ELK Hunting?

[Glockster]

I had a spectacular failure with the .270 on my very first hunt many years ago that soured me on that cartridge. Granted I recieved some very crappy advice on what bullet to reload with, 130gr Sierra BTSP are NOT good Moose bullets. Five shots broad side to the shoulder resulted in lots of very shallow craters with a few scraps of lead peppering the nearside lung. After reloading with 150 gr Cor-locks the big moose was brought down with a very lucky shot that hammered the spine on a downhill straightaway running shot, dumb rookie luck really. The bullet ploughed a path up the length of the spine and exited up the shoulder hump but did NOT penetrate into the vitals. Since then I've always packed a little more gun that whats probably needed. My last Moose was one broadside 42 yd shot with 300gr Partitions from a .375 H&H. Moose ran 60 yds and piled up.

Anyway I do believe if you do wait for the perfect shot a .270 with a really good bullet will do the trick. BUT, sometimes you don't have the perfect shot/angle so I tend to go up a step when anything bigger than Whitetail are on the menu.

If I were to use a .270 again. Nosler Partition, Barnes X or Fail Safes, all in 140gr. Although I do use the 160gr Accubond in the 7mm Rem Mag, as well as the 160gr X-Bullet.

 

[Longwalker]

Scouting is very important to success. In E Sask, herds of elk travel 2-5 miles between feeding and bedding areas. Their trails can be quite obvious! I try not to disturb them in the bedding area, and mostly intercept them in morning or evening or hunt in the feeding areas. "Cow" calling is way more effective than bugling, and can calm down an elk you've jumped unseen. I've killed 8 elk in the last 10 years - and my partners have equal success. We use a variety of rifles, your .270 with good tough bullets 140-160 gr. will work fine. My dad and my best buddy both use .270's. That said, I really like my two .35 Whelens for elk, ( Rem. model 700 and Ruger #1) and I am getting another one built on a Browing FN action. In my experience an elk shot through the heart will run 50-100 yards, it doesn't matter if the hole is .35 or .27 size! The bigger 225-250 gr. slugs are much more apt to exit and I need all the help tracking I can get. Just for fun this season, (opens tomorrow!) I'm carrying a 7x57R single shot with 173 grain bullets. I'll be hunting the open fields.

 

[Vader]

This thread was about tactics not weaponry.
There are many ways that work including the soft walk using a cow call to locate and entice.
You might try bugling to locate and then work in on the quarry with a cow call. Don't drive around honking from any landing you see.. Lots do and all it does is educate the elk. Pick a likely looking watershed/bedding/feeding area and go for an armed walk before calling.
The other option is the spot and stalk. Works well in the burns and on clear cuts or slides. Saves a lot of walking because you know whether there is a 6 point or better before you leave the truck.
Good luck.

 

[Eagleye]

I love hunting [and eating!] Elk. I shot my first one as a teenager, and never looked back. I am now on the far side of 60, and still get excited when I think of an upcoming Elk hunt. I have shot them with everything from 6.5's up [3 with the 264 Win Mag] the 270 and 7mm Mag have accounted for around 3 or 4 each. The 308 Norma, 300 Win Mag and 30-338 for at least 15 collectively. The 30-06 has taken a dozen or so, the 338 has taken one. I believe every Elk I have shot has been taken with Nosler Partitions, of which I have recovered about 8 that stayed in the animal, the rest exited. Additionally, I have seen a lot more shot with many different chamberings from the 243 (not recommending this one!) up through the 375 H&H. Elk seem to have more vitality than does a Moose, and seldom stand around when hit, but usually head for cover. If the shot is well-placed, and the bullet does it's job, they will not go far. I had one go about 85 yards, the rest did not make it that far. I helped in one search for an Elk that had been shot a bit far back with a 270 and a 130 gr bullet that shall remain unnamed. We finally put him down permanently some 2½ kms from where he had initially been shot, so they can travel if not mortally hit. I would not hesitate to shoot an Elk with the 270 again, but I would choose a premium bullet, and I would make sure the presentation was such that I did not have to take an "iffy" shot. This year I will pack something over 33 cal for the first time on my Elk hunt...My 35 Whelen. 225 Partitions or Tripleshocks will be the bullet of choice. I have zero doubt what the result will be should I see an Elk. Elk steaks, roasts, etc yummy!! Regards, Eagleye

 

[WCTHEMI]

Just to really stir things up in the "is this enough gun" debate, just think of how many of these animals are taken with archery equipment without problem. If you want to use a cannon, go right ahead, but the .270 will kill an animal just as dead as the 375 H&H.

 

[Elk man]

I will find a hilltop and glass and glass and glass...till I find em!

 

[gitrdun]

Hi Glockster,

The .270Win 140 grain Accubonds I used justabout went right through the elk at 300 yards. I found it under the skin on the other side.

From what the other guys have been posting, this may be a bit on the light side. Any other opinions>

RD

Hello again Rubber Ducky, of course you know that opinions are like a$$holes, everybody's got one. Here's my two bits. You'll probably get as many nays as you will yeah's on the .270. My response is that it depends on the shooter's ethics, knowing point of impact for his particular rifle and load, and knowing that his load will do the job to the best of your knowledge. I chose a .338 WM and 225gr. Accubonds. I've practised with that rifle out to 600 yds. A person I know shoots a 30-06, in one of those Remington pump actions. It shoots 4" at 100 yds. He knows it, this fellow is very ethical and WILL NOT shoot beyond the limitations of his gun (100 yds.) Can anyone practise such restraint when there is no chance of closing the distance? On the zone 312 cow elk, that's one of my favorite zones to hunt. I have two neighbours who run adjacent leases there. During the off hunting season, I take my horses in and check/repair fences and help with round-ups, gatherings and branding. I swear, this working business interferes too much with part time cowboying and hunting.