.270 & ELK

[jerry d]

What's your feeling on a .270 & taking Elk?
What would be the maxium effect range?
I have a .243 for deer so the gun would be used on larger game.I don't want a gun w/ alot of recoil.
I'm open to suggestions.

[stubblejumper]

I would prefer a larger caliber myself,but the 270win will kill elk.Even a 243win will kill elk under ideal conditions,but I don't consider either cartridge idea for elk hunting.

[RugerM77.270]

A 270 will take elk no problem look at 150 gr bullets or if you reload look at the 160 gr. partitions. If this is strickly a bigger then deer rifle you are looking for go with a 30-06 the recoild isn't much more plus recoil has more to do with the rifle then the caliber.

[stubblejumper]

A 270 will take elk no problem look at 150 gr bullets or if you reload look at the 160 gr. partitions.

Bullet construction is far more important than bullet weight.If I had to hunt elk with a 270win,I would be using the 130gr TTSX,since it will penetrate every bit as well as the 150gr or 160gr partition.

[Hurricanespg]

The Winchester 150gr XP3 ammo has worked well on elk for quite a couple of my friends....personally, I use a 30-06.

[txhunter58]

The 30-06 would be a better choice IMO. Greater choice of bullets from 125, 150, 165, 180 gr. I would limit my shots on elk with a 270 to 300 yards, 400 with the '06.

[jerry d]

So a .270 doesn't seem to be to popular of choice for Elk.I had a Rem.700 in .06 that I sold quite a few years ago,looks like I'll have to get another.
Just curious,what do you guys consider an ideal Elk cartridge?

[Scott Gags]

If you do not want a lot of recoil I would ask if your old 06 was too much recoil. If it was not too much then I would pick the 06 or something bigger. I would feel comfortable using a 270 certainly to 300 yards especially at the higher altitudes many elk are taken. You will be surprised at the difference in downrage energy between 1,000 feet and 9,000 feet altitude.

I really feel however you have a greatflat shootingdeer rifle already in your 243. I would go with a rifle that gives you a dedicated "big game rifle" to hit big game harder. A 30-06 with the Light Magnum loads isreliable 400 yard elk rifle, beyond that you are into heavier recoiling magnums.

[Alaska338]

We shoot Moose and Grizzlyup here with 270 Win and good 140 and150gr Bullets.

In Factory loads the Federal 130/140gr TSX Barnes or Trophy Bonded and the 150gr Nosler Part.

Winchester XP3 in 150gr if your riflewill shoot them.

I like the 140 Nosler Accubond with 58.0 of Reloader 22 in a Handload.

[savage3006]

A .270 with good quality bullet and good shot placement will work fine, but if I were you I would go with the '06 with a light bullet (150gr). I do not think the recoil will be a problem. Have you tried the '06 before?