Should I use a 264 win mag or a 308 win for elk?

Question

I reload for both and will be in pretty open country. Thanks.

Answer 1

The .264 has greater down-range energy. The .308 is pathetic at 400 yards.

Answer 2

I wouldn't use anything smaller than a .270. The 30.06 would be better, but nothing smaller.

Answer 3

Both are too small in my opinion but the 264 shoots flatter. I like a .300 Win Mag.

Answer 4

Well, I would say the 264 cause it will do enough damage to kill it and won't ruin to much meat, but chances are that it won't drop on contact. So if you want the Elk to more likely drop when the bullet enters it I would use the 308 but if you do use that it would damage more meat then the 264 so what would you rather....more damaged meat or maybe up to a mile tracking.

All this is if you were to hit it in or around the vitals.

Answer 5

the 264 win mag actually has more energy that the 308.  The 264 winmag is just a little behind the 7mm remmag.

Using a 140 grain bullet, it is a FINE elk gun. 100 grain bullets are for deer.  Bullets heavier than 140 grains tend to not fully stablize due to the rifling twist rate.

To get the full utility of the 264 winmag, you need the full 26 inch barrel.  Anyways, it is a real zipper and great if you hunt elk in areas where you might need to make an 'across the clearing' shot.

Note, this cartridge is HOT and is hard on barrels.   Let the gun cool down between shots if you are sighting in your scope, and don't shoot more than 10-20 rounds before giving it a good cleaning.

I was going to suggest the 308 for thick cover areas, but then I realized the lower power coupled with the only slightly larger/heavier bullet just doesn't make enough of a difference.   Between the two, I'd say use the 264 winmag exclusively.  If you have a 35 whelen or one of those new 338 federals, those would make a good brush-gun companion to the 264 win mag.

Answer 6

Even in open country, your shots will tend to be under 300 yards, right? Go for the bigger hole.

I once faced a roughly similar situation and bought a switch-barrel rifle, 8x68 and 6.5x68. The latter is so close to 264 WinMag that you can use the same load data for either, within a grain or so of propellant. But I'd pick the former any day for elk-sized game. With 140 or especially 160 grain bullets, the 264 should penetrate like everything, but it makes a mighty small hole.

Answer 7

if its between those two the .308, but if you want to get the best a win .300 mag

Answer 8

The vast majority of all big game is harvested within 100 yards or less.* I prefer the 30-06 myself using 180 or 220 grain bullets.* However what you have will harvest them.*

Answer 9

Definitely the .264.