Any caliber from 6.5mm (.264) up to .35 (.358) will do the job. Find one of these in a rifle you shoot well because nowhere is shot placement more important than it is in elk hunting.

If you have something in the .270/.280/.308/.30-06 range, you don't need anything else. If your deer rifle is a .243, you may want to think about a new rifle. For elk only, it is hard to beat the new WSM line of cartridges (.270,7mm,.300) or the standard 7mm Rem Mag or .300 Win Mag. Of course, a .338 Win Mag will really get the job done, but will do a number on your shoulder, too. <img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

I have at various times shot elk with a .270 Wby Mag, .300 Wby Mag and .338 Win Mag as my primary elk rifle. I have never seen a thread of difference in the killing power of these rounds on elk. <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>

I've also shot elk with the 7mm/08, .284 Win and the .308 Win, and wouldn't hesitate to use these again. But I would limit my range to 300 yards, preferably less.

If I were picking out a new rifle for this purpose, I would probably go with either the .270 WSM or the 7mm WSM. I am sensitive to recoil and I know I can shoot these rounds and I know they will take elk to all reasonable ranges.

Whatever you pick, use heavy-for-caliber premium bullets, and practice, practice, practice. And when the moment of truth comes, aim for the shoulder. Just my $0.02

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Edited by - seattlesetters on 11/21/2002 12:02:14