308 - Big Game Effective Range

I have shot moose at 275 yards and deer at 350 yards with the 308 using 165 cup and core bullets (mostly hornady interlocks). Made clean one shot kills at those ranges.
 
My buddy hit a moose at 425 yards with his M88 in 308. He was using my handloads with Norma 180 gr bullets. These are tough bullets and were found under the hide on the far side. They were pristine. Could have been used again.

Both shots went through both lungs. The moose laid down to consider the pain in his gut and was quite dead by the time we got to him.

400 real yards is a very long way. Distance and hold over has to be well-known to make that kind of shot.

I usually hunt with a 308 and the power of the gun is not an issue. The challenge is to be able to take the ethical shot.
 
At 650 yards, my handloads are at just under 1800fps and 1000 lb/ft. This is also the max range on my cds turret. I've never shot an animal that far but it would do the job if I did. I've only shot one deer over 400 yards and a couple antelope. All were with 308.

The hardest part in my opinion is finding a place that offers the distance and the critters, then having the stars align so that conditions are perfect to allow taking the longer shots. Luckily I live on the prairies where open spaces are more common.

1800 fps is plenty to open up "some" bullets creating a large wound channel for a clean kill. Mono cores could be hit or miss as would premium hunting style bullets like Partitions or anything bonded as they typically need more speed in order to open up and do their job.
 
Ya the 308 is wildly versatile, I didn’t want to get detailed on ballistics nerd stuff just went with the typical out of the box over the counter answers. There’s not much wrong with hand loaded 130 ttsx at good speed as a 0-400 yarder but reload higher bc heavier for cal stuff and ~600 is in the wheelhouse with the right wing nut behind the wheel. Totally agree with there’s no replacement for placement. As things get out there your odds go up by placing it well after waiting for the right shot angle, so long as enough bullet and speed is on the way that’s secondary. Ugh I hate 308’s and here I am sticking up for them lol. I shoot a 3/4 scale 308 so I guess that’s ok.
 
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As with any cartridge, having the correct bullet for the job and placing where it needs to be is the biggest part of the equation.
Having seen a western mule deer dropped dead in its tracks at 440 yards with a 6.5 Grendel I would not hesitate taking a 600 yard shot on a deer and 500 yards on a moose with a 308.
Knowing velocity will not be ideal at 500 to 600 yards something like an SST or Amax bullet in the 200 grain area would be my choice. The shot would have to be full broadside so as to have a clean shot at the vitals. Hitting a shoulder would likely defeat the bullet and killing capability.

What load and barrel length on that muley? Factory off your shelf? Nice shootin whoever that was.
 
What load and barrel length on that muley? Factory off your shelf? Nice shootin whoever that was.

2019 Girl friend shooting her Modern Sporter in 6.5 Grendel 18.6" bbl, with factory Hornady loaded 123 gr Amax bullets.
I was skeptical so covered her with my 300 Norma, told her "you have 1 shot then big noise is gonna happen". Turns out it was a bang flop affair.
 
2019 Girl friend shooting her Modern Sporter in 6.5 Grendel 18.6" bbl, with factory Hornady loaded 123 gr Amax bullets.
I was skeptical so covered her with my 300 Norma, told her "you have 1 shot then big noise is gonna happen". Turns out it was a bang flop affair.

Haha, facking love it. High fives to her. :)

I had one box of that a-max from your shelf actually, might have been one of the last boxes a guy could get of that stuff. Recently just used it to break in the little carbon stocked ultralight I just set up and now it runs off the eld-m current option.
 
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Thanks for the input everyone

Same question but for a 300 WSM (180gr) - what ranges are we talking?

with the 300 WSM for moose and a 180 ... 900 yards
deer , as far as your scope will show ... LOL
Kidding of course
the 300 wsm is longer range , pending on your velocity and bullet .
Eg: some 308 win's will out perform the 30-06
 
At whatever range you can reliably (9 of 10 shots) hit an 8” circle from a field position, your .308 will be effective on big game.
 
Ya the 308 is wildly versatile, I didn’t want to get detailed on ballistics nerd stuff just went with the typical out of the box over the counter answers. There’s not much wrong with hand loaded 130 ttsx at good speed as a 0-400 yarder

Thats why mine identifies as a 270 Win lol.

It doesn't quite match it but its close enough that I can get on board with diversity haha
 
Scub ..
first let's set the ground for , out perform ,
tell me how does a 300 win mag out perform a 308 win ?
Then I will explain what i meant with that comment

Looks like some liberal dodging in that reply.

You were the one who said that "some 308 win's will out perform the 30-06" so you need to be the one to define "out perform" as pertaining to your statement.

Furthermore, I didn't say a 300WM will out perform a 308 so I need not explain anything on that subject.
 
Looks like some liberal dodging in that reply.

You were the one who said that "some 308 win's will out perform the 30-06" so you need to be the one to define "out perform" as pertaining to your statement.

Furthermore, I didn't say a 300WM will out perform a 308 so I need not explain anything on that subject.

would velocity come into this ?
what makes one cartridge in the same caliber , better, for longer range
 
Looks like some liberal dodging in that reply.

You were the one who said that "some 308 win's will out perform the 30-06" so you need to be the one to define "out perform" as pertaining to your statement.

Furthermore, I didn't say a 300WM will out perform a 308 so I need not explain anything on that subject.

It is apparently very hard to just answer simple questions.
 
Scub ..
first let's set the ground for , out perform ,
tell me how does a 300 win mag out perform a 308 win ?
Then I will explain what i meant with that comment

for you Joel , keep it simple as usual , lol
 
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