How far is an avg shot distance for elk?
 

Looking into getting new rifle. one of them is 338 marlin express. reading article says it spits out 200 grain @ 2400 mv. artilcle says its a 200 yard elk gun and a 300 yard deer gun. they say its similar to 30-06. Interested, being a newby at the whole elk thing, how far is your average shot distance. i realize one needs to practice at what distance you want to shoot from but just for the sake of curiosity i would like some input on your experience of how far to have a gun capable to shoot. Any extra info on marlin express good or bad would be very much appreciated.

Been hunting elk for a long time, seen hundreds shot, shot a bunch myself, most were less than 100 yds. Far fewer are shot at long distance than the internet would have you believe. Longest shot on an elk for me 240 yds., shortest 15 yds....maybe. Most 75-80 yd.

It will depend on where you are hunting mostly. If you're hunting thick timber, you will have shorter shots. I've never actually hunted elk, just spent about a month photographing them, but same thing goes. It all depends on your terrain.
-Jake

.340wby 200gr@3200fps... i know you want one...lol.

x2 on the depends where you're hunting, and also what season...

sounds like you're dying to get that 338 marlin express, if so get it.
I talked to a guy at the range that was using a .45-70 lever for deer....wonder how much difference in trajectory/energy the two have...if not much I think I might just get a .45-70, i think both would hit 200yds no sweat...and both take an elk,

TY both for the info. So this marlin express sounds like a good option to you then? is 200 grains big enough? that is the only choice for this gun right now.

I have thought about 45-70. From what ive read and been told about the differences, 338 ME is a real flat shooter
(similar to 30-06) with a lot of energy. whearas the 45-70 is a monster bullet (slower) with a rainbow trajectory but a lot of knockdown power. I like the idea of the knockdown power but would be nice to be able to take a longer shot if i wanted to on deer.
ill probably eventually get both. i love Marlins.

Hello Fire: The Colorado Division of wildlife website states that 170 yards is the average distance for an elk shot. I have no idea how they came up with that number, but there you have it...

ya 200 grs. is plenty. IF thats the gun you want go for it. It will work well.
-Jake

Ive never shot anything bigger than a hog, but a few things to consider about any recently introduced calibers is 1) Do you really want to buy a rifle that not many places stock ammo for, or even find anywhere in 3years? (ala 308 marlin express -big flop-) 2) How much will a box of ammo or brass, dies, etc, cost? Im no gun expert ,but if you do a little research, youll notice the less common, a caliber is, the more expensive it is to shoot, in most cases. These days ammo and components are not cheap ,but the cheapest big game calbers to shoot are the 3006, 308, 270, 3030 243. The 06, 08, and 270 will probably do anything that a pokey 338 will do, mabye better, as they have a higher secional density and velocity.
3) Is there already several calibers that fill the niche, and are more proven and readily available? (ala 338 federal ,350 rem mag,358win,35whelen,8mm mauser)

Also Ive owned a few marlin levers, good guns but they are not really the best platform for scope use, a bolt gun or semi auto would serve you much better , but if I just had to have a lever gun for big stuff, I would choose the ol 45/70, its been around almost as long as elk themselves,and killed alooooooooooooooooooota buffalo in 1800s. How about a browning lever action in 358 win? classy gun and classic caliber. Or a remington 7600 (pump) in 35 whelen...I always wanted one of those.


Hey heres an idea, mabye I should shut up, and go after an elk myself:happy0001: Is 7-08 enough:confused:

But, you want to be prepared for what MIGHT happen. If a shooter bull steps out at a known 300 yards, you know that 30-06 class calibers, depending on a 200 yard zero, will be 7-9 inches low and will kill the bull.

For elk hunting, I would not limit myself to a 200 yard caliber.

I agree if you are going to buy a special gun for elk why stop at a 200 yard gun. Lots of great calibers out there for elk with easy to find factory ammo.

DeerandbearhoG makes a very valid point regarding cartridge availability. For years I elk hunted with my 280. After a "bad day" at the zero check range in Colorado, I found myself needing/wanting cartridges. NONE anywhere. As it turned out, I didn't "need" any and killed a bull the next day.

I now hunt with a 30-06 and the 280 goes along as "spare". The point is, ALL stores stock 30-06, 270, and 7mm Rem Mag.

Yep, I agree get a 30/06 for elk. It's what I've been using for years, worls great with 180 grain factory loads. But I understand the "itch" to get a lever gun. I got myself a 444 Marlin----great for black bears & whitetails. It's fun to shoot. I doubt if I'll use it on elk-----I like the fact I can go out to 300 yards if needed. Out of the 2 dozen or so elk I killed, it's @ 125 yards. Several at 25 yards, several @ 225 yards---but the majority were between 100 to 150 yards. CB

maybe I'll hae to do a lil research for my own curiosity...

but how's a .338marlin compare to a .338win mag? the latter which would be more commonly available...and still shoot 200-250gr bullets well. and in a bunch of rifles probably, though not a lever if you're dying for one of those.

Hope this helps




http://www.chuckhawks.com/338_marlin_express.htm

Most of the elk I've killed have been in the 100 to 200 yards.
However, I've killed 1 elk at a measured 400 yards with a .300 Win Mag and 1 at a ranged 460 yards with a .338 Win Mag.

I also agree with the idea of using a caliber that is readily available in any store.

200 yds. Good luck.

Thank you guys for all the advice! i'll check back in when i bring which ever i decide home.

In the area I hunt elk, they are moving off agricultural fields (private land) in the morning heading back into the mountains (BLM). There is no cover so 200 yards is consiered short range. If you get into the hills mid day, you're looking at 100 yards or so.

As an elk guide I've seen a ton of shooting, most shots where I hunt average about 250yds. for rifle hunting. But that's on the timberline where coverage is sparse and hard to get super close for shot's.

Personally 20 some elk later for me I've shot them from 5 yds to 500 plus yds. I would practice to at least 300 yds for sure. And re zero your rifle when you get to an area close in elevation to where you'll be hunting. I make all clients do so. It means the difference of a successful hunt or going home shaking your head.

Number 1 rule if you are not sure, don't pull the trigger. And wait for a good shot angle. That's what kills elk.