Spike Elk Situation, your choice

[Darkhorse]

It's right at 1500 miles from my house to Colorado. New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming are the only states I try to keep up with the regs. as if I go back it will be to one of these 3.
I guess I just made a big assumption about elk hunting 3,000 miles away and was way off the mark.
So yeah, I would keep tailing that spike until he got some dirt behind him and put one right through the boiler room.
A tender young spike is probably a lot better meat than one of those bulls I go after.

 

[Vince]

I too like the concern of all here for the lack of a backstop. Kudos to you all.
As for what rifle/caliber I'd use, it would likely be my Model 70 .338 Win Mag loaded with the Barnes 210 grain TSX BT that gives me 0.6" three shot groups. Of course my 30-06 and 6.5x284 would be capable as well.

 

[SJB358]

Oh man, this is right up my alley! I get to hunt alot of spikes, since, well, they taste really good and drawing a tag is relatively easy.

Hopefully, my son is on the gun this Fall and he'll be shooting his 7x57 Mauser with the 150 PT at 2900. He is zeroed for 250, so I probably wouldn't have him make much correction elevation, but hold into the shoulder just a touch. Pretty sure that bullet would sink through the ribs and leave us standing over a freezer full of elk.

I have been working with the boy to cycle bolt, get back on the gun and ready to hammer another round into a standing animal. Bullets are cheap, and elk meat is too good to let it move around and toughen up.

If I were shooting, it'd probably be my 338 this Fall, with either the 225 BBC or the good old 210 PT. Both of those would result in just about the same hold as the 7x57. Either way, I'd like to be set up the same way as Guy, slung up, open leg sitting. Although David's experience of shooting over a pack standing upright is very effective as well.

All this saying I had an effective and safe backstop. Very cool picture. I know I am little crazy, but just seeing these danged spikes are exciting, the big bulls are really exciting, but hen you have a tag for spikes, they tend to get me revved up!

 

[tddeangelo]

Also assuming a good backdrop....

Most of my stuff is zeroed at 200, and yields 8-10" of drop at 300.

If I could wave a wand and have the rifle I own of my choice at my disposal after seeing the shot I had to make, I'd probably be looking for either my 300H&H or my 300WSM. Or my 35 Whelen. The 300H&H is a bit more stable to hold, so I'd likely go that route, but the other two will work as well.

275 would mean a bit less drop, so I'm thinking about a 6" holdover from my intended impact point. Wind coming right to left, I'd probably hold it about 2/3 to 3/4 of the distance from the leg crease to the dark brown neck hair. So slightly to the left of the color change in the hair, and about 2/3 of the way from the tips of the grass up toward the line of his back. I'd want to hit a touch behind the shoulder on the near side, as I think he's just a tad quartered away, unless my eyes deceive me. That should sent the bullet into the far shoulder, with some "wiggle" room for wind judgement and elevation drop error, as well.

Position...Seated, knees out, ankles, crossed, elbows to knees for bone support. I've found myself to shoot best when seated in this position. First order of business is the shot and proper follow through, but like Guy said, I'd have the bolt going ASAP after recoil.

 

[DrMike]

If I were shooting, it'd probably be my 338 this Fall, with either the 225 BBC or the good old 210 PT

What???? Is the 35 Newton chopped liver? You'd better send that thing to me so it won't be treated like a red-headed stepchild! :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Ha! Nah it isn't chopped liver at all. I'll have to post up what happened.

 

[DrMike]

I'm sure it will be good. Good stuff. Actually, the 338 WM is a pretty special rifle as well. Your good lady did you good with that one. The Newton? Well, that is also pretty special. Couple o' fine rifles.

 

[SJB358]

Yes sir. Both of them seem to be top runners for me. Amazingly they are both just about the same ballistically so picking one over the other is just a coin toss.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Guy,

What is the terrain like behind you here if your coming downhill off a ridge where I had a view of the area behind him before I came down a hill I wouldn't have a problem with a backstop but as presented I would.

280 AI 160AB 3160 fps sighted in at 100yds with the Z6 either crank and hold mid shoulder or no dial about 6" below his backline holding on his shoulder. Position would be standing with or without sling with my left elbow locked into my hip. I would only be getting about 5" of drift with this load.