Is 30-30 enough for close range elk?

gitrdun

gitrdun

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By personal choice and past experiences, I've always prefered cartridge in the 7mm Mag and .338WM as a minimum for my elk hunting, primarily due to the longer ranges at which I've taken some (not all) of my elk. In the past two years, both my elk have been taken at less than 50 yards, and within less than 100 yards of the same spot in thick bush. I've recently bought a Marlin 336XLR in 30-30 as a nice saddle gun and maybe some close in whitetail hunting. I can't help but to think that I may even take this upcoming season's elk with this gun, given the right opportunity of course. Using Hornady's Leverevolution ammo, do you folks think an elk could be taken cleanly and quickly with this caliber within the 50 yard range?
 
Nope, don't even think about using a 3030 for ELK! Look bud, I hate to be bringing the bad news but that gun was the worst investment you could have made. Ship it down to me and I will dispose of it for you(right after Elk season).
 
Out to 100 yards. I wouldn't feel under gunned one bit. But of course shot placement is everything. Just my 2 cents.

Dave.
 
gitrdun said:
do you folks think an elk could be taken cleanly and quickly with this caliber within the 50 yard range?
Click to expand...

At that range and with a well placed shot you will have a dead elk on your hands..;)
 
We have old hunters in our area that walk out of the brush every hunting season with their tags full, with not a stitch of camo gear on their backs, an old 30/30 win on their shoulder, and no deer piss products either. :)

This includes the limited entry hunts for Elk.

:D
 
Well, as I took a bull moose at 85 yards, I don't think a little old elk should be much trouble.
Actually, the American forums have covered this quite often, and the answer, is a resounding YES. The 30-30 is quite capable on close range elk.
On my moose, the penetration of a Hornady interlock, was about 17-18 inches. Stopped against the offside shoulder. Much more damage than I expected to see, and the moose dropped instantly.
As with any other cartridge, you must do your part. No stupid shots, get the bullet in the right place, and the elk will not go far.
 
Several years agao my wifes uncle took three moose a cow and two calves at about 130 yards with a 30-30 I would be confident out to 100 yards no prboblem after that you may be pushing it. Good luck
 
30-30 Bullets

The original old 170 grain, soft point bullet in the 30-30 is very good, and was the bullet that built the reputation of the 30-30 as being very effective on big game, IF PROPERLY PLACED!
 
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