elk caliber

wittey · June 9, 2001, 05:30 PM

What would be the smallest caliber you Would(not could) use for Elk at under 150 yds .

Paul B. · June 9, 2001, 06:19 PM

Good question. It depends. Considering a worst case scenario, I'd go with my .35 Whelan. My .338 mag. would arond somewhere as a back up.
Come to think of it, that's what I use anyway.

Paul B.

Zorro · June 9, 2001, 08:55 PM

Anything from .270 Winchester on up.

Up Close a .44 Mag with 300 Grain bullets would do it.

Glamdring · June 9, 2001, 09:46 PM

That I would use by choice. A 300 or 338 for centerfire rifle if your talking trophy/large elk under normal hunting. If I "knew" it would be under 150 yards then a 45-70 in a Ruger No.1 or TC Encore Rifle loaded to +P levels.

For cow or spike 6.5x55 with handloaded 140 noslers.

Erik · June 12, 2001, 01:12 PM

The smallest under 150 yard elk caliber that I would use?

The .270 Winchester, regardless of the elk. (They aren't quite as hearty as many writers would have you believe.)

Jay Baker · June 12, 2001, 03:24 PM

A number of years ago, in Montana, I killed a nice spike elk at about 175/185 yards, with my .280 Rem., using my handloads, 160 gr. Nosler Partition, and 54 grs IMR4350. One round as he was standing and feeding, broadside, across a meadow.

Normally I use a .338, but the .280 is always in camp as a backup, should I need it. I wouldn't hesitate to use my .280.

J.B.

Dave R · June 12, 2001, 06:23 PM

So is everyone agreeing that .308 is borderline/too small for elk? I know a few hunters who use .308. I guess its like .30-30 for deer?

Spectre · June 12, 2001, 07:22 PM

Use a good bullet, and know your limitations, and you should be fine.

Arizona Fusilier · June 12, 2001, 09:12 PM

Plently have elk have fallen to the .270 Winchester; but I'm not sure if this is "inferior" to .308 or not. I just put in for elk for the very first time this year, and I am considering carrying my Remington 700 BDL in this caliber. I think the terrain will not require the "flatness" of the .270, so I'd go with the bigger bullet this time out.

Erik · June 12, 2001, 10:31 PM

"So is everyone agreeing that .308 is borderline/too small for elk?"

No. The .308 is a fine elk cartridge. It lags just behind the venerable .30-06, after all... Granted you cannot take 1000 yard pot shots, but that's why it is called "hunting" and not "shooting."

June 9, 2001, 05:30 PM	#1
wittey Junior Member Join Date: June 11, 2000 Location: Arizona Posts: 6	elk caliber What would be the smallest caliber you Would(not could) use for Elk at under 150 yds .

June 9, 2001, 06:19 PM	#2
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Good question. It depends. Considering a worst case scenario, I'd go with my .35 Whelan. My .338 mag. would arond somewhere as a back up. Come to think of it, that's what I use anyway. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

June 12, 2001, 01:12 PM	#5
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	The smallest under 150 yard elk caliber that I would use? The .270 Winchester, regardless of the elk. (They aren't quite as hearty as many writers would have you believe.) __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

June 12, 2001, 10:31 PM	#10
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	"So is everyone agreeing that .308 is borderline/too small for elk?" No. The .308 is a fine elk cartridge. It lags just behind the venerable .30-06, after all... Granted you cannot take 1000 yard pot shots, but that's why it is called "hunting" and not "shooting." __________________ Meriam Webster's: Main Entry: ci·vil·ian Pronunciation: \sə-ˈvil-yən also -ˈvi-yən\, Function: noun, Date: 14th century, 1: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law, 2 a: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force b: outsider 1, — civilian adjective

June 9, 2001, 08:55 PM	#3
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	Anything from .270 Winchester on up. Up Close a .44 Mag with 300 Grain bullets would do it.

June 9, 2001, 09:46 PM	#4
Glamdring Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 1,388	That I would use by choice. A 300 or 338 for centerfire rifle if your talking trophy/large elk under normal hunting. If I "knew" it would be under 150 yards then a 45-70 in a Ruger No.1 or TC Encore Rifle loaded to +P levels. For cow or spike 6.5x55 with handloaded 140 noslers.

June 12, 2001, 03:24 PM	#6
Jay Baker Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2000 Location: S.W. Idaho Posts: 1,294	A number of years ago, in Montana, I killed a nice spike elk at about 175/185 yards, with my .280 Rem., using my handloads, 160 gr. Nosler Partition, and 54 grs IMR4350. One round as he was standing and feeding, broadside, across a meadow. Normally I use a .338, but the .280 is always in camp as a backup, should I need it. I wouldn't hesitate to use my .280. J.B.

June 12, 2001, 06:23 PM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	So is everyone agreeing that .308 is borderline/too small for elk? I know a few hunters who use .308. I guess its like .30-30 for deer?

June 12, 2001, 07:22 PM	#8
Spectre Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 23, 1998 Location: ATL Posts: 3,277	Use a good bullet, and know your limitations, and you should be fine.

June 12, 2001, 09:12 PM	#9
Arizona Fusilier Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2000 Posts: 1,082	Plently have elk have fallen to the .270 Winchester; but I'm not sure if this is "inferior" to .308 or not. I just put in for elk for the very first time this year, and I am considering carrying my Remington 700 BDL in this caliber. I think the terrain will not require the "flatness" of the .270, so I'd go with the bigger bullet this time out.