ideal elk round
- Thread starter derk22
- Start date
Since everyone seems to agree that you need to place the bullet in a good place, but no one can agree what particular cartridge is the best, but all agree bigger is better, why not pick the biggest recoiling cartidge you can shoot accurately and call that your ideal elk cartridge?
People get so hung up about energy and trajectory, but realistically you will likely shoot any given cartridge as good a 50% of people, and worse than the other 50%. No one can tell you what gun, cartridge and bullet will work best for you, or how much recoil you can or cannot deal with.
Seriously, give some friends a call, go to the range and shoot some different guns. This will give you an idea of what you should be looking for.
Norm
People get so hung up about energy and trajectory, but realistically you will likely shoot any given cartridge as good a 50% of people, and worse than the other 50%. No one can tell you what gun, cartridge and bullet will work best for you, or how much recoil you can or cannot deal with.
Seriously, give some friends a call, go to the range and shoot some different guns. This will give you an idea of what you should be looking for.
Norm
I rarely pursue moose or elk anymore, but when I did I used a 300 win mag loaded with 168 gr barnes TSX's running 3200 fps out of the barrel.
I dumped a large moose and several african animals that were as big or close to as big as an elk. To me it was a great round, not too big for deer, the gun wasn't too heavy to carry all day while still being able to handle the recoil easily and shoot well.
I used a Sako Av.
I dumped a large moose and several african animals that were as big or close to as big as an elk. To me it was a great round, not too big for deer, the gun wasn't too heavy to carry all day while still being able to handle the recoil easily and shoot well.
I used a Sako Av.
And there you have it folks........eighty five replies and only two mentions of the 243's
chamberings for elk.
All that yack on the other post for naught................
My Pa was right with his regards to this pea shooter.
To big to be small and too small to be big.
What did my dad hunt with???????????
One and only 308 Norma Mag in the DL65 Schlultz $ Larsen.
I asked him why such a big gun when I was a kid........you ready?????
Big caliber works for little game as well as big game.
The old adage, there is alot to be said for a man that packs only one rifle.
Pa proved it, bless his soul.
And an A-5 to boot.
That's it, that's all. One rifle and one shotgun. Both here and I can't for the life of
me compete with the history he has had with them.
Cheers all.................
chamberings for elk.
All that yack on the other post for naught................
My Pa was right with his regards to this pea shooter.
To big to be small and too small to be big.
What did my dad hunt with???????????
One and only 308 Norma Mag in the DL65 Schlultz $ Larsen.
I asked him why such a big gun when I was a kid........you ready?????
Big caliber works for little game as well as big game.
The old adage, there is alot to be said for a man that packs only one rifle.
Pa proved it, bless his soul.
And an A-5 to boot.
That's it, that's all. One rifle and one shotgun. Both here and I can't for the life of
me compete with the history he has had with them.
Cheers all.................
Some folks own a gun so they can hunt, some folks hunt so they can use their guns. It's all good. - dan
Alberta Bigbore
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
for my elk this fall....I'll be using my Savage 210F bolt action rifled barreled 12 gauge... With 1900fps Winchester Dual Bond sabot slugs. I've been practicing hitting milk 4 litre milk jugs at 250yards. That's using the SA.B.R. Reticle on my Leupold ultimate slam. would like to try a shot at the 150-175 years range on purpose as I think I'll have enough energy still. If not.... The the new 270wsm will come out and play
Nine pages....ninety posts...a couple of hundred opinions...that'll teach you to ask!
I would suggest that a 'good elk rifle' is one that pleases you; one that you shoot well and have confidence in. It has far less to do with caliber, price or how shiny it is.
Except that it isn't and there is a reason it will never replace it.
Anyway, the ideal elk round is the flattest shooting, heaviest bullet, in a rifle that is reasonable for you to carry, and still shoot "accurately".
For some that is a .270, and others its a .378 Weatherby. For me, I think the 338-06, 35 Whelen, .338 Win Mag, and 358 Norma are all in that range for me if I was to have a dedicated Elk rifle.
Otherwise I would choose anything in the 260/6.5 range and up and go hunting. Put it through the front half and eat some steak.
live4therut
CGN frequent flyer
All the previous mentioned will work, I can only speak of which I have experience in and that is 300wby mag, 30-06, and 308 win. Used 180 partitions all found there final resting place within 100yards except one had a high lung shot, found him a km away the next morning, so bad shot placement has way more to do with dropping an elk than the cartridge, provided common scence dictates your not heading out in the bush with the old .22
- Location
- Saskatchewan
7mm STW all the way.
so bad shot placement has way more to do with dropping an elk than the cartridge
Is this not the case with any particular prey?
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Very, very well put.
