Comments for Is a 308 rifle enough for elk hunting? Click here to add your own comments

Feb 19, 2020 308 for Elk? You Bet by: Loki I'm a Montana mule deer and elk hunter. My gun safe has several specialty rifles. I have put down more animals with a 308 than all of my other rifles combined. This season will be my 50th year in the field pursuing big game and I'll be ther with my 308 in hand. Good luck.

Aug 02, 2018 270 cal by: Anonymous I have used a 270 cal in model 700 Remington to kill 4 elk in Montana. Everyone has been shot using the Federal Premium 130 grain Partition bullet. All were taken with one well placed shot. In my opinion I would trade the power of the larger magnums for the accuracy and lighter recoil of the 270.

Aug 18, 2017 .308 is perfectly fine, I even use a smaller round by: JC I actually hunt bull elk with a 6.5mm Grendel round. Essentially a .264 LBC. only 123 grn. Shot placement will trump everything. I took a 5x6 bull last year, and a nice large cow the year before with the same round. Hornady 123 grn 6.5mm Grendel SST. However, I am a HUGE fan of the Hornady Predator rounds, and will likely use the 178 grn in my .308 this year - just for some added punch.

Mar 05, 2016 .308 is excellent by: Anonymous Your .308 is an excellent elk round. It has plenty of power, if you can shoot it accurately. My .308 is a Winchester Featherweight which weighs 6 lbs. 12 oz. and is a joy to carry. I use a 165 Barnes TSX bullet handload consisting of 46.0 g of Varget for a velocity of 2750 fps. Sighted 3" high at 100 yds., it is dead on at 242yds. and only 4" low at 300. The 165 Barnes gives all the penetration you need. Again, though, you need to be a decent shot and not just a blaster.

Mar 05, 2016 .308 is excellent by: Anonymous My Winchester Model 70 in .308 is a joy to carry and shoot. It weighs 6 lbs. 12 oz with a 22" barrel. I use 46.0 gr. of Varget with 165 Barnes TSX for a velocity of 2750 fps. Sighted 3" high at 100 yds., it is dead on at 244 and 3 in. low at 300. Plenty of power and fun to shoot. My last elk was typical. Stalked close enough for a good shot. That's the fun anyhow. I had some of the elk meat for lunch today!

Jun 16, 2015 Plenty of Gun by: Jarrod A little late to the party Skip but your .308 is plenty of gun. I will throw my two sticks on the fire and say as well "a well placed shot does the job". Where will you be hunting this fall?

Nov 12, 2014 308 is plenty by: Anonymous I use a 270 WSM. 308 is plenty. Buy premium bullets. Most people make 2 mistakes hunting large game. 1 They don't hit the vitals or hit shoulders which tend to ruin meat. 2 They don't wait after their shot to give the animal time to lay down and die. Lots of times you shoot an Elk and it runs for miles. My cousins wife shot a cow last year and it laid down right there. She thought it was hiding. There is a spot, broadside where you can miss the vitals but it's unusual. Remember, you can hear the bullet impact and then wait15 min to 1/2 hr.

Feb 27, 2014 .308 is rifle enough... by: Anonymous Got home from Trade College in 1970. Bought a used Win mod 88 in .308 (circa 1958). I hunt mostly in the Avon to Helmville, MT area. I have harvested 32 elk and countless mule deer with my rifle. I've never felt the need for anything else. Most were one shot kills...the drop in their tracks kind! My 165 gr Hornandy Spire Points have done the job. The drawback? I wouldn't attempt a shot over 270 yds. This is not a 500 yard rifle, but in the terrain that I hunt, a 200 plus yard shot is rare. Opinion? You don't really need a shoulder fired cannon to get the job done. Know where your rifle is going to hit and trust it. Mark Bartosik Helena, MT

Sep 19, 2013 Shipping Game Meat Home by: Dave, ElkHuntingTips.net I just checked FedEx, plugged in Denver to Flagstaff, since I didn't know where you're hunting. 135 pound package would cost just under $100 FedEx Ground, 2 Business Days. You might have more weight, counting head and dry ice.

