Elk calibers

[Jdne5b]

That was a very entertaining episode! Tell us more about your rifle setup. What were specifics of the load you were using? Very windy, how did you determine your hold off?
That camera zoom was amazing, I can’t believe how clear it was zooming at 750 yards!!

Looked like his 6 creedmoor. 107 SMK.

 

[Performance Shooting]

Thanks for all the imput....you have talked me into a larger caliber...I'm gonna settle on a 300WSM.

 

[ryanjay11]

Looked like his 6 creedmoor. 107 SMK.

That was a very entertaining episode! Tell us more about your rifle setup. What were specifics of the load you were using? Very windy, how did you determine your hold off?
That camera zoom was amazing, I can’t believe how clear it was zooming at 750 yards!!

Load: 300 WSM with 200 ELD-X seated just in front of the neck/shoulder junction(not possible in a short action): Norma Brass, BR-2 primer, 68.5 grains H4831SC. It is a mild load at 2830 fps.
Rifle: Defiance XM, Proof 24", Thunderbeast Ultra 7, Manners EH1, Trigger was a Jewell, but I've switched to Triggertech Diamond, Atlas bipod, Nightforce ATACR F1 4-16x42mm, Seekins Low rings
I use a G7 BR2 rangefinder with a Kestrel and wind indicator(fancy baby powder), and observe the grass, trees, etc. to calculate my hold.

 

[TC260]

Making the argument that a cave man can kill an elk with a stick does not mean a 130 grain bullet will penetrate a bulls shoulder blade at 600 yards.

I agree. How natives hunt doesn't really have any correlation to the modern sportsmen's hunting ethic in my opinion. The video is a bit rough to watch but it illustrates how very different primitive hunters take big game and how much more humane modern hunters are with modern equipment. That's not a judgement on them, if I was in their position fighting for survival every day with the same weapons I'd hunt that way too but I'm not going to change the type of rifle I feel I can make a quick humane kill with based on what they're doing with spears.

 

[spencerhenry]

killing and tenderizing all in one! or perhaps the massive amount of adrenaline makes them taste awful?

 

[JimT]

Is that a good organization or more of a elite group that’s going to be bad for the regular hunter? I’m seriously asking. I went to the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas several years ago, RMEF had a big booth in the convention center. They were selling high dollar raffle tickets for different guns, kinda left a bad taste in my mouth.

While I might not agree with the leadership of the RMEF all of the time THEY lead the way when it comes to advocating for elk and elk habitat. Below is a good example:

http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/rm...-69310221&mc_cid=67037dc276&mc_eid=8fc174d6b8

 

[Kracken McGraw]

While I might not agree with the leadership of the RMEF all of the time THEY lead the way when it comes to advocating for elk and elk habitat. Below is a good example:

http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/rm...-69310221&mc_cid=67037dc276&mc_eid=8fc174d6b8

Jim
Thanks, I was not trying to cast any bad light on the RMEF. Just wanted input from members here that had dealings with this organization.
Mark

 

[Nature Boy]

One thing I can say with certainy is that NO animal ever hit through the chest with both lungs and or heart shot, ever ran more than around 150 yards, the vast majority never running more than 80

My experience as well

 

[leclairk]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

 

[leclairk]

Tikka in 300WM?

 

[JRS]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

Accuracy is your number one concern. A killing shot is a killing shot. A poorly placed shot is a poorly placed shot.

 

[leclairk]

Accuracy is your number one concern. A killing shot is a killing shot. A poorly placed shot is a poorly placed shot.

Completely understand, however if for some unforeseen reason my shot is poorly placed, what’s a rifle that will increase my odds.

 

[Nature Boy]

Completely understand, however if for some unforeseen reason my shot is poorly placed, what’s a rifle that will increase my odds.

Isn't that obvious? It's the Six Five Creed you silly man!

Will kill everything on this planet, plus Venus and Mars

 

[JRS]

Completely understand, however if for some unforeseen reason my shot is poorly placed, what’s a rifle that will increase my odds.

I suppose that would depend upon how far you are prepared to track that wounded animal. Elk are tenacious. They can also travel long distances whether gut shot, or running on 3 legs. You will increase your odds by practicing with the rifle and caliber you are comfortable with. A bigger caliber is not necessarily going to increase your odds. It might, however, shorten the distance you have to track that animal, if there is a blood trail.

 

[Bc'z]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

Your 270 with a 150 partition WILL kill.
But if your seriously looking for another
Look at a 416 Rigby, 458 Lott, 50 bmg.
Yeah I'm being a smart ass.
Shoot what your accustomed to shooting.
Getting winded, Adrenaline all that is going to happen no matter what caliber your shooting.
If you need an excuse to by a new rifle just go buy one. A misplaced shot is just that no matter what you shoot.

 

[Mulligan]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

30-06
CW

 

[TC260]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

I had an opportunity to go on an Elk hunt 3yrs ago before an unexpected divorce squashed the plans. Anyway, it was a little more open area than you're describing, shots were said to be rarely over 200 yards so I settled on a 35 Whelen. Figured it'd make a little bigger hole and recoil is very manageable (I'd deer hunted with a TC Encore 35 Whelen). Since I didn't get to make the hunt though my opinion on the matter is worth what you paid for it

 

[Doug Beach]

.30-06 or .308 will kill them from 0-400 yards, with no drama or difficulty. 165 & up bonded bullet.
I’ve killed 3 with an -06/180, from 250-350 yards, 1 bullet each, one went 20’.

 

[Bc'z]

I use to instruct set up n deployment of said device, also instructed on law rocket.
Expert w grenades and m16 also.
So yeah pour a cup for me too.

 

[Brians356]

While I understand my .270 can kill an elk, I also understand that being winded, adrenaline, and stress will decrease my accuracy significantly. I subscribe to the idea that a large caliber will increase my odds. So what should I get? I want a lightweight gun, something that won’t blow my shoulder off, and something that won’t break the bank. I’ll be hunting Roosevelt’s in pretty dense forest so most shots will be less than 100 yards.

More elk have been killed with the 270 Winchester than by any other cartridge not named "30-06 Springfield".
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