Minimum caliber for elk - Page 3

rodwhaincamo · January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM

As a minimum I'd say a heavy .264 bullet with 1500 ft/lbs unless neck shots are utilized.

Rangefinder · January 6, 2010, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Did someone again suggest a .243 for Elk?

Skydiver>> Not meaning to single you out, but YES--I did say that my 6mm (.243) is very effective at taking elk. I can't help but notice your location---Florida? I'm going to wager a guess that you don't get out after elk that often. I'm from Montana and now reside in Colorado, and have decades of experience with elk. They don't seem to buy into the propaganda any more than I do, and seem to die with predictable, swift regularity when I hit 'em with that ineffective, puny little .243 caliber pill. If you want some numbers, pull out any reloading manual of your choice and have a look at velocities and ft-lbs. just grabbing my Nosler book... The 100gr. partition that my 6mm fires at just over 3100 fps (average load) is hitting with over 1700 ft-lbs at 200 yds while the all-mighty .308 180gr partition spitting out at 2400 fps (again, average load) is hitting with just over 1500 ft-lbs at that same 200 yds---considerably less. And I can tell you from personal experience just how much damage that little 100gr. bullet (105gr in my case actually) does to the vitals of an elk, as well as how effectively it penetrates all the bone and muscle mass on the way to the vitals. So lets not spread further propaganda.

Quote:

Too many varibles occur in hunting situations for that size caliber to be used on Elk.

Larger caliber does NOT justify taking more chances on risky shots. The only shot that I know I can't hit the vitals of an elk with my 6mm is a direct-away running--which isn't a shot for any caliber anyway. Every other facing provides lungs/heart or CNS easily reachable with a .243 caliber premium bullet.

phil mcwilliam · January 6, 2010, 07:59 AM

Rangefinder- I found it difficult to believe that a 243 firing 100 grain projectiles would have higher energy at 200 yards when compared to a 308 firing 180 grain projectiles, so I took your advice and consulted several ballistic charts and you are incorrect.
I would prefer to use my 308 on Elk as a minimum, but if a 243 was all that was available I wouldn't feel under gunned if good broad side or frontal shots can be taken within 200 yards.
I think the 30 caliber and upwards tend to prove themselves as a minimum when less than ideal shots are taken, especially if an animal is quartering away from you.
As hunting is not a predictable business, I would go with the largest minimum legal caliber in your state that you are comfortable in using.

Rangefinder · January 6, 2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

I found it difficult to believe that a 243 firing 100 grain projectiles would have higher energy at 200 yards when compared to a 308 firing 180 grain projectiles, so I took your advice and consulted several ballistic charts and you are incorrect.

Yes--you ARE correct. I saw the wrong column. At 200 yds the .243 100gr with mv of 3100 is only hitting with 1500 ft-lbs, not 1700. So it's running equal impact, not higher.

good eyes.

Quote:

...that you are comfortable in using

There is the key to the whole question right there. The .243 isn't for everyone--nor is a .300 Weatherby mag. I prefer my 6mm because I know every grain in the wood as well as how it performs in every condition I can muster a thought about--and it has proven itself effective many times on every elk I've killed with it. My whole point is to NOT underestimate it based on incorrect hear-say.

Chaz88 · January 6, 2010, 12:45 PM

Most of the elk hunters I know use 7mm mag. or .300 mag. because of the options it offers in varying mountain terrain. Also an unseen leaf or twig in the way is less likely to deflect the shot as much.

They are all still careful picking the shots they take. Mostly because they are old and like to be able to drive to the down animal. If you have ever had to quarter and pack an elk out of rough country you can appreciate the preference to drive up to it.

aerod1 · January 16, 2010, 05:28 PM

For me, it would be the .270.

IDAHO83501 · January 31, 2010, 08:57 PM

Although members of my family have dumped Bull Elk with a .243 win.,my advice would be 25-06 as a minimum. They shoot flat and fast, hit hard, and are recoil friendly, which makes them easier to shoot well consistently.

grubbylabs · January 31, 2010, 09:36 PM

350 grn arrow with a cutting diameter of 7/8 inch. I am usually closer to the 400grn mark and usually have at least a 1" cutting diamiter Broad head. Its the only way I have ever been able to take an elk. Seems that every time a drag a rifle through he woods they hide from me. Althoug next year I might get a chance to try a .54 cal

skydiver3346 · January 31, 2010, 09:43 PM

As a matter of fact, I was just recently (in the fall) out in Colorado and Montana but did not get a good shot at an elk with archery equip. I would still recommend something with a little more weight for elk than a 6mm (100 grain bullet). But what the hey, that is just my opinion. Congrats on your elk with your 6mm.

knoxville · February 1, 2010, 12:32 AM

killed many of elk with the ol 243 win practice and only take the ethical shots and you are fine but now i don't step into the woods with anything but the 300 ultra now worries and no such thing as overkill

ZeroJunk · February 1, 2010, 07:47 AM

The overwhelming opinion of decades of hunters and outfitters suggests something larger than a 243 is appropriate. I doubt they are all bad shots or have magnumitis. If you can shoot a 243 and kill elk it's your decision, but it's bad advice. It is also bad advice to suggest a cartridge with recoil that the shooter can't tolerate.
As far as minium I could say 22 LR because I could have certainly killed several with one over the years, but it would be beyond foolish to take one elk hunting.

