What gun for elk?
 

I am wanting to get a new gun for elk hunting, i currently own a 270 Winchester, but i would like something with a little more punch, would a 270 wsm or 7mm wsm be good enough or should i go with something else?

why would you stay with the same cal? Id go to a .30 cal. I like the .300 WSM

That is what i was thinking but i just wanted some opinions, i was either thinking a 300 wsm or even a 30-06 or 308.

If you are going to get a dedicated elk rifle and you already have a .270 then IMO anything under a 300win mag / 300WSM isn't going to do anything that the .270 couldn't already do.

Yep, I second what the others have already said. You have got to at least bump up to a 30.06 to get more punch.

You really don't gain much by going to a 30-06. Bullet selection and short range ft lbs. If your going to step up past the 270win you need to get in the 300 win mag class and above. All the 300 mag classes, 338's, and 375's would be the next step. Pick a well built rifle when stepping up in to this level of caliber because they do kick more. I made a poor mistake eon's ago buying a cheap 300win mag and to this day that gun kicked more than anything magnum I've shot besides a 460 weatherby. You want a quality rifle that's balanced well and has weight behind it. You'll feel the wrath of a light weight rifle in the magnum classes. Plus you don't want to create bad shooting habits from recoil.

Best I've seen for this topic;

http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/rifle.html

So, then you tell me.........................


I use a .338 Win Mag and my 7MM Rem Mag as back-up.

325 WSM, 8mm Rem Mag, 338 Win Mag, 340 Weatherby, 358 Norma Mag. The 270 and 7mm WSM are not much of a jump up in performance from your 270 Win. Go for the big lead.

Now we'll whizz off everyone.....

1. An elk rifle is between .284 and .338 in bullet diameter.

2. It delivers 1500 FT-LB energy at the range you think you'll be likely to shoot at elk.

3. It does #2 with a medium to heavy bullet for it's caliber.

There are clearly rifles outside these "parameters" as well that can serve one.....This year I bagged my bull at 301 yards using a .35 Whelen and 225 partition bullet. One shot....down!

The hunter must understand the limitations of his rifle and his own shooting skills and then live with them. If one does this even the .243 can be an elk rifle. But generally the above numbers are good guidelines.....

IMO the greatest elk rifles are the 7mm STW and the .300 Wby because they carry a hard hitting punch very flat and even to 500 yards if the shooter can shoot that well.....but know your abilities...In the mountains you will likely be presented with several shots at 500 yards. I passed on three of them as I just don't consider myself capable of a clean kill at that range.....

The 270 Winchester will give a pass through on a broadside elk at 200 yards every time, if you use a decent bullet. The advice given above is all good. Go with a 300 Winchester magnum 300 Weatherby or 338/340 if you feel the need for more.