308 for Elk?

Is 308 adequate for elk? Not for long range, but say out to 400 yards. I typically shoot a 178 grain bullet w/ a muzzle velocity of 2500 fps. At 400 yds. I still would have 1368 ft.-lbs. of energy.

308 win is a fine elk cartridge. Stay within the capability of the chosen bullets. We designed our 166g Hammer Hunter with the 308 in mind. With your distance of 400y our Sledge Hammer line would be great. At 400y bc is a non issue.

I've used .308 for last 7 Elk, most in the 400-590 yd range. 168 berger hunting vld, bang/flop one shot kills. It's more of a "where you put it" than "WHAT you put in it"
practice-practice-practice

Right, a young fireman I met has killed several Az elk over 300yds with his .308 using the Berger 168gr.

I would not hesitate shooting a big bull with a 308 Win.. Hunt them and don't shoot when the adrenaline is flowing. On there end. Don't let them know you are there and use a tough bullet.

Just my 2 cents

Brian

308 is fine inside 400 yards, but a many folk would prefer a magnum. I know an outfitter in AZ that pushes the magnums for his clients. People kill Elk with a 243 as well…you hit them right and they will die.

Best of luck.

I have a 319 bull on my wall that was killed with one 160 grain bullet from a 6.5x54. When cutting it up, I found two .243 diam bullets in the strap muscles along the spine area. From the fibrous track, I would say shot at going away, uphill. 243 Win or 6mm Rem essentially intact, weighing about 85 grains each (90 grainers). I believe that elk would be on someone elses wall if they were using a .308 and a strong bullet. People certainly do kill elk with a 243, but I believe a 308 Win is a more reasonable minimum for most hunters..............................FWB

I always wonder just how many elk have been taken by the 308 Win? Probably too many to count.
Echoing the other's statements, it's plenty for any bull elk in this country out to the range limit you've set. Practice, A LOT and get good at judging the distances, then check it with a good rangefinder. Then practice some more.
Put a quality bullet in the boiler room and get ready for the work part of elk hunting - packing it out!

At reasonable ranges, diameter trumps velocity. Where I hunt, non-residents think they need 338s but residents kill more elk with 270s. Yes, I am a non-resident with a 300WM or 338 Edge because I get fewer, more expensive days in the field.

I'd have no issue with a 308 and 400 yards.

Try a 180 accubond with 48.5 gr of rl17 @2690. Less than .5 moa in my gun. Elk don't like it much

OP,
You must be like me and shooting at basically sea level for the 178 grain Hornady to have that little energy left @ that velocity. Take a look at where you will be hunting, ballistics go way up when I punch in the environmental conditions where I hunt elk. So if you are happy with the numbers you get now (and you are going up in altitude), it may make you feel even better about it if they go up.

Also think about it like this:
Would you shoot an elk with a .300 WinMag? A .308 Winchester shoots the same bullets, just about 15% slower...so just reduce the range to the point that the .308 performs at an acceptable level you expect a .300 to do.

A 308 will work just like anything else, my preferred bullet is the Berger 215, absalutely ruins an elk will to live!! Elk respect shot placement and bullets that open, beyond that not much else to it!