30-30 for elk?
 

My old friend is joining me in my home state of Wyoming for an elk hunt.I have grown up with a Remington 700 in a 30-06 that has harvested many animals over the years. My whitetail hunting friend loves his Marlin ,lever 30-30, is this rifle appropriate for elk? in what grain? I have received a variety of local responses and would like to put this question to the hunting public. My first reaction was to tell my friend to buy a new rifle .270 and up, but I would like to hear from others. Thanks

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Obviously your friend would be better off with a 30/06 like yourself with a good 180grn bullet. If he is stubborn and insistent on using it I hope he will be shooting at nothing over 125yds with 170grn bullets. We've personally taken several bulls with a 30/30 but no shot was over 80yds and it always took more than one shot to put him down even though they were hit smack in the lungs. the 30/30 just does'nt offer a lot of knock down power, like I said it will get it done when you're close but why take the chance especially if this is his first elk hunt. elknut1.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

If he shoots straight and keeps the shots close, then the 30-30 will kill an elk until it dies from it.

Use the 170 grain silvertip bullets.

Like elknut said he would be better off with a heavier rifle, but the 30-30 will work just fine.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

If he wants to use his 30-30 use a 170gr. Nosler Partition (Federal), or a 150gr. Barnes X (PMC Starfire HP). Good luck.



Edited by - handloader1 on 01/23/2003 00:47:18

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

I'm afraid my response will be a little stronger than the prior three! I have a Win 94 30-30, it was my dad's and it was the first "high power" rifle I ever shot! With that said it has kept its position in my gun safe only as a family heirloom - it hasn't been fired in over 20 years. Why? Because in my humble opinion a 30-30 is a pathetic cartridge which has probably injured more game in history than any other - not fit for hunting much more than tiny deer in the brush or coyotes that aren't smart enough to stay more than 150 yards away.

In my case, friend or not, no one is hunting elk with a 30-30 in my camp! Doesn't matter what grain or type of bullet or type of rifle - no way. He can borrow my .30-06 backup rifle if he wants but that is about the minimum. We've got a responsibility to the elk to "use enough gun." If someone is buying a rifle "just for elk" they shouldn't stop at .270 - step it up a notch - go 7mmMag/30-06 or beyond.

Deer at 250 lb. versus Elk at 600 lbs. is like the difference between high school football and the NFL - come on - gear up! This isn't Bambi popping.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/23/2003 10:36:43

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

I have to agree that the 30-30 is no rifle to hunt elk with. Its killed elk in the past but with what there is availble now days leave the 30-30 at home. It is a horrible elk cartridge with an extremely limited range and if you hit bone like the shoulder you'll never see it again. Some say you need 2000 ft-lbs of energy to take an elk but I believe to be closer to 1800. Just so you get an idea Federal makes a 170gr partition for the 30-30 and out of the muzzle it has 1830 ft-lbs of energy and 1320 at 100yds. So unless your friend plans on "holding up" an elk this cartridge should not be used. A .270 is better than the 30-30 but I don't believe that to be a very good choice either. My personal minimum for elk is a 30-06.

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

As most have said it don't make the best elk rifle around . I had a friend that used one for a couple years and it always meant a tracking job . He has a 300 win now and thats all he talks about how fast they go down .

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

The original question was NOT "will a 30/30 kill an elk?" That would be a silly question because any cartridge, enen a .22 cal short will kill an elk.

The question was "is this rifle appropriate for elk?". And the answer would likley be NO. If you go elk hunting with one you could see a lot of elk that you could shoot with a more "appropriate" cartridge that you should not attempt to shoot with a 30/30.

On the other hand I bet there are lots of bow hunters who have said "I couldn't take the shot with my bow but he was standing there broadside at 65 yds. and I could have shot him with a 30/30."

Robin



Edited by - Duffy on 01/23/2003 16:34:23

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Killin' an' elk and finding a kilt elk are two differnt things. People used to hunt elk a lot with 30-30s back in the early 1900s. They also didn't have limits an' 'bout wiped the critter off the planet at one point. Read 'bout Teddy Roosevelt's Two Ocean Pass Hunt. He never took the meat of a bull, would gut shoot 'em on purpose, and lost many he hit. With all the people we got nowadays, there ain't even no sense in talkin' bout takin' a pop gun after the best game animal we got.

BJ

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Of course there are many people who believe that a 30-30 isn't fit for killing anything bigger than a squirrel. The 30-30 is a fine gun if you can shoot it right. If I only had a 30-30 and wanted to go elk hunting I would choose my 30-30 over anyone someone elses gun anyday. Or buy a new gun. But that's just me. I like to use my own equipment.




"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Jack O'Conner killed more than one grizzly bear with a 30-30. If you get close enough there is no reason that a 30-30 wouldn't work well on elk.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

ElkampMaster I usually don't make comments like this but in this case I for one have to say something. I think the comment you made about the 30/30 was pathetic at best. It is obvious to me from your statements that you've never even fired a round from a 30/30 at an elk but yet you have heavy accusations to say about it. You must run a mighty interesting hunting camp there, having to ok everyones choice of weapon before they're welcome there. With comments such as this, I'd be concerned with who was still showing up at hunting camp this year.EXAMPLE That's like me running a friend out of bowhunting camp because he shows up with a recurve bow. ABSOLUTLEY RIDICULOUS. elknut1.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Heck, if you can bowhunt elk from 40 yrds away then why can't you shoot an elk with a 30-30 with 170's? Is this best prefered elk rifle? No Its Not. But every hunter has a 30-30 thrown in the back some where and if you happen to be lucky enough to stumble upon a nice bull up to 100 yrds away, then why not. If your a stalker than go for it.

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

"Ethical" first time hunt for greenhorn elk hunter using 30-30:['Fair Chase' rules suspended due to 'sub-standard caliber']

Go to game preserve.
Have elk tied to tree.
Get close.
Get very close.
Aim careful.
Aim very careful.
Hit elk with first shot.
Don't let elk get loose from the rope after first shot.
Quickly shoot elk many times until dead.
"Clean" kill, congratulations.

We are talking "real world-in the wild" elk hunting for this 30-30 discussion aren't we?

One of the "finest" points about my Winchester Model 94 30-30 is it holds lots of rounds (full length tube magazine) and the action cycles fast (lever action) - - given the wimpiness of the 30-30 it's good they built them that way.

Respect for the elk we hunt requires the use of quick, overwhelming, and lethal force and that just IS NOT the definition of a 30-30.

Can't afford the tools? Too proud to borrow? The solution is easy.

Save Your Money And Stay Home Where Your "Big Game" is 30-30 size.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/23/2003 22:58:10

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Hot Damn, if some fellas don't get fired up 'bout their shootin irons!! I've got a mdl 94 that I've shot so much I've probably near wore out the riflin'. I can shoot better with that gun than any other that I own, but I wouldn't take it elk hunting. Problem is, rifle hunting more often than not results in shots in excess of 100 yds. Shooting at an elk at much over 80 yds with a 30-30 just ain't fair to the animal. If you have the self control to pass on a 6x6 at 200 yds because you don't have enough gun then more power to you. I say take more gun and increase your chances. It's damn hard enough to get within two hundred yds during rifle season, say nothing about getting close enough for a saddle gun

Life begins where the pavement ends!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Crobride I hope you can take all the info here that's been said and help your friend out. It's obvious most of the posts here lean toward the fact that a 30/30 will work, it's just limited in range. If your buddy decides to stay with his 30/30 I hope you're a good caller so any shot he might take is well within the guns range. I would'nt let negative feed back sway your decision to easily as your friend may be very comftorable with his weapon and that's half the battle. He may be one to flinch with larger calibers so he would defenitley be better off with the 30/30. Good luck in your decision. elknut1.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

elknut1,
You chimed in while I was busy writing away, hence this second post.
Quite observant that I am indeed passionate on this point. Your points deserve response though it is unlikely to change either of our viewpoints; however, I will say that my view point is grounded in a lifetime of experience around livestock and hunting and things gone right and things gone wrong and not a simple desire to be combative. It's all grounded in the ethic that animals shouldn't suffer needlessly.

1. Grew up on a ranch. You get it drilled into you thru and thru from kid on up that it is your responsibility to not let animals suffer and especially if they're not going to make it (terminally sick, injured, etc) - even if it requires some dirty work on your part to end it. Then the idea of actually doing something intentionally that could put an animal in that "suffering and going to die (slow) position" was then and still is now unthinkable.

2. You are right, I have never fired a single 30-30 round at an elk. I wouldn't think of it! When I was 13 I got to see what a "pathetic job" a 30-30 did in the hands of a seasoned adult on a mere white tail, turned me off right there (if you're going to kill something then KILL it). I bought my 270 the next year at 14 - didn't want any part of maiming deer, even though the same thing happened AGAIN with my adult counterpart!

