Looking to get my first bolt action rifle this winter to do some elk hunting (400 yards max) as well as some longer ish range shooting (out to 500-600 yards). At first I was pretty set on getting a 308 win because the round seems so common, easy to find and lower recoil, but after reading some articles and watching some videos it seems the 308 might not be the best choice.
I decided to look at ballistics comparing the 308, 270 and 6.5 creedmoor. I decided to compare these three because the 6.5 CM seems to be widely recommended on this forum, factory cartridges can be found for all three and I decided to throw in the 270 for the heck of it because I have shot a friends before.
Here are some of the numbers I found when comparing popular hunting loads with higher BC's capable of taking larger game like an elk.
308 win.
Bullet Style: ELD-X 178 gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2600 fps
BC: 0.552
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
270 win
Bullet Style: ELD-X 145gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2970 fps
BC: 0.536
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
6.5 CM
Bullet Style: ELD-X 143 gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2700 fps
BC: 0.625
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
When comparing the ballistics I decided to use 1800 fps and 1200 ft-lb as a threshold for being able to take down an elk, not saying I would attempt these shots but just to compare. The 270 seems to be a leader in most categories including velocity, energy and drop out to longer distances. The 6.5 CM handles the wind just slightly better than the 270.
I am pretty certain I wont end up with a 308 but still torn as to which caliber to choose. Should I consider barrel life? Curious what all of your thoughts are on these ballistics and if there are any other cartridges I should take a look at for my use.
I decided to look at ballistics comparing the 308, 270 and 6.5 creedmoor. I decided to compare these three because the 6.5 CM seems to be widely recommended on this forum, factory cartridges can be found for all three and I decided to throw in the 270 for the heck of it because I have shot a friends before.
Here are some of the numbers I found when comparing popular hunting loads with higher BC's capable of taking larger game like an elk.
308 win.
Bullet Style: ELD-X 178 gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2600 fps
BC: 0.552
0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 2600 | 2672 |
50 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 2526 | 2521 |
100 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 2453 | 2378 |
150 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2381 | 2240 |
200 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 2310 | 2110 |
250 | -3.5 | 3.9 | 2241 | 1985 |
300 | -8.7 | 5.7 | 2173 | 1866 |
350 | -15.8 | 8.0 | 2106 | 1753 |
400 | -24.8 | 10.5 | 2040 | 1645 |
450 | -35.8 | 13.5 | 1975 | 1542 |
500 | -48.9 | 16.7 | 1911 | 1444 |
550 | -64.5 | 20.6 | 1849 | 1351 |
600 | -82.9 | 25.0 | 1789 | 1264 |
650 | -104.1 | 30.0 | 1730 | 1183 |
700 | -128.2 | 35.5 | 1673 | 1106 |
750 | -155.4 | 41.5 | 1617 | 1033 |
800 | -185.7 | 47.9 | 1562 | 964 |
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
270 win
Bullet Style: ELD-X 145gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2970 fps
BC: 0.536
0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 2970 | 2840 |
50 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 2887 | 2683 |
100 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2806 | 2534 |
150 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 2726 | 2392 |
200 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 2647 | 2256 |
250 | -2.6 | 3.4 | 2570 | 2126 |
300 | -6.4 | 4.9 | 2494 | 2003 |
350 | -11.6 | 6.7 | 2419 | 1884 |
400 | -18.3 | 8.9 | 2346 | 1772 |
450 | -26.7 | 11.5 | 2274 | 1665 |
500 | -36.8 | 14.4 | 2203 | 1563 |
550 | -48.6 | 17.7 | 2134 | 1466 |
600 | -62.3 | 21.4 | 2065 | 1373 |
650 | -78.2 | 25.6 | 1999 | 1286 |
700 | -95.6 | 29.9 | 1932 | 1202 |
750 | -115.7 | 34.8 | 1867 | 1123 |
800 | -138.6 | 40.4 | 1805 | 1048 |
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
6.5 CM
Bullet Style: ELD-X 143 gr
Zero Range: 200 yards
Muzzle Velocity: 2700 fps
BC: 0.625
0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 2700 | 2315 |
50 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2633 | 2201 |
100 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 2567 | 2092 |
150 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2502 | 1987 |
200 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2438 | 1886 |
250 | -3.1 | 3.1 | 2374 | 1790 |
300 | -7.7 | 4.7 | 2312 | 1697 |
350 | -14.1 | 6.5 | 2251 | 1608 |
400 | -22.1 | 8.7 | 2190 | 1523 |
450 | -31.9 | 11.2 | 2131 | 1442 |
500 | -43.6 | 13.9 | 2072 | 1363 |
550 | -57.2 | 17.0 | 2014 | 1288 |
600 | -73.0 | 20.4 | 1957 | 1216 |
650 | -90.9 | 24.2 | 1901 | 1148 |
700 | -111.4 | 28.5 | 1846 | 1082 |
750 | -134.7 | 33.3 | 1793 | 1021 |
800 | -160.8 | 38.6 | 1741 | 962 |
Range (yd) Drop (in) Wind Drift (in) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb)
When comparing the ballistics I decided to use 1800 fps and 1200 ft-lb as a threshold for being able to take down an elk, not saying I would attempt these shots but just to compare. The 270 seems to be a leader in most categories including velocity, energy and drop out to longer distances. The 6.5 CM handles the wind just slightly better than the 270.
I am pretty certain I wont end up with a 308 but still torn as to which caliber to choose. Should I consider barrel life? Curious what all of your thoughts are on these ballistics and if there are any other cartridges I should take a look at for my use.