What is best caliber for elk hunting?
08-25-2009, 05:54 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
What is best caliber for elk hunting?
I am going elk hunting for the first time, however being a women, finding an adequate caliber that will not kill me with recoil may be the trick; that, and being fitted correctly for it.
What I keep hearing is 30-06 is the way to go for elk, however I am very interested in hearing what experienced hunters have to say. I was originally going to look into 7mm-08 or 270, but now, I'm not so sure.
I am hoping to hear some good advice in one of these hunting forums.
What I keep hearing is 30-06 is the way to go for elk, however I am very interested in hearing what experienced hunters have to say. I was originally going to look into 7mm-08 or 270, but now, I'm not so sure.
I am hoping to hear some good advice in one of these hunting forums.
08-25-2009, 06:15 PM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
Best caliber? .338 (ie.340wby)
For your needs though, .30-06, .270WSM, 7mm Rem.Mag. would probably be my top suggestions.
If it's going to be a 7mm-08 or .270Win, I'd get the .270Win.
For your needs though, .30-06, .270WSM, 7mm Rem.Mag. would probably be my top suggestions.
If it's going to be a 7mm-08 or .270Win, I'd get the .270Win.
Last edited by salukipv1; 08-25-2009 at 06:18 PM.
08-25-2009, 06:26 PM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
One things for sure, I don't want to leave an animal wounded and on the run. If that means I should go with 30-06, I'm willing to bite the bullet... so to speak. I believe I might be intimidated by anything with more punch, which, I'm told, the 7mm mag has.
Why do you like the 270 over the 7mm-08?
Why do you like the 270 over the 7mm-08?
08-25-2009, 06:47 PM
#5
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
Do you believe 7mm-08 a good caliber for elk? Or, would I be better off with 30-06?
And, what about the 6.5 swede or Rem 260, which someone just brought to my attention?
And, what about the 6.5 swede or Rem 260, which someone just brought to my attention?
Last edited by shesakiller; 08-25-2009 at 07:10 PM.
08-25-2009, 07:50 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
I got this from one of you guys and saved it, just for this occasion.
The 338 Winchester Magnum: King Of The Elk Cartridges
Guns Magazine , Nov, 2000 by Holt Bodinson
The 338 Winchester Magnum: King Of The Elk Cartridges
Guns Magazine , Nov, 2000 by Holt Bodinson
08-25-2009, 07:57 PM
#7
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 97
The 7mm-08 with the proper bullets will do fine for elk. If you can handle the recoil of a 270/30-06 then by all means go with one of those. It's not really the caliber but how well you can shoot it and proper bullet placement that really matters.
08-25-2009, 08:00 PM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
The 270 Winchester, 7mm-08, 308 Winchester, 6.5X55, etc... will all kill elk very effectively. I have taken 5 with my .270 and 1 with a 7mm Rem mag. My father uses a 7mm Rem mag, my brother uses a .308 Win, one friend that shares the camp uses a TC encore pistol chambered in 7mm-08 and another uses a 30-06. The dead elk have never noticed the difference between these cartridges. The vast majority havve been one shot kills with jsut a few getting a follow up shot just because it the opportunity for one was offered but wasn't needed.
Use a good bullet like a Barnes, Nosler partition, TBBC, Accubond, etc... etc..., put it where it is suppose to go and you will be fine with any of those cartridges you listed out to about 300 yards.
Of course a 30-06, 300 mag, 338 mag etc... will allow you to take stronger quartering shots and still get through muscle, bones, liver, etc... but if you are scared of the gun it isn't going to do you a darn bit of good to use it.
Use a good bullet like a Barnes, Nosler partition, TBBC, Accubond, etc... etc..., put it where it is suppose to go and you will be fine with any of those cartridges you listed out to about 300 yards.
Of course a 30-06, 300 mag, 338 mag etc... will allow you to take stronger quartering shots and still get through muscle, bones, liver, etc... but if you are scared of the gun it isn't going to do you a darn bit of good to use it.
