Help me choose a elk rifle!

[JimT]

You mean the 30-06 is probably the best one rifle/caliber hunting combo in existence. A 30-06 is a real step up in terminal performance on large game over the .270. I say that being a fan of both cartridges. Even Jack O' Conner ranked the 30-06 over the .270 as an all-around cartridge.

People think Jack O' Conner liked the .270 Win above all else. That wasn't true. The .270 was his favorite sheep cartridge and sheep was his favorite game. He certainly defended the .270 as elk capable with proper bullets, but when asked how he would rank a list of cartridges that included the .270, 30-06, and 375 H&H, he put the 30-06 above the .270. Someone with more time than they should have may be able to find that interview someplace on the Internet.

The 30-06 will shoot at 168 TTSX at 2900-3000 fps, depending on barrel length, and that handles most NA game very well. It will shoot 180 grain bullets at 2800ish, which also handle most NA game well.

And for that high in demand but extremely short in supply grizzly bear encounter, I'd much rather have a 30-06/180 than a .270 with any bullet.

 

[RegionRat]

These days, picking the one you have the most ammo for should probably be high on the list.

You will want to practice and get good with the one you will use, which means you either have the ammo or you will probably have to roll your own.

Having good hunting bullets and the other components would probably make the choice easy, unless you are lucky enough to have the problem of having to pick equally among all three.

All three of those are perfect for elk, so pick the one you shoot the best.

 

[schwob2]

I would use the .270. It delivers most energy on wider distance and has better ballistic performance. I use this for all the red stag hunting over here in Europe. I am very happy with Hornady 140 Grain SST or 145 Grain ELD-X ammunition. I also use my .308 if I do not have to shoot beyond 250 yards. Here I am very satisfied with Hornady 150 grain SST Superperformance.

 

[David Milisock]

I would use the .270. It delivers most energy on wider distance and has better ballistic performance. I use this for all the red stag hunting over here in Europe. I am very happy with Hornady 140 Grain SST or 145 Grain ELD-X ammunition. I also use my .308 if I do not have to shoot beyond 250 yards. Here I am very satisfied with Hornady 150 grain SST Superperformance.

Do you find the Hornady SST tough enough for solid bones?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

06 with 180 Nosler Accubonds. My daughter killed her first ELK with that combo. It went 4' ! straight down.
lazered distance was 419yds. A 300 Winchester with 180 Accubonds would be a Great ELK rifle.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

That's the reason I use a 404 Jeffries.

 

[AbeS]

30-06 with nosler partition

 

[DumpHollow]

Once an appropriate bullet is loaded, within your set of rifles, I think caliber is academic. My priority for a hunting is how it feels in the hand. It has carry comfortably and point in a quick and natural manner. That means a high quality scope mounted as low as possible and no useless hardware attached to the forend.

 

[spencerhenry]

Shoulder shots waste a bunch of meat. I'll take a lung shot any day.

 

[DangerRanger]

Pick the one you like best and take the runner up as a backup.

Spend your time shooting them not worrying about which is better. That’s what will make the difference

 

[Albany Mountain]

I bought rifles every other year to find one I liked and worked well on elk. After 30-06, a couple 300 win mags, 308 winchester, I last tried a Remington 700 mountain rifle in 270 win. Its a pleasure to carry, shoots well and allows me to practice a lot without penalizing recoil. It became my main rifle but I fill in with others depending on short walks, timber hunting etc. I shot both my big bulls (and a lot of others) with it and it does the job well. I use 140-150 grain sierra BT for it.
I used 180 grain partitions in a 300 win mag on one bull about 150 yards. Hit him in the breadbasket 4 times before he went down. So I felt some of the premium bullets are overrated if you aren't hitting bone.
Being a rifle competitor, range officer, manager, instructor, I always tell people when they ask for caliber recommendations, to use the biggest caliber you are most comfortable shooting with.
I do think the 7mm remington magnum would be one of the best rounds but never used one.

 

[David Milisock]

I bought rifles every other year to find one I liked and worked well on elk. After 30-06, a couple 300 win mags, 308 winchester, I last tried a Remington 700 mountain rifle in 270 win. Its a pleasure to carry, shoots well and allows me to practice a lot without penalizing recoil. It became my main rifle but I fill in with others depending on short walks, timber hunting etc. I shot both my big bulls (and a lot of others) with it and it does the job well. I use 140-150 grain sierra BT for it.
I used 180 grain partitions in a 300 win mag on one bull about 150 yards. Hit him in the breadbasket 4 times before he went down. So I felt some of the premium bullets are overrated if you aren't hitting bone.
Being a rifle competitor, range officer, manager, instructor, I always tell people when they ask for caliber recommendations, to use the biggest caliber you are most comfortable shooting with.
I do think the 7mm remington magnum would be one of the best rounds but never used one.

