jparker29

I AM GOING ON MY FIRST ELK HUNT IN OCTOBER TO IDAHO I WILL BE USING A RUGER 30-06. WHAT AMMO. DO YOU RECOMMEND?

Colorado Bob

Welcome to the board !! Good luck on you elk hunt---1 word of caution----Elk Hunting is addicting and once hooked you will need to feed that addiction very fall !! I use a 30/06 here in Colorado. I've taken quite a few elk most with 180 grain "Core-lokt", some with Winchester PP & my bull last year I used a 180 grain "Hornady Spire point" hand load. (56 grains of IMR 4350) I know several guys here swear by the Federal 180 Premium Nosler Partition-- good bullet-- I'm thinking of using it this fall. What ever groups the best in your rifle, that's what I would use. I would also use 180 grains bullets. FYI The Federal noslers groups well in my range practice this fall & that's what I'm going to use this fall. The Winchester 180 grain "Fail-safe" had a group about the size of a pie plate.

oldrgr

Good luck. It is one of the greatest events I've ever participated in. I had to wait until I retired from the service - seems year after year during hunting season we would always be involved in some sort of training or on a "mission from God" that pretty much blew the season.
The majority of the hunters in our camp use the Nosler Partition, in calibers ranging from .308, 7mm mag, 06, .300 RUM up to .338 mags. I originally used the Fed Premium 180 grain NP. I've taken two bulls (Colorado) and have been quite satisfied with the 180 grain NP's knockdown power. I got a .300 Rum last year for no reason other than lust. My .30-06 was a Browning BAR and I got one to one and a half inch groups at 100 yards firing the Fed. Premium 180 grain NP.
On my first hunt I was amazed at the vastness of the country we hunted in in SW Colorado. Be prepared to cover large distances and be in the very best shape possible. Even altitudes as low as 5-6000 feet can wind you. We camp and hunt above 10,000 feet.
Hope you bag one - a magnificent animal. Regards.

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rather_be_huntin

Welcome to the board and more importantly welcome to elk hunting. You're in for a real treat.

I'd go with the 180 gr nosler pratitions if your rifle shoots them well.

Good luck and have fun. Let us know how you do.

amosgreg

Yes and after you get a taste of the Elk hunt, You will NEED to take up the bow so you can hunt during the rut <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Seriously Enjoy yourself, Good Luck this fall and welcome to the addiction!


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Beans Morocco

JP: It is safe to assume that hundred of thousands (if not more) of Elk have fallen to the venerable 30-06. Hunt hard, get close, and hit 'im in that big 'ol boiler room. One word of caution: Elk have large and extremely strong shoulder blades. They are located above and quarter behind, the front &quot;elbows&quot;. A shot there could severely damage the animal without killing it, and it might be capable of running a great distance. Elk are awesomely powerful animals, and much more than big deer. Perhaps some one on this board could direct you to a drawing or photo of an elk with the vital indicated on it. You might also try to locate an archery target that has those areas indicated. Jump on to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation site and check out some of the great elk photos they have. www.elkfoundation.org You can then spend some time visualizing elk in dark timber, Aspen stands, open sage and other habitat, and picture them broadside, quartering towards and away. Which reminds me of another thing to consider: Elk not only have tough shoulder blades, but their ribs are pretty stout as well. Be very careful if an animal is sharply quartered towards or away. It is entirely possible to glance a shot off of an elks' rib cage with out the bullet catching anything more than hair and skin. Have a blast, and prepare for the addiction!

BeaverJack

Hard to beat a 180 Nosler pushed by a heavy load of R19. 200 Nosler ain't bad neither. '06 is a fine choice. Don't matter its yer first elk. Ain't no ol' timer shootin' anythin' better. Jus' be sure to practice an' avoid the bench like the plague after you git yer load made an' yer rifle zeroed.

BJ

skeeter 7MM

Winchester Failsafes, have always worked well for me. I am not a big fan of Nosler Part. though.

jparker29

I went to the range today and shot 12 remington 180gr premier nosler partitions. no shots were even close to one another. I WAS SHOOTING A PAPER PLATE & IT TOOK THE ENTIRE PLATE TO HOLD 11 & 1 MISSED. WOULD
IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO SHOOT THE SAME IN BULLET IN FEDERAL? ANY ADVISE WOULD BE HELPFULL.