Elk....use enough gun????

[Black-tailed bandit]

The bare minimum 7mm 08/7mm Mauser 30/30
308/30-06 real good choices
338 Win mag and 350 RM the best choices
as far as the ultra mag so they are for lazy hunters the do not get close enough to their animals. not a big fan of wiz bang magnums.
to me the ideal velocity is 2700-2800fps witch is why I chose the above rounds, all are good to 300 yards, if you do your part.

 

[FOTIS]

Good shooting Jim!

 

[dakotaelkslayer]

Now there's a dandy group with Partitions!

Jim

 

[high desert elk]

We have a family owned and operated meat processing shop that has been in business since 1991. Over the years, the animals (elk and the like) that I have seen come in with the most damage, were believe it or not, caused by smaller calibers - .243, 25-06, .270, etc.

My theory is this: the smaller caliber has naturally a bullet with less mass and the same or comparable velocity that is sported by larger magnum rifles. The larger magnum has so much more momentum behind it, it "punches" through its target before the full transfer of energy can be complete. This energy is used up by hurling a larger mass forward. With the smaller caliber, there is less momentum. More of it's energy due to the lower mass of the bullet is expended in the target causing more trauma and shock. That being said, use what works for you and provides a clean ethical kill on the animal. As for me, a .270 wsm with a 140 gr AB has been the neatest thing since sliced bread.

Other than that :?: :? :? :?:

 

[Greg Nolan]

You all make good points and like I said I take my hat off to the man who can spend $1,500 or more on a elk hunt and pass up shots beyond their ability time and again. I am not lazy, I hunt hard all day every day. If someone who shoots elk off their hay bales wants to shoot a .243 or brag about themselve that's between them and Their conscious. My conscious tells me to use what is the most effective caliber I can shoot accurately. I have never undrstood why some people feel they need to be able to brag about thier supposed superior abilities at the expense of someone or something. Between the wolves, mountain lions, bears and an animal's natural ability to survive in their home turf hunting isn't that easy at best. Again I'm not the best hunter and I try to hedge my limitations, not because I'm lazy but because I am a responsible hunter!
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :shock:

 

[TScottW99]

I'm jumping in late so please forgive me. I have also never hunted elk so my opion isn't worth much :lol: Though I do plan on a hunt this year.

I am a strong believer of muscle memory. It might be because I have carried a gun as a "tool" since the ripe young age of 18. Then throw in that I have hunted since I was 5.

I have went from a duty weapon of a 1911 to a Beretta 92 :roll: and found myself doing all kinds of stupid things. Even though I knew it was a differnt gun, my muscle memory just wouldn't get the hang of it. Took alot of pratice and to be honest I am still not a fan of a traditional double action handgun. (give me a good ol' single action, striker fired or wheel gun please)

I believe recoil can play a part in muscle memory also. You shoot the latest .300 T-Rex belted magnum enough at the bench and it can bite you in the field. I know people, myself included, have said, "I have never felt a gun when shooting an animal". I myself don't say that these days after a good punch in the nose by a 12 gauge 3 1/2 magnum in 10* weather :lol: Nothing like having your eyes frozen shut from the tears.

I also believe you need enough gun to get the job done in a clean & humane as possible manner, does not matter if you are hunting coyotes, turkeys or elk. I know of the stories about an old eskimo hunter killing grizzlies with an old rusty .22, does not mean I will be hunting grizzlies with a .22 :lol:

I also believe in bullet selection. Use the wrong bullet and it can be as bad or worse then using not enough gun.

With all of that said, I will be using a .280Remington this year with 160 grain Accubonds. My shots will not be past 150 yards with under 80 yards being a better bet. I will wait for my shot to present it self or I will not fire.

I guess each person is differnt and has to decide via laws, ethics and sportsmenship what is right or wrong. I still use a shotgun to hunt turkeys and do not shoot past 25 yards. I still use a bow to hunt deer and do not shoot past 30 yards. These are MY limitations set by MYself.

Just my .02 :grin:

 

[dakotaelkslayer]

I believe recoil can play a part in muscle memory also. You shoot the latest .300 T-Rex belted magnum enough at the bench and it can bite you in the field.

You can't believe the number of times I have heard, "recoil doesn't bother me". Heck, I am one of those guys! :grin: Just don't understand why my groups with my 6.5x55 is so much smaller than ones with .338Magnum? :roll:

Jim

 

[FOTIS]

Look at my signature. :grin:

 

[JD338]

Look at my signature. :grin:

+1

I've said that for years!
And the bigger calibers just plain hit harder. No such thing as overkill.
Dead is dead.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

TOO DEAD IS LIKE.......TOO PREGNANT?

 

[JD338]

Yea, but one could lead to the other! :shock:

JD338

 

[Woodycreek]

TOO DEAD IS LIKE.......TOO PREGNANT? :lol: :lol: :lol:
Good one POP!!!

 

[30 whisper]

I used a 30-06 for 15 years and 303 british before that and shot lots of deer and elk. If you do not shoot beyond your capibilties and that of your gun and shoot premium bullets like nosler ect. you should be fine I know my limitions on how for my gun will shoot and still hit what I am shooting at. and all are different. ant how here are some elk I shot with 180 partions one at 245 meters one shot in and http://www.hunt101.com/img/523846.jpgout ran 25 meters

 

[big rifle man]

Just came back from my annual Colorado Elk Hunt and now have a freezer full of meat. I agree with JD as I also shoot a .338 Ultramag. I have never felt overgunned and feel that this caliber gives me an edge with the bullet mass. I shot a 6X6 at roughly sixty yards (yeah I know, I should have walked out 400yards away from him to shoot). The bull was to my right and not quite broadside, facing slightly towards me. I touched a 225 grain Partition off tight behind the shoulder and the bull turned, walked about ten yards and dropped, roughly ten yards off the trail I had come in on. (you get lucky every once in awhile) Couldn't locate the bullet or the exit hole while gutting. After skinning found the bullet just under the hide on the opposite side. I cleaned the bullet and found perfect mushroom and retained weight of 189 grains. (84%) The Partition isn't supposed to work that way but who am I to complain. You shoot what you feel comfortable with.

 

[JD338]

big rifle man

Congratulations on your bull. Post some pics of your bull and the recovered bullet.
Ya gotta just love that 338 RUM. :wink:

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

......I shot a 6X6 at roughly sixty yards (yeah I know, I should have walked out 400yards away from him to shoot). .

Why would you do that? You were not shooting Sierras! :lol: :lol:
That is called a Sierra stalk!

Seriously congrats!

 

[6ppcar]

My first elk was taken with a 30-06 and 180 gr. pt. I found out that they can take a pounding and stay on there feet. That was a long time ago, i now carry a 375H&H loaded with 300 gr. pt. I good friend uses a 338x378 weatherby with 250gr. pt for elk and brown bear.
It has been said many times, use enough gun.

 

[JD338]

It has been said many times, use enough gun.

.....and use Nosler Partitions. :wink:

JD338

 

[6ppcar]

It has been said many times, use enough gun.

.....and use Nosler Partitions. :wink:

JD338

True, if you can,t get it done with a Nosler Partition why try with anything else.
Nosler Partitions, the real work horse of the hunting world.

 

[big rifle man]

Sorry on the photos JD. I took 24 pictures over a period of three days and found afterwards that although the camera appeared to be working the film never advanced. I believe my hunting buddy also has pictures of the Elk so I'll post them as they arrive.