Is 308 good enough

[mac53]

Probably beat to death but here goes.

Is a 308 good enough for elk?

I have 2 300-win mags and the more I shoot them the more I find that I don't care for the recoil (getting old I guess)
So I have been rethinking my caliber choice for my Elk hunt, Thinking 308 would be a good compromise of bullet weight and recoil. I already have one in the safe.

So what do you all think? My longest shot maybe 400 yards but I will always try to get closer.
Also considering the 270 that I use for Deer hunting.

Thanks in advance.

 

[alpine_troop]

Yes, your 308 will kill elk just fine. Pick an appropriate bullet in a load that shoots accurately in your rifle, place a good shot, and and it’ll do the job.

Used a 20” barreled 308 shooting 178 ELDX at 2600 fps muzzle velocity to take a bull this year at 120 yards. Worked fine. Used a 22” barreled 6.5 CM shooting 143 ELDX last year to take a bull at 210 yards. Also worked great.

I’d have no issues using either my 308 or 6.5 on elk again.

 

[peaches]

Yes

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Yes.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I have a .300WM that I consider perfect for Elk, but I also have
a Ruger American Predator in .308 that I would not hesitate to
use, simply because it's so light/compact.
.308 hits hard, 165 gr. for me.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Absolutely. And well.

Randy

 

[KenLee]

Take the 270 if you don't have the desire to buy another rifle.

 

[Falcon]

I second the 270. My Roosevelt bull and many other big game animals have been taken with it. I shoot the federal ammunition with a 140 trophy bonded bullet. Works with good shot placement every time.

 

[mtwarden]

.308 has worked well for me with Nosler 165 Accubonds; mine is also a shorter barrel as well (19")

 

[KsRancher]

Taking my Ruger M77 in .308 to the mtns on Tuesday. Shooting 165gr SST's. Won't shoot any farther than 400yds with it. Also taking my 300RUM, but would rather shoot an elk with .308

 

[highcountrymuley]

KSRancher : beware those SST's for elk. I have had bad experiences with them (180 grain Hornady SST, some handloaded before they were readily available from factory) exploding on elk, especially at closer ranges. I have stopped using them for elk. Better suited for deer, imo. went back to 165 grain Core Lok because that is about all i can find! Shooting .30 06. same bullet as .308 out of a different cartridge.

 

[Rambucsabillbul]

Bottom line placed well, YES
165 GR. nosler Partition out of a M77 Ruger bolt seems to work just fine, same results from Remington 760 pump.
Tasty Elk

 

[kcm2]

I have killed a lot of elk with a 270, the majority with 130 partitions but several with 130-140 grain copper bullets. My current load is the 130 Superformance with CX bullets, not taken anything with it but the GMX worked to perfection. I can tell you that one shot kills are very common, and the one elk I shot at 519 dropped immediately. Premium bullets help, and for smaller game like deer and antelope, the added benefit is less meat damage.

As to the 308, I always go back to this: Elk have a massive kill zone. Hit that with a good bullet and you'll be okay. I knew one old fellow that had taken about 40 elk over the years with a 250 Savage, using the 87 grain bullets. Your 308 with an accubond or better will be just fine.

 

[4rcgoat]

270 is a great option for less recoil,my son has taken 2 elk in the past 3 years with it,1 shot kills,140 grain nosler partitions.

 

[3325]

I knew one old fellow that had taken about 40 elk over the years with a 250 Savage, using the 87 grain bullets.

Years ago, the .250-3000 was one of the more common rifles found in saddle scabbards across Wyoming. Or so say some late Wyoming old timers I used to know. I can remember seeing only one, around 1990, and the man packing it was in his 70s.

 

[Windigo]

Just killed a 6x6 with an 18” .308 and 165gr Sciroccos.

 

[mac53]

Thank you everyone for the responses and advice.
The rifle I gave is a savage axis 308 so hopefully it will do the trick.

 

[Nosferatu]

Bullet construction is more important than the headstamp.

 

[The_Jim]

Have you considered a muzzle brake on the 300WM? My braked 300wm is way more pleasant than my 308 to shoot.

 

[Olympics777]

.308 works just fine, I’ve been using one for several years and I haven’t felt under gunned at all. The bull I shot a few weeks ago literally dropped where he stood.