What to use for elk?

[Sniper338]

308 and 175 SMK? (Gun love these)
308 and try berger 175 vlds?

284 win and 168gr bergers?

338 lapua and 300 gr berger vlds?

All the choices I got right now, my wife shot down building another gun. I dont have a 30 cal in the 200gr to 230gr range...

The lapuas Heavy (35lbs) and cant be packed any, so kinda x's that choice for most applications. I really dont have much carry rifles big enough for elk.. the 284 would be the lightest...

 

[nakneker]

The 300 Berger hunting Bullets are deadly, Ive used them out of a Lapua 338 with great results. The .284 has been good too, I shoot a 7 Saum the majority of the time for big game, I have two of them and the 180 hunting Berger’s have been great performers. Between my wife, myself and my kids that round and bullet combo has accounted for many deer and elk from 69 to 778 yards, all one shot kills. I can’t imagine the 168 grain doing anything less. Hope that helps.

 

[284winner]

Hands down given the other choices, the 284 with 168s. It's a No Brainer !!! The 308 will easily get it done but without knowing your potential range, I'd say the 284 has a much longer range option. What's the problem with using 180s in the 284 ? The 168 is an ideal weight for elk as I use the 160 partition with great results. The 180 is just extra insurance.

 

[Mulligan]

The two posts above are solid advice.
284 with the Berger or 150-160 Nosler Partition.
CW

 

[riflewoman]

284 with a Nosler Partition, Nosler E-tip, Nosler Accubond, Barnes TTSX, or Barnes LRX of weight 150 grains or heavier. Your best option of the three listed.

 

[10at6]

155 Scenars in the 308 for sure. It's a Better Berger

 

[msinc]

The two posts above are solid advice.
284 with the Berger or 150-160 Nosler Partition.
CW

This.......the 160 grain Nosler Partition is a killer. Not that the Berger isn't, and you will no doubt shoot a better tighter group with the Berger bullets, but for sheer kill I'd go with the Partition.

 

[Mulligan]

This.......the 160 grain Nosler Partition is a killer. Not that the Berger isn't, and you will no doubt shoot a better tighter group with the Berger bullets, but for sheer kill I'd go with the Partition.

^^^^Truth^^^^^^
CW

 

[BenPerfected]

Most important thing for hunting Moose or Elk is to have lots of money If you get a nice bull, post a picture.
Ben

 

[North Fork]

I use the 180gr Berger elite hunter in A 308 and 185 gr Berger in a 300 win mag

 

[Sniper338]

Most important thing for hunting Moose or Elk is to have lots of money If you get a nice bull, post a picture.
Ben

Father in laws trying to plan something for the 3 son in laws and him. I dont know anything more yet.. even a cow would be fine, meat is fabulous!

 

[Albany Mountain]

Use something built for hunting, which eliminates the Sierra Match Kings. I use the Sierra 180 grain boat tail bullets in any 30 cal for hunting. They won the Wimpleton 1000 yard match years ago.

 

[riflewoman]

Now that we’ve figured out what he should take elk hunting...the next question is where should he shoot his elk.?

 

[Bojo]

Definitely avoid the Texas heart shot !

 

[CharlieNC]

Like they say on Forged in Fire, "It will keel":all of them will do fine. Take the one you can shoot the best, meaning accurately and being able to set up and shoot quickly as well. Elk don't wait around after their sixth sense kicks in.

 

[centerlineseal]

I've killed more elk than I can count on all my digits using 150 gr Nosler Solid Base bullets going slow in a 7mm RemMag. Bullet placement is the key. Shoot the Noslers as suggested in the 284 or the 308.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Me and Jack O’Connor .270 with 150 gr . Bullet Kills Big Game just fine .
Killed a few Elk in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana a .270 built on 98 Mauser did me well . Killed one with a7 Rem. Mag over kill lost meat . Shot placement is important..

 

[284winner]

Now that we’ve figured out what he should take elk hunting...the next question is where should he shoot his elk.?

Not a huge fan of tracking a 1000 lb hooved animal in mountainous terrain. Especially if a one shot anchor will put him where you want him. High shoulder is a great one shot anchor. You'll lose 20 lbs of meat BUT you can afford it on an elk. You'll lose 20lbs of body weight after hauling him out the extra 200 yards you track him. I'll take the meat loss.

 

[riflewoman]

Wrong answer...

The best place to shoot an elk is right next to a pickup truck!

 

[284winner]

Wrong answer...

The best place to shoot an elk is right next to a pickup truck!

Last elk I shot was at the bottom of a draw about 350'. I was alone. He wasn't huge but 570 dressed is enough to make me realize I'm not as tough as I thought I was. Snow covered the hillside so digging both feet into the snow I pulled on his antlers until he moved 3' at a time. So on and so forth. Made 200' of ground up shedding clothing all along that path. Didn't want to quarter him out because I was close enough to a trail I could back up to the edge of the draw and hook a cable from a winch to him with added rope to haul him up the remaining distance. That was the longest 3 hour drag ever. My body was like a noodle the rest of the day. Wore me out. Today quartering is the only way to go. That particular elk dropped in his tracks from a Nosler 160 partition in the shoulder. That has become my favorite Big big game bullet.