Maximum range for .308 elk

IMO, the maximum range for the cartridge, is the point where the velocity drops below 1800 fps. Even at that speed, bullet expansion will not be fantastic. ( this doesn't really apply to "pistol" calibre cartridges, or older, originally BP cartridges that use bullets designed to expand at that velocity.)

The maximum range for the shooter, should be the distance where he/she can consistently group all his shots onto a paper plate. For me, that's 300 yards, or a bit beyond, because I don't have space to practice beyond that range.
 
300 is a good number. I’ve killed most of mine inside of 200 anyways. As mentioned above, it boils down to your ability, velocity and bullet type. The .308 drops quite bit even at 300, so to shoot further you’d really have to know your range and your set up. In my experience, moose and elk do not like .30cal bullets hitting them in the lungs at any distance. :):) I can hardly wait for fall!!!!
 
Someone should shoot their .308 at 300 thru a Garmin located at 300to see the final speed - and maybe a "Meat target" With heavy bones like 'Ribs' to see what the effect would be.
 
I agree with the 1800 fps limitation and a 308 180 grain bullet will drop below that velocity somewhere around 375 yards. That's not to say it won't kill an animal further out than that but the bullet performance will drop off significantly the slower it goes.
 
Buck1950 said:
Someone should shoot their .308 at 300 thru a Garmin located at 300to see the final speed - and maybe a "Meat target" With heavy bones like 'Ribs' to see what the effect would be.
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Hatcher did something similar with the 30-06 and discovered that bullets penetrated sand much better at 600 yds than they did at 200 yds. The reason for that is a faster moving bullet slams into the medium and compacts it, while the slower moving bullet just pushes through the medium, more like an arrow does.
 
Falconflyer said:
I agree with the 1800 fps limitation and a 308 180 grain bullet will drop below that velocity somewhere around 375 yards. That's not to say it won't kill an animal further out than that but the bullet performance will drop off significantly the slower it goes.
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Minimum velocity is bullet dependant. Most are in the 1800-2000fps range, but some need more and some work with much less (accubond long range is only 1300 for instance.)

I Dont Care About You said:
Hatcher did something similar with the 30-06 and discovered that bullets penetrated sand much better at 600 yds than they did at 200 yds. The reason for that is a faster moving bullet slams into the medium and compacts it, while the slower moving bullet just pushes through the medium, more like an arrow does.
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Lower velocity has a few things going for it. If the bullet doesn't expand, then energy is not lost to that. If it doesn't expand it also means a smaller frontal area, thus less resistance.

I'm not sure I buy the compacting thing, I'd need to see the data, but it's no secret that slower stuff tends to penetrate better especially if the bullet isn't expanding in the process.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Hatcher did something similar with the 30-06 and discovered that bullets penetrated sand much better at 600 yds than they did at 200 yds. The reason for that is a faster moving bullet slams into the medium and compacts it, while the slower moving bullet just pushes through the medium, more like an arrow does.
Click to expand...

Lot of sand hunters around here, you figure? Lol
 
There is a chart, that a hunting magazine did up of popular bullets and performance at different speeds. It was impressive work, and a great (old) resource. Will attempt to find and post back. On shift for a few days
 
As a basic rule bonded bullets need around 1300 fps while monolithic (Barnes TSX, Hornady CX,...) between 1800 and 2000 FPS.
 
550 yards is the answer, with off the shelf easy to find rifles/ammo, if you choose wisely for that potential


that was 1820 fps impact at 530 on elk size stag

just run a ballistic calculator with all your bullet options, tougher bullets need more like 2000 fps impact, but the guys who know, and set up for max potential, will run softer bullets like 168 eld-m match and these eld-x are pretty similar in being able to open up down to 1600 for deer, guys like 1800 min for elk...

reloading, and or, barrel lengths, will adjust things...ie; a 16" barrel vs a 24" barrel may be about 120 yards difference in where that 1800 fps land and reloading extra slippery bullets out of long barrels will take you further than 550 but you can go 550 with the right off the shelf options both guns and ammo, assuming it runs sub-moa in your rig and no problem to set up and do what the guy in the video did...those stags are similar to elk in size

ps this thread is in the wrong section? ;)
 
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