Elk @ 600 yrds
- Thread starter fredhorace77
- Start date
I've killed a lot of elk, seen a lot of elk killed and I've cut over 2000 head of elk, there is NO good bullet choice in 7mm for that shot, I have not seen a bullet I'd take that shot with 100% confidence in 30 cal either. I hate that shot but have had to take it but I'm fully prepared to send more lead immediately or I have a buddy ready to back it up, I plan on that shot failing regardless of bullet.
you have to be able to put ALL of your bullets in a 10" circle or preferably better, at the range you are shooting.
you are usually tired and sometimes puffing.
you cannot always get the rest you want.
you might have to shoot at 50 yds, and need a bullet that will work at that range
then the same bullet has to work the same at the long range.
you know the range from yor lazer device, but the wind blows and you don't have a Doppler radar.
the animal will be at any imaginal angle, requiring anything from a texas heart shot to a side on rib shot. (back to bullets)
do you know what you can guarantee in all these areas.
in the old days we used to respect the animals we killed, to the point of having empathy for them.
this brought with it a self imposed discipline.
today's shooters seem to be drawn by ignorant of hunting marketing processes due in part to a basic lack of experience, and the human trait to take the easy way out.
studying animal behaviour and learning to stalk is becoming a lost art.
you are usually tired and sometimes puffing.
you cannot always get the rest you want.
you might have to shoot at 50 yds, and need a bullet that will work at that range
then the same bullet has to work the same at the long range.
you know the range from yor lazer device, but the wind blows and you don't have a Doppler radar.
the animal will be at any imaginal angle, requiring anything from a texas heart shot to a side on rib shot. (back to bullets)
do you know what you can guarantee in all these areas.
in the old days we used to respect the animals we killed, to the point of having empathy for them.
this brought with it a self imposed discipline.
today's shooters seem to be drawn by ignorant of hunting marketing processes due in part to a basic lack of experience, and the human trait to take the easy way out.
studying animal behaviour and learning to stalk is becoming a lost art.
Larry 16 miles above the shotgun
Back to the original question. Go find a Remington 700 Sendero in 300 win mag. Do whatever range work necessary to shoot 4-6" groups at 600 yards with the bullet you will use for the elk hunt. Preferably a 180 or heavier that's a proven elk bullet. If your goal is to shoot an elk at 600 yards, it should also be to absolutely know you can hit a 4-6" target at 600 yards in all conditions. This isn't anything that you can in a weekend. You'll need many hours on the trigger and behind that gun. Don't just go out on the days that are calm and overcast. A factory 300 win mag can make this shot if you do your part.
Larry, 16 miles above the shotgun zone off I 75 puts you around Linwood or 16 miles above it off 127 puts you around Alma. What area were you in ?
The so called hunting bullet is the original target bullet wearing the name "hunting". That bull was shot by a very experienced hunter from Arizona who has killed more than his fair share of elk, along with many other animals. Always his Ruger #1 in 7 Mag using the Nosler Partition or TBBC bullets. On this particular occasion, he decided to use the bullet that so many sales people have bragged about. Terry was sick about the result, and swore to never hunt with a Berger bullet again. To add insult to injury, Patty mailed an 8x10 photo to him.
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Most times not the arrow but the Indian. A shot on a shoulder of an elk with anything under a 338 is not a desirable shot. Even a 338 with a 300 grain bullet might not get in to vitals.
These guys that rage against long shots just need to go to ranges and watch guys shoot. I have seen guys that can't keep on a pie plate at 25 yards off a bench. Then they are going to go shoot offhand. Most long range shooters are very proficient with there firearms. They practice and practice. A 600 yard shot is not that difficult. My gun will usually shot in the 1 to 2 inch range at that distance. The wind really has to blow to push a 300 grain Berger going 3000 feet off the kill zone at 600 yards. I would bet long range hunters lose less game then short range hunters. Matt
Most elk hunters don't have the luxury of shooting from a bench when hunting.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Matt, Most arguing against long range hunting are usually young and in good physical shape. They too will learn.
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18 miles due west of Alma Edmore . Great place to be from . Larry
Yep I agree. Big bucks too
Fred, bring your buddy to Tulsa Red Castle this weekend. They are holding a 1000yrd Fclass match, winds are supposed to be 10-20. He will get to see first hand what missing the center is all about. In two weeks there will a 600yrd match held, might be a good time for him to try out his factory rifle and factory fodder.
They aren't as easy to kill as you have been told, and most definitely not easy to hunt.
No first hand experience hunting elk but I'd be terribly worried about what might happen if I only managed to wound the poor beast. I might try a shot with a factory built 8.5 lb 300 Win Mag at 600 but only if someone was beside me with a 30 lb .50 BMG. Sort of like the elephant hunters who used 6.5 mm Dutch. They normally had a 500 Nitro Express as a backup.
You need to experience it for yourself, Larry, then let us know. Elk often don't die as easily or quickly as deer, even with a well placed killing shot. Mortally wounded elk will often walk or run several hundred yards or more before dropping.
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I wish I had done it . But at 77 it is almost as much fun hearing about it .
I know if your younger you don't understand you don't have to kill to enjoy the hunt . Grand kids is my hunting story .
Nothing like watching them learn and enjoy the shooting and hunting sport. Braging a little My 9 year old Granddaughter killed a 1800 lb water buffalo with one shot with a 308 Using Barnes tsx . She is in Barnes youth archives . My Grandson At 8 killed the second larges Osceola At AFFR bombing range . Two years a go he killed one of the top Osceola ever killed . They crawled a 1/4 of mile . That is what hunting is about any more . Larry
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