.308 for elk hunting

[ackbizzle]

so i was planning on using my .308 for my elk hunt this year and i was wondering if anyone has recommendations on bullet size. i was thinking of loading some 180 grains but wanted to see if that was to big? thanks

[bobcat]

I'd use 180's if you're using cheap bullets (Power Points, Core Lokts, etc.) but if you go with a better bullet like Partitions or Accubonds, I'd use 165's.

Or if you like lighter bullets use the Barnes 150 grain. It's 100% copper so you can afford to go down in weight a little. They won't lose more than about 10% when going through an elk.

[ackbizzle]

well i have a bunch of 150 grain sierra game kings, think they got the knock down power?

[bobcat]

well i have a bunch of 150 grain sierra game kings, think they got the knock down power?

They would be fine but you would want to be careful and try not to take a shoulder shot or anything where it's going to have to punch through a lot of bone. I would get some cheap Winchester Power Points in 180 grain instead of those. They're $20 a box or less at Wal Mart.

The Sierra 150's would be great for deer.

[huntnphool]

 I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots.

[bobcat]

I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber.   

[huntnphool]

I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber.   

 I've no idea if they make a 140gr. 30 cal bullet, my point is 140gr. anything is capable of killing elk so he should not feel like a 150gr. will not be effective.

[SI Eagle]

I have used the Sierra Game Kings and killed 8-9 bulls with them. They are great and don't let anyone tell you different. Load em up and go elk hunting. You will be fine.

[bobcat]

It really is personal preference in what weight and style bullet a person likes to use for elk. I've seen standard jacketed (cheap) bullets disintegrate on nothing more than a single rib bone on a deer. So if someone asks I always try to recommend going with more of a "premium" style of bullet for elk, either a monolithic like the Barnes or a bonded bullet like the Nosler Accubond. With deer it really makes very little difference what bullet you use. But elk are a lot bigger and a lot tougher.

The weight of a bullet is really not that significant. Personally I don't like recoil so in a 308 for myself I would try to go with a 150 grain in a Barnes bullet. Yes, anything will kill an elk, even a 40 grain bullet from a 22 long rifle. But you need to use what you have confidence in, and know your limits. With a Barnes bullet you don't have to be afraid of hitting a shoulder or other heavy bone on an elk, and that's what I like about it. I also like that it allows me to go with a relatively light bullet for less recoil, without a reduction in killing ability.

[M_ray]

I couldnt find 140's for my 300 when I wanted to start re-loading, I was looking for Nosler Partitions so I know they didnt offer a 30 cal 140grn then. I went with 150grns and they have been great! I wouldnt personally buy cheap ammo talking about confidence ... you get what you pay for and I am not going to wager my shot at a bull on a cheap ammo, thats just me.

[washelkhunter]

308 in 165 - 180 should do you right.

[Curly]

so i was planning on using my .308 for my elk hunt this year and i was wondering if anyone has recommendations on bullet size. i was thinking of loading some 180 grains but wanted to see if that was to big? thanks

No.  180's are not too big.  Load them up and go kill an elk.

[jaymark6655]

What is the twist of the barrel?  1:12 you can load either the 165 or 180.  I use the 180 and don't think its too big.  Has higher BC so even though muzzle velocities will be lower, usual downrange performance is a bit better.  190 or higher is starting to get to big unless you have a 1:10 twist, but then that barrel would hate those 165 rounds.

[ackbizzle]

well i will be using a remington 770 which had a 1 : 10" twist. i have been looking for some 165 accubonds but seems like everyone is backordered.

[coachcw]

fedral premium 165 tsx 

[jaymark6655]

With the 1:10 it might be too fast to really stabilize the 165 gr round, but could try it.  It will probably shoot the 180 gr rounds better.

[flinter]

In my younger years when I first started reloading I loaded 165gr. Sierra boat tails in my .308. I killed several elk and many deer with them. Every bullet that I recovered had separated core lead from copper jacket. Did the bullet kill the game, yes. Is there better bullets, yes again. I love Sierras for range work and varmints, but there are way better bullets available for big game especially elk. I would choose any of the premium bullets if I were you. 

[Tim in Wa.]

I use Barnes 168 gr  TTSX

[deerslyr]

I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber.   

Barnes makes a .308 130 grain x bullet...my buddy loads them in his 300 weatherby for deer and antelope, they're vicious on game coming out of his sendero.

[yajsab]

No problem with 150 Barnes x

[C-Money]

I would use a 165 accubond, second choice would be a 165 Partition! Great cartride the 308 is!

[huntnnw]

140 can kill anything.. but theres a time and place for it..thats like telling someone a 140 gr bullet out of a 30-30 will kill a elk at 300 yards

[supagoose]

so i was planning on using my .308 for my elk hunt this year and i was wondering if anyone has recommendations on bullet size. i was thinking of loading some 180 grains but wanted to see if that was to big? thanks

ive taken acouple bulls with my 308. all one shot kills i took one bull on cheap 150gr remington core lokt i dont recommend it cuz i found the core lokt to not retain its weight well and ive taken two with 180gr federal fusion. the fusion i found to be accurate in my gun and holds togther pretty well. im currently working on some 180 sst loads. like the other members stick to a good bullet, make the shot count, and youll be fine. your 308 will kill an elk just as dead as any other gun.

