Is 308 good enough

[MtnDunn]

My elk this year fell over dead where she stood after getting served some medicine from my Tikka 308. 168grain Federal Premium Berger HH dropped her where she stood at 185yrds and a 20mph crosswind. I would not hesitate to shoot any elk inside 500 yards with it.

 

[Short Track]

My Elk took 4 shots in the lungs with .308 Copper TTSX 165g before falling over. The copper doesn't expand.
My 6.5CM is deadlier with lead.

 

[Nwihunter]

My elk this year fell over dead where she stood after getting served some medicine from my Tikka 308. 168grain Federal Premium Berger HH dropped her where she stood at 185yrds and a 20mph crosswind. I would not hesitate to shoot any elk inside 500 yards with it.

I’m using the same ammo with good results

 

[Trackselk]

My Elk took 4 shots in the lungs with .308 Copper TTSX 165g before falling over. The copper doesn't expand.
My 6.5CM is deadlier with lead.

I've had nothing but success with 150gr ttsx on 7ish elk, and nearly the same number of deer. That includes 3 large bulls at up to 300 yards, and 2 spikes at 400. There's a few reports of ttsx not expanding, but in fact, the users were seeing the shank after the petals had flared out and sheared off. Ttsx expand like clockwork when used at proper velocities. None of those 12+ animals got more than one shot, AND none of them ran anywhere, except for the one that I hit poorly, but thanks to the mono penetration it still ended well. FWIW
Plenty of lead bullets that are more deadly though...

 

[sylvest]

Agree on 308. Viable to 1/4 mile. Could have wore wallop but it can work.

 

[Short Track]

I've had nothing but success with 150gr ttsx on 7ish elk, and nearly the same number of deer. That includes 3 large bulls at up to 300 yards, and 2 spikes at 400. There's a few reports of ttsx not expanding, but in fact, the users were seeing the shank after the petals had flared out and sheared off. Ttsx expand like clockwork when used at proper velocities. None of those 12+ animals got more than one shot, AND none of them ran anywhere, except for the one that I hit poorly, but thanks to the mono penetration it still ended well. FWIW
Plenty of lead bullets that are more deadly though...

I'm going to say my poor experience with .308 168 TTSX is because the bullet is too heavy. I have to get back out to the range with lighter ammo.

 

[SwiftShot]

270 works great.

 

[ZAK13]

As others have posted, the 308 and or 270 on elk is definitely doable. Just pick the right bullet for the job, I personally avoid cup and core bullets for hunting, although they have their place. A good mono-metal or bonded bullet is what you need.

 

[crgchck]

My Elk took 4 shots in the lungs with .308 Copper TTSX 165g before falling over. The copper doesn't expand.
My 6.5CM is deadlier with lead.

I 2nd the poor copper expansion. I feel the solid coppers have their place but in a .308 on an elk is not it… I’ve harvested many animals with a .308 and love it as a short to mid range hunting round. My xp100 in .308 has more successful hunts than any of my rifles….. I feel between .308 Vs your .270, it would depend on your .270’s ability to shoot heavier grained bullets. I’m not sure the twist on mine but it doesn’t like anything over 130gr.. therefore I’d not take it on an elk hunt… all of my .308’s will shoot heavier bullets.. .270 shoots flatter hits harder.. if your .270 can accurately shoot 150+gr bullets, I’d carry it. If not, .308 will do just fine.

 

[Tbonespop]

I could see where the all copper bullets might not expand well at longer distances with a 308 (as well as other calibers). I like the Nosler Accubond 168 grains in a 308, plenty good out to 500 yards for elk.

 

[Trackselk]

There wasn't much difference in the damage on the elk at 100 yard (150 ttsx .308) versus 400 yards. LRX is supposed to be even better, so i'm switching to that (-and 6.5 creedmoor). More energy beyond 400 yards than .308 AND 20% ish less recoil. Flatter shooting too.
So, the 308 is definitely good enough, and the 6.5CM is even better. I'm sure this will start a war

*edit, you could argue the 308 is better under 400, but more recoil won't help the most important thing, shot placement...

