Jeff Ovington

When loaded with the right bullet and with proper shot placement the .270 is an Elk cartridge period.
I not gonna argue with anyone that says differently.
But even any other cal. suggested,needs to have a bullet
that can get the job done and placed in the vitals that are in the kill zone.

txhunter58

Lets ask it another way:

Will the 30-06 with a 165 or 180 bullet give me a little more punch and a little more distance?

Answer: Yes.

Thems the facts, debate away

txhunter58

Wow, where to start. I almost let this one go, but because there are always newbys and kids reading this, I did not want them to think that this kind of shot was acceptable to take for 99.999999% of us.

Too far with too small of a bullet for elk. That is just wrong in my opinion. There is just one word to describe the outcome of this shot: Lucky.

Not saying the 25-06 could never be used responsibly for an elk, just not nearly that far of a distance.

needs_recoil

The 06 may pack more punch and you may be able to lob it a little farther, but a 270 is still more than enough for elk. And I gotta comment on the 25-06 kill at 500 as well. Ive also drilled elk that far with a 25 caliber rifle. Difference was I used 100 grain partitions. Dropped her where she stood. txhunter that maybe wrong in your opinion but it is your opinion and I would do it again tomorrow if I had the chance. Elk maybe tough but they arent bullet proof to sub 30 caliber bullets. To the poster who started this thread if your more comfortable with the 270 then you have already solved your own debate. Pack it.

txhunter58

100 gr Nosler at 500 yards has aprox 900 ft lbs of energy left. I Know ft lbs is only a mathmatical formula to compare calibers with, but it still gives us some useful info. IMO, that is too low of a number for elk. Shooting a 1 inch MOA rifle, that means 5 iches at 500 yards, factor in wind, elevation, angle of shot, and buck fever and that 5 inches grows. Yes, it is my opinion, but I bet you that over 99% of elk hunters would agree with me. Would it be effective if slipped in between ribs at that distance? Sure. How about if the elk moves, a gust of wind hits, you flinch, ............ and you don't make an ideal shot on the elk. Or have all your shots at 500 yards been ideal?

I guess my question is if a 380 bull steps out at 500 yards and you have the choice between a 25 caliber 100 gr bullet and a 30-06/270, which gun are you going to pick up? IMO, a cow elk deserves just as much respect.

Remember guys, we are teaching here as well as giving our opinion.

needs_recoil

txhunter what about about a rifle still pushing 2000 ft/lbs of energy at 500 yards will that work for you? What if with a 2.5 inch sight in at 100 Im still holding on hair on that elk at 500 yards. Maybe top of the back but its still on hair. 270 with a 150 gr. bullet wont do that at 200. Would that change things any? And yes Id take that same shot at a 380 bull at the same distance with my 257 stw. I am not trrying to be disrespctful of your opinion but I see no problem using a 25 caliber rifle when it has better ballistics than everyones required minimum of the 270. You wont hear me disagree about most of your arguement but at the same time some people always do more with less. And they can do so effectively.

Colorado Luckydog

These threads always crack me the f*$# up. Txhunter you might as well give it up. I agree with you 100% and so would most of the real elk hunters in the world.

Going out with the bare minimum is not how most REAL elk hunters roll. As a matter of fact, most elk camps have a .270 minimum allowed in the camp and that is mostly meant for women and kids.

txhunter58

"txhunter what about about a rifle still pushing 2800 ft/lbs of energy at 500 yards will that work for you?"

Absolutley. However, the orignial post was for a 25-06 with a 117 gr bullet pushing around 950 ft lbs at 500 Yards. Your first post doesn't allude to the specific rifle you are shooting. Comparing your caliber to a 25-06 is like comparing a 30-30 to a 300 win mag. Both 30 caliber, but not the same beast.

The 257 STW pushing a 100 gr nosler partition that fast would still leave room for debate (I would not use it), but I would not call it irresponsible in the right guys hands.

txhunter58

Luckydog: Hey, the 270/elk thing has to be the most overdone thing on forums. Ya got change the debate some. LOL

needs_recoil

Youre right I didnt say I wasnt using a 25-06. I wouldnt call a 25-06 in the right guys hands irresponsible either. In my defense all you said was a 25 cal bullet was too small for elk. I was just repsectfully disagreeing. You shoot what works for you I shoot what works for me. The only reason I dont pack my stw for elk anymore is because it weights in at 13 pounds and after ten days it gets heavy. But then again not being a REAL elk hunter I just dont know how to roll.