"Heavy accusations" for using the same 30-30 caliber on game three times the size and twice the toughness when it couldn't even take care of a deer?? Absolutely, Positively, Yes!

After 9 years of bambi hunting, I got my big break! There were no elk where we lived but at 23 got an invitation to go elk hunting in Montana. I didn't ask them what caliber, I figured it was my responsibility to appropriately "gear up" for the increased size and toughness of my quarry on my own and without prompting from my hosts. Bought the 338mag the next week.

3. You are right, it is an interesting camp, but not in the sense you imply. We have a great time, we are a tight group, and we all hate the prospect tracking crippled elk; elk hunting is hard enough as is. Before anyone new gets asked to join in I do casually find out what they are going to be shooting for caliber and so far I haven't had to turn anyone down yet -- why? -- because I seek out level headed and ethical hunters and they have enough #@$%*&@#$%&%&#@! common sense to want to use enough gun in the first place! We have never have had less than a .270 in camp and he dropped it like a hot potato and went straight to a .338, not because I said so, but because he didn't like what he saw happen with his .270!

4. Lets see, who's coming next year? Well, we filled five of six elk tags in 2002. Everyone is coming back. We got two new hunters going to join us (7mmMag's), may have to add on to the tent. So it would seem the primia facie evidence would appear to debunk your concerns of dwindling membership vis a vis responsible caliber requirements.

5. Run someone out of camp? Hell no, that's not an adult way to handle things for crying out loud. Wouldn't do to have someone buy tags, plan vacation time, spend other money to be robbed at the finish line -- no! That's why you work out these "little" details in advance! If you go back to the beginning of this thread you'll see that that is what crobride is doing - there is some worry there - successful elk hunting don't happen by accident!
---------------

So there you have it my friend -- why I think a 30-30 is a pathetic caliber for elk.

YOUR TURN! So why is a 30-30 NOT a pathetic caliber for elk?

First hand experience here, no waffling, no diverting the topic, no ballistics tables (even though they would simply make my point), no THIRD hand stories about so and so did or says this or so and so did or said that, no quotes from the reloading manuals. Just level headed, first hand, point on point "WHY". If you're convincing maybe I'll have to take the old 30-30 out of hibernation!

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/24/2003 00:32:24

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Ok, First hand experience. I can only comment on your seasoned hunter using a 30-30 on deer. I have used a 30-30 on deer all my life up until last year. I never had to track any of them. They went down like lightning, even the exteamly long shots reaching nearly out to 200 yards. I got about 10 deer with it using 150 grain power points. Maybe my "good" experiences with the 30-30 have uped it's worth in my mind. I have never had any problems whatsoever with any 30-30 killing anything from blackbear to northern whitetails.

Now, that's the end of my first hand experience, but I will assume based on my experience with elk (limited hunting of them and up close and personal on an elk farm for a while) that the caliber would be fine for hunting elk provided that the shooter do his part and shoot at an appropriate range of out to about 100 yards. With anything if I were "trophy" hunting I would choose a 338 hands down. But for your average shootable elk, I don't see how the 30-30 wouldn't work. I do think of the 30-30 as the minimum for hunting elk, but not totaly out of the question. Obviously you have more experience than I do, so I respect your opinion greatly. These are just my personal opinions and observations.



"Hey ya'll, watch this"

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Nope, the question is "why is a 30-30 NOT a pathetic caliber for elk?" (In short, show me its good for elk.) It IS NOT about deer hunting with a 30-30, its not about black bear hunting with a 30-30. IT IS ABOUT ELK HUNTING WITH A 30-30! No extrapolating that "if it was good enough for deer" then it must be good enough for elk! By the way, what do those Georgia deer weigh? 600 lbs for a "fair" bull versus what they weigh isn't even close never mind twice the toughness!

I'm willing to bet that a "small" portion of folks making elk commentary haven't hunted elk on public ground out West, with the related hunting pressure, and skittishness of game (read longer shots), but rather are just extrapolating their deer and deer gun experience into elk country - this "ain't" Bambi popping!

You haven't lived until.... nor will you believe your eyes when.... you see someone put the perfect behind the shoulder "deer shot" on a cow elk (maybe only 450lbs) with a .270 and she turns and runs off without so much a flinch nor a limp and then after tracking her through places a man shouldn't have to go (brush and black timber) and finally catch up with her a mile and a quarter later where she lay bled out and the earth, grass, and weeds tore up by her death throws. Sobering moment, pathetic (just to re-use an adjective) moment. Glad we found her, but.... "ain't" right. (And now we are talking 30-30's?)

Add the following to my "tag line" -- "Not using enough gun is one of those things NOT to do."

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/24/2003 02:32:36

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Elkamp,
You have changed my mind about elk hunting with a 30-30. Looking back, picturing that bull at 50 yards, I would feel undergunned with a 30-30. I can't think of one reason to take a 30-30 elk hunting if there are any other rifles to be had. There are just too many other options I can think of that are more suited for elk.

crobride, I'm not above adimitting when I am wrong. Please excuse my previous posts.
If I were you, I would tell your friend that elk are not deer. And it would best to use another gun than to use a 30-30 and possibly ruin a great hunt. Good luck.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

Edited by - Kodiakhuntmaster on 01/24/2003 03:46:01

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

ELKampMaster First of all I want to say I respect & congratulate you on the fact that you strive for quick humane kills. Your choice of weapon that you choose to accomplish this is just that your choice, not the standard everyone must follow. But in response to your question, not at any time did I make mention that the 30/30 would be the caliber of my choice to hunt elk. Not only that I did not recommend it to Crobide either, all you have to do is go back and read my 3 previous posts, you'll find I told him he would be better off with a larger caliber such as the 30/06 that he himself was using. Did I recommend the 30/30 , NO. Would it be my choice of weapon,NO. Is it a pathetic weapon NO. I don't appreciate you putting words in my mouth that I never said. As far as first hand experience in killing elk I have as much as anyone on this site. Including you. I've seen elk taken with 30/30, 243, 270, 30/06, 7mm, 300mag and others. All elk were equally as dead with each caliber. I also bowhunt and have either taken or personally called in many elk that have fallen prey from 40lb bows to 90lb bows. Am I recommending ones to hunt with 40or50lb bows NO. But just the same it will kill them, BUT YOUR RANGE IS LIMITED JUST AS IS THE 30/30. This was my original comment about the 30/30 it will work but I would use something bigger. elknut1.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

I wanted to comment on some of the things a few have said. There are a few people out there that probably could out shoot anyone with their old 30-30 but that is definitely the exception. For gods sake what are you people thinking encouraging some guy from back east, or at least not from elk country, to come out here and start shooting our elk with a damn 30-30? Give me a break. This guy doesn't know a thing about elk, leave the 30-30 at home and respect the animal!!! A 30-30 will kill an elk but your chances of wounding an animal are extremely high compared to other rifles and this guy is a greenhorn. Don't even bring up the bow, ain't gotta thing to do with this discussion. They kill in a different manner than a bullet. A bullet is the size of a thumbnail and its gotta be traveling a helleva lot faster than an arrow and the 30-30 is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Elkcampmaster, about your 270 and cow elk shot, ive seen and heard of that happening with the 30 cal rifles to and ive also seen first hand and heard of many people having 1 shot kills with the 270. Every animal dies differently. There all not going to just lay down when shot behind the front shoulder with any caliber. Im a 270 shooter, killed a big 7x8 with one shot. My cousin shot a spike elk this year with his 7 mag, it bucked a little and took off with the herd and a guy above him ended up getting it. So was the 7 mag to small or was a big 30 cal magnum needed.

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

A hunting rifle is a tool, not a WEAPON. Weapon implies combat or violent intent. Neither of which applies to hunting. 30-30s are hunting rifles, not WEAPONS - except in the hands of criminals, in whose hands cooking utilsels and sporting equipment can also be weapons.

BJ

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Elknut1,

Thanks for the first line, it’s the sign of a level head that can give the other side some credit. Reading between your lines it appears to me that we’re closer to being on the same side of this issue than we are apart – just that little “pathetic” word, just perhaps different opinions as to how expressive one is allowed to be……

Everyone was freely expressing their opinions … some politically correct (wouldn’t want anyone to feel bad about their gun) … some wishy-washy (well, you could use a 30-30, but, but, but) … some very direct with no room for misinterpretation (No, Bad, Don’t)…. [Some folks take this stuff at face value and “go out and do it” – Oh man, what a wreck, that wasn’t such a good idea – Well they didn’t say I couldn’t/shouldn’t do it – I thought I had some leeway if I was careful……but, then….]

And then things got a little personal (maybe tender ego on my part),

You took off the gauntlet, slap-slap, and dropped it at my feet……..
“ElkampMaster I usually don't make comments like this but in this case I for one have to say something. I think the comment you made about the 30/30 was pathetic at best.” (then, moved on to my camp mates…) (then.... ABSOLUTLEY RIDICULOUS)

I picked that gauntlet up, and the introspection continues,....so,

Quote: “…. Not at any time did I make mention that the 30/30 would be the caliber of my choice to hunt elk.” Okay then why, specifically, on point, no dodging here, was my put down of the 30/30 (if accurate) pathetic? Because I was blunt and put it in terms that left no doubt in anyone’s mind as to my recommendation?

Quote: “…. Is it a pathetic weapon NO.” You’re dodging (even though it may not have been intended), it may indeed be a good weapon for something, not the same – steered off course a bit. The issue at hand is “Is or is not a 30-30 a pathetic caliber FOR ELK?” So far I haven’t heard a single first hand "still using the 30-30 on elk" validation of using it to ethically hunt elk (except for the one tied to the tree).

“…..All elk were equally as dead with each caliber.” I’m not sure where that proves anything. I don’t expect to find a live elk hanging in your camp or mine. Like BJ said, “Killin' an' elk and finding a kilt elk are two differnt things.” It’s the ones that get away only to die a slow death that we’re concerned about here. Not only do we have the tragedy of the lost animal – then the same hunter goes on to look for his next victim.

Let’s see if I can “sugar coat” my position to make it a bit more palatable.

30-30 has to be a coyote’s favorite rifle, you’re not likely to shoot the coyote with it and it provides the coyote with plenty of intact elk carcasses that hunters never find. There, I sized up my opinion of a 30-30 without calling it a pathetic elk cartridge. Hopefully that will be a little more politically correct and won’t make folks feel bad about a 30-30 they have that may indeed be good for some things and definitely not good for others.

EKM


Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Here's my .02. First elk I got I shot with a .270 using 140
grain bullets. Elk walked off and dropped dead within 40 yds.
The 2nd one I put 7 bullets into it before it dropped. I high
fived the guide gave him my gun and headed to where we had
tied the mules to get my camera. I'm halfway to the mules
and I hear him start shooting. When I get back he asks me
if I had any more bullets because the elk had got up and
ran off. We caught up to the elk and I had to put another
bullet into it before it died. When we skinned it, we saw
numerous shots right in the vitals. Go figure 1 bull drops
and the other takes a whole lot of killing. I bought a .338
the next year. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

kirkl,
We pretty well covered that one in the &quot;is a 270 an elk whacker?&quot; thread a couple months ago. I went back and found that one and bumped it to the top for those that are interested in that discussion.

With that said, I'm doubting if many people would put a 30-30 and a 270 in the same class.

EKM


Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

stickerpt,
You and I have both seen it - it hard to believe even when you are a first hand witness! Of course then it's too late, wounded elk on the move, the only question is how far is it going to go and how lucky are you going to be in your tracking! I'm betting all other things equal: the lighter the round the further it will go and the heavier the round the shorter the distance.

Good choice on the 338Mag, can't have too much of that any angle/bone crushing &quot;slap down&quot; power!

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

more animals have been killed with a 30-30 than any other rifle in history, including elk. one of my hunting buddies has killed every one of his elk with his 30-30 using 170 grn bullets. i think that if you can shoot and know your rifle inside and out then there should be no problem using a 30-30.(HERE WE GO AGAIN) shoot alot and then shoot some more, know your gun and know where the kill zone is and aim for that spot, BECAUSE SHOT PLACEMENT IS EVERYTHING. if you don't have the shot then don't make 3 legged elk or bloated elk from a stomach shot. if i was told that i was not allowed in someones camp because of my rifle i would camp right across the road or as close to you just to prove that you can't keep me out of the WOODS. I THINK THAT THEY CALL IT FREEDOM OF CHOICE. just my .02


[email protected]

IF IT IS TO BE......
IT IS UP TO ME......

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Why Hello Dart, haven't seen you for quite a while! I see you haven't lost your fiery style! Breath of fresh air, something different.
Just a question or two or three:

Do you personally use a 30-30 when you rifle hunt elk?
If not then why not?
If so why so?

First hand experience, no third person quotes, no history stories out of the reloading books.

