Whats the bare minimum caliber to hunt elk with at 800 yards? can you get away with a non magnum?
Elk
- Thread starter model 12 toby
- Start date
I agree. Sure it is possible and you can find a round strong enough to put one down but as someone who shoots Long Range and Palma quite a bit as well as hunt, I can tell you that there is NO sure first shot at extended ranges. If for no other reason, in the time it takes for a bullet to travel the distance (roughly 3/4 of a second at 800 yds.) there is plenty of time for your quarry to take one step as you pull or just as you pull the trigger. One step means either a miss (hopefully) or a gut shot (unacceptable). If you make a poor hit, finding the spot where he or she was (much less a blood trail) will be difficult. If it is late in the day it may be dark before you can cover the 800 yds. (not counting uneven or mountainous terrain) to even begin to try and track a wounded animal (in agony thank you for nothing).
If you want to become a sniper, join the military and do some good for your country. If you are a sniper, you should know better when an animals life is in your hands. They are not enemy combatants.
If you are a hunter, HUNT! That includes stalking.
Best of luck to you...
If you want to become a sniper, join the military and do some good for your country. If you are a sniper, you should know better when an animals life is in your hands. They are not enemy combatants.
If you are a hunter, HUNT! That includes stalking.
Best of luck to you...
just curious. wondered what caliber people use on some videos I watched and your thoughts. personally I'll probably never get a chance to even hunt elk. seen grey bull precision video with wayne van zwoll taking down one with 6.5cr at 606 yards. guess that kinda answers my question. I shoot some at 770 yards out to 960 maybe once a month if I get a chance. I know what your talking about and the difficulty in a shot like that. that damn wind. 
. I'd not try a shot like that myself cause I wouldn't feel comfortable yet. like I said probably wont get to.
. I'd not try a shot like that myself cause I wouldn't feel comfortable yet. like I said probably wont get to.The whole long range game on the internet and tv has given some people the idea that elk just stand out in the open waiting to be sniped at from a comfy perch. The time when long range shot does present its self then the soul searching should start. The wind ,mirage , fatigue ,and skill of shooter are more important then the caliber inscribed on the barrel. That being said here is a video greybull did to sell their guns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18
If a .243 is good enuff for that poor cow at 688 then it is almost good enuff for any others at 800Yds. Now i am not saying a .243 is the perfect elk rifle but to prove a point it worked.
Model 12 Toby, elk are too much fun not to ever get a chance to do it!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18
If a .243 is good enuff for that poor cow at 688 then it is almost good enuff for any others at 800Yds. Now i am not saying a .243 is the perfect elk rifle but to prove a point it worked.
Model 12 Toby, elk are too much fun not to ever get a chance to do it!!!!!
I have a 6.5x47 lapua. ;D
I live in the wonderful state of ohio. is there a place to hunt bigger game where I don't have to draw a tag and I can use a rifle?
I get to shoot ground hogs and coyotes with my rifle.
I live in the wonderful state of ohio. is there a place to hunt bigger game where I don't have to draw a tag and I can use a rifle?
I get to shoot ground hogs and coyotes with my rifle.
Notice I did say a video to sell their rifles!!!!! I can not say if its fact or fiction.JRS said:
Toby there are a few elk hunting sates that have pretty easy draws( hence alot of hunters), but with a little work up front its well worth the time to go!!!!!!
Colorado and Wyoming have a few spots and montana, I believe does have a few easier to get tags ,but the easier the tag the more effort the hunt is usually is.
Plus there is always Texas , just pluck down your money and hunt some hogs!!!!!!
Colorado and Wyoming have a few spots and montana, I believe does have a few easier to get tags ,but the easier the tag the more effort the hunt is usually is.
Plus there is always Texas , just pluck down your money and hunt some hogs!!!!!!
Yes .260 James, I did notice it 
Having served many years with the 75th RR, I'll say this: taking shots at those ranges without someone reading the wind, humidity, altitude, terrain topo, etc,etc for the shooter is nothing more than a crap shoot. Most will not have the luxury of sitting at a bench when hunting Elk.
Having served many years with the 75th RR, I'll say this: taking shots at those ranges without someone reading the wind, humidity, altitude, terrain topo, etc,etc for the shooter is nothing more than a crap shoot. Most will not have the luxury of sitting at a bench when hunting Elk.
you guys think long range pursuit is fiction maybe????????? whats the vitals on a large game animal. laundry basket maybe?
hog hunting in texas?
where to go to get a black bear for the best price and have a good chance at one?
hog hunting in texas?
where to go to get a black bear for the best price and have a good chance at one?
