New Elk rifle, should I get a .308 or a 300 of some kind?

[flyingbrass]

I am getting a new elk/deer gun and got to decide a caliber. Originally was going to get a .300WSM but I already got one. I really like the .308 since it don't kick at all. I was kinda leaning towards the .308 with real good ammo in 165grain. I got to decide soon so lets here your advice. The gun will not be a small or big gun but one about 7 to 7.5 lbs with a 3x9.
cold dead hands.

 

[huntindude]

Use a squib load in your 300WSM and you're done. spend the money on a gun you don't already have.

 

[mtmuley]

Why would you downsize, so to speak, from a .300 WSM to a .308? mtmuley

 

[REDDOG]

308 isn't one of the better elk rounds out, if you wan't a small cartrige and rifle maybe a 325 wsm ? not gaining much over your
300, but it is better than dropping in performance, have you killed elk before? if so i don't need to say that they are big and can be very tuff to bring down!

 

[flyingbrass]

No I ain't never killed an elk but I have gutted a big one. They are freaking huge. I guess I'll cross out the .308 and ask another question. THanks for the replies.

cold dead hands

 

[Idahoron]

I see nothing wrong with a stout loaded 308 for elk. I have seen several elk killed with a 300 savage. But if you already have a 300 short mag no since moving back unless the recoil is too much. If it is, then you should go to the 308. One well placed round is better that 4 hale marry's. Ron

 

[welp45]

I would think that the .300 wsm would be a great elk gun. Nice thing about that is you can get it in a nice little package. If the kick is too much get a break put on. I would do that before I went down to a .308. A .308 can kill an elk but I like your chances better with the magnum caliber with same or less felt recoil. With todays recoil reduction options, there is no reason to hunt elk with a marginal round and I think the .308 will do the job but if you have other options I would error on the higher side. Good luck.

 

[BugleminToday]

Get a .338 Win. Mag and be done with it!

Justin

- Long-Range, The next best thing to being there !!!!

 

[30_378shtr]

Well, I like big overkilling SOB's. Nothing like reaching out and hitting an animal with a 2-ton wrecking ball. Try the .338-378 or the 338 Lapua. The .408 Cheytac is an amazing round too.

If you're not a big magnum kind of guy, I like the 270 wby mag, or 7mm rem ultra mag.

 

[mtmuley]

The .408 Chey-tac for hunting? If you even think of using that cartridge, you are not a hunter. mtmuley

 

[jims]

I would just get a good load for your 300 WSM and be happy! From everything I've heard it is a great caliber! I have a 300 Weatherby and have always liked the ballistics but for some reason haven't been able to get it to shoot tight groups like I did when I first bought it. I never have gotten tight groups like my 270!

Another thing I found true with my 300 was that I had to clean the barrel after about every 10 shots! My groups started straying and it was either due to a dirty or heated barrel? It is in a Remington action and that may be part of the reason...I've cleaned the heck out of the barrel and there probably is a solution somewhere but I'm sick of messing with it!

I recently decided to try a TC Pro Hunter and just bought a 300 Win barrel for it. They didn't sell it in 300 Weatherby or I likely would have bought that barrel. I had the choice between 30 06, 308, and 300 Win and decided on the 300.

Another option you may want to look at is 7MM Ultra Mag. The ballistics look fantastic! You may have trouble finding shells but if you reload it wouldn't be too bad once you get the brass. To complicate things even more, I have a couple friends that use 300 Ultra Mags for deer and elk and love them.

Anyway, if you are getting tight groups with your 300 WSM I would definitely stick with it. I would think it would be a deer and elk killing machine!

 

[redrabbit]

The 300WSM will work just fine. If you want to use the elk hunt for getting a new rifle with less recoil, how about a 30-06?

Another thought would be to use the money from the rifle and scope and get a pair of top tier binos in 8x42 for elk hunting.

RR

 

[30_378shtr]

>The .408 Chey-tac for hunting? If
>you even think of using
>that cartridge, you are not
>a hunter. mtmuley


Why? Because it is one of the most stable, accurate rounds ever developed? Or because it carries enough energy to be very effective down range? It's all about shot placement and bullet selection. hmmmm

 

[mtmuley]

Hey 30_378shooter, I didn't say anything derogatory about the .408 as a cartridge. It works great for what it was developed for. The three cartridges you mentioned are impractical for the everday average elk hunter. Using those rounds to take game, is a different kind of hunting. Leaning more towards the shooting part. I don't think flyingbrass wants or needs one. Any .300 magnum, 7mm, or .30-06 to the .270 will work. The .308 is a capable elk round also. mtmuley