 

[KenLee]

There wasn't much difference in the damage on the elk at 100 yard (150 ttsx .308) versus 400 yards. LRX is supposed to be even better, so i'm switching to that (-and 6.5 creedmoor). More energy beyond 400 yards than .308 AND 20% ish less recoil. Flatter shooting too.
So, the 308 is definitely good enough, and the 6.5CM is even better. I'm sure this will start a war

*edit, you could argue the 308 is better under 400, but more recoil won't help the most important thing, shot placement...

6.5 Creed has more energy beyond 400 yards shooting what bullet?

 

[Trackselk]

6.5 Creed has more energy beyond 400 yards shooting what bullet?

You got me, the 308 has about 100 ft/lbs more energy at 500, but about 4 inches more drop, and more wind drift than the 6.5. That's looking at hornady eld-m in both. Even if you dial, that 4 inches plus more drift is going to make you less precise, hence the competition folks going bonkers over 6.5CM and 6CM.
I don't even know why I mentioned energy, as I've blown 1" holes through elk with a bow @ 250 ft/lbs, and killed several elk with a 30-30...

 

[KenLee]

You got me, the 308 has about 100 ft/lbs more energy at 500, but about 4 inches more drop, and more wind drift than the 6.5. That's looking at hornady eld-m in both. Even if you dial, that 4 inches plus more drift is going to make you less precise, hence the competition folks going bonkers over 6.5CM and 6CM.
I don't even know why I mentioned energy, as I've blown 1" holes through elk with a bow @ 250 ft/lbs, and killed several elk with a 30-30...

I thought I was missing something, but I don't often shoot a 308.
My old shakey self isn't shooting at game past 400 yards these days anyway.
The drop on my 7mm-08s is a hair less than my Creeds at 400, but the drift is more.

 

[Trackselk]

I thought I was missing something, but I don't often shoot a 308.
My old shakey self isn't shooting at game past 400 yards these days anyway.
The drop on my 7mm-08s is a hair less than my Creeds at 400, but the drift is more.

I'm with you. I've never shot beyond 400, but if I can prove to myself that I can do 500 consistently, then I might take a perfect shot that far.
I will also say this, if an excited hunter can shoot a 300 win mag well, that is extra insurance for a marginal shot. But, my buddy lost an elk with his 300 last season, shot placement...

 

[Where's Bruce?]

A muzzle brake and aftermarket pad made my 300WM a joy to shoot to 1000 yards. That's 20% further than my .308s.

 

[Tbonespop]

No offense to the 6.5GM fanboys, but if I'm going to take a shot beyond 500 yards on a big game animal, it will be with a 300 WM or 7mm RM, not a 6.5CM. Inside 500 yards, I'm proficient with my 308. I can see the benefit of shooting a 6.5 CM in long range shooting competition, especially when comparing to the 308 in a competition. Recoil difference? Neither a 6.5CM or 308 is bad for recoil, but put a brake on a 308 and its just as tame. Inside 500 yards on game animals, its a pointless argument. 308 ammo is just more abundant and cheaper. But as stated, for long range shooting competition, I can see the value in a 6.5CM. That's about it.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

My Elk took 4 shots in the lungs with .308 Copper TTSX 165g before falling over. The copper doesn't expand.
My 6.5CM is deadlier with lead.

Why are you shooting 165gr coppers out of a .308?

You need to drop weight to run them faster. A 150 would be a better choice, I shoot 130’s out to 400 and my fiancé killed 2 elk at 350yds this past fall with that load.

 

[MT-nuffgun]

The .308 doesn’t have nearly enough recoil to be a viable elk cartridge. Maybe juvenile coyotes at best. You need to use a minimum of a 378 weatherby in case you make a bad shot because big bores always make up for bad marksmanship.

 

[BarCO]

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.

Better than enough, probably one of the best.