Favorite round for elk?

Erik · February 17, 2000, 07:40 PM

Well, what are your preferences for elk?

muleshoe · February 17, 2000, 08:01 PM

I prefer a loin roast simmered all day in the crock pot with baby potatoes. mmmmmmmmm

Oh! Which round. Love that .270 130gr.

------------------
bullet placement is gun control

SnakeLover · February 17, 2000, 09:45 PM

The .338 with 230 gr Fail Safe bullets works well for me. Hopefully the WY G&F department will pick my application so that I get to play out there this fall.

labgrade · February 17, 2000, 10:02 PM

Using an M7 in .308 currently w/Barnes XBT 165s. Back-up is an M700 in 30-06 w/Fed Prem 180, Sierra Game King.

There are 20+ calibers that'll do elk, but the main consideration is bullet placement & then the bullet itself.

I like the li'l M7 'cause it's light, I hunt dark timber mostly (so I don't need a laser beam trajectory) & it kills 'em.

But ....

First elk I shot (.270, 150 Hornady handloads) took 3X in both lungs/quartering to me ~100yds. Another fellow killed it ~3miles away. I helped him gut it & load in his truck.

Next day, I had switched to a 30-06 with 180 Nosler Partions/factory load. Shot another 2X (raining & SAW bullets hit in vital zone - lungs again/broadside ~150yds) - ran away & we never found it.

Have killed 5 since using either 30-06 or .308 .. ranges from 15 yds to 250

.... So, I dunno

Had 'em run away & had 'em drop within 10 feet.

Ankeny · February 17, 2000, 11:30 PM

I hunt elk with a bow. However, if I don't stick one I use a custom .30-338 with 180 Nosler Partitions.

Labgrade:

Double lung three times with a .270 and then double lung another twice with an '06...nah, I'll be nice.

Dr.Rob · February 18, 2000, 12:06 PM

Sierra 165 grain game king spitzer boat tail soft point in remington brass, winchester primers and 56 grains of accurate arms 3100.

Wrap a roast in bacon, cover liberallty wth black pepper.. lightly cover with red wine, new potatoes, shallots and mushrooms simmer on low all day.

Dr.Rob

Skyhawk · February 18, 2000, 02:18 PM

You guys are making me hungry!

Skyhawk

Long Path · February 18, 2000, 08:34 PM

Dr. Rob:
Dad hunted elk with almost your load, two years running: '06 165g GameKing HP in matched cases over 4350 and Rem. 9 1/2 primer. (~2750 fps)

My load in .300 WinMag is a 180g GameKing SP over a bunch of Reloader 22 in Remington (nickel-plated) cases over a CCI Magnum primer for 3100+ fps out of a 26" bbl.

Try it rare. Just try it. If you have to, you can always cook it some more. Gawd, it's good.

Randy Garrett · February 18, 2000, 08:41 PM

Erik,

Try it some time with a large caliber handgun and heavy hard-cast bullets. It's as satifying as hunting with the bow, and sure does get get you the "looks" from the rifle hunters.
www.garrettcartridges.com

slymule · February 20, 2000, 01:35 AM

7 mag - 165gr. Federal Premium BTSP
Rare - Seared on the outside, blood red in the middle thank you.

yorec · February 20, 2000, 10:57 AM

.300 Win Mag with 180 gr sp. Also have used my .270 Win with 130 gr spbt with great success, but I prefer my .300. Shot placement is the key no matter which caliber you're using, elk are tough.

Try cooking ribs in your crockpot, covered in BBQ sauce, on low all day - yum!

huntschool · February 21, 2000, 10:08 AM

Grew up on O'Connor.....270 win new 140 gr Hornady customs or Federal 140 Trophy Bonded.

Now I am older and need something that forgives as good a hold....338 win mag: Factory load..Federal Premium Safari..210 gr Partition, custom loads....Barnes XLCBT and Nosler Part. 200 gr BT. Working on these now.

All this through single shots.

Single shoot shooters shoot it right the first time.

Huntschool

Raymond3 · May 6, 2000, 01:19 PM

For many years, I have read lots and lots of very experienced hunters (Carmichael, Boddington, Keith, Hagel and Atkins from Montana who is the MOST experienced of the bunch). They all agree that the 338 with premium bullets is the very best single cartridge for elk of all sizes. (if you can shot decently with it of course.) I have shot two elk myself, one with 338 250 gr nosler partition and one with 338 225 gr factory trophy bonded high energy at 250 yards. Both bulls dropped to the first shot.

Paul B. · May 6, 2000, 03:31 PM

My pet? Two. .35 Whelan with 250 gr. Speer spitzers or a .375x338 Mag. with 270 Gr. Hornady Spire points.
Paul B.

