Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 308 or 243AI for elk?

Simply put the 308 WCF powdered right puts a 165-168 grain class bullet out at 2,775 fps, the 30-06 at 2,900 fps. At 300 yards there is no appreciable difference on elk with proper bullet placement. Even using 180 gr loads the 308 WCF pushes at 2,625 fps and the 30-06, 2,775 fps. Not exactly earth shattering performance over the 308 WCF. Not to mention all the elk sized African plains game shot dead every year with the 308 WCF, like Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, Wildebeest, Sable. The 30-06 is heralded as a perfect elk and African game cartridge, the 308 WCF as a perfect deer cartridge. Too many folks have read to many gun writers of the past spoon feeding this mantra. I would agree that 200 gr loadings in the 30-06 is a step up over the 308 WCF for larger game use, but even then the 308 WCF can push those at 2,450 fps. No matter what you use the bullet is the great equalizer and there are many great ones to choose from as well as powders and off-the-shelf ammo. For elk the 308 WCF is far superior to the 243 WCF under any condition of use.