bullet.

Was a higher grain than Ive normally seen in factory ammo. The ELDX in 308 is a 178gr. If he is reloading for shits and giggles using whatever he has, rock on. If he wants a serious backup plan, just buy a box of 40-50 dollar ammo and be ready to rock.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Was a higher grain than Ive normally seen in factory ammo. The ELDX in 308 is a 178gr. If he is reloading for shits and giggles using whatever he has, rock on. If he wants a serious backup plan, just buy a box of 40-50 dollar ammo and be ready to rock.

The last few boxes I bought were actually between $35-40 for the first time in a while.

 

[aschuler]

Was a higher grain than Ive normally seen in factory ammo. The ELDX in 308 is a 178gr. If he is reloading for shits and giggles using whatever he has, rock on. If he wants a serious backup plan, just buy a box of 40-50 dollar ammo and be ready to rock.

It's a little of both I guess. I figure why spend the $50 when I potentially have everything I need to do a minimal load workup and load some ammo for the hunt? I haven't taken factory ammo in the field for years! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Have you use the 178 eldx on elk? Maybe the 200 eldx would be a good choice. I might get it going 2500 in a 24" barrel.

 

[keystone112]

Another vote for the 180/185. Go with the best accuracy.

 

[Laramie]

It's a little of both I guess. I figure why spend the $50 when I potentially have everything I need to do a minimal load workup and load some ammo for the hunt? I haven't taken factory ammo in the field for years! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Have you use the 178 eldx on elk? Maybe the 200 eldx would be a good choice. I might get it going 2500 in a 24" barrel.

The 178 eldx work great on elk but ballistically they aren't great with a 200 grain in a .308. I recommended the 150 as they are a good balance between flat shooting and terminal performance. Out to 400, they would be very effective on elk. The hot-cor bullets get grouped with all cup and core bullets but jacket separation is actually really rare with them. They tend to retain around 60% of their weight and penetrate well, even on elk sized game.

All of that said, the 200s would be elk hammers if you can work out the ballistics. With a zero at 200, you are looking at about a 10" drop at 300 and 55" of drop at 500. That is an arc! Compare to the 150s with a zero at 250 yards. High point at 100 is only 2.7" and drop at 300 is 3.5" and at 500 your drop is 33". That is much more manageable imo.

 

[eaglemountainman]

If you can find em, I'd go with some 130 TTSXs.

If you're pressed for time, look for some of the same in Barnes factory loaded ammo. I haven't found a rifle yet that doesn't shoot them well.

 

[TxxAgg]

I wouldn't pick any of those. Buy a box of Hornady Precision Hunter or Barnes Monos and know you are ready to go. Wont take the time to develop a load and you can focus on knowing what you will have is the right bullet. Most of the weights you have are a bit heavier than the average 308 hunting bullet. Just my 2 cents.

Those two options are total opposites.

 

[bmart2622]

The classic hunters are very forgiving and easy to find an accurate load, and they kill well. At 308 speeds it'll perform from point blank to way out there. That would be my pick.

Have you used the 30 cal Classics on game? I have some to try in my kids 3006

 

[SouthPaw]

Have you used the 30 cal Classics on game? I have some to try in my kids 3006

Not personally, my buddy has used those and reported the same: easy loading and rough on tissue. I used the 140g classics (.277) and now use the 135g classics (.264) in my hunting rifles and both work very well. You'll like the results from the 185 in a 30-06.

 

[bmart2622]

Not personally, my buddy has used those and reported the same: easy loading and rough on tissue. I used the 140g classics (.277) and now use the 135g classics (.264) in my hunting rifles and both work very well. You'll like the results from the 185 in a 30-06.

I have 168s

 

[sndmn11]

I like the 150 grain hot-cor out of those options for the .308. Keep shots reasonable and in the vitals and they will cleanly take an elk.

I'd do the 150 hot core from what you have like Laramie says.

I have a bunch of 130gr ttsx if you are buying others.

 

[KenLee]

If you can find em, I'd go with some 130 TTSXs.

If you're pressed for time, look for some of the same in Barnes factory loaded ammo. I haven't found a rifle yet that doesn't shoot them well.

This ^^^.
My Steyr, Browning, Savage and Ruger 308s. They all like factory TTSX