what caliber do you like for elk hunting?

[n.c.outlaw2024]

I've heard of folks using a .270 for cow elk. saw it also on Yellowstone Wardens so it has to be true. Lol.

 

[Rick300]

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

 

[jxb]

.50

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have used 7saum, 30tc, and 338wm. They all died drt, or a few steps. 150 -200 gr bullets. Berger, Hornady, Nosler no complaints about any. May try the Barnes tipped bullet this fall in the 30TC, I have a cow/calf lic. I will probably take my full length 30-30 Win also, 160 gr FXT bullet, encase a bow distance stalk presents.

 

[wboggs]

I've heard of folks using a .270 for cow elk. saw it also on Yellowstone Wardens so it has to be true. Lol.

6.5s, 270s, 7mms, 30 cal all kill elk easily. Just use a well constructed bullet, get within 300yds, hit a kill zone and they don't go far. Use what you shoot best as long it is reasonable.

 

[Doug Casner]

I shot one with a 308 TC encore pistol Barnes 165. Killed him dead. Next time Im taking a 300 mag . or at least a 3006. I kinda felt undergunned. Doug

 

[CJ6]

I've taken a few bull elk with the 270 never an issue. The owner of one ranch we've hunted at uses an old 257 Robert's Win. and that's all he uses. He's got his barn (man cave) lined with racks.

 

[Fern]

While you can take an elk with a 22 it’s not ethical. I believe in using enough gun to not let the animal suffer.
I had a friend use a 6.5 prc and watched the elk walk away. They found blood and looked for several hours two days and could not locate the elk.
He was so mad at himself he swore off anything lower then a 30 cal on elk.

 

[dk17hmr]

I have shot several with 264 caliber, 284 caliber, 30 caliber, 338 caliber, one with .277 (6.8spc) and one with a .45 (smokeless muzzleloader). I live in elk country and hunt them ever year and can pass on shots if needed. If it were a once in a lifetime dead I'd be using at least a big 7mm or 30 to 338 shooting heavy bullets.

The 45 smokeless is pretty impressive.

 

[wwbrown]

I would focus on finding a quality bullet and good load for whatever cartridge you choose, I think that may be more important.

 

[L.Sherm]

My 30-28 nosler with the 215 Berger is an elk killing S.O.B

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

I had a friend use a 6.5 prc and watched the elk walk away.

Could happen with any caliber. That must have not been a very well placed shot. So many factors, the wind, temp, distance, size of elk, etc...but there are many, many people that take elk with 6.5 PRC, so that doesn't say too much for your friend. For that matter, many people take elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[FeMan]

I have killed elk with .243, .270, 7-08, 7 STW, and 300 WSM. The 243 was not the best choice but the others all worked fine. My personal favorite is the 30-28 with 215 Berger's.

 

[Fern]

Could happen with any caliber. That must have not been a very well placed shot. So many factors, the wind, temp, distance, size of elk, etc...but there are many, many people that take elk with 6.5 PRC, so that doesn't say too much for your friend. For that matter, many people take elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Agreed we give him so much grief about it. We tell him we’ll have someone standing by to take the second shot right after him lol

 

[nakneker]

Started out using my uncles 243 when I was 12, they are legal here in Arizona, filled two elk tags with that rifle, one shot each. Then I bought a 270 that accounted for a bunch of elk with factory 130 CorLokts. Since then I’ve used a bunch of cartridges medium and large. 7 Saum is a personal favorite.

My opinion for the best cartridge for elk is the one you’re most comfortable with. A 140 grain 6.5 through the heart is better than a 200 grain 30 cal in the guts or hind quarter. Shot placement trumps big. I would shoot a bigger cartridge if you’re comfortable with that rifle.

Bullet selection is important, lots of good elk bullets out there. If shots are under 350-400 I’ve always liked a partition. Lots of good cup and core bullets to choose from though. My wife uses Barnes TSX in her 25-06 and has taken half a dozen bulls with that combo. if long range is on the menu I’ve had good luck with Berger VLD elite hunters.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

Agreed we give him so much grief about it. We tell him we’ll have someone standing by to take the second shot right after him lol

I also think it's worth saying that it can happen to any one of us, because like I say...there are a lot of factors. For the most part, 6.5 Creedmoor has plenty of accuracy to place good shots at reasonable distances. I am not good enough that I would even think about taking game at 500 yards, even 400 would be stretching it. 200-300 yards is more like it for me. I would use either 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC on black bear without question.

 

[WV Hitman]

Killed 2. One at 352 yds with my .338 JDJ Contender handgun and an original Nosler 200 gr. BT (very hard bullet. They had complaints & made it softer). Second at 175 yds with my .338-06 JDJ Encore handgun and a 185 gr. Barnes X. Both dropped!

 

[David Milisock]

I've heard of folks using a .270 for cow elk. saw it also on Yellowstone Wardens so it has to be true. Lol.

How far? How big?

 

[David Milisock]

In my opinion out to 300 any size elk a 6.5 Swede is the smallest caliber that I like and it works well. A 35 Whelen works there too, a better choice than the Swede or a 30-06.

I shot completely through 2 large elk, 1 at 400 and 1 at 600 with a 358 Norma Magnum. In my opinion with big magnums you need to stay off heavy bone in close to avoid a blow up of the projectile. The same projectile expands nice for longer ranges.
My 400 was a textbook 400+ heart lung, straight through, trotted a few steps and dropped. t
The 600+ was a left front quartering, through the left shoulder exiting on the right rear in front of the hip, dropped straight down upon impact.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The Barnes bullets I'm considering using out of my 30TC will start about 2700fps. Chart indicates falling below 2000fps by 400 ish yards. So if I stick with them I will self impose max 350-375 yard shot. So caliber, bullet weight aren't all the limiting factors in hunting rifles. Besides the obvious shooting skill level and weather conditions(before and after the shot).