My first elk hunt

[Zen Archery]

I'd go with the lightest of the two set ups. Every few pounds you can shed when you are jumping the hills the better you will be off.

 

[snowghost51]

I will be hunting elk this year in Colorado. I have a 308 and 6.5. Both shoot very accurate out to 500 yard. I practice shooting from 300 to 500
Are both guns enough for an ethical kill I read ballistics and plan to use 1500 ft lbs of force giving me a range of 400 yards. I will be using Hornady eldx

Are you Woke, ethical ?
then get out of this, you are good on both, if you are are marksman!!!! Taken Elk with both. Just bring home the prize to enjoy for family.

 

[RED MIST]

I guide in Colorado and have seen elk killed with success with both. Just use a solid bullets like Accubonds, solid copper, etc and it should work great. We worry more on the hunters ability to shoot more than what he is shooting. Practice shooting in field conditions, not just of a bench. Have a great hunt.

 

[longrangebob]

Barnes TSX (or TTSX) - had 100% success on Moose & Elk - near & Far - 40-50yds. Close.,, … 550Far .. in the Bush & Mtn. Meadows ….

 

[dogz]

Honestly, I would use the rule of non-magnums keep it under 300y and magnums 500y but 700y is doable but I recommend neck shots between 500-700.
elk is still a thin skinned animal but in case you misjudge wind or elevation or don't know your MPBR then you need to stick with close distances of 50-200y.

ive harvested animals between 300-500 with 6.5 and 308 and even good shot place those calibers have lost a lot of energy and sometimes required a second shot. Neck shots haven't required a second shot.
Use good bullets and be smart. If you can't shoot 1MOA or better at 500y keep them close

You're seriously reccomending neck shots for your 500-700 yard shots on elk..............?

 

[Wolf76]

Having hunted with the 308 for elk, I'd suggest: a 165 accubond/partition, 168 Berger (shoot thru the ribs), or a lighter weight hammer bullet. Elk are tough and can eat some bullets....but make a quality shot and they go down in a short distance. I'm not a fan of 180 gr class bullets due to the limited powder capacity in the 308. IMO its a handicap to use that heavy of a bullet in this cartridge. Velocity plays a larger role in the energy equation.
To that point, my limit with the 308 and elk is 450.
The 300 WM actually excels with elk and these distances....(justification for a new gun )

 

[TBell]

From my limited experience with the ELDX (147 gr) in 6.5.......avoid a close range shot! In my tests from a 6.5 Creed, they were extremely fragile, and came completely apart on a 30 yard shot in my test median. And yes, very close shots are a possibility!!

I'd hate to see your first (and possibly your only) elk hunt, end in failure due to the bullet not be up to the task. It will certainly work if perfectly placed where it meets minimal resistance prior to reaching the vitals, but in hunting .....there are no guarantees! memtb

Never found an ELD-X in 147 gr only in 143.

 

[T3ninja]

I'm not sure if you've don't this or not, but you should also factor in your expected hunting altitude. For me, I live near sea level but hunt upwards of 9-11k feet. Just from the elevation gain, it literally adds several hundreds yards to my "energy threshold". Take that into consideration also. From what I remember, 4-500 yards and in doesn't effect the trajectory much, but energy seems to carry better.

 

[NorCalRiceGuy]

Thanks for all the feedback. I shoot both guns very accurate. I practice weekly. The 6.5 is a creedmoor I will most likely go with the 308 and use the heaviest bullet.

Actually, with Hammer bullets you don't need the heaviest. Somewhat lighter is preferable from a standpoint of speed, penetration and terminal performance. I would use one in the 150 grain range. Hammers hit way out of their weight class.

 

[Chas1]

You can never go wrong with the Nosler Partition inside 500 yards. Both cartridges will work, but I'd favor the .308 Win for elk. Do you shoot one gun significantly better than the other? That might tip the scales on which you choose, too.

+1 on the 308, I like bigger holes.

 

[snowghost51]

What is your current load for the .308 Win?

I downed a cow at 543 yards with a 6.5 PRC in Idaho, Great Christmas Dinner, go for it.

 

[killitgrillit]

I guide in Colorado and have seen elk killed with success with both. Just use a solid bullets like Accubonds, solid copper, etc and it should work great. We worry more on the hunters ability to shoot more than what he is shooting. Practice shooting in field conditions, not just of a bench. Have a great hunt.

How many 6.5 guns you see every year guiding. Creedmoor, prc. (ECT)

 

[snowghost51]

I downed a Spike at 543 yards with a 6.5 PRC in Idaho, Great Christmas Dinner, go for it.

 

[Ga6570]

I will be hunting elk this year in Colorado. I have a 308 and 6.5. Both shoot very accurate out to 500 yard. I practice shooting from 300 to 500
Are both guns enough for an ethical kill I read ballistics and plan to use 1500 ft lbs of force giving me a range of 400 yards. I will be using Hornady eldx

Short answer is Yes. Either of those cartridges, in a rifle shot into an elk where it will die quickly, will produce ethical kills. Worry less about the cartridge and more about good shot placement. Elk are big animals, hits outside of the boiler room won't kill quickly.

welcome and good luck with your hunt. (Momma says Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity)