Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
04-30-2009, 05:51 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kuna Idaho
Posts: 115
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
Nicky,
I live and hunt in Idaho for elk, bear, mule deer, mtn. lion, moose, so on and so on. From my experience you need something you can shoot well, that is WAY more important than the size of the bullet. I hunt mostly with a .270. I have killed elk in the last 3 years with one shot, so have my hunting companions. Who by the way used to shoot the 7mm ultra mag, 300 weatherby mag. Not that is a bad gun to hunt with; they are also very good rifles, but when you weigh in cost to shoot and some peoples ethical shot distances you really dont need anything bigger than a 270 or 30-06 for much anything in North America.
I live and hunt in Idaho for elk, bear, mule deer, mtn. lion, moose, so on and so on. From my experience you need something you can shoot well, that is WAY more important than the size of the bullet. I hunt mostly with a .270. I have killed elk in the last 3 years with one shot, so have my hunting companions. Who by the way used to shoot the 7mm ultra mag, 300 weatherby mag. Not that is a bad gun to hunt with; they are also very good rifles, but when you weigh in cost to shoot and some peoples ethical shot distances you really dont need anything bigger than a 270 or 30-06 for much anything in North America.
04-30-2009, 11:40 AM
#25
Fork Horn
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location:
Posts: 191
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
I live and hunt in Idaho for elk, bear, mule deer, mtn. lion, moose, so on and so on. From my experience you need something you can shoot well, that is WAY more important than the size of the bullet. I hunt mostly with a .270. I have killed elk in the last 3 years with one shot, so have my hunting companions. Who by the way used to shoot the 7mm ultra mag, 300 weatherby mag. Not that is a bad gun to hunt with; they are also very good rifles, but when you weigh in cost to shoot and some peoples ethical shot distances you really dont need anything bigger than a 270 or 30-06 for much anything in North America.
04-30-2009, 01:29 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kuna Idaho
Posts: 115
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
ORIGINAL: emptyquiver2
Used both 7mm and 338 in Montana. Used 7mm, 300sav., 45/70, and 348, in the timber in Colorado. Bullet selection is very important.
Used both 7mm and 338 in Montana. Used 7mm, 300sav., 45/70, and 348, in the timber in Colorado. Bullet selection is very important.
05-01-2009, 09:54 AM
#27
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: N.Y.
Posts: 1,204
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
If your heading out there for the first time, I would opt for a caliber with more to offer. As you never know what the circumstance may offer you. I've hunted the same couple areas for quite a few years and know where I will be hunting. Your 300 will get the job done, providing you do your part, yet it is not one I would recomend to someone on a first time hunt out there. A 06 or 7mm would be a better choice for you, and your 300 can go along for backup.
05-01-2009, 06:39 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kuna Idaho
Posts: 115
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
I have owned many different calibers, I have just not hunted elk with the 300 savage, I know it is what the military based the 308 from and should figure it would do the job I have never heard of anyone using it on anything but whitetail deer and black bear. Now I realize that proper bullet placement you could drop an elk with a 22-250 but not many people do it so I was just wondering seeing as you made mention of the 300 savage. Be assured I will give her a whirl if I do not bag my elk with my bow. Maybe I will tote it along on my bear hunt this May...
05-01-2009, 06:54 PM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Kuna Idaho
Posts: 115
RE: Best Elk Cartridge for hunting in Montana or Colorado?
Sorry but I have yet to get into reloading. I usually purchase factory ammo. As I can not afford all the equipment to reload and have no one to teach me the craft.