Can 308 do everything you need a rifle to do under 600 yards?

[med358-boise]

So if a .308 Win could hold 1200 fpe out to 600 yards, it would be sufficient for Elk? (yes or no) No long explanation is needed. Just asking... Cheers.

yes, however, there is one flaw in your question. Ft lbs of energy is a pretty useless metric for killing power. Dozens and Dozens of elk are killed every year with handguns with well under 1000 ft lbs of energy at impact.

A 45 colt launching a 265 grain bullet at 1300 fps is only delivering 900 ft lbs at 25 yards, 825 ft lbs at 50 yards, and 755 ft lbs at 75 yards.

 

[General RE LEE]

So if a .308 Win could hold 1200 fpe out to 600 yards, it would be sufficient for Elk? (yes or no) No long explanation is needed. Just asking... Cheers.

Modern theory is the ft/lbs of energy is antiquated and has been proven invalid in the field.

The number to pay attention to is the minimum terminal velocity of a particular bullet's design. The majority of cup and core bullets on the market have sufficient expansion down to 1800 FPS to kill.

I don't hunt elk or moose, but I do hunt whitetail. My max distance with a particular load is where it drops to 1800 FPS.

BTW I killed a doe with my 6 ARC bolt action at 501 yards this past season. 108 ELDM and based on my data, impact velocity was 1900 fps and energy 898 ft/lbs. Many still believe 1000 ft/lbs is required to kill deer. This is proven to not be true year after year.

 

[436]

Ok, I get it guys I only used the concept/normal terms used for many years for conversation's sake to see if we could get close. Call it what you will... its a (yes or no) question. Hope that helps to clarify the question I didn't want to go into a deep dive over it. Cheers

 

[Brathany]

Let me extend it by another post.

If y'all like berger Hybrids, run the 168s at 2800 in a 308, see what it is like on paper and on game.

What's a powder to get that velocity? 24" barrel?

 

[ARlife4me]

Should be plenty for 168's with 24" barrel.

 

[med358-boise]

What's a powder to get that velocity? 24" barrel?

cfe-223 (will be the easiest)
BL-C(2)
Win 748
AA2520
RL15
BigGame
Varget

 

[Will.284]

I love my Remington 700 in 308 and my Windham arms ar 10(308) . Out to 600 absolutely. I've got a 20 lb box of brass waiting to get sorted and prepped and loaded and 1000's already loaded . Even here in central Mt I use both alot for just about everything that walks . BUT, I am building a 300 ultra mag for fun!!

 

[med358-boise]

I love my Remington 700 in 308 and my Windham arms ar 10(308) . Out to 600 absolutely. I've got a 20 lb box of brass waiting to get sorted and prepped and loaded and 1000's already loaded . Even here in central Mt I use both alot for just about everything that walks . BUT, I am building a 300 ultra mag for fun!!

I am a wimp, I never use the word fun and 300 RUM in the same sentence

 

[JAYgs8163]

Should be plenty for 168's with 24" barrel.

Exactly. I run a 168 out of a 18" bolt gun at 2750 with Varget. SRP brass

 

[Brathany]

I don't have a 24" barrel. 18 and 20, and 22". I was asking if a 24" was needed to get to 2800fps. That is a velocity I haven't been able to obtain with a lot of those powders listed without getting into over pressure. Is the 168gr Berger HYB that much faster than other brands?

 

[bamban]

What's a powder to get that velocity? 24" barrel?

2000 MR or LVR

 

[bamban]

I don't have a 24" barrel. 18 and 20, and 22". I was asking if a 24" was needed to get to 2800fps. That is a velocity I haven't been able to obtain with a lot of those powders listed without getting into over pressure. Is the 168gr Berger HYB that much faster than other brands?

Hybrids have much shorter bearing surface than any green or red box in the same class bullets

 

[med358-boise]

I don't have a 24" barrel. 18 and 20, and 22". I was asking if a 24" was needed to get to 2800fps. That is a velocity I haven't been able to obtain with a lot of those powders listed without getting into over pressure. Is the 168gr Berger HYB that much faster than other brands?

CFE-223 will get you there out of a 22 inch bbl. At least it did in 22 inch Ruger American's I developed loads for, my notes showed 2810 for one and 2815 for another for the accuracy loads. Loads were in the 47.5-47.9 range with Barnes 168 TTSXs at .060 off the lands.

 

[Greatgrandad]

"Can a 308 do everything you need a rifle to do under 600 yards?"

YES......