J
jparker
Guest
Taking my son on a cow Elk hunt in 3 weeks he is using a .308. What factory load do you recommend? shots should be less than 150 yards.
257Tony
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,171
165's are about the most efficient in the .308, the 180's rend to take up lots of case capacity. Any of the name brand bullets will work, but I would stay away from the plastic tipped bullets, with the exception of the Accubond and Scirocco.
Somebody didn't like bouncing betty 
Somebody didn't like bouncing betty
H
huntindude
Guest
I agree with Tony, about any bullet at .308 velocity should do fine. a 165 Hornady light magnum would be my first chioce if I were to shoot factory loads but anything other than a Rem Core-lokt should work.
I dropped my bull this year with 1 .308 shot using basic remington express walmart ammo, 180 grain SP (hunting on a budget)
he was quartering towards me so i got off a good clean heart shot from 250 yards out. never took a second step, i was quite amazed. it was the first bull i've taken using my .308, and the cleanest kill i've had.
he was quartering towards me so i got off a good clean heart shot from 250 yards out. never took a second step, i was quite amazed. it was the first bull i've taken using my .308, and the cleanest kill i've had.
O
old_man_of_the_hills
Guest
165s are good, but as long as the shot will be under 150 yards, you may as well use a 180 for a little extra penetration. I would recommend the new Federal Fusion loads, inexpensive and good performance. You could also use about any of the Federal Premium loads, Nosler Partition or Accubond, Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, Barnes X.
P
patience
Guest
I killed my first elk in '05 with a .308 shooting factory Nosler Ballistic 150's. One bullet was all it took at 300 yards. My dad and I both agreed though, a little extra weight wouldn't have hurt.
D
DanD
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Nov-17-06 AT 11:53AM (MST)[p]Anything from 150 to 180 grain will do the job. I'm a Nosler fan but any of the quality bullets will do, just find the one that shoots the best out of his gun. Killing big game is all about shot placement. I would try and keep the shots under 250 yards or what ever his abilities are, if he puts the bullet in the kill zone he'll have no problems. Heck you will kill and elk with a 243 if you put the bullet where it's suppose to be.
Good luck to you and your son on the up coming hunt.
Good luck to you and your son on the up coming hunt.
M
manny15
Guest
lost a bull this year using Remington core lokt...krap bullets
B
BugleminToday
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Nov-18-06 AT 06:01AM (MST)[p] I haven't looked into any .308 ammo in a while but you may want to see if there are any Partitions, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, SWIFT A-Frame, or something similar of a quality bullet!
I agree about the Core-Lokt's....they are good for whitetails but Elk are tougher!!
Justin
- Long-Range, The next best thing to being there !!!!
I agree about the Core-Lokt's....they are good for whitetails but Elk are tougher!!
Justin
- Long-Range, The next best thing to being there !!!!
T
Trophymossback
Guest
I have a Remington Custom Shop 308 Ackley Improved and the most accurate and affective killer I have used is the Barnes Triple Shock X Bullets in 165 grains. Don't forget to shoot a lot until you have the confidence neeeded to put the bullet where you want it!
It seems like all you need is one bullet when you are truly ready to make the shot count!
TM
It seems like all you need is one bullet when you are truly ready to make the shot count!
TM
O
outtabreath
Guest
I have killled two elk with my 308. Federal Vitalshock with a Nosler Partition. 180 gr. One-shot kills. I have also heard alot of good things about the 165gr Barnes X. Good luck.
HuntElk4Fun_
Active Member
- Messages
- 502
"lost a bull this year using Remington core lokt...krap bullets"
Remington should be ashamed of those things--
$600 for the gun
$500 for the scope
$10 box of CoreLokt's at Walmart --- PRICELESS
You spend all of that money, get premium bullets.... Anyway, 165 Nosler Accubonds are a very nice round out of a .308 I'm not a huge fan of 180's out of the .308 due to range, but if you 150 yards or closer, can't go wrong then. Still, the 165's will give that extra range just in case.
ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com
Remington should be ashamed of those things--
$600 for the gun
$500 for the scope
$10 box of CoreLokt's at Walmart --- PRICELESS
You spend all of that money, get premium bullets.... Anyway, 165 Nosler Accubonds are a very nice round out of a .308 I'm not a huge fan of 180's out of the .308 due to range, but if you 150 yards or closer, can't go wrong then. Still, the 165's will give that extra range just in case.
ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com
S
saminwy
Guest
>"lost a bull this year using
>Remington core lokt...krap bullets"
>
>Remington should be ashamed of those
>things--
>
>$600 for the gun
>$500 for the scope
>$10 box of CoreLokt's at Walmart
>--- PRICELESS
>
more like
$600 for the gun
$500 for the scope
$10 for a box of corelocts (which have probably put more meat on the table than any other bullet)
poor shot placement-PRICELESS
>Remington core lokt...krap bullets"
>
>Remington should be ashamed of those
>things--
>
>$600 for the gun
>$500 for the scope
>$10 box of CoreLokt's at Walmart
>--- PRICELESS
>
more like
$600 for the gun
$500 for the scope
$10 for a box of corelocts (which have probably put more meat on the table than any other bullet)
poor shot placement-PRICELESS
In a 308, I would go with a 150 grain Barnes Triple Shock. Heavier bullets are nice for elk, but with the Barnes, you don't need a heavy bullet, because it will retain close to 100% of its weight, especially at 308 velocities. And with the 150 grain, you'll have good velocity so you can be sure it will open up.
