Grandhunter
Active Member
I agree with FEENIX 300WSM and a well constructed bullet a 180gr or better. I use 190 ABLR in mine, Good Luck on your Hunt.
308 ammo for elk (barrel length)
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rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
So I'm not sure what velocity the 130's would get from a 16 but assuming 2800 which I feel is generous and reasonable it would only have 900 ft/lbs at 500 and ~1750 ft/sec retained velocity. If he HAD to make it work id go heavier and higher BC. For me I have a 22 inch barreled 30-06 shooting a 200 gr SGK at ~2685 ft/sec. it gets to 500 in the same conditions going over 2000 ft/sec and with over 1800 ft/lbs of energy.
As I said " In my personal opinion "
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
I was just putting numbers to illustrate the probable performance.
From the sounds of it most guys think a 308 is under powered for gophers let alone Elk. That perspective is nonsense for ranges to 5 or 600 yards. Shortening the barrel on a 308 is going to have very little effect on the actual velocity, most seem to lose about 30 FPS/inch. I have shot deer, antelope, moose, elk (I shot one Elk a year every year for meat) and a lot of bear with a 308. I have also shot them with everything from a 243 to a 460 Bee. Dead is dead. Shooting Elk at a 1000 yards, 308 would not be my choice, but 500 and under and most 300 and under, no problem. My go to hunting rifle for the last 15 years is a NULA in 308 with a 20" barrel. Nothing I have shot with it went more than 40 yards, most dropped where they were standing. Any quality bullet like the TSX, Hammer, Partition or Hornady Interbonds in 150 or 165 grains will work just fine. I would NOT use Ballistic Tip on anything bigger than deer. Try some factory loads with these types of bullets, find one that shoots well out of your gun, and go kill an Elk.
That's what I was wanting to say, Thanks for saving me some typing
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
I REALLY like 308. It's a fine elk cartridge. However, taking a poke at an elk at 500 yards with a 308 with a 16 inch barrel isn't what I'd consider ideal. 2460 ft/sec with 168's or 2375 ft/sec with 180's.
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″)
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″) Introduction Released by Winchester in 1952 (and adopted by NATO in 1954 as the 7.62x51mm NATO), the 308 Wi…
rifleshooter.com
I understand what your saying Brother but its like and old timer told me once, " The Elk Don't Know what your using"I REALLY like 308. It's a fine elk cartridge. However, taking a poke at an elk at 500 yards with a 308 with a 16 inch barrel isn't what I'd consider ideal. 2460 ft/sec with 168's or 2375 ft/sec with 180's.
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″)
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″) Introduction Released by Winchester in 1952 (and adopted by NATO in 1954 as the 7.62x51mm NATO), the 308 Wi…
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
I've seen that video and idk what velocity he ended up at but I know he shot a smallish elk with a handloaded Berger 168. i Don't think it was a 16 inch barrel and he wasn't confined to factory stuff. I was pushing a 195 TMK from my 20 inch 308 at 2550 not long ago but you won't get that from factory stuff. His best bet may be to get something like the Berger 168 classic hunter for his setup
I REALLY like 308. It's a fine elk cartridge. However, taking a poke at an elk at 500 yards with a 308 with a 16 inch barrel isn't what I'd consider ideal. 2460 ft/sec with 168's or 2375 ft/sec with 180's.
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″)
308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO: Barrel Length versus Velocity (28″ to 16.5″) Introduction Released by Winchester in 1952 (and adopted by NATO in 1954 as the 7.62x51mm NATO), the 308 Wi…
So even by the study you attached, average loss is only 20-25 fps/inch. Most 308s don't have more than a 22" barrel, so max 150 FPS loss. Hand loaded Hornady 150 grain SP bonded out of my Nula are doing 2950 fps at the muzzle. Even with a shortened barrel, his will be doing 2800, even if it only leaves at 2600 fps, that is still lots.. Most of the Hornady and other factory loads hit this Vel with 150 grain premium bullets. (Hornady Superformance in 308, 150 grain bullet shows MV of 3000 fps with a 24" barrel so 2800 fps out of the 16" barrel). If that won't kill an Elk at 500 yards you shot it in the wrong spot. Most of the Elk I kill are 1-300 yards but I have shot a few as far out as 600 with the 308. None had to be trailed. You could see them for where they were standing when I first shot them.
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
If you look back I said the hornady Superformance with the 165 SST was probably his best bet.
Oh I agree but non the less it did the job, As I said earlier I'm not trying to argue with you and I agree there are better choices and I would use the heaviest bullet I could but I wouldn't hesitate an instant at under 500 yards, IMO the 308 is more than up to the task even with a 16 " tube, I did the same thing a few years back and used my 308 for everything from Coyotes to the biggest Deer of my life so far all with the same load
FYI, I have a 306 with a 16" barrel. Pushing 150gr bullets at 500 yards the velocity is about 1,400 fps and the retained energy is about 625. If I bring that back to 300 yards I am 1,700 fps and about 950 ft-lb. Just something to consider.
Have you looked at getting a chassis for a rifle with a longer barrel. if you are wanting compact there are several folks out there who make a folding chassis and you could go up in barrel length while still having a compact rig.
Have you looked at getting a chassis for a rifle with a longer barrel. if you are wanting compact there are several folks out there who make a folding chassis and you could go up in barrel length while still having a compact rig.
