Post by: ackbizzle on April 05, 2012, 05:16:45 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 05:20:22 PM
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.
Post by: ackbizzle on April 05, 2012, 06:02:26 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 06:08:20 PM
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.
Post by: huntnphool on April 05, 2012, 06:16:58 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 07:57:15 PM
I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots. :twocents:
I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber. :dunno:
Post by: huntnphool on April 05, 2012, 08:00:01 PM
I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots. :twocents:
I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber. :dunno:
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. :twocents:
Post by: SI Eagle on April 05, 2012, 08:07:31 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 05, 2012, 08:17:17 PM
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.
Post by: M_ray on April 05, 2012, 08:32:51 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on April 05, 2012, 08:40:12 PM
Post by: Curly on April 05, 2012, 09:44:51 PM
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. :twocents:
Post by: jaymark6655 on April 05, 2012, 10:06:19 PM
Post by: ackbizzle on April 06, 2012, 06:54:01 AM
Post by: coachcw on April 06, 2012, 07:45:26 AM
Post by: jaymark6655 on April 06, 2012, 10:21:29 AM
Post by: flinter on April 06, 2012, 11:07:19 AM
Post by: Tim in Wa. on April 06, 2012, 02:23:33 PM
Post by: deerslyr on April 06, 2012, 10:34:24 PM
I have killed a few bulls with 140gr. Noslers, all went down with one shot but they were heart/lung shots. :twocents:
I'm not sure I've ever heard of 140 grain bullets in 30 caliber. :dunno:
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.
Post by: yajsab on April 08, 2012, 10:11:21 PM
Post by: C-Money on April 09, 2012, 02:38:49 PM
Post by: huntnnw on April 09, 2012, 10:03:15 PM
Post by: supagoose on April 10, 2012, 11:44:48 PM
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.
Post by: dreamunelk on April 11, 2012, 05:57:43 AM
Post by: bearpaw on April 11, 2012, 06:05:37 AM
fedral premium 165 tsx :tup:
:yeah: 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. :tup:
Post by: jaymark6655 on April 11, 2012, 06:39:36 AM
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.
Post by: Krawdaddy20 on April 27, 2012, 02:45:38 AM
Post by: 268bull on April 30, 2012, 07:39:09 PM
Post by: jaymark6655 on April 30, 2012, 09:28:22 PM
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 30, 2012, 09:55:04 PM
fedral premium 165 tsx :tup:
:yeah: 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. :tup:
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.
Post by: dreamunelk on April 30, 2012, 10:11:43 PM
Post by: Bonedar208 on May 01, 2012, 01:04:16 PM
Post by: Huntboy on May 01, 2012, 01:13:57 PM
Post by: jess on May 01, 2012, 01:44:39 PM