genesis27:3

270, 30-o6, 7mm.....etc. what bullet launcher do you prefer for big game like elk?

statjunk

All of them would kill an Elk sized animal way out.

Tom

skb2706

.300 Win mag but then I have a whole bunch of other favorites.

Alsatian

Personally, I would like to have a .338 Winchester Magnum for elk hunting. I hear a lot of people extolling its virtues. On the other hand, I don't have a .338 Win Mag now, and most of my money is going to college tuition money for chilrden these days and not to adding guns to my cabinet. My .30-06 shooting 180 grain bullets dropped a 4x4 elk in its tracks this past October -- as well it might given the shot was at less than 100 yards and the bull was oblivious to what was in store for him. I would feel no insufficiency going elk hunting again with my .30-06. I think the .338 Win Mag may give greater authority at long range -- say 300+ yards -- but I'm not sure my shooting skills qualify me for taking such long shots. Thus, the .30-06 probably is fully sufficient for my needs. Additionally, I'm not hunting for trophys and am not likely to run across a really big bull elk that might take more killing.

I guess I would say that if I were to buy another rifle for elk hunting, I would try to find a .338 Win Mag that pleased me. But this is in the context of already owning two .30-06 rifles, which I'm not planning on letting go of.

Big Z

.284s or larger would be my choice. Plenty of heavy-for-caliber bullets available from this point on up, especially in premium array. Though I would like to see what a fast, heavy .264 would do.

salukipv1

.340 Weatherby 250grs@2950fps, pretty nice...

So many options though, any of the .300 magnums would work great, many others would get the job done too.

SJAdventures

300 wm with a 180 or 200 gr bullet would be my choice.

heinz57

all 3 cal. are deadly if the hunter does his part ..

i only have a 300wsm and thats all i need when game is hit with the 180 gr. accubond bullet they are down ...

bears,moose,caribou and deer they hate the 300wsm

skiking

300 Win Mag with 200 gr Accubonds or Partitions

ajstrider

I think the three you mentioned are great. For most people, including myself, their trusted deer rifle would suit them fine for elk, they just need to pick the proper bullet. A well manufactured, heavy for caliber, and well constructed bullet from your average deer rifle will do great on elk.