Sep 19, 2013 How to get the meat home? by: Skip Shephard Now that I have decided to take my 300 Win. Mag on my elk hunt in October I am wondering about getting a head and or meat back to my home in Arizona? I eat what I harvest and we like elk meat. Any suggestions on getting the meat etc. back to Arizona? I am flying round trip so I would not be driving back to Arizona. I have no idea how to do this or the costs involved. Thanks fellow elk hunters.

Sep 19, 2013 Rifle change to 300 Win Mag. by: Skip Shephard After conferring with my outfitter, he suggested the Win. 300 Mag. Shooting 168 grain bullets . I decided to take his advice and try' Berger bullets. Any thoughts?

Sep 18, 2013 308 Rifle and elk by: Skip Thanks to all who have sent me comments..

Sep 18, 2013 308 good for med range by: Brian Bond The 308 is a solid med range rifle.Looking at the generic ballistics on a 180 grain projectile, You should be good up to about 250 yrds. After that you'll have massive drop. Range Velocity Energy Drop Drift (yrds) (fps) (ft-lbs) (in) (in) 0 2570 2639 -1.5 0 50 2418 2336 1.3 0.5 100 2271 2062 2.7 2.2 150 2129 1812 2.3 5.2 200 1993 1588 0.0 9.5 250 1862 1386 -4.5 15.3 300 1737 1206 -11.5 22.8

Sep 10, 2013 Absolutely by: Steve The .308 is absolutely enough gun for elk hunting. I live and have hunted in Colorado for more than 45 years with a .270. I use the Federal premium cartridges with the Sierra 150gr gameking bullets and have never lost an animal. Your .308 will serve you just as well. I used to reload with Noslers, Hornadys, Barnes, etc. but for the past 10 years have used the Federals. I highly recommend them. Enjoy.

Aug 17, 2013 yes the .308 will kill Elk! by: mountain walkerAnonymous I would not shoot past 300yards with it, just using your common sense! As for the lead weight 165 gr. and up is a good plan. Some rifles have 1 in 12 rifle twist, like mine. Then 165 or 168 grain solid copper or bonded bullet could be what you want! Federal and Hornady make this bullets. Good Hunting! Be Safe!

Jul 12, 2013 My reputation... by: Pat Cassidy Dave (and Skip), my reputation is at stake here! I do believe you will be happy with the all-copper bullets offered as they have served me well. Good luck and if you have no luck have a good time. Pat

Jul 07, 2013 Copper Bullets by: Dave, ElkHuntingTips.net Pat, because of you I bought Federal Premium Copper Trophy bullets for my 300 WM this year.

Jul 07, 2013 Bullets for a .308 by: Pat Cassidy Your .308 is plenty of gun for elk at modest ranges (which is the best anyway) but I would carefully choose bullets. My personal all-time favorite is the Sierra 220 grain round-nose at about 2100 fps. I have killed many elk with this bullet and have found nothing that kills faster and cleaner. The Barnes X-bullets and probably all the copies out there that are of solid copper construction are also an excellent choice. I think I would stick with 180 grain and up for your .308.

Jul 06, 2013 30 caliber for elk by: Dave, ElkHuntingTips.net Skip, Let's get past the pat answer first, "Any well placed double lung shot is good enough." A friend of mine kills elk with a .243 taking only broadside, easy double lungers. Dave

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Forum Topic Discussions:

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How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?

295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.

325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...

30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?

(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)

Submissions

Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...

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DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."

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Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.

Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...

Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...

Recent Submissions:

Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."

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Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....

First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!

First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.

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Questions

Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."

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Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…

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Best Big Game Rifle?

Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."

7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."

338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."

Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "

.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."

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Arizona Elk Hunting

Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...

First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...

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Elk Hunting Colorado

Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"

Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."

Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"

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Idaho Elk Hunting

Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?

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Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.

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New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)

I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...

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Elk Hunting Nevada

Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:

"Any good places known in unit 222?"

Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)

"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"

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Questions from Novice Hunters

Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)

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