Jay Baker · May 7, 2000, 08:44 PM

I've been lucky enough to kill five elk. Four were with my Ruger 77 in .338 Win. Mag., using my handload of 78 grs. Norma MRP (now, R22), behind a 225 gr. Hornady Interlock PSP. I had it Magna Ported, years ago. The rifle shoots 3/4" groups, wet or dry, hot or cold. Three were one shot kills, as the elk were standing still and I was well braced. None was more than 175/225 yards.

The fourth, about 325 yards, even though I was well braced, I made a bad shot (my fault, not the cartridge's) and my guide and I had to track the elk for five hours, Then one more shot, at about 50 yards did the trick.

The first elk I killed, in 1968, I used my Rem. 725 in .280 Rem., with a Nosler 160 gr. Partition bullet, behind 54 grs. IMR 4350. (Fred Huntington recommended this load to me, and it was/is extrememly accurate in my rifle.) Perhaps 60 yards, in the black timber. Broadside, one round, the elk staggered, then started to move so I shot him again and that was it.

Although I have other rifles, those are my two favorite calibers.

Having been fortunate enough to be in quite a few elk camps, in several states over many years, I've seen many calibers from .243 up to .375 H&H. Just guessing, more .30-06s than anything else, although the 7/30/338 Magnums are making a big dent.

HEY, SNAKELOVER, if you don't pull a Wyoming ticket, you might consider Idaho. We have a lot of elk here.

FWIW. J.B.

gunmart · May 8, 2000, 08:29 AM

i like the .338 but it has always been a mystery to me.the .375 improved will do all that it will do and with heivier bullets.the 300 win mag is up to the task with hot loaded 200 gr partitions.so why?i think maybe the .338 ultra mag might be the best improvment yet.personally i dont like recoil that much so i dont shoot anything much over the .300.

DRenn · May 12, 2000, 12:40 AM

I'm infatuated with the 358 Norma. I've killed 4 of my 6 elk with this cartridge. The other 2 were taken with a 338 and a 7mm mag respectively.

[email protected]

February 17, 2000, 07:40 PM	#1
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	Well, what are your preferences for elk?

February 17, 2000, 08:01 PM	#2
muleshoe Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: Mills County, IA Posts: 410	I prefer a loin roast simmered all day in the crock pot with baby potatoes. mmmmmmmmm Oh! Which round. Love that .270 130gr. ------------------ bullet placement is gun control

February 17, 2000, 09:45 PM	#3
SnakeLover Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Mechanicsville, VA USA Posts: 302	The .338 with 230 gr Fail Safe bullets works well for me. Hopefully the WY G&F department will pick my application so that I get to play out there this fall.

February 17, 2000, 10:02 PM	#4
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Using an M7 in .308 currently w/Barnes XBT 165s. Back-up is an M700 in 30-06 w/Fed Prem 180, Sierra Game King. There are 20+ calibers that'll do elk, but the main consideration is bullet placement & then the bullet itself. I like the li'l M7 'cause it's light, I hunt dark timber mostly (so I don't need a laser beam trajectory) & it kills 'em. But .... First elk I shot (.270, 150 Hornady handloads) took 3X in both lungs/quartering to me ~100yds. Another fellow killed it ~3miles away. I helped him gut it & load in his truck. Next day, I had switched to a 30-06 with 180 Nosler Partions/factory load. Shot another 2X (raining & SAW bullets hit in vital zone - lungs again/broadside ~150yds) - ran away & we never found it. Have killed 5 since using either 30-06 or .308 .. ranges from 15 yds to 250 .... So, I dunno Had 'em run away & had 'em drop within 10 feet.

February 17, 2000, 11:30 PM	#5
Ankeny Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 1998 Location: Shoshoni, WY USA Posts: 556	I hunt elk with a bow. However, if I don't stick one I use a custom .30-338 with 180 Nosler Partitions. Labgrade: Double lung three times with a .270 and then double lung another twice with an '06...nah, I'll be nice.

February 18, 2000, 12:06 PM	#6
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	Sierra 165 grain game king spitzer boat tail soft point in remington brass, winchester primers and 56 grains of accurate arms 3100. Wrap a roast in bacon, cover liberallty wth black pepper.. lightly cover with red wine, new potatoes, shallots and mushrooms simmer on low all day. Dr.Rob

February 18, 2000, 02:18 PM	#7
Skyhawk Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2000 Posts: 616	You guys are making me hungry! Skyhawk

February 18, 2000, 08:34 PM	#8
Long Path Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: N. Texas Posts: 5,899	Dr. Rob: Dad hunted elk with almost your load, two years running: '06 165g GameKing HP in matched cases over 4350 and Rem. 9 1/2 primer. (~2750 fps) My load in .300 WinMag is a 180g GameKing SP over a bunch of Reloader 22 in Remington (nickel-plated) cases over a CCI Magnum primer for 3100+ fps out of a 26" bbl. Try it rare. Just try it. If you have to, you can always cook it some more. Gawd, it's good.

