Can 308 do everything you need a rifle to do under 600 yards?

[Bwana Barry]

With certain modern bullets / ammo, a 308Win will take out any large African non-dangerous plains game up to eland at long distances.....

However, 600 yards might be stretching it on eland if the shot is slightly pulled (shoulder bone) and not in the right place..... .....

 

[Capt RB]

In a .308 case? I'd like to see that load data and MV. Looks like you'd need to be pushing it at about 3,150?

The 195eldm has a similar g7 as the ablr. USing 6k' of elevation I hit 1500#/ft of energy at 725yds using a muzzle velocity of 2700fps. I chose 2700 because I personally have pushed the 195tmk to 2788 in my rifle without an ejector mark. I was over 2800 when it did hit that warning. THe ablr should be good to over 700yds for the energy threshold of 1500ft#S. IDK what calculator you used to come up with 3150 but using the same inputs as the above solution, I see 1500#/ft of energy threshold at 1425yds.

 

[RAGGED EDGE]

I view this thread as making a really good case for the good OLD '06.

 

[SamuelBerryhill308]

I'm a big 308 win fan and have been hunting with one for more than 10 years and now that I'm hand loading for it with 165 grain bounded bullets I feel more than confident in shooting anything in North America except brown bears.and with 165s with hand loads carrie more than 1500 lbs of energy to almost 500 yards from what I'm getting out of a 24inch barrel.dont get me wrong 30-06 is a good round to but if I was going to go bigger than 308 I wouldn't settle on 30-06 I'd just go to 300 win mag but this is just my 2 cent

 

[rbTanzan]

Greetings Gents,

I am a hunter first and foremost. A few years back I decided to reduce the number of calibers I shoot and reload for. I settled on a 308 as my "do everything" high power cartridge and currently have 5 rifles chambered in 308.

My question is if I know that I will never take a shot longer than 600 yards at game. Will 308 do it all? All species?

Is there anyone else that has done similar/ I would like to hear about your experiences. Post photos too.

Im trying to talk myself out of buying a 300 WSM or 30-06.

Bluejay

Disclaimer: I got a 308 for grandkids as a rifle to be used in Africa for plains game, so I'm on board with using a 308 for a wide selection of game and animal sizes.

However, as soon as the question arises for a more appropriate caliber for larger animals, I would suggest more than the 30-06 or 300WSM. Get a bigger bullet with your upgrade.

You are staring at the reason for people getting a 338WinMag. The 308 and 338 make a great pair.

 

[sea2summit]

Nosler 190gr long range Accubond, G7 ballistic coefficient of .301, MV of 2550 fps, 2000 ft elevation. Run the numbers.

Here you go, looks like it falls below 1,500 ft/lbs at less than 300 yards.

 

[sea2summit]

The 195eldm has a similar g7 as the ablr. USing 6k' of elevation I hit 1500#/ft of energy at 725yds using a muzzle velocity of 2700fps. I chose 2700 because I personally have pushed the 195tmk to 2788 in my rifle without an ejector mark. I was over 2800 when it did hit that warning. THe ablr should be good to over 700yds for the energy threshold of 1500ft#S. IDK what calculator you used to come up with 3150 but using the same inputs as the above solution, I see 1500#/ft of energy threshold at 1425yds.

That looks like it works.

 

[del2les]

Here you go, looks like it falls below 1,500 ft/lbs at less than 300 yards.

Check your entry velocity . He stated "2550" not 2250.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Here you go, looks like it falls below 1,500 ft/lbs at less than 300 yards.

That looks like it works.

Glad you posted this. My 308 with 185s at 1000'ASL shot around 2700 fps. Add another 5000' of elevation and your well past 1500 @500 yards. Elevation is huge in adding performance to a cartridge.

 

[esorensen]

Here in the thin air of Colorado, a 178 eldx, and a MV of 2700 or better...? 600 yards all day long. Newer bullets and powders have been a benefit to some of the more "vintage" fodder. Do your homework and practice. The .308 can be silly accurate to 600 and beyond... do some load development and practice in the wind at 1200, you will have some solid dope to shoot 600 with relative ease.

 

[sea2summit]

Check your entry velocity . He stated "2550" not 2250.

Good catch. Closer, maybe at higher elevation it would be there.

 

[sea2summit]

Glad you posted this. My 308 with 185s at 1000'ASL shot around 2700 fps. Add another 5000' of elevation and your well past 1500 @500 yards. Elevation is huge in adding performance to a cartridge.

You guys are making me want a .308 bolt gun, my 16" semi auto meat stick is pretty hot when it pushes past 2,700 with 168s.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Glad you posted this. My 308 with 185s at 1000'ASL shot around 2700 fps. Add another 5000' of elevation and your well past 1500 @500 yards. Elevation is huge in adding performance to a cartridge.

You guys are making me want a .308 bolt gun, my 16" semi auto meat stick is pretty hot when it pushes past 2,700 with 168s.

Well I'll say that my numbers come from a 12" longer barrel.

 

[Lefty G-gear]

Greetings Gents,

I am a hunter first and foremost. A few years back I decided to reduce the number of calibers I shoot and reload for. I settled on a 308 as my "do everything" high power cartridge and currently have 5 rifles chambered in 308.

My question is if I know that I will never take a shot longer than 600 yards at game. Will 308 do it all? All species?

Is there anyone else that has done similar/ I would like to hear about your experiences. Post photos too.

Im trying to talk myself out of buying a 300 WSM or 30-06.

Bluejay