Elk hunt Montana

[Jusgunn3]

Hey folks, a few buddies are going on a guided hunt in November and the guides requirement is at least 30-06. My buddy only has a .308 and wants to buy a new rifle for larger game and needs something for this hunt. I am thinking 300WM, 300WSM, 7mag…thoughts? He will most likely shoot factory ammo but I can reload for him if he wants.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Hey folks, a few buddies are going on a guided hunt in November and the guides requirement is at least 30-06. My buddy only has a .308 and wants to buy a new rifle for larger game and needs something for this hunt. I am thinking 300WM, 300WSM, 7mag…thoughts? He will most likely shoot factory ammo but I can reload for him if he wants.

That’s wild. .308 is perfectly fine and is going to produce the same results inside 350 or 400 yards which is farther than his shot will likely end up being. If I was your buddy I would push back and tell the guide I’m using my .308. Montana does not have any cartridge restrictions so if he really wants to be a difficult client have him read the .223 for everything forum .

 

[7PRC Pharmacy]

308 is perfectly lethal on elk-sized game however I would never dissuade someone from purchasing another rifle. There are innumerable threads on this subject and this one will likely devolve into the same debate with one side saying you can elk with a .223 and others saying nothing less than 30 cal will do the job. However if I was going to purchase an off-the-shelf rifle that will shoot accurately out of the box and kill anything in North America with no uncertainty, it would be a Tikka T3x stainless in 7 PRC. I would pair it with an SWFA gen 2 3-15 with the mil quad reticle. Even better if he can bring it to a smith to have the barrel cut down to 18-20" and add a suppressor.

 

[Axlrod]

Did the guide specifically say he couldn't use a 308? With 150 grain bullets, Hornady Superformance 308 ammo is 90 fps faster than "standard" 30-06 ammo. So a 308 IS at least better than a 30-06.
In the real world there is no difference between the two.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I think the guide set that minimum but I will ask if he talked to him about his .308. I told him the same thing about them being very close in performance. I do not think he is to upset about buying another rifle though haha. I would imagine they’d shoot within 400…

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I'd find a different guide, one more logical.

 

[Lowell]

Some guides are funny, there is a difference between a suggestion and a requirement.
That being said they cannot believe hunters show up not being to hit at 300 to 500 yards.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Hey folks, a few buddies are going on a guided hunt in November and the guides requirement is at least 30-06. My buddy only has a .308 and wants to buy a new rifle for larger game and needs something for this hunt. I am thinking 300WM, 300WSM, 7mag…thoughts? He will most likely shoot factory ammo but I can reload for him if he wants.

.308 is adequate for elk in nearly all circumstances a 30-06 would be. Don't let me hold someone back from buying an '06. Best cartridge ever IMO.

If I were to reccomend a magnum for elk it would be 7mm PRC, 6.5 PRC 300 PRC, 300 WSM. That said, 308 will hit'em just as hard within the range all but the most practiced shooters should be shooting at.