Lowest recoil caliber for elk hunting??

.260 Rem or 6.5x55mm Swede.

WDM Bell used to recommend the 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer for elephant due to the excellent penetration of the 160 grain bullet. Although unsuitable for elephants, unless you are as good as Bell, the various 6.5s are just fine for elk.
 
cam1936 said:
.260 Rem or 6.5x55mm Swede.

WDM Bell used to recommend the 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer for elephant due to the excellent penetration of the 160 grain bullet. Although unsuitable for elephants, unless you are as good as Bell, the various 6.5s are just fine for elk.
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Bell also never mentioned 400 mtrs, as in the OP.............

Bell was an outstanding marksman to be sure, but what he truly was, was an expert on elephant anatomy. I think most of us could hit a target the size of a big watermelon (brain) or 5 gallon pail (heart) at less than 20 mtrs offhand, as long as we knew exactly where they lay inside all that grey hide, bone and muscle. Something Bell was a master at regardless of angle and movement. The parallel sided, heavy for caliber, small caliber, FMJ military ammo that he used in the 6.5, 7X57 and 303 penetrated excellently at the relatively low velocity (under 2400 fps) and penetrated straight, without deflection due to their shape. Bell was the elephant acupuncture guru..........
 
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I think it goes without Saying what my vote leans toward :D

check this out. its me an my Vote




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Well i appreciate your suggestions and help.

I went out with a vet and he really helped me handle that 7mm rem mag. i went from missing paper to shooting 2-3 inch groups at 100 yards. so im no moa shooter yet, but now that i have the right fundamentals it's just a matter of practice. what my main problem was, was that i would release all my tension right after pulling the trigger...no bueno. i also installed a recoil pad and my shoulder isnt sore at all. obviously it made quite the difference. i feel much better about recoil now, so i think ill choose a rifle based on whatever comes up in a good price and is easy to reload. i still would like a smaller cartridge though since i would like to target shoot often.

So what would be easiest to find brass and other components for outta 270, 7-08, 6.5x55 or 260? i would really like a short action, but if 270 would make my life way easier ill just go with it.

also, if i bought a old swedish mauser m96 in 6.5x55 and reloaded my own ammo, would i be able to build at higher pressure to reach 2800ish fps?

thanks guys
 
kykamo said:
Well i appreciate your suggestions and help.

I went out with a vet and he really helped me handle that 7mm rem mag. i went from missing paper to shooting 2-3 inch groups at 100 yards. so im no moa shooter yet, but now that i have the right fundamentals it's just a matter of practice. what my main problem was, was that i would release all my tension right after pulling the trigger...no bueno. i also installed a recoil pad and my shoulder isnt sore at all. obviously it made quite the difference. i feel much better about recoil now, so i think ill choose a rifle based on whatever comes up in a good price and is easy to reload. i still would like a smaller cartridge though since i would like to target shoot often.

So what would be easiest to find brass and other components for outta 270, 7-08, 6.5x55 or 260? i would really like a short action, but if 270 would make my life way easier ill just go with it.

also, if i bought a old swedish mauser m96 in 6.5x55 and reloaded my own ammo, would i be able to build at higher pressure to reach 2800ish fps?

thanks guys
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Out of the choices you selected, the 7mm08 would be my choice. Brass is a one time thing and easy to get for all of them. OTOH, 7mm bullets come in greater variety than you'll find in 270 or 6.5mm.

If you want a 6.5 swede then look at Tradeex Canada. They have sporterised M96 rifles. You can find one on their site for about $300 that already has a sporter stock, drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and the safety and bolt modified for scope use. If you buy an unmodifed M96 Swede it would cost hundreds of dollares to get a gunsmith to fix it so you could mount a scope.
 
jethunter said:
Out of the choices you selected, the 7mm08 would be my choice. Brass is a one time thing and easy to get for all of them. OTOH, 7mm bullets come in greater variety than you'll find in 270 or 6.5mm.

If you want a 6.5 swede then look at Tradeex Canada. They have sporterised M96 rifles. You can find one on their site for about $300 that already has a sporter stock, drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and the safety and bolt modified for scope use. If you buy an unmodifed M96 Swede it would cost hundreds of dollares to get a gunsmith to fix it so you could mount a scope.
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Ya thats where i was looking. But do those rifles have pressure concerns? As in, can the cartridges be loaded to higher pressures like modern guns?
 
kykamo said:
Ya thats where i was looking. But do those rifles have pressure concerns? As in, can the cartridges be loaded to higher pressures like modern guns?
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They can be reloaded to the maximum pressure in reloading manuals. They are likely as strong as modern actions but they don't have as good a design for handling a case failure and the escaping gases and debris tend to be directed towards the shooter. More modern designs will direct the energy AWAY from the shooter. That difference is enough reason not to overload the swede by any significant amount. OTOH you won't be losing much ballistic advantage in real terms, and especially if you're shooting paper.
 
If you don't like 30 caliber, want light recoil and easy to find ammunition I would also say 270 Winchester. If you will be hunting elk with a 270 (or anything with similar ballistics) choose a cartridge loaded with controlled expansion bullets.
 
If you are loading your own. Load up some light weight x bullets in that seven mag. I think you'll be impressed. It will do everything you want it too, if you learn to do your part.
1/4 mile is a tough shot in the field especially when things are happening quickly. You need to practice a few things besides marksmanship to make those kinds of shots reliably, game size, range estimates, scenery background, amount of light all play a role
Buy yourself a range finder and start practicing range estimating
Mpbr for a 7 mm rem mag loaded with light weight bullets is impressive you won't have to dope much for the difference at 400 m
 
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