elk huntin- opinion

getwood · 01-15-2005, 10:24 AM

is a 7mm-08 rem. heavy enough to hunt elk ?, if not, your opinion on next heaviest caliber.

MrLongbeard · 01-15-2005, 11:40 AM

I'm no expert but I would think that the 7mm-08 is a little small. But I'm sure if you limit your shots to 200 yards you might be ok...

handloader1 · 01-15-2005, 10:50 PM

If you are going to use the 7mm-08 Rem., go with a 140 gr. Nosler Partition, or a Win. Fail Safe. It would be nice if heaver bullets were used in factory ammo. A friend's 12 year old son received a 7mm-08 Rem. for Christmas; I am going to load 160 gr. Barnes XLC for mule deer and elk for him. He will be keeping his shots under 200 yds. Good luck.

bigbulls · 01-15-2005, 11:09 PM

Yes the 7mm-08 will work just fine for elk.

Only problem is that there are only two loads from the big manufacturers that are suited for elk. One is Winchesters 140 grain failsafe and the other is Federals 140 grain partition.

Someone posted a link on another thread and I just had to save it to my favorites.

These guys load some very good elk medicine for the 7mm-08. Not too bad on prices either.

http://www.cpcartridge.com/7mm-08P.htm

idahoelkinstructor · 01-16-2005, 12:27 AM

As others have stated above, yes it will work if thats all you can handle, or have available.

NVMIKE · 01-16-2005, 10:24 PM

If you cant get anything else it will do, but its on the small side for elk. start at 30-06 and go up, 150gr bullets and up.

CapDog · 01-17-2005, 04:25 AM

Like it's already been said, yes the 7mm-08 is adequate for Elk. I've shot a few with my handy Browning BLR in .308 and have had no problems. Just keep the shots on the shorter side.

DUCKSTAMPEDE · 01-17-2005, 10:21 AM

Velocity is the key-that is why this caliber will work okay in short range situations-you get beyond 225 and the velocity degrades geometrically depending upon conditions. Biggest concern I would have about that caliber is the type of hit you make-a poor hit and the caliber will be large enough to cause damage but large enough to take down or bleed out and take down-animal may live for days before it dies. Remember, velocity is reduced geometrically with distance and contact.

Slamfire · 01-17-2005, 08:36 PM

I killed 3 raghorns and 2 cows with a 6.5-.257 which is roughly equivalent to todays .260 Remington.