I have 30:06 and 280 caliber rifles that I normally shoot 150 and 140 grain bullets in respectively. I am fortunate enought to be heading out to Montana next year for my first Elk hunt. Are these adequate bullet weights adequate for Elk or should I move up to a heavier bullet?

Edited by - djc on 11/07/2002 21:21:52

I HAVE TAKEN 4 ELK IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I USE 180 GRAIN NONE MOVED MORE THAN TWENTY FEET BUT I THINK IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD SHOT PLACEMENT

bob dunning

BY THE WAY WHERE YOU HEADED IN MONTANA I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW PLACES

bob dunning

Bullet construction is more important than bullet weight.A 140gr failsafe or barnes x will penetrate better than a conventional 175gr bullet.If you use one of these bullets or a partition you can stick with your current bullet weights.If you use standard bullets such as power points or corelokts you should move up to 160 and 180 gr respectively.

I use 180 grain bullets out of my 30/06. Never had a problem in 25 years of elk hunting-----16 or 17 taken.

180 gr. Barnes X, Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame, or Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Good luck.

My opinion is that the right bullet weight, bullet construction, velocity and shot placement are all important factors. All must be present to make a clean kill. My point is that many bullets may cleanly kill elk under the right circumstances but the trick is to find a bullet that will cleanly kill an elk under the most circumstances. I feel a lighter bullet sometimes (not always) will break apart and lose its weight retention before taking an animal down, same with some kinds of bullet constructions. My opinion is 180 gr. Partitions, Barnes X, Failsafes, or Trophy Bonded Bear Claw for elk, which ever is more accurate out of your rifle.

In the 30-06 a 150 grain failsafe or partition will be fine and in the 280 in the 140 grain I would stick to x or failsafes or a trophy bonded...partitions or other bullets I would use 160 grain bullet

A 180 in an' '06 is a good startin' point. With a 280, I'd go with a 160 or 175 partition quality bullet. You want to punch thru with the shot selection yer given, not count on somthin' thet might not happen.

BJ

i use the 140 failsafe. works great. last one i took down 276 yds.neck shot fell right there.

don't fear the night
fear what hunt's at night
the snakeman