Hunting & Fishing Remington 600 for Elk Hunting

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

I’ve been target shooting most of my life, but I’m wanting to get into hunting. I’ve got a Remington 600 in .308 that is light and groups pretty well. I believe the barrel is 18”. I’m talking with a friend in Idaho about an elk hunt in a couple years (can’t afford it till then).

Would this 18” .308 be sufficient for elk if I’m shooting a Nosler Accubond, or something similar, or should I consider a rebarrel to a stouter short action caliber? Thanks!

 

[Josh0369]

That sounds like a great combo.

 

[jbuck88]

What kind of terrain and range will you be hunting? The 308 is defiantly up to the task (keep shooting until it's down), but if there is a chance you are hunting mountains or steep hills I might want something a little more substantial to help anchor them. Elk are a fairly tough animal. I still use a 308 sometimes, as well as a 270win, 300H&H, and a 300WSM. I've seen them killed just fine with a 243 as well. I've also seen several run off to die and needed to be tracked down.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

What kind of terrain and range will you be hunting? The 308 is defiantly up to the task (keep shooting until it's down), but if there is a chance you are hunting mountains or steep hills I might want something a little more substantial to help anchor them. Elk are a fairly tough animal. I still use a 308 sometimes, as well as a 270win, 300H&H, and a 300WSM. I've seen them killed just fine with a 243 as well. I've also seen several run off to die and needed to be tracked down.

I would need to talk to my friend about the terrain once we got closer to the hunt. I would expect some fair-sized hills, but I can’t say for certain.

I’ve also got a Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H. I’m sure it would do the job, and it’s not too heavy, but it’s not that enjoyable to shoot from the bench, which means I don’t shoot it that often.

I’ve wondered about rebarrelling to 338 Federal, 375 Raptor, or 300 WSM, but there’s something appealing about a lightweight .308, and realistically, this thing will usally be used for Texas deer and hogs.

 

[OLD308]

What is ethical for harvesting game is a funny conversation every time. The western world was tamed with arrows and muskets. So with that in mined, any modern center fire rifle with the proper bullet impacting the proper location will take anything walking out. I would prefer a Partision over the accubond, but it’s really splitting hairs. Spend the time developing your field shooting abilities. Big calibers only make up for poor shots to idiot hunters. To the rest of us it’s a bad shot and unnecessary pain to the animal. My advise, don’t take a shot further than you have consistently shot a 2” or better group. Yes, our game has a larger vital area. But shooting at paper and fur are two different things. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[jbuck88]

That’s very true.

However by going slightly larger your going to open up the possibility of taking a tougher shot. As in being able to take a quartering shot instead of broadside only.

 

[OLD308]

That’s very true.

However by going slightly larger your going to open up the possibility of taking a tougher shot. As in being able to take a quartering shot instead of broadside only.

Agreed!

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I appreciate your taking the time to answer. I can usually group the .375 pretty well from the bench, but I shoot 3 rounds instead of 5. I think it wouldn’t be as bad if I were standing.

Having said all that, it’s not at the top of the options list. Do y’all have any short action caliber reccommendations?

 

[jbuck88]

In a standard bolt face the 308 would be my choice. If you are opening up to the magnum bolt face there is a plethora of good cartridges. the 300wsm would be my pick for a magnum sa.

 

[spaniel]

A big variable is range. Where I hunt in MT plenty of locals use 270s. They limit themselves to around 300 yards. Makes sense. If you are going to extend the range it makes sense to move to bigger rifles. I started with my 300WM hunting there, and a lot of people were impressed with the results. A 338 Edge at long range is on another level.

At moderate ranges or in timber, something like a 308 makes a lot of sense. So do a lot of chamberings in that class. It's not a 700 yard round though. Just respect its limitations.