Posts: 575
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2007
Reputation:
0
So, what Caliber do you use for hunting your elk. Anyone used multiple calibers and found one they prefer for elk? Any additional information would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks I look forward to your input.
I want to hunt an elk. This will be a new experience for me. Since this will be my first Elk hunt, I figure my best chance for success is to go chase a spike and hope I don't get skunked. I am not naive enough to think that I have a pretty good chance at bagging one. But, like my fishing, I am more than willing to go enjoy the experience and risk getting skunked.
Before the hunt comes, I am going to need a new rifle (It's always a  day when you find a reason to go get a new gun[cool]) I am not interested in trying to shoot a deer. I don't care for their meat as much as I do elk. Plus, 3 or 4 days is just kind of ridiculous for a "Hunt".
[signature]
Posts: 837
Threads: 1
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
I have shot a lot of calibers and my favorite has been a 300 win mag. Smaller calibers are good too. However, I like a little more energy at 400 yards.
Its a never ending arguement. I have used a 30-06, 270, 7mm, 7mm short mag, 338. They are all good calibers but I prefer the 300. I use it for deer, elk, bear, and antelope.
You will not be disappointed.
BTW, good luck on your elk hunting. You think fishing is fun??? Wait until you start hunting elk!!
[signature]
Posts: 590
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2007
Reputation:
0
I have found that the caliber is not as important as your ability to make a clean and lethal shot. Stay inside what the caliber and ammo are capable of and you should do just fine. I have used bout every caliber at one time or another,and I keep going back to the 270 because I shoot it extremely well. I use the Federal 140 grain Light Mag and they have never failed me. If you are worried about range then work closer. I have taken elk over 400 yrds with no problem with this rifle &ammo combo. Just my 2 cents.[  ]
pa
[signature]
Posts: 1,404
Threads: 299
Joined: Jan 2003
Reputation:
0
I also agree with shot placement and a good quality bullet! Any Fedral premium should do the trick. Nosler partion,accubond,bearclaw or Barnes triple shock ! JMO? I have also shot several elk with 270.
[signature]
Posts: 1,920
Threads: 50
Joined: Oct 2003
Reputation:
10
Although you could kill an elk with a .22 long rifle, if it were legal, would you do it? I think not. I personally think elk hunting should be left to .30 caliber or larger. With that said, I have used both .270, .30-06, 35 Whelan and .54 muzzleloader. I really didn't like the job the .270 did. However, my .30-06 is my go-to gun. Its a common, easy to find cartridge and can be either purchased or reloaded in many, many combinations. Plus they are relatively cheap. I like the 180gr. FailSafe bullet. They have changed the name, but its the same thing. I've recovered the mushroomed bullets from 4 elk and they are text-book perfect. Go out and try find a 35 Whelan in a local WalMart or small sporting goods shop. Bet they don't have them (or any of the other less-known cartridges), but I guarantee they will have the .30-06!
[signature]
Posts: 1,566
Threads: 1
Joined: May 2006
Reputation:
0
.300 Win Mag (I haven't killed anything with it yet, but I had the same question you did and this is what I decided on)
However, I was on a cow elk hunt last year and watched a guy dump a cow with one shot from a .243. She went head over heels and never moved. I was pretty mad when I heard he was hunting with a .243, but it did the job. Good thing he hit the heart. [cool]
[signature]
Posts: 695
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2008
Reputation:
0
In the past years, I have knocked down 2 elk with a 6mm w/90 grain bullets... shot placement is everything.... they took 2-3 steps and fell over.. then 1 with a win 300 mag 180 grain bullet. Last years spike dropped with Browning 270 wsm 150 grain... Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement....
[signature]
Posts: 19,236
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
270 and 30-06 here as well. Wanted to try a hot load with a 44 mag though[laugh]
[signature]
Posts: 311
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2004
Reputation:
0
I have harvested bull elk with a 180 gr. .308 Winchester and a .300 Winchester Magnum. Either or anything in between will work with the proper shot placement. That being said, I really like the way the .300 Win. Mag. drops them where they stand. With my .308 had a double lung shot at 300 yards where the bull still ran a couple hundred yards. That would not have happened with the .300. It just does so much more damage, especially at longer distances. MRJ.
