Over the last years of elk hunting I have kept some info on the elk I have taken. The yardages for the close in shots are estimates the 100 yard plus shots were ranged.
Elk Caliber Used Yardage Bullets Reactions Locations
Cow 270, 300, 130 Barnes, ran about 30 yds double lung Gunnison
Bull 270 50 yds, 140 AccuBond, DRT heart Gunnison
Cow 30/06 210yds, 165 Interbond, ran about 30 yds double lung Craig
Cow 30/06 200yds 165 Interbond, DRT, front shoulder and lungs Craig
Bull 270 50yds 150 Speer GS, 2 shots ran about 50 yards Craig
Cow 270 105yds 150 Interbond ran about 70 yards last rib to off shoulder Wyo
Cow 30/06 80 yds 165 Interbond, DRT double lung Wyoming
Cow 30/06 287 yds 165 Interbond double lung ran about 70 yard Wyoming
Cow 300 Win 279 yds 180 Interbond 2 shots front shoulder ran about 60 yards Wyoming
While this is not a scientific study just some notes from my hunting journals. I am not a fan of long-range shooting at wild game and I prefer to get as close as possible. I have collected a few bullets but most were complete pass throughs. My observations are that most elk run after being hit and are just tough critters. The sample set is small, but under 300 yards I do not see much difference in standard calibers and a magnum. When I can figure out how to post pictures I'll post some of the elk and recovered bullets.
Elk Caliber Used Yardage Bullets Reactions Locations
Cow 270, 300, 130 Barnes, ran about 30 yds double lung Gunnison
Bull 270 50 yds, 140 AccuBond, DRT heart Gunnison
Cow 30/06 210yds, 165 Interbond, ran about 30 yds double lung Craig
Cow 30/06 200yds 165 Interbond, DRT, front shoulder and lungs Craig
Bull 270 50yds 150 Speer GS, 2 shots ran about 50 yards Craig
Cow 270 105yds 150 Interbond ran about 70 yards last rib to off shoulder Wyo
Cow 30/06 80 yds 165 Interbond, DRT double lung Wyoming
Cow 30/06 287 yds 165 Interbond double lung ran about 70 yard Wyoming
Cow 300 Win 279 yds 180 Interbond 2 shots front shoulder ran about 60 yards Wyoming
While this is not a scientific study just some notes from my hunting journals. I am not a fan of long-range shooting at wild game and I prefer to get as close as possible. I have collected a few bullets but most were complete pass throughs. My observations are that most elk run after being hit and are just tough critters. The sample set is small, but under 300 yards I do not see much difference in standard calibers and a magnum. When I can figure out how to post pictures I'll post some of the elk and recovered bullets.
