Where does .308 Winchester excel?

[nralifer]

Well said!

But with the "special" bullets such as the BD2 the gun becomes a very effective 650+ yard gun depending on the altitude one is hunting at. Antelope hunting in the west happens at over 3000 ft and ranges at.400+ yds usually in windy conditions. Higher BC bullets have significantly less wind drift which is the most variable variable in taking the shot.

 

[xsn10s]

Recently I've thought about buying a Tikka CTR in .308 as I no longer have a rifle in that caliber after selling my model 10 and already have a 6.5 Creed in a bravo. But it's got me thinking, with all the cartridges that are out now, does it really make sense to buy one new? The ballistics are worse than It's smaller caliber derivatives, it has more recoil, and any animal I would feel comfortable shooting with .308 I'd also shoot with a 6/6.5/7mm and .223 given a good projectile in it's effective range. The biggest points in it's favor that I can think of are
1. Ammo cost relative to the 6/6.5/7mms although those seem to be coming down a bit
2. Ammo ubiquity compared to 6/6.5/7mms
3. Potentially a good trainer as it drifts more in the wind, but I feel like the same thing could be done with .223
What am I missing? The point of this thread isn't to try and **** on .308, I just can't think of a reason I should get one even though I'm likely going to eventually.

This is one of those circumstances where the "best" answer is based on a case by case basis. I've shot a 308 Win since 1991 when the family gifted me one. So I have a ton for ammo, brass and other components for it. Plus 31 years of experience shooting one. It'll take the largest game I'll hunt (elk). Plenty good for defensive purposes which I have dedicated firearms set up. That said I have a 260 AI being built and am considering a 7-08 or another 7mm of some sort. I'll always have the 308 win gifted to me and the defensive rifle I built. Does that mean you should have one? Only you can answer that.

 

[xsn10s]

That means you're pushing it over 2800 fps. You must have a pretty long barrel and stepping on it pretty hard.

I found some factory load data pushing a 168 gr to 2900 fps with the 308 win. That'll make an interesting comparison to the 143 eldx load going 2800 fps

 

[Calvin45]

Here's my Bear. DRT with 308 Win load described in prior post.
View attachment 395193

Big mitts on that boy!

 

[xsn10s]

Recently I've thought about buying a Tikka CTR in .308 as I no longer have a rifle in that caliber after selling my model 10 and already have a 6.5 Creed in a bravo.

Does this mean you already have a Tikka 6.5 MB in a KRG Bravo? If so then I'd probably just get a 308 win barrel in 1-10" or 1-9" twist for launching 200 plus grain bullets. Or a 7-08 barrel for launching 180 grainers.

 

[nralifer]

Big mitts on that boy!

The fur is amazing. Had to get a full mount to do it justice. He could kill you with one swipe.

 

[xsn10s]

The fur is amazing. Had to get a full mount to do it justice. He could kill you with one swipe.

What twist is needed for those 150's? TIA

 

[338 dude]

Recently I've thought about buying a Tikka CTR in .308 as I no longer have a rifle in that caliber after selling my model 10 and already have a 6.5 Creed in a bravo. But it's got me thinking, with all the cartridges that are out now, does it really make sense to buy one new? The ballistics are worse than It's smaller caliber derivatives, it has more recoil, and any animal I would feel comfortable shooting with .308 I'd also shoot with a 6/6.5/7mm and .223 given a good projectile in it's effective range. The biggest points in it's favor that I can think of are
1. Ammo cost relative to the 6/6.5/7mms although those seem to be coming down a bit
2. Ammo ubiquity compared to 6/6.5/7mms
3. Potentially a good trainer as it drifts more in the wind, but I feel like the same thing could be done with .223
What am I missing? The point of this thread isn't to try and **** on .308, I just can't think of a reason I should get one even though I'm likely going to eventually.

Ammo being more available would be one advantage another advantage is it is boringly reliable and consistent within its intended range

 

[338 dude]

What twist is needed for those 150's? TIA

1in12"

 

[med358-boise]

What charge of CFE223 do you use? Ever try Leverevolution? It is slightly slower.

My 3 rifles liked 47.7, 47.9 and 48.1. Velocities were 2807, 2812, & 2820

 

[waveslayer]

I have so much reloading supplies foe the .308 it's my expensive trainer versus a .223. Love getting new shooters behind it and training with it. Great for learning wind and a starting point for others to show them the benefits of other calibers. It's the Honda Civic or Accord in the shooting world or Toyota.. it just lasts and is always reliable. Just not the best tool for the job but can get the job done.

 

[JAYgs8163]

1in12"

1/11 per the website

 

[joep17]

Boy oh boy, i sat on this thread for a day and half watching it. Some great opinions and some really mean trolls who jump on most things and show why this forum can be really good for facts and really bad for guys who own one rifle and therefore think they know everything and need to tell everyone else that they are wrong if they don't agree with their singular point of view. I really did not want to reply as some young kids will jump down my throat.

Let me set the table.

I shot my first W/T 50 years ago this fall. I started reloading 48 years ago.

I am selling down this year to 100 rifles and currently load for 43 different cartridges..

I have shot 36 bull moose. 30 of them with a 270 win.

Shot 18 bull elk. 15 of them with a 270 win.

Dozens of both W/T And Mules.

Hunted in 3 different continents.

In the 70's i shot enough Coyotes and sold the pelts to pay for a 4 year degree in Chemical Engineering as my parents were not wealthy.

I have been present on hunts where other gentlemen have taken twice these numbers.

So my hunting experience is probably in the top 25% of the people on this forum.

I am currently the match director for the Provincial F Class association. (dont forget F Class was invented in Canada and addopted by our USA cousins) I shoot a minimum of 2500 rounds a year in competition. Just wore out my 6th 308 barrel and putting on number 7. They lose match accuracy between 3500 and 4000 rounds and then my gunsmith sells them cheap to put on hunters rifles.

This past weekend, I ran our 3 day Provincial championships and on Sunday we shot 800 m (880 yards) and 900 m (990 yards) for 60 shots for score with a max of 300 possible.

On Sunday, F-TR shooter shot 299 with a 308 and an F-Open competitor shot 298 with some variation of a 284 wildcat. The 2 best shooters in Western Canada.

What is a 308 good for?

I would say pretty much anything that is sensible to do. I have never shot an animal with one as I prefer a 270. I shoot at targets with one at least twice a month at 990 yards. My personal limit on game is 400 yards as i can either call them in closer or stalk my way closer. Criticize that opinion if you wish, but good hunters can always get closer or call them closer.

I have seen more moose and elk harvested with a 308 than anything else except a 270 Win.

Every single cartridge has pluses and minus's. Not a single one is perfect for everything, but please do not disrespect proven combinations because your current "flavor of the day" is what you think has solved every hunting situation.

Please do not send the normal hate mail please.

Joe P

 

[dmass]

The .308 (or 7.62x51Nato actually) excells at finding bulk ammo for shooting.

That's about it.

OK