What cartridge is better for Elk and Mule Deer...

[22BRGUY]

Just a note that I checked out for a friend recently who is a newbie to long range but wanted something with good terminal ballistics but not so much recoil that he wouldn't enjoy shooting it from a bench at the range. I was referred to the JBM ballistics chart by a fellow member here and found out that the 6.5 Creedmoor will outperform the 7 08 with drop, wind deflection and terminal energy out to 1000 yards (my interpretation, check for yourself) using the 140 gr class of bullets. Don't know by my own experience but several have said the factory loads with 140 Amaxes shoot very well. Some may disagree here but as I said I just interpreted the info off of the JBM site.....corrections welcome.

 

[L.Sherm]

My choice would be the 7mm-08 also. I bought one for my wife also for the same reason the last thing you want to do is get somebody recoil shy. I loaded it down to shot 140 partitions to go 2750fps to start with and it now shoots the same bullet at 2950fps. At the time I shot a 280 Rem. that shot exactly the same bullet going the same velocity but the 7mm-08 did it with 5grs. less powder meaning less recoil. I've killed a half dozen bulls using the 140 part. and never had a problem with them. If she is not capable of shooting anything farther than 350yds. that combo would be my pick. Bottom line is shot placement is key get her comfortable with whatever you pick and practice as much as possible. Good Luck

 

[articmp]

I love some 6.5's and 7's. The 6.5 swede will go the distance, as will the 6.5 284 and 260. 7-08, 284 win.

 

[captkaos]

Maybe look at a Savage 11/111. They only have a 20" barrel but are chambered in many calibers such as 6.5Creedmore, 7mm-08, .308, 6.5x284Norma ect.
Looks like they have nice wood and a fluted bolt, you could buy one in a lighter caliber like .223/.243 to use for practicing in the off-season and have a barrel chambered for whatever caliber/length would work for her as a hunting barrel.
Easy to swap barrels with the wrench & guages or just have the nut eliminated and make it a switch barrel.
The action & stock is lightened, 5.5lbs total weight. Room for adding weight to balance the rifle for her and reduce recoil.

 

[CrazyCanuck]

shot placement is the most important thing, imo for elk a person should not shoot anything less than a 30-06. what calibers has she shot before?

I saw a vid a couple of years ago of a guy shooting a big bull elk at around 150 yards with a .243. He did a shot that hit the neck shoulder junction. On the vid in slow motion, you could see the eyes of the elk rolled completely back in its head on impact. The elk was literally dead on its feet before it hit the ground. I've made similar shots on whitetail with a 22 250 55gr bullet. They don't run, they don't kick, they don't go anywhere except straight down. Others may disagree but shot placement to me is what IS most important. You can hit a bull elk with 50 BMG in the guts and it will run a long ways or with a much lighter rifle with a well placed shot and it won't move. My suggestion would be as said before, something up to a 6.5 caliber, maybe Creedmoor, and enough time at the range to be able to place shots where they need to go. JMHO
Best Wishes

What these two have said....
Rather than shooting at a noise in the bush or shooting at something moving where you had just seen something. Enjoy the view, and enjoy the sighting of the animal, wait for a good opportunity then shoot it. Shot placement means everything. I have personally seen an adult moose go down at 75 yards shot with a 22lr. Hit him in the ear and it rattled around in the skull, animal went down like a ton of bricks. And a 300wm leave a trail of blood on a whitetail in the snow and 2 hours later still could not find it. You have heard of LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. My two cents a 243 or 7-08 will do great, hit it in the oil pan and it's not going far.