H
Hornseeker
Guest
I'll say Yay to the triple shock also, but many others out there will do the job fine!
How'd you hit the bull Manny? And yeah, why buy a box of crap ammo for 12.99?? Buck up the $25.00 or reload premiums.
How'd you hit the bull Manny? And yeah, why buy a box of crap ammo for 12.99?? Buck up the $25.00 or reload premiums.
C
cohntr6
Guest
I have dropped 2 cow elk with 180 gr. Rem. core loks
51 yards and 258 yards. Neither cow went more than 10 yards. Its all where you put the bullet.
I used 165 and 150 gr. on deer and had the same results (Hornady light mag -BTSP and Federal power shok -SP)
Its all where you put the bullet!!
Jeff
51 yards and 258 yards. Neither cow went more than 10 yards. Its all where you put the bullet.
I used 165 and 150 gr. on deer and had the same results (Hornady light mag -BTSP and Federal power shok -SP)
Its all where you put the bullet!!
Jeff
H
HuntElk4Fun
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Nov-21-06 AT 05:49PM (MST)[p]I've killed an elk with my .22 too or even better my knife! LOL Yes, shot placement is important, but good bullets help alot too. Seen alot of elk killed and performance of these bullets isn't a marketing scheme, some perform better on bigger game, core lokts aren't one of them!
Cork lokts are junk. Do the research, do the testing, the things aren't worth the $10 you might save per box.
Hornady Interbonds, Nosler AB's or Partitions, Barnes TX, all great bullets 160-180 gr in the .308 and you will be fine.
Cork lokts are junk. Do the research, do the testing, the things aren't worth the $10 you might save per box.
Hornady Interbonds, Nosler AB's or Partitions, Barnes TX, all great bullets 160-180 gr in the .308 and you will be fine.
B
BLU
Guest
Shoot a bullet that will open up. With a 308, stay away for the partitions as they will only poke holes unless you hit a large bone. I shoot the ballistic tips and this year tried the accubonds which worked great. I've shoot elk with the partitions and bearclaws, but unless you shoot a big gun (300 mag) they will not open up unless they hit big bone. I have shot 2 elk that were running and I hit them a little far forward so it missed the shoulder bones. I was able to get both elk because the ballistic tip took the whole windpipe and jugler veins out. Good luck with the hunt and cangrats for taking your son.
B
BugleminToday
Guest
I disagree with Blu's statement. Although it has worked in the past, a Ballistic Tip is definately not a bullet made for elk. There have been hundreds of cases where the bullet has blown up on the hide and had left hunters trailing the animal for miles with no luck.
A running shot on an elk with a ballistic tip and the luck of hitting it in the neck doesn't prove it to be a good bullet overall for the animal....just shows how lucky you got that it downed the animal.
Good luck on your choice of ammunition...just remember what everyone has said about the price of the hunt and the price of the gun and the overall trip...don't cheap yourself on the bullets!
Justin
- Long-Range, The next best thing to being there !!!!
A running shot on an elk with a ballistic tip and the luck of hitting it in the neck doesn't prove it to be a good bullet overall for the animal....just shows how lucky you got that it downed the animal.
Good luck on your choice of ammunition...just remember what everyone has said about the price of the hunt and the price of the gun and the overall trip...don't cheap yourself on the bullets!
Justin
- Long-Range, The next best thing to being there !!!!
huntelk4fun, I don't know what you are basing your opinion of the Core-Lokt on, but you are dead wrong. Just like all the elk I've killed with them. It is a great bullet when used in most cartridges exept for the new high velocity magnums. If it shoots well in a .308, I would use it with confidence. mtmuley
B
Bozeman
Guest
Hmmn. I've killed 11 bulls using 165 grain core loks (30-06). Shot a bruiser this year at 250 yards and he just slummped in his tracks. I guess I could ask the elk if they cared whether I spent $40 or $13.80. Oh wait they're dead never mind. It's about shot placement and realistic yardages.
J
jparker
Guest
My sons hunt was this past weekend. We chose Hornady 165gr. light magnums because they shot well in his gun. He took a 6 year old cow at 205 yards with one shot that dropped her as soon as he touched the trigger.
CAelknuts
Moderator
- Messages
- 3,822
LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-06 AT 10:30PM (MST)[p]Congratulations! I hope it was a terrific hunt for both of you. You're fortunate to have had this opportunity with your son, way to go.
With regard to the Core-lokts, I have to agree with the two posters who like them. I've shot several dozen animals with them, and had nothing but good results. Most of these were deer and pronghorns, but also a couple elk and one Alaskan Moose at 20 yards with a .270. A lot of bullets would have failed on that animal at that range, but the Core-lokt reinforced their old slogan "the deadliest mushroom in the woods". I still have that 150 gr. bullet, and it compares very well with many others I've shot over the years. I like Core-lokts a lot, even though I mostly shoot Noslers and other premium bullets.
With regard to the Core-lokts, I have to agree with the two posters who like them. I've shot several dozen animals with them, and had nothing but good results. Most of these were deer and pronghorns, but also a couple elk and one Alaskan Moose at 20 yards with a .270. A lot of bullets would have failed on that animal at that range, but the Core-lokt reinforced their old slogan "the deadliest mushroom in the woods". I still have that 150 gr. bullet, and it compares very well with many others I've shot over the years. I like Core-lokts a lot, even though I mostly shoot Noslers and other premium bullets.
