What is best caliber for elk hunting?
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 1,408

You are a lot more likely to wound an animal because you are over-gunned and shoot poorly, than from using too small a cartridge.
The local guy I hunted elk with last year, who is very experienced, uses a 270. Either that or a 7mm-08 are fine just keep your shots under 400 yds or preferably 300.
Those who claim you need a .338 for elk suffer from magnumitus.
The local guy I hunted elk with last year, who is very experienced, uses a 270. Either that or a 7mm-08 are fine just keep your shots under 400 yds or preferably 300.
Those who claim you need a .338 for elk suffer from magnumitus.
#12
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797

It is fine for a child or a woman to use a 270 win to kill a mighty elk but the rest of us he-men should something bigger and more manly. Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffttttttttt.
I was gonna write more but I believe I made my point.
I was gonna write more but I believe I made my point.
#15
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 6,357

How do y'all feel about using the 280 for Elk hunting? My son has some predeliction for the 280. I think it is based on just wanting to have something different. Sometimes I think about buying him a 280 rifle for a college graduation gift -- he is a sophmore this year. Personally, I'ld prefer to go with a .30-06, but I'm inclined to give him what he wants. Also, I'm aware of the limited commercial loadings available in the 280, but I might be willing to take up reloading -- something I have long considered doing for other reasons, such as tuning loads to match my own rifles -- to suppy the 280 if he had one.
#19

How much does a deer weight ?
Most states have .243 as the minimum caliber.
How much does a bull elk weight ?
You do the math.................................
Now; you can kill a elk with a stick and a string, just not at 300 yards.
Most states have .243 as the minimum caliber.
How much does a bull elk weight ?
You do the math.................................
Now; you can kill a elk with a stick and a string, just not at 300 yards.
#20
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 31

if you could handle the 30-06 without flinching i'd say get that. if you have any trouble with flinching, try the 7/08 or 270 win. just get the rifle that you shoot with confidence (and without any fear of recoil). use a bullet designed for elk, shoot it thru both lungs (broadside), and enjoy the meat and hunt. good luck.