ideal elk round
- Thread starter derk22
- Start date
Elk are often seen at distances, thus something flat shooting is nice. Elk are also one of the tougher critters, so a heavier bullet is always nice too. I think this is where the .338's really come into their own. Nothing wrong with .30-06's and .300 mags too. Of course we could get into a big debate about smaller guns, etc. and I know that smaller guns kill elk every year - this is just my $.02 worth. My favorite is the .338 Rem Ultra Mag.
^^ that should work fine. People don't do their homework anymore. The only questions you need to ask yourself are:
1. Can I stalk?
2. Can I put the bullet where it belongs?
BTW, internet dictates that you will need at LEAST a .338WM to bag an elk. Anything less will just wound him or ruin the meat. Sorry.
1. Can I stalk?
2. Can I put the bullet where it belongs?
BTW, internet dictates that you will need at LEAST a .338WM to bag an elk. Anything less will just wound him or ruin the meat. Sorry.
Pretty hard to beat a .300WM for a large game rifle...I would have no problem shooting a large elk with a .308, but distance becomes a factor, and mags give you a little more of it...
If you are a handloader and want something a little different, I would look at .300 WBY or 7mm WBY...
If you are a handloader and want something a little different, I would look at .300 WBY or 7mm WBY...
From my experience, I have found that Elk just don't like to die. Tipping over a moose is relatively easy, but an Elk is a whole other animal. I have shot Elk in the lungs or heart and they can run along ways, even though they are dead, they just haven't figured it out yet. I am an advocate of heavy for caliber bullets, in .30 caliber and up. Yes, I know the most important part is where you place the bullet and to use one of the better premium bullets such as Barnes or Partitions. However, I like a little bit of extra insurance with the bigger guns. Of course this is only true if you have done ALOT of practice before the hunting trip, and are able to manage the extra recoil properly.
Tipping over a moose is relatively easy, but an Elk is a whole other animal. I have shot Elk in the lungs or heart and they can run along ways, even though they are dead, they just haven't figured it out yet. I am an advocate of heavy for caliber bullets, in .30 caliber and up. Yes, I know the most important part is where you place the bullet and to use one of the better premium bullets such as Barnes or Partitions. However, I like a little bit of extra insurance with the bigger guns. Of course this is only true if you have done ALOT of practice before the hunting trip, and are able to manage the extra recoil properly.
CreamySmooth
CGN frequent flyer
.308 Winny.
I've done my last 4 elk with it. You don't need a big mag. In fact if you aren't used to shooting one, your performance will suffer. Farthest was at about 400. It's more important to hit correctly.
I've done my last 4 elk with it. You don't need a big mag. In fact if you aren't used to shooting one, your performance will suffer. Farthest was at about 400. It's more important to hit correctly.
Elk are amazingly difficult to kill. Nothing less than a 50 BMG is really appropriate, if you live south of the 49th!
But seriously, a .270 or .280 is just fine. If I had to pick one cartridge it would be the 6.5 Rem Mag, or the almost equivalent 6.5x284 Norma.
But seriously, a .270 or .280 is just fine. If I had to pick one cartridge it would be the 6.5 Rem Mag, or the almost equivalent 6.5x284 Norma.
- Location
- Chilliwack
You havent said anything about the area you will be hunting. Open fields would dictate a good long range caliber, tight bush a 30-30 would be ideal. One question with somany answers and all of them right.
7 STW-- I dropped a big bull this fall at 200yds with mine this fall. It decimated both shoulders and put him down hard. When the bullet hit him it was the loudest crack I've even heard when an animal's been hit. I was in awe. It's just a great all around cartridge.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Any cartridge from a 6.5 to a .500 will kill an elk provided you choose one with a trajectory that is useful over the range you intend to shoot from, and provided you can handle the recoil and blast of the more energetic rounds. A solid hit with a .260 Remington puts more meat in the freezer than does a miss with a .378 Weatherby. Be sure to choose a bullet that is not too fragile, particularly if you choose a high velocity cartridge.
actually, it's YOU that spooks elk more often than not- they just quietly vanish over the next ridge , and you often wonder where they went, if you SEE them at all- well, GET A HORSE-or a string of them-then you can stalk close enough for your 308/30/30/whatever- they're not shy around horses , and often come into the lines at night to share hay, etc- and on horseback, it's like being on a small tree stand- if you're on foot, the 338 /250 wins the day, and your shot won't come at any less than 300 yards- and i do east slopes of the rockies, where we have plenty
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I feel it depends where you are hunting. If it is a relatively open area, any number of lighter calibers will be fine.
Elk are very tough in my view (especially compared to the Moose) to put down quickly. If they are in an area with rivers and thick timber and miles and miles of dark bush, you owe it to yourself and the elk to make sure the shock and blood loss and bone breakage is maximized (the Elk - not your's)
I do not relish trying to track a dieing elk into the thick bush at night or to try and cross, say, the Athabasca River, because an Elk made it across to die.
Shot placement is critical of course- but sometimes they will not just bang flop as everyone hopes.
If it is relatively open and your shots available at 200-300 yd ranges - shoot it well with a 270 up and find out where it flops over.
Elk are very tough in my view (especially compared to the Moose) to put down quickly. If they are in an area with rivers and thick timber and miles and miles of dark bush, you owe it to yourself and the elk to make sure the shock and blood loss and bone breakage is maximized (the Elk - not your's)
I do not relish trying to track a dieing elk into the thick bush at night or to try and cross, say, the Athabasca River, because an Elk made it across to die.
Shot placement is critical of course- but sometimes they will not just bang flop as everyone hopes.
If it is relatively open and your shots available at 200-300 yd ranges - shoot it well with a 270 up and find out where it flops over.
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