12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

Today was this first day of the any legal weapon bull elk hunt in Utah. Cold, shifty winds, snow. Managed to call in a Moose within 30 feet, but no Elk! Running a .300 Winchester Mag. 0 at 200 yds. Hunting in pretty tight spots, very narrow, steep canyons. It's great. But it got me thinking about next years' hunt already.Will probably not take a shot over 125 yards. Anyone use a slug on an elk with a 12 G?

My biggest concern is that I am going to torture the creature, and that's why I use my .300 WM. Not worried about aim up to about 100-125 yds. as I will likely have to shoot at this distance to achieve success anyway, right now.

Good luck on the hunt everyone and be safe!Saw several people pucker out just hiking today, altitude and inclines can be killers. Got a few pics, but will wait to postuntil there's an elk!

Utah

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

Here's a photo of nephew with a big cow elk in a cow hunt that allowed short range weapons only. The shot was 40 yds but he was accurate to 100yds during his practice sessions, I'm sure 125yds is not out of the question for a 12 gauge slug, it had a rifled barrel. I'll also add it dropped that cow in her tracks with a shot just behind the shoulder as you can see if you look for it!

ElkNut1

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

A 12 gauge slug is going to do alot more then that 300 wm will even think about out to about 100 yards. I have often thought about getting a slug barrel for one of my pumps. Then when it gets thick, I got the firepower to dump 'em quick. IMO They don't make a better brush gun.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I had this exact same thought on Saturday sitting in the truck up parleys canyon. I just bought a 20 gauge 11-87 for a white tail hunt in Idaho later this month and was wondering about using it for elk in the thick brush/timber. It has a rifled barrel, and Leupold 2x7 scope. It’s a blast to shoot and I have shooting 1 1/2 groups at 75 yds. An other thought is a lever action in 44 mag,

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Your nephew's a deadshot with the slug elknut1. I imagine the slug went in and out at that distance didn't it?

Elknuts. I know at 100 yards I am looking at nearly a clean, almost no expansion through and through. Didn't want the shotgun taking a chunk out and have the tracking go onto private property. This is good to know.

Starhunter, were you up east canyon? I am getting skunked on my bull and will likely need to go above Kamas. If you haven't achieved success on your deer, let me know. I have a few good spots I can give you. I flushed 3 bucks today, just can't seem to get a bull.

It stinks when you know where your quarry is and can't do anything about it because it's owned by 2 jackasses.

Tim

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I shot and killed 3 blacktails with a 12 gauge rifled slug all within under 100 yards, the "shock and awe" of it allmowed e'm right over in they're tracks, andduring that time periodit was theonly gun i could afford at the time and i still carry it along as my backup gun.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

tbrunson--The slug did not go through the elk. It was stuck on the offside in the hide, it mushroomed beautifully though. He was using a powerbelt at the time! It sure put the thwack on her for sure!

ElkNut1

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

12 gauge slug will take anything that walks this earth

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

AMEN !!!

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

tbrunson-- I was at the top of parleys skirting the private property. I used to live in Jeremy Ranch and know the area quite well. I have had good luck with the land owners for hiking and such but they dont even want me to look at it during the hunt. I seen a couple of nice bulls two weeks ago. I heard (but not confirmed) that on Saturday three bulls were shot on private property and that the sheriff was investigating. I have always seen elk above Kamas during the deer hunt, but never hunted elk there. My deer hunt is in Idaho, if you have any suggestions let me know.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I really don't have an opinion on this subject. But My name was on the first 6 topics and I figured this would make 7.[8D]

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

starhunter,
Wasn't paying enough attention to realize that you were hunting Idaho, was thinking EC up parley's. My apologies.

Everyone's imput has led me to think about another opinion based question. Is it worth it to buy the rifled barrel and sabot slugs? Or do standard slugs on a smooth barrel do the job well enough (drop within roughly 40-50 yards)?

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I expect that a smooth bore with slugs are good to 40 yrds, but that is close to elk during the rifle hunt and you will definately extend your range with the rifled barrel.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

Here in the east coast we knock deer down like it was our job with a 12! Slam them with a sabot slug and a rifled barrel you will do fine!

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I did a bit of research an opt for the rifled barrel w/ a cantilever. I am not an expert, but I was told that the cantilever is a better mechanism for connecting a scope because the reciever takes the blunt of the recoil, behind where the scope is mounted. I have been told, but not proven yet that I should be able to hit a paper plate at 150 yds. with the rifled barrel. I was shooting 2 inch groups last time out at 75 yds. The gun is a blast to shoot, but at $3 a hole its a bit expensive. If you already own a 12 g. you may be able to just buy the barrel. One thing to note, the recoil is quite substantial. Not like a punch in the shoulder, but the whole gun wants to lift up. Last time out, I noticed the barrel coming back down and bouncing (very lightly) off of the bench. Its controlable, and very fun to shoot.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

Very cool... congrats nice Cow

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I have a benelli that I can buy the cantilevered rifle barrel for. Went above Kamas as mentioned several days ago. Still plently of deer, just no elk. They are smart, really smart.

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

THIS ONE'S LONG
I could shoot myself.

Right place, wrong time.
The any legal weapon, bull elk hunt is over (my permit). Hunting is a learning experience, but it's no consolation when you've already hiked x miles since the start of the hunt and no success. No less in terrain that can leave blisters on your feet and muscles aching for days. I had salivated for this hunt over the past 2 years, and fell short.
First weekend. Thought if we hung tight we'd get a few migrating up the canyon from all the pressure below (2.5 miles in and out). Saw track that had already come through. Thinking wow, this is starting early. Temp is 23F with wind chill. Wind is in our favor. Since some have already come through, let's break over the main ridge slowly down wind and track a bit then call. Found the second spot (additional 2 miles and now I am flirting with private property). Managed to call in a Bull Moose for hells sake but no elk!

Moose scared me to death, thought I had a big black bear over the lull, given the size of the track 20 yards back.
Yes, I called in a bull moose with an elk cow call.
Okay, let's circle around, got to catch something. Nope. Wind still in my favor except for the occasional shift. Knowing my luck I was 100 yards out in heavy timber and a bull smelled us when the wind shifted. Additional 2 miles.

Lunch time: start the vehicle and warm up for a bit, take a short drive to check for track across a road 3 miles away. Nothing there. Must have missed something. They zigged when I thought zag.

Back out: Now I am going deep. Drag my hunting partner 3.5 miles in with snow, wind, wet. Luckily this is semi-flat terrain. Partner asks me, "I'm curious to know what your limits are." I think about it, and realize that I have none (dumb?). Willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of getting one. I reply, "me too."

It's now 5:30PM and I am starting to think about setting up a makeshift camp but I can see that I have worn my buddy out, he's cold and tired.

Let's call it a day.
Next day I am flying solo. Couldn't say how far I trekked, but now I am sore and tired. Whatever it takes. Nothing again, but the park ranger said that if I go to a particular spot tomorrow morning, I could be in good shape.

Next day, still solo: Almost vertical climbing, lot of miles for one day. Another hunter sees me and we circle the timber 600 yards apart to see what we can flush. Nothing.

Next weekend, campout above Kamas, partner back. This is the real agony for me. Sign everywhere no more than 24 hours old. Waited, waited, waited....... They have to come back at some point, they bed and feed here. Nothing, now it's dark and can't come back out. What I realized is that there was convergence on the water source and remembered that elk might not come back for a few days, especially if they're being pressured.

NEXT YEAR, I AM GOING BACK TO THE LAST SPOT!

RE: 12 Gauge Slug on Elk?
 

I couldn't have said it better myself!