7mm-08...7mm.....280

In the hands of the average hunter

  • There is not much notable difference between these calibres at less than 400yrds

    Votes: 40 30.3%
  • There is little notable difference between the calibres period

    Votes: 17 12.9%
  • the 7mm-08 is plenty rifle for Elk

    Votes: 43 32.6%
  • the 7mm rem is plenty rifle for Elk

    Votes: 40 30.3%
  • the .280 is plenty rifle for Elk

    Votes: 32 24.2%
  • I own a 7mm-08

    Votes: 41 31.1%
  • I own a 7mm rem

    Votes: 31 23.5%
  • I own a .280

    Votes: 23 17.4%
  • There are much better options for elk

    Votes: 17 12.9%
  • These rcalibres are very very different, not similar at all

    Votes: 3 2.3%

  • Total voters
    132
Marksmanship, bullet constructiopn, velocity, bullet mass etc are all variables. Some want a little edge with a magnum. It may not be earth shattering but flat shooting and velocity are significant factors. They are NOT nonexistent factors. To make them nonexistent is akin to saying that, if one has a bullet that travels at 3 feet per second he wont kill much, no matter the marksmanship.
 
I'm a bit late into this conversation.....but I'll post anyways...

I shot a big bodied bull at 328 yards this year with my 7-08AI and 140TSX. I shot him the second time at 380 yards as he tried to make it up a hill with two holes in his shoulders. The bullet busted through both and did a perfect job on him. I would have expected no better or worse performance from a 30-06 and 180gr bullets.

Is it my 'elk' rifle? Yes. Its right now my 100% go to rifle as its the only one I want to carry. If I was building an 'elk-only' rifle then I would go to something different maybe....but I have ZERO issues or concerns about hunting elk/moose/sheep/bears/goats/grizz/etc with my 7-08AI and 140TSX....
 
####-head! I never said i have killed any, nor did I imply I have.

That reply was in responce to a question posed to me by..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatehouse View Post
You think you need a bigger cartridge than a 7mm to kill an elk?

I have shot a few :rolleyes: moose course I suspect an Elk is much harder to kill than a 60" moose right.

####-head, whatever:rolleyes:. I've poked that fun at you before, but this time it flew over your head.:eek:
It gets a little tiring on the site when the folks dumping the info, have never stuck a cross-hair on that animal. And yes, if you talk to anyone who has shot (or seen shot) a bunch of animals in North America they will tell you that a 600lbs elk is much more of a handful to gather up when hit poorly than a 1000lbs moose. But if hit correctly either or is in the freezer.
Still missing the point, eh fellas? You don't need a magnum to put an elk (or a moose) down out to 400yds. It has been proven, many times, by better than us. If you need a magnum to feel better about shooting your elk and moose, than go right ahead, but to advise someone that they are doing it wrong if they don't is plain stupid.

My honest opinion... some kind of .30cal magnum or larger would be my choice for a 400yd elk shot. I would just hate to see the poor bugger wounded and get away. I'm also not interested in tracking an elk all day long after I shot it.

Again, tell how the elk is going to run around like it was never shot if it was hit with a 300 WM over the 7mm-08 (which is ballistically identical to the .270 WCF) if you put it in the same place at 400yds. You still have no reasonable answer for that, other than the magnum gives you a warm and fuzzy. Good for you.
 
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Still missing the point, eh fellas? You don't need a magnum to put an elk (or a moose) down out to 400yds.

I don't think anybody is missing any point but you :rolleyes:

I'm absolutely positive a 243 would put down an elk if hit properly at 400yds but I wouldn't recomend one of those for the "average hunter" either!

Sorry rem338 MY MISTAKE, I really didn't realize a 600lb Elk had some magical bulletproofing over it's lungs a 1500 lbs moose doesn't ;)
 
Sorry rem338 MY MISTAKE, I really didn't realize a 600lb Elk had some magical bulletproofing over it's lungs a 1500 lbs moose doesn't ;)

They don't have armor plating but many consider them one of the toughest NA animals to put down. This can be a heated discussion among hardcore elk hunters. Most of the guys I know that I consider hardcore Elk hunters all use 338 Win Mags and Ultra Mags and bigger stuff. Some feel that compensating with a larger caliber will solve a marginal hit on a tough critter like an elk or a moose. Some of the logic is also the areas these guys hunt in. Its steep and nasty and they want to anchor an animal fast.

The one exception is a fella I know and he lurks on this site occasionally:). He has taken more elk than I will ever get a chance to hunt! His caliber a .270 Winchester with 140 grain Hornady BTSP's...His philosophy is know your weapon and its limitations and you don't have a problem...

A good hit in the heart and lungs will drop any animal the jury is still out for me if a bigger caliber is better I just like hunting with my 375 Ruger...

I have a 270WSM and a 375 Ruger to hunt with this year hopefully I can let you know how it goes:D

If all I had was a 7mm/08 or a 280 I wouldn't be worried though I took my elk with a 270 and I put it down on the spot...
 
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I don't think anybody is missing any point but you :rolleyes:

I'm absolutely positive a 243 would put down an elk if hit properly at 400yds but I wouldn't recomend one of those for the "average hunter" either!

Sorry rem338 MY MISTAKE, I really didn't realize a 600lb Elk had some magical bulletproofing over it's lungs a 1500 lbs moose doesn't ;)

Again you missed the point. I said that a poorly hit elk will likely, in the opinion of people who have shot quite a few of both, be much more difficult to recover. If both are hit equally well the result would be equal (dead, as a definition, is dead). I said nothing about bullet proofing. I specifically made the point that a 300 or 338 will not make a lick of difference if hit poorly. You can turn your hearuing aid up if you want, but I think the glasses would help better.
And stop winking at me, it's getting creepy (especially from a senior).
 
It is a mtter of degree. More velocity, bigger bullet mass etc are all variables. A 243 may be inaqequate for moose and a .416 isnt needed for elk:nest:
Again you missed the point. I said that a poorly hit elk will likely, in the opinion of people who have shot quite a few of both, be much more difficult to recover. If both are hit equally well the result would be equal (dead, as a definition, is dead). I said nothing about bullet proofing. I specifically made the point that a 300 or 338 will not make a lick of difference if hit poorly. You can turn your hearuing aid up if you want, but I think the glasses would help better.
And stop winking at me, it's getting creepy (especially from a senior).
 
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