Coyote243 · July 28, 2010, 12:30 PM

With the right bullet u could easily kill an elk out to 250 wit the 243 there just wouldn't be room for error wit a bad shot though my grandfather has used a 25-06 for elk most of his life and loves it and as for the gentleman that said the 30-06 is only good out to 250 yards I have personally witnessed two elk killed wit a 30-06 at six hundred fourty yards I was one of the shooters I was usin 150 grain sierra spitZers out of a rem 700 wit a twenty two inch barrel the other elk was shot 165 grain nosler partition personally I wouldn't go lower than the 25-06 wit a good solid 115 grain bullet just go wit wat ur comfortable wit elk really rnt that hard to kill u don't need anything huge all it takes is a well placed shot and they will die

Red Devil · July 31, 2010, 01:34 AM

.260/6.5x55 140 gr. NP minimum.

.270 150 gr. NP personal choice.

.338-06 210 gr. NP in bear country.

Jack O'Conner · August 1, 2010, 10:45 PM

Wyoming State Law: minimum caliber size for elk is .243

Jack

January 16, 2010, 05:28 PM	#56
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	For me, it would be the .270. __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

January 31, 2010, 08:57 PM	#57
IDAHO83501 Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 337	25-06 and up Although members of my family have dumped Bull Elk with a .243 win.,my advice would be 25-06 as a minimum. They shoot flat and fast, hit hard, and are recoil friendly, which makes them easier to shoot well consistently.

January 31, 2010, 09:43 PM	#59
skydiver3346 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,222	Hi Rangefinder As a matter of fact, I was just recently (in the fall) out in Colorado and Montana but did not get a good shot at an elk with archery equip. I would still recommend something with a little more weight for elk than a 6mm (100 grain bullet). But what the hey, that is just my opinion. Congrats on your elk with your 6mm.

February 1, 2010, 12:32 AM	#60
knoxville Member Join Date: December 31, 2009 Location: pocatello,Id - rock springs,wy Posts: 83	killed many of elk with the ol 243 win practice and only take the ethical shots and you are fine but now i don't step into the woods with anything but the 300 ultra now worries and no such thing as overkill __________________ To hunt the ghost in the darkness you must first find were he sleeps

July 28, 2010, 12:30 PM	#62
Coyote243 Junior Member Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Fort Collins colorado Posts: 1	Not hard to kill With the right bullet u could easily kill an elk out to 250 wit the 243 there just wouldn't be room for error wit a bad shot though my grandfather has used a 25-06 for elk most of his life and loves it and as for the gentleman that said the 30-06 is only good out to 250 yards I have personally witnessed two elk killed wit a 30-06 at six hundred fourty yards I was one of the shooters I was usin 150 grain sierra spitZers out of a rem 700 wit a twenty two inch barrel the other elk was shot 165 grain nosler partition personally I wouldn't go lower than the 25-06 wit a good solid 115 grain bullet just go wit wat ur comfortable wit elk really rnt that hard to kill u don't need anything huge all it takes is a well placed shot and they will die

January 5, 2010, 12:17 PM	#51
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	As a minimum I'd say a heavy .264 bullet with 1500 ft/lbs unless neck shots are utilized.

January 6, 2010, 07:59 AM	#53
phil mcwilliam Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 573	Rangefinder- I found it difficult to believe that a 243 firing 100 grain projectiles would have higher energy at 200 yards when compared to a 308 firing 180 grain projectiles, so I took your advice and consulted several ballistic charts and you are incorrect. I would prefer to use my 308 on Elk as a minimum, but if a 243 was all that was available I wouldn't feel under gunned if good broad side or frontal shots can be taken within 200 yards. I think the 30 caliber and upwards tend to prove themselves as a minimum when less than ideal shots are taken, especially if an animal is quartering away from you. As hunting is not a predictable business, I would go with the largest minimum legal caliber in your state that you are comfortable in using.

January 6, 2010, 12:45 PM	#55
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	Most of the elk hunters I know use 7mm mag. or .300 mag. because of the options it offers in varying mountain terrain. Also an unseen leaf or twig in the way is less likely to deflect the shot as much. They are all still careful picking the shots they take. Mostly because they are old and like to be able to drive to the down animal. If you have ever had to quarter and pack an elk out of rough country you can appreciate the preference to drive up to it.

January 31, 2010, 09:36 PM	#58
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	350 grn arrow with a cutting diameter of 7/8 inch. I am usually closer to the 400grn mark and usually have at least a 1" cutting diamiter Broad head. Its the only way I have ever been able to take an elk. Seems that every time a drag a rifle through he woods they hide from me. Althoug next year I might get a chance to try a .54 cal

February 1, 2010, 07:47 AM	#61
ZeroJunk Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2006 Location: Browns Summit NC Posts: 2,589	The overwhelming opinion of decades of hunters and outfitters suggests something larger than a 243 is appropriate. I doubt they are all bad shots or have magnumitis. If you can shoot a 243 and kill elk it's your decision, but it's bad advice. It is also bad advice to suggest a cartridge with recoil that the shooter can't tolerate. As far as minium I could say 22 LR because I could have certainly killed several with one over the years, but it would be beyond foolish to take one elk hunting.

July 31, 2010, 01:34 AM	#63
Red Devil Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2010 Posts: 274	.260/6.5x55 140 gr. NP minimum. .270 150 gr. NP personal choice. .338-06 210 gr. NP in bear country.

August 1, 2010, 10:45 PM	#64
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Wyoming State Law: minimum caliber size for elk is .243 Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.