February 18, 2000, 08:41 PM	#9
Randy Garrett Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 1999 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 142	Erik, Try it some time with a large caliber handgun and heavy hard-cast bullets. It's as satifying as hunting with the bow, and sure does get get you the "looks" from the rifle hunters. www.garrettcartridges.com

February 20, 2000, 01:35 AM	#10
slymule Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2000 Location: Grand Junction, CO. USA Posts: 113	7 mag - 165gr. Federal Premium BTSP Rare - Seared on the outside, blood red in the middle thank you.

February 20, 2000, 10:57 AM	#11
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	.300 Win Mag with 180 gr sp. Also have used my .270 Win with 130 gr spbt with great success, but I prefer my .300. Shot placement is the key no matter which caliber you're using, elk are tough. Try cooking ribs in your crockpot, covered in BBQ sauce, on low all day - yum!

February 21, 2000, 10:08 AM	#12
huntschool Member Join Date: December 26, 1999 Location: Vienna, Il USA Posts: 83	Grew up on O'Connor.....270 win new 140 gr Hornady customs or Federal 140 Trophy Bonded. Now I am older and need something that forgives as good a hold....338 win mag: Factory load..Federal Premium Safari..210 gr Partition, custom loads....Barnes XLCBT and Nosler Part. 200 gr BT. Working on these now. All this through single shots. Single shoot shooters shoot it right the first time. Huntschool

May 6, 2000, 01:19 PM	#13
Raymond3 Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: danville, ca, usa Posts: 55	For many years, I have read lots and lots of very experienced hunters (Carmichael, Boddington, Keith, Hagel and Atkins from Montana who is the MOST experienced of the bunch). They all agree that the 338 with premium bullets is the very best single cartridge for elk of all sizes. (if you can shot decently with it of course.) I have shot two elk myself, one with 338 250 gr nosler partition and one with 338 225 gr factory trophy bonded high energy at 250 yards. Both bulls dropped to the first shot.

May 6, 2000, 03:31 PM	#14
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	My pet? Two. .35 Whelan with 250 gr. Speer spitzers or a .375x338 Mag. with 270 Gr. Hornady Spire points. Paul B.

May 7, 2000, 08:44 PM	#15
Jay Baker Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2000 Location: S.W. Idaho Posts: 1,294	I've been lucky enough to kill five elk. Four were with my Ruger 77 in .338 Win. Mag., using my handload of 78 grs. Norma MRP (now, R22), behind a 225 gr. Hornady Interlock PSP. I had it Magna Ported, years ago. The rifle shoots 3/4" groups, wet or dry, hot or cold. Three were one shot kills, as the elk were standing still and I was well braced. None was more than 175/225 yards. The fourth, about 325 yards, even though I was well braced, I made a bad shot (my fault, not the cartridge's) and my guide and I had to track the elk for five hours, Then one more shot, at about 50 yards did the trick. The first elk I killed, in 1968, I used my Rem. 725 in .280 Rem., with a Nosler 160 gr. Partition bullet, behind 54 grs. IMR 4350. (Fred Huntington recommended this load to me, and it was/is extrememly accurate in my rifle.) Perhaps 60 yards, in the black timber. Broadside, one round, the elk staggered, then started to move so I shot him again and that was it. Although I have other rifles, those are my two favorite calibers. Having been fortunate enough to be in quite a few elk camps, in several states over many years, I've seen many calibers from .243 up to .375 H&H. Just guessing, more .30-06s than anything else, although the 7/30/338 Magnums are making a big dent. HEY, SNAKELOVER, if you don't pull a Wyoming ticket, you might consider Idaho. We have a lot of elk here. FWIW. J.B.

May 8, 2000, 08:29 AM	#16
gunmart Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2000 Posts: 551	i like the .338 but it has always been a mystery to me.the .375 improved will do all that it will do and with heivier bullets.the 300 win mag is up to the task with hot loaded 200 gr partitions.so why?i think maybe the .338 ultra mag might be the best improvment yet.personally i dont like recoil that much so i dont shoot anything much over the .300.

May 12, 2000, 12:40 AM	#17
DRenn Member Join Date: October 27, 1998 Posts: 22	I'm infatuated with the 358 Norma. I've killed 4 of my 6 elk with this cartridge. The other 2 were taken with a 338 and a 7mm mag respectively. [email protected]