[dreamunelk]

I have used 165 grain spear grans slams with great success in the past.  Never needed a second shot on deer or elk.  I have now switched to Barnes bullets.  Don't elk hunt with a rifle anymore but, I would not think twice about hunting with a Barnes 150 to 168 TSX.  308 is a great round you just need to realize the limitations and take ethical shots.   Trick is to practice a lot and now where your bullet is going.

[bearpaw]

fedral premium 165 tsx 

  I had a Mossberg .308 that shot very well with 150's. If I had that gun again I would use the 165 tsx's, Barnes are awesome and will go through any bone you point it at. Because there is no bullet weight loss, you would likely get more penetration with 165 barnes than with most any other brand of bullet in 180's.

Barnes makes a 180 so that may be an option too if you can find loaded ammo with them. If you are shooting Barnes I recommend breaking the shoulder and getting the vitals if possible. 

[jaymark6655]

so i was planning on using my .308 for my elk hunt this year and i was wondering if anyone has recommendations on bullet size. i was thinking of loading some 180 grains but wanted to see if that was to big? thanks

ive taken acouple bulls with my 308. all one shot kills i took one bull on cheap 150gr remington core lokt i dont recommend it cuz i found the core lokt to not retain its weight well and ive taken two with 180gr federal fusion. the fusion i found to be accurate in my gun and holds togther pretty well. im currently working on some 180 sst loads. like the other members stick to a good bullet, make the shot count, and youll be fine. your 308 will kill an elk just as dead as any other gun.

I started out using the 180 gr fusions.  Took some apart and found out the they seem to be a compressed load and that the load sometimes varies by 10 grains or more.  It was the round that I based my current reload of off.  Hornady 180 gr SST using Varget (will look up how many grains later).  Never measured it, but it should be going around 2600 at the muzzle and I get groups that I usually can't measure because they are so close together.  Lighter rounds have a higher MV, but the lose steam quickly.  The heavier rounds have better ballistic coeff. and usually keep enough energy at 500 yards for an elk (based on what some people say is the ethical amount of energy needed for elk).  With that fast of a twist "1:10" the heavier round should shoot better out of that rifle.

[Krawdaddy20]

Its okay if your hunting the brush or have close distance shots, less than 300 yards. I hand load barnes tsx for elk in my 7mm. I will not load any other bullet for elk. I have shot 3 elk with the tsx and they have been flawless. I managed to recover two of the three bullets. Accuracy kills, but you don't want somebody else to come across your animal, elk are so tough they don't always know they're dead. I have never had an elk drop in its tracks. Last year I shot a 150 tsx, 64.5 grains of R22, cci mag primer, remington nickel cases. With a 308 I would used a 150 tsx, varget or 4064 powder. They are smaller cylinder powders and work better in the smaller cases. Good luck

[268bull]

Ackbizzle, I don't know where exactly your hunting, but I do believe that if it's western Washington, and your target is Roosevelt, then it's quite the same as what I hunt down here in west central Oregon. If you can see 75 yds. that's considered a long shot. The brush being as thick as the hair on my lab's back. I hunt exclusively with a Rem. 760 Gamemaster, .270. It's never let me down, so I would believe your .308 is plenty of rifle. Last year, I invested $42.99 on a box of Winchester, XP3, 150 grain, and it's worth every penny. Other's have given you good advice about hitting vitals ( lungs, heart ) and that's the key. When I opened my bull up last fall, his lungs were like coagulated jello. At 50 yds. he fell like he had been pole-axed. End of hunt! I also had a couple of boxes of grand slams ( no longer on the market ) 150 Gr. If you know your rifle well, and you can afford it , spending a few pennies more for your ammo is worth it. But then again, my first bull I shot was in 1978 ( first time I ever hunted elk ), and I used a standard blacktail load 130 Gr., $14.99 a box, around 70 yds., but I managed to ( luckily ) put it thru his heart. Those vital organ shot's are important, but your .308 is a very capable rifle. Good hunting to you!  Dale H.

[jaymark6655]

Light bullets are cool and can get the job done, but I think the twist is too fast for them. 

[h2ofowlr]

fedral premium 165 tsx 

  I had a Mossberg .308 that shot very well with 150's. If I had that gun again I would use the 165 tsx's, Barnes are awesome and will go through any bone you point it at. Because there is no bullet weight loss, you would likely get more penetration with 165 barnes than with most any other brand of bullet in 180's.

Barnes makes a 180 so that may be an option too if you can find loaded ammo with them. If you are shooting Barnes I recommend breaking the shoulder and getting the vitals if possible. 

I just sold my Mossberg .308.  Good gun.  My uncle shot a .308 his entire hunting career.  Killed all his deer, elk and bear with it.
It will work fine, eventhough some of the younger generation only think it can be done with a .300 RUM or larger.  Unfortunatley many have the gun, but don't have the skill to use them at long range.

[dreamunelk]

165 gr barnes tsx or speer grand slam will drop anything we have in lower 48 and respectable ranges.

[Bonedar208]

I hammered a bull with my 260 using a 120gr ballistic tip.  They can all do it; but like someone else mentioned with the lighter bullet just remember not to be tryin to bust through alot of bone. I'd go with whatever shoots best through your rifle out of the 165 or 180

[Huntboy]

Bullet selection

[jess]

168 vld berger behind a 308 is great for elk.... And always remember i shoot better i shoot berger! Lol