Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 308 Win w/185 Berger on Elk and Moose?

Asking for a friend who wants to use this combo as this is what he has. Any good advice based on experience would help. Thanks

I'd stick to an Accubond or Partition. Not saying the 185 Berger won't kill one but I prefer a bullet that has good weight retention. The last five elk I've taken with a rifle has been with a 308 Win with either a Barnes or an Accubond.

Thanks Brian, can you share any other details about any of these, such as bullet weight, muzzle vel, range, location of hit. Anything helpful. Mike

Mike
I've got two 308 Kimbers a Montana and an Ascent. I'm running a 165 Accubond out of both using Tac powder at around 2840 fps. I'm running a BDC 2.5-8x36 and a LR duplex in a 3-9x33 ultralight Leupolds. I've shot out to a little over 500 yards with both with no problem at all. I set them up for real hunting situations. I've elk hunted for 20 years and I've been fortunate enough that last year made my 19th elk and out of all those elk my longest shot was 230 yards. Now muledeer I've had longer but not by much. Hope this helps. Brian

Yes it does Brian! Thanks. Mike

Hit them right and they will die!

I would also suggest a 165 gr bonded bullet.

I’ve taken a cow Shiras moose & elk with the 308 win & 165gr accubonds. No complaints from me. The Berger would likely be fine, but a moose is a tough skinned animal, so I agree that a bonded option would be a better mouse trap.

I would opt for a 165 or 168 TTSX or similar Partitions. I’m not sold on the Berger design for big game bullets. Just me.

Like I said, a friend...really. Personally, I load for 6.5 PRC, 30-06, 300 WM. I use Partition, Bonded and Mono in all. The 185 Berger is what he has in this shortage so that's the issue. Thanks all!

Elk are not hard to kill, learn their anatomy. NEVER shoot for a shoulder.

I've always aimed for the opposite shoulder. They typically go less than 30 ft.

I don’t like Berger’s, but many swear by them. I prefer a bonded or mono bullet.

The 308 is famously easy on bullets. It really doesn’t matter what you pick, it will work as long as you shoot at any reasonable angle. I’d not hesitate to use the Berger or any cup and core in the 308 on any elk.

.308 Win......yes! Bergers......maybe at longer ranges with perfect placement where minimal resistance is met in route to vitals. Several good factory loads ( Remington Core-Locts, Hornady InterLock, ect.) or any number of bonded or mono bullets would be a much better choice.

If your friend believes that he will be offered that “perfect” shot on what be his only opportunity to kill his game....go for it! However, if he has any knowledge of “Murphy’s Law” .....there are much better bullet choices! memtb

Thanks again all!

In the last couple of years I've killed 5 bull elk, 1 mule deer buck and 1 nice 10 point whitetail with Berger's. Two bull elk were killed with a 156 Berger out of a 6.5 SAUM and the rest were killed with a 168 Berger in a 7mm Remington Magnum, all but one, DRT. The lone runner made it 47 yards, I'm a believer.

I too am loving my 308 Kimbers and my go to is Varget and 168 NBT around 2825. From coyotes to elk boom flop. I think in the 308 the 150-168 is the sweet spot.

I agree with most of the above.
Partition, expanding solids, or bonded for a 308 win on elk or moose. For expanding solids you might consider dropping to a 165 too.

My sister has done it several times with 180 grain partitions in Alaska. All 1 shot kills ,with a Winchester M88 I got for her when she moved up there over 30 years ago. Her 88 has only a peep sight and all her shots have been at 100 and less, but most moose are killed fairly close.

Elk can be near, far and everything in-between. But I have hunted and guided elk hunter for over 1/2 a century and myself personally, I have killed exactly 1 over 400 yards (barely over) 3 at 350 or so and ALL the rest at under 175 ,with about half of those being under 80-90 yards.
So a 165 or 180 grain partition from a 308 is an excellent recipe for elk in the hands of anyone that can hunt at all.
My sister has killed several moose with her 308 and I know about 6 others that have done it too, but I myself never have.

The Berger design is bad for large animals. It's frangible, and it's luck of the draw where fragments go. The tail fragment is supposed to penetrate to the heart and off side lung, but it's so light it can go anywhere too.

Sometimes you get a DRT, sometimes you get lost game.

Premium expanding bullets, ideally in 180gr+ are your best bet - partitions, bonded, or expanding mono-metal. As szihn noted, 165gr is OK for expanding mono-metal. My very first choices would be the 180gr Northfork or 175gr Terminal Ascent. The TA is available in loaded ammo if need be.