So far we are looking for our first real live &quot;Yep, that 30-30 is what I currently use on elk&quot; elk hunter! Surely they haven't all died off given their supposedly huge population! So far it is &quot;lions&quot; many and &quot;christians&quot; zippo. I'm surprised someone hasn't fibbed just to help out the &quot;christains!&quot;

Yes, No? Are you the first?

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/24/2003 19:39:33

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Well, my buddy's grandpa knew a guy who bought a car from this person that said he read about this dude that back in 1857 always got consitant elk kills with a 223. So a 30-30 must be fine...

I think most people who would hunt elk with the old 30-30 don't get on computers much. I'm sure someone does it somewhere. But I wouldn't.

&quot;Hey ya'll, watch this&quot;

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

my computer went down for 2 weeks but i'm back now with DSL.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> actually this guy is good and i would put him up against any of ya'll. granted he used to unload on it but it always went down, the last one was shot once and it stood there for 4-5 seconds before it just dropped.

now myself i shoot a smith and wesson 30-06 and i reload myself. but i got my 30-30 for my son to use when and if we get drawn again <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

IF IT IS TO BE......
IT IS UP TO ME......

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

I can neither equal your lawyer speak nor have any desire to. It is quite obvious that we will not have a meeting of the minds on this subject. But of course, I have one more post before putting this to bed, at least for myself.
Yes, I have killed elk with a 30/30. The only reason I no longer do so is because in the state of Idaho we have to choose our weapon. I have chosen to archery hunt only because I enjoy the thrill of calling elk in close. Hearing a bull charging towards me, seeing the steam rising off of him and feeling the hair on the back of my neck rise as a bull bugles right in front of me is the only way to hunt. Where's the sport in a 200 to 400 yard shot for a seasoned elk hunter? Just my opinion of course!
But, with my past experience I see no problem with taking a 30/30 into the woods if that is ones desire. A 30/30 will without a doubt kill an elk. It boils down to choice, everybody can choose what caliber they are confident with and want to shoot.
The responsibility lies in taking an ethical shot, regardless of the caliber. If a hunter doesn't have the self control to wait for the right shot, no matter what the distance, then choice of caliber makes no difference. Without the right shot it doesn't matter if your shooting a 30/30 or a 375h&h mag.
As stated above this is my opinion which is also based on years of success. I appreciate your opinion as well as everybody elses on this topic. Isn't it great that we have freedom of opinion and the freedom to express them, keeps life interesting! I think we've given Crobide more input than he ever anticipated!
elknut1


www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Elknut1,
Well written.
You are a gentleman and a scholar.
Truce.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Dart,
Would you say the 30-30 makes a good gun for your son, how old is he?
EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

If anyone thinks the .30-30 has taken more game than a 7x57 Mauser, they're nuts! Don't be so provincial!

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

Well said elknut1. You should unnerline the part 'bout self-control. 90% of people git so riled up when they see elk, they totally fergit 'bout ethical ranges an' what their limits are. Thet's the differnce in bow hunting an' puny rifle hunting. The feller too inexperienced an' cheap to buy a proper elk rifle is the one most apt to go poppin' off at critters thet are outta range an' not within' his skill to hit in a shrunk kill zone. Sure you can kill a elk with a slingshot if you're good enuff to hit it hard ahind the ear. I find it disgustin' thet these pink-arsed mama's boys would talk of totin' such a crappy excuse fer an huntin' iron in MY elk country. Lots of folks worked real hard to bring back these critters from the brink after 30-30 hunters and 44-40 hunters got done with 'em years back. To pi$$ away a resource cause yer cheap is a good excuse to bar a person from steppin' foot in the mountings. Yeah, I found the wounded game yall thort you missed clean afor. Saw 'em with shot-off faces, busted paunches and missin' hind legs. Hills are full of 'em. 243s an' 30-30s outta be outlawed from the whole rocky mouning area.

BJ

RE: 30-30 for elk?
 

I would just like to say that it's not the gun it's the person like elknut1 said. It depends on the shot placement. I have killed elk with both a 30-30 and a 300 savage at up to two hundred yards. This was because I felt comfortable with the shot and knew that I could hit the mark. My brother-in-law shoots a 243 and is very acurate with it. I have seen him take a nice six point down at 250 yards with two shots. One was right behind the front shoulder and one in the neck. The elk didn't go 3 steps. It's the person and the confidence they have in there gun. If someone can take a bow and arrow out there and take the same elk I think a high power rifle should be able to do the trick. Practice and more practice with whatever you are going to take out in the woods and know that you are going to take an ethical shot.
BowElkDwn