Elk: Recommend .270 or 30/06 hot/flat-shooting ammo?

[RustyKnight]

Hey everybody....

Listen, I've got a couple of 30-30 94s, a .270 Remington 760 pump and a 30-06 Remington bolt gun (Springfield A3 sporter).

Don't see moose, bear or elk popping up in my life typically, though I've recently been given an open invite to join my friends in Colorado on their annual elk hunt. They claim 400-500yd canyon shots not uncommon.

Don't really need to buy a 7mm Rem mag or 300 Rem mag, as they would'nt get used much. Thought I'd consider some of the hotter .270 or 30-06 loads out there (Hornady)

Any recommendations from experience?

[Retaks]

The only problem with using to faster rounds is your going to loose bullet weight to get the speed. You would be better off using a 180gr round in the 30-06 and learning how much it will drop at the ranges you are going to shoot. The reasoning for this is you will have more knockdown power out at farther ranges and the bullet weight will keep the momentum going. I use a 180gr at all times in my 300 WSM even though i could get 150gr rounds.

[Retaks]

Here is something to look at. There is only 4" difference in drop at 500 yards between 150gr and 180gr rounds but you gain 200 ft. lbs. of energy at 500 yards with the 180gr round.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/comparative_ballistics_results.aspx?data=PRA3006A* PRA3006B*PRA3006C

[sclwald]

Totally agree with Retaks. Save your money and take your 30-06. Learn ballistics out to that range. May not drop them in their tracks but will put them on the ground just fine.

[npaden]

The most important thing to be looking at is bullet construction in my opinion. You want to spend the money on a premium bullet that will stay together and penetrate. A bonded bullet like the federal accubond will get you penetration and has great trajectory. Other premium bullets like the nosler partition will do well but don't have quite the trajectory. There are several other good premium bullet choices out there and they should pretty much all be available in .30-06 over the counter. Stay away from the $20 boxes of soft points.

P.S. - You need to practice shooting long range before you get there. A 400 yard shot is a LONG way. You need to know exactly how much your bullet will drop and be able to compensate for windage at that range.

[James B]

Depending on the terrain, it can take you a long time to reach an animal 400-500 yards away even if you do make a perfect hit. Thats pretty risky unless you are an old hand at it. For the 270 I would use the Barnes TSX in it's heaviest weight. For the 30-06 I would suggest the 165 grain TSX if they shoot well in tour gun.

[Doe Dumper]

Trying 400-500 yard shots without a ton of practice is just asking for disaster. If you do connect chances are its gonna be a piss poor hit.

[Scott Gags]

We took 3 elk on my last Colorado tripusing a 30-06 and Hornady Light Mags with 165 Grain Interbond bullets. Two bullets were recovered weighting 137 and 154 grains. Three other rounds were pass thrus. All shots were at 200+ yards. Prior to our trip I chronographed the rounds at 2950 from a 22" barrel. The ballistics for the 165 grain interbondare listed below.
30-06 Sprg., 165 gr.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballistics/popup&product_sku=85159

Some may consider a 165 grain bullet on the light side but the Interbonds retain weight so well their terminal performance ison a par with most 180 grain bullets IMHO.

[Wlfdg]

It's the general consensus around here that the more elk have been taken with the .30-06 than any other cartridge. I know guys who shoot elk with .270's firing 120 gr. bullets. I agree with Scott. 165gr. Interbonds or something comparable that your rifle shoots well. Shot placement is the most important thing. Tuck the bullet in behind the shoulder, maybe a little low for the heart and lungs. Dead is dead!

[BareBack Jack]

30-06 with 180 gr Nosler Partitions and lots of them.If you have not had a whole lot of practice at 400+yds you will be doing alot of spraying and praying.
BBJ