Would this work for you?

[peterk1234]

308 rifle. I will not shoot past 350 yards. Prefer to stay under 300. Would these results be satifactory to you for elk?
It's only 42.5gr of imr4895 pushing a 168gr bullet, but man its accurare.



Thx Pete

 

[Forkyfinder]

Probably. Killed a cow with a 308 when it was 10 below at 400 with a 168 amax bullet.

What bullet?

 

[peterk1234]

Probably. Killed a cow with a 308 when it was 10 below at 400 with a 168 amax bullet.

What bullet?

Right now I'm testing with a hornady eldx match 168gr, but will eventually switch over to one of hornady's comparable hunting bullets.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Right now I'm testing with a hornady eldx match 168gr, but will eventually switch over to one of hornady's comparable hunting bullets.

Nothing wrong with eldms at 308 velocities... just my opinion.

 

[VikingsGuy]

If you have necessary bullet expansion velocity (2000 or 1800 for my copper bullets) and 1500 ftlbs of energy you are definitely in a safe space. Looks like 400 or 425 are good - but beyond 400y I worry about reading cross winds in hunting settings and make shift field setup.

 

[peterk1234]

I tested 43.5 gr as well but not as accurate. Could be my barrel was heating up. Not done testing different loads but so far the 42.5 is the winner.

 

[peterk1234]

If you have necessary bullet expansion velocity (2000 or 1800 for my copper bullets) and 1500 ftlbs of energy you are definitely in a safe space. Looks like 400 or 425 are good - but beyond 400y I worry about reading cross winds in hunting settings and make shift field setup.

Very helpful. Thanks!

 

[Sheltowee]

@VikingsGuy is correct-- look to minimum expansion velocity and minimum energy (usually 1500lbs on elk) to determine whether a load will be useful at your chosen ranges. Under 300, should be fine (provided you choose a well-constructed bullet).

That said, you're leaving 150-200fps on the table relative to standard .308 Win loadings. Real world that gets you another 380 ft/lbs of energy. Might try goosing it just a bit to see what happens to your accuracy.

 

[peterk1234]

@VikingsGuy is correct-- look to minimum expansion velocity and minimum energy (usually 1500lbs on elk) to determine whether a load will be useful at your chosen ranges. Under 300, should be fine (provided you choose a well-constructed bullet).

That said, you're leaving 150-200fps on the table relative to standard .308 Win loadings. Real world that gets you another 380 ft/lbs of energy. Might try goosing it just a bit to see what happens to your accuracy.

Yes, good advice. I'm trying to get to around 2700 fps out if the muzzle, as long as my accuracy is good. But I at least feel better knowing that worst case I've got something that could work and is quite accurate.

 

[Forkyfinder]

If you have necessary bullet expansion velocity (2000 or 1800 for my copper bullets) and 1500 ftlbs of energy you are definitely in a safe space. Looks like 400 or 425 are good - but beyond 400y I worry about reading cross winds in hunting settings and make shift field setup.

1500 fpe isnt a real threshold to worry about.

 

[VikingsGuy]

1500 fpe isnt a real threshold to worry about.

I agree, but if it was 850 fpe I would back off my enthusiasm. I referenced the 1500 as support that at 400 yds this data is well within acceptable range, whatever your fpe requirements might be.

 

[mtmuley]

I agree, but if it was 850 fpe I would back off my enthusiasm. I referenced the 1500 as support that at 400 yds this data is well within acceptable range, whatever your fpe requirements might be.

Hey, he is an engineer. mtmuley

 

[Forkyfinder]

Hey, he is an engineer. mtmuley

Ahh did some engineer make you build something like the specs, you know - like what was in the bid?

Poor guy. Seek help.

 

[mtmuley]

Ahh did some engineer make you build something like the specs, you know - like what was in the bid?

Poor guy. Seek help.

Have fun with yourself. mtmuley

 

[Doublecluck]

Right now I'm testing with a hornady eldx match 168gr, but will eventually switch over to one of hornady's comparable hunting bullets.

My daughters killed cows at those velocity numbers with 6.5 147 eldms with less E. Dumped em where they stood.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

That’d work just fine. Dont go using too tough of a bullet at those velocities.

 

[Brian in Montana]

I've shot a handful of elk with my .308, all 165gn bullets. A couple were with Hornady Interbond, a couple with Nosler Accubonds, one was with a standard Hornady BTSP Interlock. All loads were going about 2700fps or a little higher, and all animals were between 250 and 300yds. Anyway, do what you want, but in my opinion, I think shooting an elk with a match grade bullet is asking for trouble. Admittedly, I've never done it, but that's entirely because I'd rather not.

 

[buffybr]

I'm sure glad it wasn't this complicated when I started elk hunting.

I just bought a .30-06, some basic reloading equipment from Herter's, loaded some Sierra and Hornady 150 and 180 gr Cup and core bullets, and proceeded to fill my freezer with elk meat.

 

[Brian in Montana]

I'm sure glad it wasn't this complicated when I started elk hunting.

I just bought a .30-06, some basic reloading equipment from Herter's, loaded some Sierra and Hornady 150 and 180 gr Cup and core bullets, and proceeded to fill my freezer with elk meat.

I think most people have killed elk with cup-and-core bullets, but the point I was simply trying to make in my post is that match bullets are designed for punching holes in paper, not 500lb ice age beasts. That's all.

 

[ImBillT]

Look fine to me.