I hardly ever shoot from the bench. seems like it wouldn't be much good for being out in the wilderness.
I don't say its fiction its just not hunting. The purpose of hunting is to get close and compare your woods skills to the best ,the animals. Long range hunting as promoted on the tv and internet is set up to make certain of the distance being great and the skill is in reading the elements at hand. But who is the better hunter a guy with an iron sighted .358 winchester in a savage 99 killing elk in a thicket or a guy with a 6k outfit plink away from a hill far far away. I know people that strive for long shots but they are not hunters in the purest since. Some even downright lazy
That being said I have a .260 built for longish range hunting because I like to shoot unbothered antelope at some distance 400-500 yds because they eat better the running them around all day before shooting them.
That being said I have a .260 built for longish range hunting because I like to shoot unbothered antelope at some distance 400-500 yds because they eat better the running them around all day before shooting them.
what would u consider long range?
I thinkboth are nice. ;D
I noticed that people set goals for themselves and pursue them. my uncle thinks it's fascinating the yardages I shoot at and make contact with anything. however he once shot a ground hog with a recurve. I find that also impressive and just another goal. I also think if you didn't put in your homework to make a good shot at distance and didn't care whether or not you placed a good shot very irresponsible.
I thinkboth are nice. ;D
I noticed that people set goals for themselves and pursue them. my uncle thinks it's fascinating the yardages I shoot at and make contact with anything. however he once shot a ground hog with a recurve. I find that also impressive and just another goal. I also think if you didn't put in your homework to make a good shot at distance and didn't care whether or not you placed a good shot very irresponsible.
I have shot elk from 30 yards out to 1202 yards with a rifle, and as close as 12 yards with a bow. everyone was hunting and everyone was memorable.
WE (LRH) have an advantage over target shooters;
We tend to use larger cartridges with high bc bullets, that target shooters find unacceptable. (recoil)
We are not shooting in a match under time so we can take all the time we need to dope the shot, and read the animals body language so we are assured he doesn't take a step.
We tend to obsess over ballistic data/inputs and making solid first round hits, because we don't get sighters, (well thats not always true sometimes we will take a sighter shot on a rock if needed)
We can walk away from any shot we deem to high risk or under tricky conditions, where target shooters are forced to shoot.
Some of the advantages we have over "regular hunters";
We cover more ground with-out walking and disturbing game.
We usually are shooting at stationary animals, that are completely calm, and yes most times "out in the open waiting to be sniped " (as 260james pointed out)
We get much better follow up shots if they are needed because rarely if ever does the animal run after the impact.
We normally see 75% more game, because we spend more time looking and less time beating the bush.
Now when I go elk hunting I bring to guns to camp and use the light rifle if I need to go in after them, and the heavy gun when I feel like taking a nice walk to a perch where I will spend the day glassing.
As far as the OP's question on cartridge selection, for long stuff 800+ get a big 338, no one who has it ever regretted the choice.
A magnum 7mm or 30 will do in a pinch, but it would not be my first choice. If your willing to limit your range to 800 and under they will both perform well. my .02$
WE (LRH) have an advantage over target shooters;
We tend to use larger cartridges with high bc bullets, that target shooters find unacceptable. (recoil)
We are not shooting in a match under time so we can take all the time we need to dope the shot, and read the animals body language so we are assured he doesn't take a step.
We tend to obsess over ballistic data/inputs and making solid first round hits, because we don't get sighters, (well thats not always true sometimes we will take a sighter shot on a rock if needed)
We can walk away from any shot we deem to high risk or under tricky conditions, where target shooters are forced to shoot.
Some of the advantages we have over "regular hunters";
We cover more ground with-out walking and disturbing game.
We usually are shooting at stationary animals, that are completely calm, and yes most times "out in the open waiting to be sniped " (as 260james pointed out)
We get much better follow up shots if they are needed because rarely if ever does the animal run after the impact.
We normally see 75% more game, because we spend more time looking and less time beating the bush.
Now when I go elk hunting I bring to guns to camp and use the light rifle if I need to go in after them, and the heavy gun when I feel like taking a nice walk to a perch where I will spend the day glassing.
As far as the OP's question on cartridge selection, for long stuff 800+ get a big 338, no one who has it ever regretted the choice.
