ideal elk round

Halfton said:
I have killed a fair number of elk...15 I think...and have seen a heck of a lot more killed then that...Most of the ones I shot have been with a 308 win and 180 gr bullets...a couple with my 7 mag and 175 or 160 gr rounds, and the last 3 with my 338 win and 225 gr bullets. Of all the ones I have seen shot, most where killed with 30-06's or 7mm mags and a few with 300 win mags, along with a few other calibers in the same vain like the 270 etc. So no I am not going to say you need a cannon to kill elk...trust me I know better for a fact....But still if your looking for a dedicated elk round....I vote for a 338 mag.....The heavier bullets punch big elk bones harder and quartering shots better and in my humble opinion, knock them down faster. They also have excellent ballistics for long range shooting and less chance of blowing that bullet up on an elk that steps out 10 or 20 yards away from you.
But you have to be able to handle the recoil also because if can't shoot it right your not going to hit ####.
Jim
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True enough and agreed, the 338 WM in my estimation is a great choice but a comparison between 200gr and 250gr loads in a 338 WM VS a 358 NM, you'd be hard pressed to find much difference.

That holds true for any caliber, from the smallest 22 centerfire right up the line.
 
Any reasonable caliber will work. Use premium bullets, Nosler Accubond, Partitions, Barnes or any other good solid bullets. I've shot elk with everything from a .270, .358 win, 30-06, and 35 whelen. As previously stated , elk are tough, but wait for a broadside shot and hit through both lungs, they won't go far. I too, like the .338 win mag. but not the extra recoil, so my vote goes to the 35 Whelen.
 
Ive seen five mature bulls hit the dirt, all died quite quickly. Been in camp for about six or so other kills, cartridges ranged from 243 Win & 85gr TSX, 6mm Rem 100gr Nosler Partition, 300's with TSX and Accubonds, 30-06 with Accubonds, 8mm Mag with 200 TSX and 338 Lapua with 250gr Accubonds. Never had a long tracking job yet, if you put the bullet in the right place

here's what a 100gr Partition @ 3100 fps will do to an elk

58375_431923632991_512917991_5177143_7489400_n.jpg
 
I've only been hunting elk since 2007, so I'm still a relative noobie at the game. I've packed the following :

30-06 with 165gr Nosler Accubonds (pancaked a 6x5 bull @ 90 yards)
338 Federal with 210gr Barnes TSX
280 Rem with 150gr Barnes TSX
8mm Rem Mag with 200gr Barnes TSX (smacked a 6x5 @ 20 yards and he ran 30y then piled up)
300 Win Mag with 200gr Barnes TTsX
338 Federal with 185gr Barnes TTsX
303 British with 150gr Barnes TSX

this coming season I'll likely be packing a 7mm SAUM with 160gr Nosler Accubonds, 303 British with 150gr TSX, 300 Win Mag with 200gr Nosler Accubonds, and 375 Ruger with 250gr Barnes TTsX. I have confidence all will work just fine if I do my part ;)
 
We (Wife, BIL and myself) have nine between us with everything from 270 Win, 7x57, 7Rem Mag, 300SAUM, 300H&H and 375H&H. The biggest has not stopped them the fastest in our experience. A few have dropped on the spot and the farthest one went was 200yds then it fell over dead.

My hunting mentor used to pack a 1910 Ross in 303 but now she has a 308 with three cows added to its score card, all in the thick timber. IIRC she only had to track one a little ways.

I was planning to pack my 06 this fall with 190gr pills this fall but it ended up getting sick so the 7x57 and 30 USG came along instead. The range would decide which rifle got used.

Doesn't matter (within reason) what you are packing so much as you feel confident shooting it and know the limitations.

If I could shoot the 338s and hit something maybe I'd still have one but the critters are just as dead so long as you take out the vitals or the cns.
338 is too modern and boring though.;)
 
I have killed all of my elk using the 257WBY,7mmstw,300RUM,and 8mmremmag.My favorite elk cartridges are the 7mmstw,and the 300RUM,using either the TSX or TTSX..
 
Noel said:
We (Wife, BIL and myself) have nine between us with everything from 270 Win, 7x57, 7Rem Mag, 300SAUM, 300H&H and 375H&H. The biggest has not stopped them the fastest in our experience. A few have dropped on the spot and the farthest one went was 200yds then it fell over dead.

My hunting mentor used to pack a 1910 Ross in 303 but now she has a 308 with three cows added to its score card, all in the thick timber. IIRC she only had to track one a little ways.

I was planning to pack my 06 this fall with 190gr pills this fall but it ended up getting sick so the 7x57 and 30 USG came along instead. The range would decide which rifle got used.

Doesn't matter (within reason) what you are packing so much as you feel confident shooting it and know the limitations.

If I could shoot the 338s and hit something maybe I'd still have one but the critters are just as dead so long as you take out the vitals or the cns.
338 is too modern and boring though.;)
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Well, ;)for a change of pace, how about a 348 WCF:p.

Model71Winchester348WCF-1.jpg


348WCFElkoutfit1.jpg
 
I have shot Elk with a 6.5x55,30-06,300 ultra mag,35 whelen and 338 wm. If I had to pick one it would be the 338 wm.
 
Whatever caliber and gun you shoot consistently good with, is the best choice . . . Less gun shooting good, is better than more gun shooting not so good.
 
I have shot Elk, from ranges of 20 yards out to 800 yards, never had to track them more then 150 yards, Ive used archey equipment, and rifles, ive use from a 257 roberts up and as an all round elk gun, one that never stays home is my 300rum, then my next choice is 300saum then my 300wby, if i,m going on horse back and need a saddle gun , i use my 336 Blr, take yer time pick and place yer shot, they are an animal that has a great will to live, that makes them tuff to kill, but also know yer rifle and be comfortable wth it, know it so well so that you know when you raise it up to shoot, weather it be at a 50 yrd standing broad side shot in the open, or 500 yard running shot in the bush, when you squeeze yer shot off, you know exactly where that bullet is going, there is a saying i read some where, beware the old man wth a rusty old gun , he probably knows how to use it, just practice to be that od man wth the rusty old gun, then no worries you,ll get yer elk every year
 
cant_rope_the_wind01 said:
I have shot Elk, from ranges of 20 yards out to 800 yards, never had to track them more then 150 yards, Ive used archey equipment, and rifles, ive use from a 257 roberts up and as an all round elk gun, one that never stays home is my 300rum, then my next choice is 300saum then my 300wby, if i,m going on horse back and need a saddle gun , i use my 336 Blr, take yer time pick and place yer shot, they are an animal that has a great will to live, that makes them tuff to kill, but also know yer rifle and be comfortable wth it, know it so well so that you know when you raise it up to shoot, weather it be at a 50 yrd standing broad side shot in the open, or 500 yard running shot in the bush, when you squeeze yer shot off, you know exactly where that bullet is going, there is a saying i read some where, beware the old man wth a rusty old gun , he probably knows how to use it, just practice to be that od man wth the rusty old gun, then no worries you,ll get yer elk every year
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Only on the internet is that a normal shot......
 
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