Is the .308 Win 7.62 X 51 still a Long Range Hunting Cartridge?

[FEENIX]

I saw a guy kill a cow elk at 300+ yards...he was lobbing them though...

Exactly!

 

[Turpentine21]

Here I go counting on my suspect memory again but I seem to remember reading an article where Elmer Keith killed a mule deer at 600 yards with his 6 gun in 45LC. It did take him two shots to connect. Talk about lobbing them in there!

 

[GUNNNN]

How far we are being engaged had nothing to do with my post, I was simply saying none of our "enemies" carry 7.62x51. And if our troops run out of ammo using enemy ammo is not a viable option. That's all I was speaking to. I served my time in Afghanistan and was a designated marksmen. Not saying that means I know everything the army does etc, and not saying that qualifies me as better than anyone. But I very well understand enemy engagement at distances that a 223 and 308 are not the absolute best for the job.

Thank you for your service brother

 

[M118LR]

Well I guess the way to figure this is the other way round. Let's start with say an average Rocky Mountain Elk. With 3MOA as a figure of merit and roughly a 24 inch broadside, that means that a 700 yard shot falls easily within those parameters. Now A Projectile with roughly a .275 SD would need to arrive at 700 yards with at least 1800 fps of velocity and 1000 ft/lbs of kinetic energy. Currently I don't find a loading that gets the .308 Win to that level. So I'm going to say that the .308 Win isn't a viable long distance Rocky Mountain Elk hunting round using my expectations. It runs short at the intermediate range of 500-600 yards and won't deliver what I expect at 700. Now on smaller white tails etc where a broadside of 3MOA and a slightly lower SD would be required to fit the parameters of 500 yards would be attainable Long Range Shooting for white tail etc from the .308 Win. Basically, the smaller size of a vital zone using a 3MOA figure of merit for an actual shot taken afield wouldn't constitute the 700 yard distance afforded Rocky Mountain Elk. So if consider the .308 Win good to go on less than Rocky Mountain Elk.

 

[Lee Goodwin]

Here I go counting on my suspect memory again but I seem to remember reading an article where Elmer Keith killed a mule deer at 600 yards with his 6 gun in 45LC. It did take him two shots to connect. Talk about lobbing them in there!

I heard Elmer Keith would lay down on his back and use his legs as a rest to lob lead bombs down range.

 

[cajun]

308 was never a long range hunting round.

 

[436]

I heard Elmer Keith would lay down on his back and use his legs as a rest to lob lead bombs down range.

Yep. Cheers

 

[436]

308 was never a long range hunting round.

What would "your" definition of long-range be? I know... it can vary from person to person, it's for conversation only... Cheer

 

[cajun]

What would "your" definition of long-range be? I know... it can vary from person to person, it's for conversation only... Cheer

Beyond the normal range of a 308. When guys here talk long range it's 500 plus.

 

[436]

Beyond the normal range of a 308. When guys here talk long range it's 500 plus.

Ok, that sounds far, I think it would do a little better say in the 600 to 700 yards range from my usage of the .308 Win, but... we're close, thanks.
Cheers

 

[Paladin300]

Well I guess the way to figure this is the other way round. Let's start with say an average Rocky Mountain Elk. With 3MOA as a figure of merit and roughly a 24 inch broadside, that means that a 700 yard shot falls easily within those parameters. Now A Projectile with roughly a .275 SD would need to arrive at 700 yards with at least 1800 fps of velocity and 1000 ft/lbs of kinetic energy. Currently I don't find a loading that gets the .308 Win to that level. So I'm going to say that the .308 Win isn't a viable long distance Rocky Mountain Elk hunting round using my expectations. It runs short at the intermediate range of 500-600 yards and won't deliver what I expect at 700. Now on smaller white tails etc where a broadside of 3MOA and a slightly lower SD would be required to fit the parameters of 500 yards would be attainable Long Range Shooting for white tail etc from the .308 Win. Basically, the smaller size of a vital zone using a 3MOA figure of merit for an actual shot taken afield wouldn't constitute the 700 yard distance afforded Rocky Mountain Elk. So if consider the .308 Win good to go on less than Rocky Mountain Elk.

I agree with you. The 308 nor 6.5 Creedmoor would be my first choice for elk. If elk or larger are on the menu I would think 280 AI, 7mm RM, 7mm PRC, 300 WM. The 300 WM being my preference. The OPs original question was not critter specific just whether it could be considered long range. If you insist on a short barreled rig it is just about as good as any in my way of thinking. However, in rigs with barrels longer than 20" and shooting heavy for caliber bullets, in the case of the 308, 190 or heavier. The 308 is not ideal. But for 180s and below it can be configured to shoot the 180s and below to 1000 yards/ 700 for hunting purposes and it will do it from a 16 inch configuration. If you get some back pressure from using a suppressor even better. The 308 is really a good all around cartridge. Especially for the southern US and for beginners to learn on. However, even seasoned guys like me, who have shot just about everything out there, keep finding ourselves coming back to it because it is just easy to load for and find ammo and it is cheap. Beware the man with one gun. It is probably a 308 and he knows how to use it. I would definitely take anything in North America with one inside 400 yards. I think everyone should own at least one. It will definitely make them a better shooter. Blessings

 

[Critter Picker]

Have you ever seen someone shooting an arrow from a compound bow at 80-100 yards? I'm intrigued with traditional recursive bows, but you need to get within 25-50 yards. There's an archery course on state park land not too far from me. It's kinda like golf holes that you hike around the hills shooting at a target for each station. I've never done it, but took a lesson with my son there. That kinda inspired me to go back to rifles. LOL

NFAA Field course has 2 - 50,60,70,80 yard walk up targets on their 24 target course. Been 25 years since I shot one,but I don't believe they have changed it.