Hunting & Fishing 208 Amax @ 2500fps

[RedGoat]

500y. = -64" (3.6mil) / 16.6" (0.9mil) / 1871fps / 1617ft-lbs

1000y = -385.3" (10.7mil) / -78.6" (2.2mil) / 1328fps / 815ft-lbs

Wanting to get some opinions from the Hide hunting community. Do I really need more than this to take elk? I'm not seeing the need for a mag when a .308 can give me this kind of performance.

I don't know how much faith to put in it, but the Taylor Knock Out Values calls for a minimum of 1500ft-lbs to get "reliable" DRT results with proper shot placement. With the 208@2500 that would take the effective elk killing range out to around 550y. Obviously there is no magic KE number that puts an animal down, but it is a point of reference.

Just trying to figure out what the limitations of this bullet combo before hunting season rolls around this year.

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

I've never shot an elk, so take this for whatever it's worth...

I think you're using the wrong bullet. 178gr a-max does a number on Southeastern deer, but I would not use it for elk. If I were to elk nunt w/ a 308 (remember I've never shot an elk), I would load up some 165gr Hornady Interbond or Nosler Accubond.

 

[ScudMarket]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

Ever since I tried Barnes. I was sold from the start. Then that was also when I lived in KS, but for the muley too. I'd like to try out some MRX. Yet, thats my 2 cents.

Still speed, energy, and based on POI. Not like your going to take max range all the time too. Personally I'd think the 208 shouldn't have a problem. Would be fun, making some ballistic gel with ribs in it(minus Murphy's law), at max range.

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

Elk meat is mighty delicious. I would want to keep as much meat intact as possible. The AMAX rapidly expand and fragment, producing devastating wounds, but they RUIN a lot of the meat around where they hit. If your shot was a bit off and you hit the front shoulder, say goodbye to that meat.

For elk I would use the Barnes Triple Shocks or Berger Hunting VLDs. Both retain much of their mass without fragmenting like crazy. Put one of those in the wheel house and its game over.

 

[mattlewis]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

I've never killed an elk. But there have been enough elk killed with green box rem core-lokts out of a .270 to fill up mile high stadium!

I'd load me up some 150 ttsx or vld's and have it.

 

[bohem]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

A few of my friends have killed Elk with 208's from 308, 30-06 and 300WM

They all went down in short order, the worst recovery was actually the 300WM because the animal rolled halfway down a steep slope and got wedged.

One of my other buddies whacked a Montana bull @ 430yd with a 338LM and 250 Accubonds that traveled further than the cow he shot 2 days later with a 6.5CM and 140 Amax from almost 700yd away.

SHot placement, that 308 load will do fine and the Amax's make good hunting bullets if you're not trying to kill elephants or launch them at Mach 4

 

[DirtyDave]

Re: 208 Amax @ 2500fps

Dont overthink it. Too many people get hung up on the Ballistics of this bullet or that bullet. Pretty much any hunting bullet (and some match bullets) will kill em if you put it through the Heart/Lungs. (Remember, Arrows work good too)

Where's the video of the chick dropping a cow at like 700yds with a .243?