what caliber do you like for elk hunting?

[ohlongarmisle]

I have used my 270 with 150 partitions on a couple of elk. Killed them just fine, but I Mostly use a 300RUM with 200 Accubonds

Win mag 338 Barnes X,took this one on Colorado at a lasered 545 yards,down,stood up drt.I am the cameraman,the guy holding the elk got his next day.

 

[209jones]

Been using a 7-08 w/140 Partition for near 40 yrs. I didn't plan on shooting elk or moose with it when I got it, but, loaded them with Partitions just in case, good thing I did. I had a 7RM and a 338WM that were supposed to be elk/moose guns, just worked out that I was carrying the 7-08 when I encountered big critters, it has done what needs doing enough times, that I have no doubts about usng it again. I'd be just as comfortable with anything else built off a 7x57 or 30-06 case and a good bullet lke a Barnes or Partition, critters don't wear armor.

 

[ISS]

I have an Old Model 70 in 300 H&H that was built the year I was born, 1949. I use the 180gr Partitions. Haven't had one go ten yards yet and I started in 1979. I can pretty easy get within 300 yards here in Idaho.

 

[chop house]

Really surprised no one mentioned 7 mag. Or any of the weatherbys. Am I just old?

 

[wboggs]

Really surprised no one mentioned 7 mag. Or any of the weatherbys. Am I just old?

Probably not as old as I am. 7 mag with 175s and any of the Wbys .270 or greater all work well. You must use the right bullet and place it in the kill zone. Wbys have always been expensive but the old Mark V with the Sauer barrel was a good rifle. The long freebore detracted from accuracy and just took more powder to reach velocity. Also, some Norma factory loads were around 70,000 psi which detracted from credible comparisons. Now, belted cartridges are out of date. New offerings with cases designed for heavy high bc bullets in cnc rifles are popular. I wouldn't hesitate to use an older design if I had one. If buying a new one I would go with the new ones.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Any of the 300 or 338 magnums are my choice. 300 PRC would probably be a good all around choice. Its being supported well by the industry and isnt going anywhere. I knid of like to have 2. A lighter 300 for packing, and a heavier 338 for the longer shots. Just depends on the type of hunt and the terrain your in. I really like a 300 WSM with the 185 Berger. Same recoil as a 7 saum or 280 ai, but will out shoot both, stay in tune better, and makes a bigger hole.

 

[LVLAaron]

Any of the 300 or 338 magnums are my choice. 300 PRC would probably be a good all around choice. Its being supported well by the industry and isnt going anywhere. I knid of like to have 2. A lighter 300 for packing, and a heavier 338 for the longer shots. Just depends on the type of hunt and the terrain your in. I really like a 300 WSM with the 185 Berger. Same recoil as a 7 saum or 280 ai, but will out shoot both, stay in tune better, and makes a bigger hole.

I'm glad to hear that... I'm gathering the bits for a 300wsm. As mainly a 308 guy it made sense to be able to shoot the same bullets and barrels.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 185 is a great hunting bullet and has the widest seating window of any bullet I have shot.

 

[drop_point]

.280 AI, .300 WSM, .308 Win, .270 Win, 6.5 PRC...many can work great. In my circle, .280 AI and .300 WSM seem to be choice.

 

[TonyinKY]

I like a 44 mag scoped Super RedHawk at 7 yds. when you put more effort into the hunting rather than the shooting

 

[L.Sherm]

I like a 44 mag scoped Super RedHawk at 7 yds. when you put more effort into the hunting rather than the shooting

Theres always gotta be one!!!

 

[ebb]

.338

 

[30378]

30 Nosler with 80gr H-1000 and 215gr Bergers.

 

[MTlager]

6 Dasher with 105 vld at 300 yards will do the trick with a good shot in the lungs. I prefer 280 AI , or 7 Saum with 175 accubond most of the time .

 

[HandgunHTR]

I am a 7 caliber fan myself.

As for what cartridge pushes it, I really don't care. I just want a 140-160 grain bullet to arrive on target at >2000 fps, so I pick my shots accordingly.

 

[Teknys]

As for what cartridge pushes it, I really don't care. I just want a 140-160 grain bullet to arrive on target at >2000 fps, so I pick my shots accordingly.

Exactly- The right bullet in the right place. We live in elk country so if we have cow tags and happen upon cow elk feeding and broadside with a 100gn 243, we have hanging meat in the barn. That’s the exception, most of us are using 264 - 140gn Partitions up to 35 Whelen 225 gn. If I draw a bull tag where I’m traveling and setting up camp, I’m carrying a 300WSM with 180gn Partitions.
Notice it’s always a premium bullet on bull elk. Big difference between a bull elk and a cow.

 

[David Milisock]

Win mag 338 Barnes X,took this one on Colorado at a lasered 545 yards,down,stood up drt.I am the cameraman,the guy holding the elk got his next day.

I recognized your shadow!

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I recognized your shadow!

How can you not recognize such an imposing shadow? Three elk down on that trip, the one mine in pic took 10 hours to get him down the mountain, rough hunt.Elk #2

 

[David Milisock]

How can you not recognize such an imposing shadow? Three elk down on that trip, the one mine in pic took 10 hours to get him down the mountain, rough hunt.Elk #2

I get it, the last time I was out I had 2 tags gifted to me for a management hunt and I got 2. The hunt was the easy part, and the retrieval required me to take a vacation!

I'm glad you had a successful hunt.

 

[marchx]

Here in Europe we rarely shoot elks beyond 300m. I hunt with 140 Elite Hunters or Hybrids and luckily all my elks were dropped instantly. However, 90% of European hunters shoot elk with 308win. 5% use 8x57.
If I were in the market for a new hunting rifle I would go either with 6.5 prc or 300wsm, as Alex suggested.