Which rifle for a sheep/elk hunt ?

Ardent said:
And the .300's payload arrives at 600 yards with 45% more energy, and the better part of three feet flatter. The short .308's inferior any way you cut it, and sheep are very often shot at those kind of ranges. I'm a fan of light rifles myself and see what you're saying, but there are light rifles with real barrel lengths out there too. You're right that it could work, but when he's got a quality .300 in the cabinet there's not question from my perspective- any sheep guide would concur (if he can shoot it!). In the end, I have still yet to take a sheep myself, it's high on the list of at home hunts, so my thoughts are conjecture. Then there's the consideration .308 is on the light end for Elk anyhow.
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Having shot some sheep myself, you can usually get closer than 600 yards.

The 45% more energy is irrelevant. If the bullet from the .308 arrives with enough velocity to expand, it's a done deal. The trajectory can be rendered irrelevant with a good BDC reticle or an elevation turret (which the NF has).

Just as a point of interest, what do you think he's giving up by using a shorter barrel? Maybe 100fps? That wouldn't even be enough velocity loss to make me blink, let alone leave the gun at home.

The .308 is plenty for elk if a good bullet hits the vitals with enough velocity to expand. And sheep can handily be killed with a .243; they're just not that tough.
 
While there's no doubt that the 308 can get it done with good shot placement the 300 Win mag has some advantages when the shots get long, and with elk on the agenda as well it gets even more useful. It doesn't seem that there should be all that much weight difference between the two, it's not like the Sako 75 is a real heavyweight. My own perspective is that sheep hunting can be a real challenge. You can easily spend two weeks hunting and not see a legal ram, sometimes you see lots. It may be that your only opportunity is a challenging shot and I like to have the best rifle for the job with me, regardless of weight (within reason). In the end though it's up to each hunter and if the OP is comfortable with that 308 to 600 yards I doubt this choice will matter any.
 
Jordan Smith said:
Having shot some sheep myself, you can usually get closer than 600 yards.

The 45% more energy is irrelevant. If the bullet from the .308 arrives with enough velocity to expand, it's a done deal. The trajectory can be rendered irrelevant with a good BDC reticle or an elevation turret (which the NF has).

Just as a point of interest, what do you think he's giving up by using a shorter barrel? Maybe 100fps? That wouldn't even be enough velocity loss to make me blink, let alone leave the gun at home.

The .308 is plenty for elk if a good bullet hits the vitals with enough velocity to expand. And sheep can handily be killed with a .243; they're just not that tough.
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As long as the OP can accurate judge or measure range, trajectory is irrelevant. The 300WM is going to be flatter and harder hitting - you can't argue that. But they are both going to have the same end result.

However, modern bullet design means that we've essentially expanded the killing power of every cartridge available. Take a Barnes TTSX or a Nosler E-Tip, for example. Extreme weight retention, better penetration, controlled expansion. In fact, I was able to recover two E-tips from my hunting season that retained 99.2% and 99.5% of their original weight.

There's no reason that you couldn't take an elk (or a sheep) with these types of bullets. Proper shot placement is still required, but that is always going to be the case.

I'd take the gun that you are more comfortable with lugging around. If money is no object, a trip to the local gun-monger is in order. Get something light, long, and powerful. I'd love to have a 280 AI for this sort of thing.
 
Jordan Smith said:
Having shot some sheep myself, you can usually get closer than 600 yards.

The 45% more energy is irrelevant. If the bullet from the .308 arrives with enough velocity to expand, it's a done deal. The trajectory can be rendered irrelevant with a good BDC reticle or an elevation turret (which the NF has).

Just as a point of interest, what do you think he's giving up by using a shorter barrel? Maybe 100fps? That wouldn't even be enough velocity loss to make me blink, let alone leave the gun at home.

The .308 is plenty for elk if a good bullet hits the vitals with enough velocity to expand. And sheep can handily be killed with a .243; they're just not that tough.
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where did you get yours?- cat creek, in lower k country?- they're so STUPID down there they don't even get out of the way for traffic- beleive me, if you're hunting THAT area, range is NOT an issue; of course, that herd may be protected by now
 
Jordan Smith said:
Having shot some sheep myself, you can usually get closer than 600 yards.

The 45% more energy is irrelevant. If the bullet from the .308 arrives with enough velocity to expand, it's a done deal. The trajectory can be rendered irrelevant with a good BDC reticle or an elevation turret (which the NF has).

Just as a point of interest, what do you think he's giving up by using a shorter barrel? Maybe 100fps? That wouldn't even be enough velocity loss to make me blink, let alone leave the gun at home.

The .308 is plenty for elk if a good bullet hits the vitals with enough velocity to expand. And sheep can handily be killed with a .243; they're just not that tough.
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x2. Elk and Sheep are not that thickly skinned. .308 will be plenty. If you feel good shooting your .308 use it and kill your Ram & Bull. Hit them in the boiler room and there dead.
 
t-star,

I know what you mean! During the summer months, you and a car full of buddies could each get a nice ram.....with a spear!

I usually hunt upper K-country, and I typically have to trek back into the mountains to find them. They don't seem to be quite as stupid up that way.

Regarding the OP, if we were talking a few ounces between the rifles, that would be one thing, but he mentioned that the .308 is a couple of POUNDS lighter than the .300. That is significant, in my books. But I'm with JustBen, if you have the cash, go out and get a lightweight rifle and glass (equipped with BDC or turret), chambered in a 6.5 or 7mm cartridge of some sort, and load up a heavy, sleek bullet.
 
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