I agree with the concept of easy to carry and pleasure to shoot. I've been very happy with smaller caliber higher sectional density projectiles. You can practice without being beat up and acwellmplaced 140 grain 264 does the job.

 

[therifler]

at 400 yds it's your call either 270 or 30-06 . i had a customer shot five elk with a 308 win with 165 gr balistic tips . 200 yds and in . not what i would recommend for elk but it worked for him . there are good bullets for 270and 30-06 . take alook at your rifles ballistics run a drop chart out to say 600 yds . giving alittle margin for error pick the one that has most knock down power or foot lbs of energy and you can't go wrong . rule of thumb is 1400lbs for elk .

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Shoulder shots waste a bunch of meat. I'll take a lung shot any day.

You must like chasin wounded aminals into the bush. Shoulder shot anchors them. Boiler room they can and will take off. Then die in the black timber.

 

[INTJ]

I can't use Barnes in my 308 because a fella on another forum told me they wouldn't stabilize above the dreaded 3000 ft. in my 11 twist barrel. Also that's why he wouldn't buy a Tikka....

That sounds about a reliable as Internet advice..........

 

[David Milisock]

You must like chasin wounded aminals into the bush. Shoulder shot anchors them. Boiler room they can and will take off. Then die in the black timber.

That's the difference in hunters, if it's a bad situation don't take the shot.

Having a magnum means YOU MUST practice more. If you're going to take longer shots you had better be a great shot. I've had animals move just as I fired, nobody's fault? Extra power at longer ranges means ACTUALLY practicing at those ranges if you want to make clean hits. Remember the wind hates you!

If you're carrying a properly configured 270, 6.5 x 55 or an 06 you get in closer to get the penetration.

 

[spencerhenry]

You must like chasin wounded aminals into the bush. Shoulder shot anchors them. Boiler room they can and will take off. Then die in the black timber.

I've killed about 45 elk, other than a non-lethal hit, I have never had one run more than 200 yards. I've killed numerous elk with a bow, 5 cows with an xp-100 in 7mmBR, and used a variety of calibers 405 Winchester, 45-75, 45-70, 308, 270, 45 win mag, 338, and maybe some I have forgotten. A good lung shot and they are not covering much ground. I have hunted them in the steepest dark timber, piñon and juniper, and aspen groves. On private land they don't have far to go to get across the fence, its never been an issue with a rifle.

 

[INTJ]

That's the difference in hunters, if it's a bad situation don't take the shot.

Having a magnum means YOU MUST practice more. If you're going to take longer shots you had better be a great shot. I've had animals move just as I fired, nobody's fault? Extra power at longer ranges means ACTUALLY practicing at those ranges if you want to make clean hits. Remember the wind hates you!

If you're carrying a properly configured 270, 6.5 x 55 or an 06 you get in closer to get the penetration.

There shouldn't be any difference in the amount of practice regardless of the name of the cartridge. Also, bullets usually penetrate more as they slow down.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I know the 6.5 Creedmoor wouldn’t be the preferred caliber, but it would do the job if you know it’s limitations. Sure used to be a lot of men bring meat back from the mountains with a .243 Win.

 

[RegionRat]

Not that I would recommend the 243 for an average sized person, but I have guided many disabled and petite folks for their first deer or elk using a 243 due to their physical limitations.

Every one of those was a first shot, one shot, clean kill to their credit and patients. We worked to get inside 300 yards, and we waited for the broadside pocket shots and they landed them within a baseball sized error of their aim point.

It is a real kick to be with someone for their first deer or elk and I don't hesitate with the 243 if that is what they are good with. Inside their ability to place the shot, the 243 gets it done just fine.

I would rather have them use the 243 and be patient, than botch the shot with something they can't manage.

On the other hand, don't ask me how many folks showed up with a Giant Wonder Mag they couldn't manage and they botched their shots. Mule deer and elk are amazing in terms of how far they can run when mortally wounded.

I didn't keep a diary, but with those kids and disabled using the 243 we are batting 1000. When a rookie shows up with a Giant Wonder Mag they haven't used much, the odds are dependent on landing the shot to within at least a basketball sized error. If they can at least place the shot into that imaginary basketball sized zone in the plexus high on the heart, the job is done well and we won't be tracking.