[signature]
Posts: 837
Threads: 1
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
I don't think the original post was about shot placement. I am not arguing that it is not the most important part of killing an elk. Shot placement is the most important part of it.
However, the question was what is the best caliber for elk. MRJ hit the nail on the head. Of course there will always be people that kill elk with a 30-30 or even a 22-250. Yes, they will work.
But, if I do happen to have a once in a life time shot at 400 yards, and pull a little to the left and hit the front shoulder, I am thinking that I have a better shot of putting it down- faster.
But again, to each their own..
[signature]
Posts: 575
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2007
Reputation:
0
All very valid, great information. I think I have it narrowed down to the 06, or the .300.
NOW, which rifle? I am assuming Remington 700 here but are there others I should maybe take a look at?
[signature]
Posts: 837
Threads: 1
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
[#000000]waljustia:[/#000000]
If you want to make a trip up my way, I will take you shooting. As I said earlier, I have a 270, 7mm short mag, 300 WIN Mag. you can shoot the 3 different calibers and see what you like. Send me a PM and i would be happy to help you out.
Get something you are comfortable with, and you won't even think about fishing in the fall!!
[signature]
Posts: 837
Threads: 1
Joined: Feb 2006
Reputation:
0
Wal:
They are both good calibers and you won't go wrong with either caliber. That Remington 700 would be a great choice.
I would also look at the Savage as well.
Also, put a good quality scope on it. I would look at the Burris, Leupold, Nikon, and Trijicon. If you have a couple extra $$$$, Zeiss (I believe conquest) makes a really good scope.
[signature]
Posts: 575
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2007
Reputation:
0
[quote cadresults][#000000][/#000000]
and you won't even think about fishing in the fall!![/quote]
Easy there!.. that's blaspheme [sly]
[signature]
Posts: 3,505
Threads: 26
Joined: Apr 2006
Reputation:
3
I have killed elk with my bow, as well as my 30-06 and my 300 Win mag, I like them all. I guided elk hunters (mostly for cows) on a big ranch here for years and I have seen everything from a 243 to 375's used, but for the best all around you can't beat the OL' 30-06 I've seen more elk hit the ground with it than anything. I really don't want to get into it with the 270 fans but when ever I had problems guiding with wounded elk that we had to chase it was usually a 270 shooter. Maybe just coincidence I'm not sure.
[signature]
Posts: 447
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2007
Reputation:
0
If your going to get a .300, i recommand looking at the .300rum. I have had mine going on 8 yrs and never shot anything more than once. Shot placement is #1. But with the .300 rum they factory load 140gr up to 200gr very versitle and you carry the velocity/energy beyond 500yds. The draw back is the recoil and cost of ammo. I have a custom pad and mine has less recoil than a 30-06. Just my 2 cents...
[signature]
Posts: 190
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2006
Reputation:
0
i've never hunted and don't intend to so this is just a general knowledge/curiosity question, how would a 7.62x39 do for elk or deer?
[signature]
Posts: 447
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2007
Reputation:
0
About using 7.62x39. My opinion on this cartridge which is used by the military is its very light usually manufactured in small grain options. Its the SKS caliber and doesn't carry much energy at distances beyond 200yds. It does us a minimalistic .30 cartridge and is easy to manufacture. I perfer a true .30 caliber, one reason is due to bullet weight it will have a more stablized flight path during windy days....hope this helps[size 2] [/size]
[signature]
Posts: 532
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2008
Reputation:
0
[#000050]There has been a lot of discussion here on calibers, but you need to think about trajectory also. Over the years, I have graduated from 7MM to 30.06 to 300 mag and now to 300 ultra mag just because I may be shooting long distances for Elk.[/#000050]
[#000050]Being comfortable with your long shots is important for a clean kill. I killed my last 6 X 7 Bull at just a little over 500 yards with the ultra mag.[/#000050]
[#000050]The Remington 700 is my choice.[/#000050]
[#000050][/#000050]
[#000050]Whatever you decide, welcome to the world of Elk hunting. You won't regret it.[/#000050]
[signature]
Posts: 306
Threads: 8
Joined: Jan 2007
Reputation:
0
Its very gard to beat the 7mm. If you want a 300, go with the weatherby mag instead of the winchester.
|
