Originally Posted By -Sabot42-:
I absolutely love the 308 and I really want to kill a bull elk. Assuming my 308 groups well with it, is the Hornady superformance 150 or 165 GMX reasonable out to 400? Box claims 3000fps on the 150.
I wouldn't hesitate inside 200, its the longer shots that concern me.
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I've only killed four bulls (and been present on the killing of two others); one with a 7x57 and three (and two) with a 35 Whelen, so my experience is limited.
Note the almost lack of expansion at 2000 fps.
If I were in your shoes using my .308 for elk and I weren't a handloader, I'd find a
factory load with a 165 gr. Nosler Partition. The Nosler Partition is a nice blend of penetration and expansion. The bonded bullets are nice, but their wide frontal area after expansion limits penetration which could be a problem on shots other than broadside on something as large as a bull elk.
Another to consider is the Barnes TSX which they claim expands down to 1700 fps. One of the bulls I shot with my Whelen was taken at 360 yds. and the bullet was a 225 gr. TSX with a MV of about 2650 fps. The bullet penetrated completely on a slightly angled shot and would've impacted at around 1850 fps. While I didn't recover the bullet, expansion was obvious when the wound track was examined.
More important than your bullet and load is hitting them in the right spot. Nothing lives very long with a hole through their lungs. Also make sure, doubly sure you fire your rifle at 300 and 400 yds. from field positions.
Talking about shooting game at these ranges is easy, dealing with gravity and wind are another matter entriely.