308 Win Questions????

Steelie28 · 11-18-2003, 07:12 AM

My future father-in-law recently loaned me (for a very long time) his 308 Win. I'm not totally up to snuff on rifles and was wondering where in the hierarchy this rifle lies. I have a buddy that has several rifles (223, 270, 300) and my prognosis is that the 308 round most closely resembles the 270 round, except that it is a little shorter. What keeps throwing me is the number "308". Why is it a 308? Would any of you recommend using this rifle for elk? All said, I love shooting this rifle. The semi-auto results in a very "soft" shot to the shoulder. I need you pros out there to educate me. I know just enough to get me into trouble.

Steelie28

BuKuBass · 11-18-2003, 07:26 AM

For a brief history of the 308W
I've taken a few elk with my custom .308, most with a neck shot. Too many hunters shoot elk like they shoot pool ie: If you can't hit'em good, hit'em hard. Shot placement is the key.

o-mykiss · 11-18-2003, 07:26 AM

I love my 308 and use it for both elk and deer. I have killed deer with it, but I haven't shot an elk yet. I was just talking to my dad about this during elk season. I think you are correct about it being close to the 270. I think the 270 has a little more kick. I am a rookie at this, so I don't know much about rounds. I hope that helps a little. I am waiting with someone with more experience to tell me all about this.

pathetic novice · 11-18-2003, 08:52 AM

My dad's been using the same 308 since I was a kid, and it's always worked perfectly for him; deer, elk, bear.

SeanD · 11-18-2003, 12:09 PM

308, 30-06, 300 mag all use the same 30 caliber bullets. 30-06 is faster than the 308, 300 mag is faster than the 30-06, due to differences in powder capacity. The 270 is a necked down 30-06, larger case than the 308 with a smaller diameter bullet.

The 308 is a totally adequate elk rifle. I would use it over a 270, velocity will be less, but penetration will be greater. In the nosler #4 reloading manual, they did a penetration test with a 308 and a 300 win mag both shooting 165 partitions. The 308 had 0.5 inches greater penetration than the 300 win mag. For big game like elk, slower velocity is not a disadvantage in any way, except for trajectory. And the 308 is plenty fast to kill elk at any reasonable range, IMO.

id. painter · 11-18-2003, 12:12 PM

The 308 is a fine elk gun ,, Keep your range reasonable 250 yards and you will be deadly. Fine gun. id. painter

Steelie28 · 11-18-2003, 01:04 PM

Sean,

You have cleared the cobwebs, thanks. I've received a few pm's on this subject, and it seems that the 180 gr bullet is the one for elk. That said, is the 150 gr a good round for bucks, or is the 180 gr the all around winner?

Steelie28

sliverpicker · 11-18-2003, 02:59 PM

I've used my .308 to take more Blacktails then I can remember, most with a 150 gr Hornady. I took it to Montana and shot a Whitetail with 165 gr Nosler Part., and three years ago I took a pronghorn with a 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.

A very versatile rifle cartridge in my opinion.

KingFisher85 · 11-18-2003, 03:55 PM

I had some killer hand loads for my 308win. Took a hand full of deer with it and dropped my first ever elk with it close to 300 yards away. Dropped her right in her tracks. Bullet punched clean thu her!

EDIT: I messed up on that.....The 308win you can also neck it down to a 243win...Watch your loads if someone hands you some handloads. I had someone give me some "308 win" loads one time....I did not really look to much but they had necked them down to a 110gr bullet to shoot out of a 243....lucky I knew something was wrong on the first shot of almost no recoil....

[ 11-18-2003, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: KingFisher85 ]

SeanD · 11-18-2003, 06:30 PM

Steelie28,

If you decide to use standard type factory loads (corelokts, etc.), the id agree, the 150's will do for deer, and id use the 180's for elk. Or just use the 180's on everything.

If you buy or can have loaded some nosler partitions, id use 165's.

Steelie28 · 11-19-2003, 07:44 AM

Thanks everyone. Can't wait to get out there next fall and do some hunting with it. I have some 180 grain rounds right now, so I will give those a shot next year. At least I have some waterfowl to hunt in the meantime...hear birdy birdy..

Steelie28

Swamp Puppy · 11-19-2003, 09:04 AM

my brother-in-law just took his first deer out in Utah with his .308 win. he was shooting 150gr winchester soft points and dropped his buck at just over 300 yards.

that tells me that if you are a competent shooter (which he is) you don't need super magnum guns or spendy "specialty" ammo to kill deer. just hit 'em where it counts.

though for elk, i would say keep those shots under 300 yards for sure...i would also recommend using the 180 grain bullets. you may also consider using a bonded bullet if you are looking to take a heavier animal. elk, bear, etc.