What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

well what is a good cartridge for elk (50-350 yards)????

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

This outta be real intersting with this crowd. I predict .243 to 577 TRexwith lots of name calling. Get a good seat.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

First off I am saying that shot placement is by far and away the most important component of building a good elk rifle. Or any other rifle as far as that goes. I have been around hunting for a long time and as far as Elk cartridges go I would rate the 260 and 6.5x55 at the lower end of my comfort zone. The 7MM-08 and 7x57 Mauser would improve the comfort feeling. The 270, 280 7mm Rem Mag are in the middle of my Ideal zone. The 8x57, 35 Whelen and 338-06 are right in there with a bit heavier bullet. For close range the 35 Remington 44 Mag, 444, 450 and 45-70 can't be beat. All the 300 Mags,338's 8MMags are good elk cartridges but way more than I would ever use( personal Preference) and found from Expierence that I just didn't need to go to although I tried most all of them except for the very new ones. Any of these rifles given a hit through the vitals mean that you will be packing out and eating elk.

Ok right in the middle, Give me the tired old worn out, non exciting, boring, 30-06 and I will be happy. However I wouldn't give up the old Swede either.:D The fastest I ever saw an elk go down is one I shot right where the chest and neck join with a 300 grain bullet from a 44 Mag TC contender The shot was about 70 yards and he was walking right at me. Even though I was in plain sight, I don't think he had any idea that I was there. The gun went boom and he was on the ground.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

If i were buying a rifle purely for Elk i would buy a .338, but thats just me. I am using my .300 win mag with premium bullets for everything right now.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

If I were to buy only one rifle for elk hunting, it would be chambered in 338-Win. mag.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

300 ultra mag 180 gr.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

I concur with Jame B. on this. There are a variety of suitable rounds. I always used a 7mm magnum myself. I chose it simply in case I needed to shoot at a bit longer ranges. This never happened, in fact. the longest shot on Elk I ever took was about 240 yards. In my experience, a .30/06 would have done just fine. Even a .308 would have been acceptable. I mention this because it is pertinent to your consideration. That is, the maximum range at which you might shoot - this is the most important consideration. You mentioned 50 to 350 yards, I believe. Well, at 250 yards or less, you have a huge choice of rounds. Many will do just fine, though personally, I'd go with something 7mm or larger. Beyond 250 yards, the choices narrow somewhat. If you intend to shoot Elk at ranges beyond 250 yards, in MY opinion (and I shall NOT participate in any arguments on this - other opinions may differ), then I would consider the .30/06 as a minimum. That would do just fine. You don't necessarily need a magnum round, even beyond 250 yards. However, if shooting Elk beyond about 350 yards, (again, in MY opinion), I would then choose a magnum....7mm, the various .300 magnums, .338, etc.

As to what maximum range you plan for - that is up to you. As I said, in my particular (actual) experience....something like a .30/06, a .270, .308, etc. would have sufficed. However, one cannot always be sure of getting closer than 250 yards. I have never trusted myself beyond 250 yards - so I have always made it a point to get closer than that, or forego the shot. I was perhaps lucky, in being able to do that for all three of my Elk kills. In making your decision, you need to consider this issue carefully.

One other thing. Whatever round you choose, it would be best to be sure to use a "premium" bullet. There are many different types that will work. I always used the Nosler Partition, with good results. But, do use good ones, by all means.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

After all the smoke clears the guy with the elk is probably holding a .30-06.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

i would definately recommend the 30-06. you won't have a problem finding ammo where ever you go, you won't get beat to death by recoil, and you have a huge aray of ammo choices so you can hunt pretty much anything to your hearts desire.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

I'm with the 30-06 camp, and if i "just had to have" a magnum, it would be a 7mm Rem. mag..

Useing the proper bullets, the 30-06 will work well on everything in N.A. as will the 7 mag..

Drilling Man

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

If I were buying a rifle for elk only, it would be one of the fine 300 mags. This could be Win. Mag. Weatherby, H&H, or WSM. If you know you can handle their recoil. If you are used to recoil and will spend the time to become accustomed to your rifle I might also consider the 325 WSM or the 338 Win. Mag. Any of the rounds mentioned are suitable for elk with proper weight bullets of controlled expansion construction.

If you are recoil sensitive to the 30-06. I'm sure it has taken more elk than any other cartridge on the planet. Use a bullet of 180 grs. and of the controlled expansion design and practice until you can consistently hit your target out to your max range of 350 yards. Bullet construction and placement is more important than caliber unless you try using something smaller than a 270 Winchester with conventional bullets.

On a note I have an acquintance that has had shoulder surgery twice on each shoulder and he can't take much recoil. He has used a 25-06 with I believe 120 gr. Grand Slams in his handloads for about ten years and has taken several cows & two nice bulls. One a 6X5 & 6X6. I wouldn't recommed this caliber to anyone but to each his own.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

300 ultra,.338 win,300 wsm,.325 wsm,280 rem,30-06.
Not generaly in that order.
BBJ

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

.340 Wby. Mag. Good luck.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

.30/'06, 7mm Rem. Mag. (or equivalent), .338 Win., even a .375 H&H is really not too big......

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2711043/m/231104013
Here's a very fine elk rifle.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

My vote goes to the .338 for an elk gun. If you want to buy a gun for elk and deeryou won'tgo wrong with anod six. All the guns mentioned previously are good choices, but if I'm going out West once every five years, I won't let my rifle cal. be a limiting factor in the end result of my hunt. There's no such thing as too dead IMHO.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

nothing fancy necessary, not any newer hybred, no magnum - just three simple words will do any living creature in the Americas.......................... thurty odd six.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

Rifle People are either conservative or can't wait to get thier hands on the newest and fastest ultra mag. I am going for the first time this fall for elk, and muley (N. M. guided hunt) I have a .300 win mag which is a great all arounder. Upon recomdations of people on this site I will use accubond 180 grains probably. I have a savage 30-06 as a back up. BUT!!! In my practice with my .300 win mag, I am beatin myself up so much that I may use my '06 and use the win mag as a back up. But I won't take a shot more than 275 yards.
Good Luck
okcmco

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

Well I guess I'll be different if I was looking for a standard cartridge I would go with the 280 rem vs 3006. However I would pick and have picked the 7mm rem mag over both of these. If I just needed a 30 cal I would go with one of the 300's.

Nothing wrong with the 06' just don't have the same love affair as many here do with this chambering.[&:]

All good cartridges, pick the right bullet they'll have no problems taking an elk to 350 yards...if you can close the deal!

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

I wish they would delete topics like this because people dont seem to know how to use the search button anymore these days.

Or hell, atleast make a sticky topic with all the most popular calibers for each type of game.

RE: What is a good cartridge for elk?
 

I envy you going to N.M. to hunt elk.

If you have a friend who has a .375 H&H or .416 Rigby, borrow it and put about 50 rounds thru it between now and the hunt. Then your.300 Win. Mag. will seem like a .22.......