A magnum 7mm or 30 will do in a pinch, but it would not be my first choice. If your willing to limit your range to 800 and under they will both perform well. my .02$
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Listen to Jim See. ENERGY is the issue at 800 yards.
Also adding that less than a 338 compromises energy delivered at long range. You really want to deliver a tough bullet that will carry a good 1,500 ft. lbs of energy at the target range.
Killed an elk with my 338 at 440. It was a tough shot that worked. It's a bit of failure on deer as the heavy jackets I use act as a hole-puncher on deer. With a brake my 338 shoots like a standard cartridge and hits like a hammer.
Also adding that less than a 338 compromises energy delivered at long range. You really want to deliver a tough bullet that will carry a good 1,500 ft. lbs of energy at the target range.
Killed an elk with my 338 at 440. It was a tough shot that worked. It's a bit of failure on deer as the heavy jackets I use act as a hole-puncher on deer. With a brake my 338 shoots like a standard cartridge and hits like a hammer.
i have taken elk at 480, mulie at 625, and griz at 550,
all taken with 300wm, all taken when no optionto get closer elk with shooting rest, mulie off sitting knee rest and griz sitting in snow knee rest.
longer shots are to me for some one else, i like to hunt which means get closer and enjor the stalk, in these cases it was not possible,
Bob
all taken with 300wm, all taken when no optionto get closer elk with shooting rest, mulie off sitting knee rest and griz sitting in snow knee rest.
longer shots are to me for some one else, i like to hunt which means get closer and enjor the stalk, in these cases it was not possible,
Bob
th82457
Silver $$ Contributor
Get a good medium power 30 cal. (30-06, .300 Win. , etc,) and find its best load with a well constructed bullet for a heavy boned animal like an elk. Anyone who has hunted elk much will agree that they are very tough and will travel for miles with a misplaced shot or a fragile bullet that does not perform properly. Learn the trajectory and have a good rangefinder that you can understand & use. Then go hunting and place yourself in a position to shoot your elk at a reasonable distance (400 yds. or less). Most cartridges will drop significantly after the 300 yard mark and unless you hunt totally unpressured elk on a high price ranch, you likely will not have the time to dope a long distance shot before the elk disappear. Best to be in shape, have a reliable accurate rifle and learn where and how to hunt elk than to worry about shooting one a 1/2 mile away. I have shot both elk and Moose at various distances, but I am always aware of how tough they are and how any mistake can lead to either a lost animal or a lengthy tracking job in rough terrain. Just my nickles worth.
I would recommend joining and reading the forum articles on http://www.longrangehunting.com/ I asked a similar question as model 12 toby, and received some good advice.
I agree with the comments contrasting hunting v. long range shooting but there could be a time that an opportunity presents itself where a long range shot is needed. Several years ago, I was elk hunting in Colorado, with my cousin, who is a member on this board, there were 30 minutes for me to legally take my last shot, and I saw a LARGE trophy bull elk across a canyon. The lazer range finder indicated that he was 750 yards away. There was no way that I could have traversed that canyon within the next 30 minutes. I had a HS Precision rifle in .300 Win. Mag. which was more than capable of cleanly taking that elk at that range, but I only had dope out to 300 yards, and I had to pass on the shot.
I agree with the comments contrasting hunting v. long range shooting but there could be a time that an opportunity presents itself where a long range shot is needed. Several years ago, I was elk hunting in Colorado, with my cousin, who is a member on this board, there were 30 minutes for me to legally take my last shot, and I saw a LARGE trophy bull elk across a canyon. The lazer range finder indicated that he was 750 yards away. There was no way that I could have traversed that canyon within the next 30 minutes. I had a HS Precision rifle in .300 Win. Mag. which was more than capable of cleanly taking that elk at that range, but I only had dope out to 300 yards, and I had to pass on the shot.
RAndy made a good point about "dope" on the trajectory of your ammo. i print from SIerra infini with crono data, alititude, temp etc. data out using 50yd steps, to the max range i am willing to reach plus some draw a line where the fp drops below my minimum for the animal i am after deer is lower than elk etc.
I then cut this and tape it to the stock using packing tape to protect from weather, using range finder i then have a very good idea of clicks up from "0" which i have set a 300 yd, and windage i need to deal with.
Bob
I then cut this and tape it to the stock using packing tape to protect from weather, using range finder i then have a very good idea of clicks up from "0" which i have set a 300 yd, and windage i need to deal with.
Bob
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