6.8 for hunting?

[Gasitman]

I just picked up a LWRC M6A3 in 6.8. I hear it is a good deer cartridge, but can it be used for bigger game like elk? I remember a year ago asking about a .270 for elk and many said it was good for that also.

My main hunting gun is a 30-06 and is in the shop back to the manufacture and may not be back in time. Plus, I broke the scope! :banghead: So I do not know if I will have enough to get a decent scope by then.

Will the 6.8 spc work? Biggest bullet that will go in is a speer 115gr HPBT.

 

[a-sheepdog]

This is just my opinion, but I feel that the 6.8spc is a little light for elk. Don't get me wrong, elk are not that hard to kill and on the 68 forums they are showing that they have taken elk, but I just think you need a little more horsepower. I have a 6.8 and hunt hogs with it and would not hesitate to shoot white tails, but move up to my 7mag for elk. If you have no other choice, use what you have available, just be humane in your hunting and be reasonable in distance and shot placement. I hope you can get the 30-06 up and running prior to your elk hunt, it is hands down a good round.

 

[gamestalker]

I've known a lot of hunter's who were recoil shy and hunted very sucessfully with a 6mm or .243. I know of one dear friend of mine in particular who is a long time professional guide and serious hunter as well, he harvested a whole lot elk, bear, big horn sheep and you name it he killed it with a .243 Win.. In fact another friend of mine who is a professional hunter and just recently took an elk with a 6.5. So certainly yes, I wouldn't be hesistant to do your hunt with that 6.8 cartridge, and even more so if it's reloaded, but thats for another forum.
I assume you have some measurable shooting and hunting experience, so as to dispatch an animal effectively and proficiently as well.

 

[Gasitman]

Quite honestly I have not gotten an elk yet. but I do go with a group, we all have radios, and 90% of the time I am in a tree stand, so the animal would be within 150 yards at the most.

 

[amprecon]

go to www.68forums.com and check out the hunting section. Those guys are shooting and killing all kinds of stuff much tougher than those little sissy mary elk

 

[Sav .250]

Hope you get your "main" rifle back .That being your 30-06. When you do, your question is mute.

 

[amprecon]

Caribou isn't an Elk, but the 6.8 works if you do your part within its' limitations.

http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?22678-Caribou-with-6.8&daysprune=14

 

[Kachok]

While the 6.8 SPC is a great little deer round, you would not catch me using something that light on elk or any game in that size class. The little 110 and 115gr bullets for the 6.8 just don't cut it for thick boddied game IMHO. If you don't get your gun back in time and cannot afford another rifle and have to hunt I would use 110gr TSX or Accubond due to their high weight retention and improved penatration, I would act like I was bow hunting and keep my shots CLOSE and no marginal shots allowed, streight broadside or slightly faceing away, you simply won't have the penatration/energy to pull a high shoulder shot. Big difference between the 270 win and 6.8SPC. The 270 win can use high SD 150gr bullets, and at much higher speed/energy, that makes all the difference in the world.

 

[68wj]

While the 6.8 SPC is a great little deer round, you would not catch me using something that light on elk or any game in that size class. The little 110 and 115gr bullets for the 6.8 just don't cut it for thick boddied game IMHO. If you don't get your gun back in time and cannot afford another rifle and have to hunt I would use 110gr TSX or Accubond due to their high weight retention and improved penatration, I would act like I was bow hunting and keep my shots CLOSE and no marginal shots allowed, streight broadside or slightly faceing away, you simply won't have the penatration/energy to pull a high shoulder shot. Big difference between the 270 win and 6.8SPC. The 270 win can use high SD 150gr bullets, and at much higher speed/energy, that makes all the difference in the world.

Gonna have to X2 that. There have been elk and other large game taken with the 6.8, so it is indeed possible. My personal taste would make me hesitant though.

 

[bpl]

I'm sorry but a 6.8SPC is a very poor choice of cartridge for elk hunting. Just because you can and some 6.8 Fanboys have done it doesn't mean you should. A .270 is considered by many to be a reasonable minimum for elk and most would advise a 150 or 160gr bullet at that. A 6.8SPC is no .270. Those lightweight bullets have poor sectional density and consequently poor penetration. You shoot an elk and drop just one lung due to poor penetration and its gonna run for miles, probably never to be found and likely to die a long and miserable death. You'd have to check the regs where you're going as well, it may be illegal to hunt elk with a 6.8SPC. Some states have minimum caliber, velocity and bullet weight requirements. Here in PA, minimum is 27 caliber and 130gr or larger bullet.

Use enough gun!

 

[longdayjake]

I am a firm believer that it doesn't really matter what caliber you use, you will only end up injuring and losing an animal if you cannot make good shots. I have seen people injure and lose game with small caliber rifles. I have seen the same done with 7mags and 300 mags. The absolute truth is that a heart shot is a heart shot whether it is done with a heavy caliber or light caliber. If you use the 6.8 the only thing you should do different is to use a bullet that you know can penetrate into the vitals. I would not hunt any big game with the 6.8 with anything less than a bonded or barnes bullet. You will want penetration.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

No reason to be hesitant about this round for elk. It's more than enough, you simply must be accurate.

1. Premium ammo.
2. No marginal shots.
3. Keep distance close.

 

[Gasitman]

Well, I got my rifle back from savage, and just need to get my scope on it and get it all lined up. I will try and use the 6.8 for deer this year. But for elk, my 30-06 will go again, hopefully getting it's first notch on the buttstock.

 

[bpl]

Excellent! Deer are a much more reasonable quarry for the 6.8SPC.