Elk - What would you use from these choices (270WSM or .308)?

You guys entering the elk draw too? lol Im going to use my shotgun :D I dont even have a rifled barrel...Unless I buy myself a rifle

I think your over excited, elk are just a little bit bigger versions of deer
 
jakerazer said:
Yes they never did anything wrong in the "good old Day's"

Read up on lead poisoning Wikipedia has some decent info.

Wildlife
Turkey vultures "Cathartes aura" (shown) and California condors can be poisoned when they eat carcasses of animals shot with lead pellets.Lead, one of the leading causes of toxicity in waterfowl, has been known to cause die-offs of wild bird populations.[122] When hunters use lead shot, waterfowl such as ducks can ingest the spent pellets later and be poisoned; predators that eat these birds are also at risk.[156] Lead shot-related waterfowl poisonings were first documented in the US in the 1880s.[69] By 1919, the spent lead pellets from waterfowl hunting was positively identified as the source of waterfowl deaths.[157] Lead shot has been banned for hunting waterfowl in several countries,[69] including the US in 1991 and 1997 in Canada.[158] Other threats to wildlife include lead paint, sediment from lead mines and smelters, and lead weights from fishing lines.[158] Lead in some fishing gear has been banned in several countries.[69]

The critically endangered California Condor has also been affected by lead poisoning. As scavengers, condors eat carcasses of game that have been shot but not retrieved, and with them the fragments from lead bullets; this increases their lead levels.[159] Among condors around the Grand Canyon, lead poisoning due to eating lead shot is the most frequently diagnosed cause of death.[159] In an effort to protect this species, in areas designated as the California Condor's range the use of projectiles containing lead has been banned to hunt deer, wild pig, elk, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, ground squirrels, and other non-game wildlife.[160] Also, conservation programs exist which routinely capture condors, check their blood lead levels, and treat cases of poisoning.[159]

But anyways I am hijacking, sorry.
270 WSM with TTSX 140
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Guess u didn't see my smiley face :(
 
Take both of your rifles to the range (308 & 270WSM) shoot them both. The one you feel most comfortable shooting, take elk hunting. Both will do the job of bringing down elk. Be a great sportman in the field and enjoy the hunt.
 
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this one went 75 yards after a heart shot from a 6mm Rem & 100gr Nosler Partition. Shot placement and a bullet that will penetrate are more important than caliber or muzzle velocity
 
I have to start off first that nothing equals shot placement , I've been fortunate enough to guide for them & seen allot of different reactions from shot placement over selection of cal's. Though you should use the right weight of bullet for the game one is after but with that said I've seen bulls go only 20 yards from a 270 win & 140 grainers, again shot placement . On the other hand saw a poor shot on a bull that got away from a 30-378 only to be found two weeks later with the bullet in his neck, at the original shot turned him right upside down & landed on his head got up & headed out before the hunter could get another one off. I would go with the 308 as you can buy or reload 180's or even 200's if you'd like . One 308 that for the price is a real sniper Rem 700 5R , as a friend bought one & it shoots as good as any custom job & I think for around 1000.00 it's the best buy I've seen for accuracy a little heavy but he is hitting 6-8 inch groups with hand loads out to 1000 yards , good luck in your hunting though.
 
As has been asked a couple of times, which do you shoot better? Either will drop an elk at your stated ranges. If you use the .308, I'd go with a 165gn.
I often wonder about people who say things like, "I use a 140gn in my .270, but you'll probably need a 180gn in a .308".

Do people really understand the ballistics involved in this? The drop between the two, if zeroed at 200yds, is basically the same at 300 and at 400 the win goes to the .308.
Case in point:
The Winchester Power Point, 150gn, .308 bullet has an MV=2900fps and an ME=2802ft/lbs. At 300yds, it has 1946fps and 1262ft/lbs of energy to do the job, and drops 6.3". At 400yds, it drops 18.4"
The Winchester Power Point, 150gn, .270WSM starts out at 3150fps and 3304ft/lbs, while at 300 it has 2350fps and 1840ft/lbs and drops 6.5". And at 400yds it drops 19.3". Flatter shooting? I don't think so, more hitting power at the 400 yd mark? Absolutely. Difference to OP or the Elk at 200yds? NONE!!!
 
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rookie wildcat said:
Do people really understand the ballistics involved in this? The drop between the two, if zeroed at 200yds, is basically the same at 300 and at 400 the win goes to the .308.
Case in point:
The Winchester Power Point, 150gn, .308 bullet has an MV=2900fps and an ME=2802ft/lbs. At 300yds, it has 1946fps and 1262ft/lbs of energy to do the job, and drops 6.3". At 400yds, it drops 18.4"
The Winchester Power Point, 150gn, .270WSM starts out at 3150fps and 3304ft/lbs, while at 300 it has 2350fps and 1840ft/lbs and drops 6.5". And at 400yds it drops 19.3". Flatter shooting? I don't think so, more hitting power at the 400 yd mark? Absolutely. Difference to OP or the Elk at 200yds? NONE!!!
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uhhhhhhhh, your ballistics are wayyyyyyyyyy off :onCrack:

using factory ammo #'s it goes like this

308 Win 150gr Power Point @ 2820 fps
+2" @ 100
zero @ 200
-9" @ 300
-27" @ 400
-57" @ 500

270 WSM 150gr Power Point @ 3150 fps
+1.5" @ 100
zero @ 200
-6.5" @ 300
-19" @ 400
-40" @ 500
 
I have always thought that the .270 WSM is the best of the WSM's and would be just fine for just about anything on this side of the globe with the right bullet.
 
Use whichever one you are able to shoot the most accurately off hand shooting. I have seen both calibres used on elk and I would say they are pretty similar, he who shoots in the best spot, typically is the winner. To make your hunt the most enjoyable, use some quality construction bullets (Nosler Partition, Barnes TSX etc) and you will be just fine. Take your time, make the right shot and fill the freezer.

I remember seeing a long winded and article written in BC outdoors Hunting Edition 2 or 3 years back that stated the 270 Short Mag IS the calibre for 'BC Elk" -- I didn't know their was a difference between BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan Elk...but besides the point, I think this goes down to the heart of the 308 cal vs. 277 cal argument which has never ever been resolved.

Good Luck on your draw.
 
I would choose the .308 with any of the bullets you listed, because I have a .308. I also have a couple of .303British and wouldn't hesitate to use them if I didn't have a .308, or, even though I do.

I have no experience of the .270WSM but it sounds to me quite up to the job, too. I guess you should base your choice on which rifle you would rather be carrying in that situation, rather than which calibre.

I wouldn't go out and buy another rifle especially for elk.
 
Shoot whichever you are most accurate and comfortable with.

Elk are tougher than Moose in my experience too.

The most important thing that I was taught with Elk by my father, if you shoot and he isn't dead on the ground - shoot him again.

I have killed quite a few Elk and Moose - and Barnes X or Nosler Partition and Swift A-Frames haave all worked well for me.
 
I would consider the gun which will give you better energy, and less drop at a longer distance. Just because you are in Ontario, this does not make every shot 200yds and under. Practice for the longer shot, with the better long range hitter, in case it comes up, the short shot will be no problem.
 
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