Spike Elk Situation, your choice

[Guy Miner]

You're hunting "spike elk only" and come across this fine young fellow near the end of the hunting day. He's left the dark timber, and presents you with this potential shot. He's at 275 yards from you. There is no cover other than the 12" - 18" semi-dry grass you see, between you and him. So far he is unaware of your presence. There is a right to left wind blowing steadily. Which he seems to be testing. It is at about 8 mph. Beyond this elk, you know there's a big empty valley, often used by elk and elk hunters. No buildings or roads other than the road behind you, for miles.

Take the shot? With what? Compensate for the range and wind? What's your shooting position? Prone won't work because the grass is too tall.


Guy

 

[.280 Remington]

Given this backdrop, I pass on the shot.

 

[Guy Miner]

And if we change it to say you had a backdrop you were comfortable with?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

If I had shooting sticks...and a backstop...I'd let him have it, holding about 1.5 inches above and 4 inches right of where I wanted the bullet to hit (high shoulder)...280 Ackley, 160 AccuBond.

Edit to add load info: 250 yard zero, 3,000 fps

 

[Thebear_78]

168gr Ttsx @3340fps out of my 300 RUM. Shooting sticks or off my pack/any other available field rest. Aim center of shoulder favoring right side.

Same hold just a smudge higher on the shoulder with 375 RUM 260 AccuBond @ 3000fps.

Bang flop!

 

[wildgene]

...220gr. Sierra SBT from the .325 WSM, off a stick, 6" of elev./ 4" of windage would put my POA @ centerline/ just inside the front leg. 10 day elk season, I'd take the shot, a 90 day elk season, I'd probably try to sneak in a little, & get a better angle/ backdrop...

 

[DrMike]

I've taken shots at that distance on numerous occasions, but skylined as he is I'd pass. The 350 RM or 35 Whelen would work just fine (as would the 280, or the 30-06, the 300 WSM or the 7mm WSM, or...). Any of a number of rifles would work just fine. My last elk at that distance was with the 350 RM shooting a 200 grain TSX at 2700 fps muzzle velocity.

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm hunting with my .30-06 700 CDL, using 165 gr Nosler Partitions, loaded to 2850 fps. Zero is 200 yards.

IF I had a safe backstop, and that means disregarding the backstop in my photo I believe. I'd do this.

My bullet is going to strike about 7" low from the 200 yard zero. So for elevation, I'd hold on the top of his back. The wind will carry my bullet about 3" left of my point of aim, so I'm looking to aim right where the darker neck hair meets the tan colored body hair. That should drop the bullet right into the shoulder.

I'll be shooting from wide-leg sitting position, with the leather sling tight around my left arm for stability. This will put my rifle well up and over the intervening grass.

As soon as the first bullet is launched, I'll work the bolt, and be prepared to send a second. Rarely have to send that second bullet, but it's nice to be ready.

That's my solution anyway, IF the backstop is improved...

Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

Guy if the backdrop was improved just a bit and I took the shot. I would sit with my pack in front of me with my pack standing up and using the top of it to support my rifle. That would get me high enough to clear the grass. I would hold on the front third of his shoulder with my 30-06 Ruger #1B with the 165 gr. AccuBond (or Partition) at 2940 fps. As I am sighted right at 2 3/4" high at 100 my zero is right at 250 yards. It might be an inch or a touch more low so I would not worry about that.

Fresh elk tenderloin with eggs and pancakes in the morning. I do have to say though fresh heart sliced across it so it's about 1/2 to 3/4" thick and tossed in flour and into a pan with a bit of butter sure tastes good!! Salt and pepper to taste.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yum!

Sure you're not going to use the 6mm E-Tip? :mrgreen:

 

[Darkhorse]

I would never consider that shot. First reason is "No backstop". That would keep my rifle on my shoulder.
Second reason is I don't shoot spikes of any kind except maybe a mountain goat. Elk hunts are few and far between for me, and many miles from where I live. I have also compared fried cubed Elk steaks and fried cubed Whitetail side by side, and I prefer the WT.
So, when I do go elk hunting I hunt for Antlers. That's what excites me.
Don't get me wrong. I utilize all the elk meat I can harvest but I don't hunt elk just for the meat.
Now if he had maybe a 6X6 as soon as he got some dirt behind him he'd get shot. I would be sitting. Preferably with some good sticks or a tripod of some kind. If none was available I'd sling up, get some elbow bone on knee bone and do it the old fashioned way.

 

[.280 Remington]

And if we change it to say you had a backdrop you were comfortable with?

No problem taking the shot. I always have shooting sticks with me. .280 Remington sighted at 200. 140gr TSX. Aim just in front of last rib 2 inches below spine.

 

[Guy Miner]

I really like all the concern about the backstop, or rather the lack of one! Outstanding!

Last week when I took that photo, my first thought was "hey there's a spike bull, legal in this area."

My second thought was NO BACKSTOP.

For me it's a no-shoot as photographed.

Darkhorse, I hear what you're saying. Sadly we can't just go into the hills after the big branch antler bulls. Those are limited tags, and steep drawing odds here. We can however, go after the spike bulls with simply an over-the-counter tag. It's all part of herd management...

My son was fortunate enough to draw a cow elk tag, and is very excited about it. No antlers, but hopefully he'll generate a freezer full of good meat. It's all just herd management anyway. Not many big branch antler bulls in this herd, but lots of cows and quite a few young bulls.

For instance in this area, with a resident herd of about 5,000 elk, if I recall correctly, there is:

1 modern rifle branch antler permit
400+ modern rifle cow tags
unlimited, over-the-counter, spike elk tags

Kind of illustrates how difficult it might be to get the branch antler bull tag... Most of our elk hunting isn't for the big bulls. Can't be.

Guy

 

[.280 Remington]

I'd take whatever I get! Plus with my VA disability, I think I qualify for OTC tags at resident price!

 

[pre6422hornet]

With a backstop, my .270 loaded with 150 grain Partition points, this shot is a done deal. No holdover and there will be elk meat in the freezer.

No backstop, I would try to sneak in behind him and wait for him to commit to a side of the ridge. Then when he is below me, get in position to make the shot. If time runs out of well. It wasn't meant to be then.

 

[6mm Remington]

Yum!

Sure you're not going to use the 6mm E-Tip? :mrgreen:

Actually Guy on a spike bull that weighs about 400 pounds and either that 100 gr. Partition, 90 gr. E-tip, or the 90 gr. AccuBond and I was nice and steady, I would feel comfortable putting one in his ribs!! :shock:

 

[DrMike]

I thought of you, David, as I worked with a 6mm Rem this past week. I settled on 90 grain E-Tips and 90 grain AccuBonds. The rifle shot them quite well. I found it rather impressive. I'll be working up a load for a 243 for my youngest grandson in a couple of days. Yep, I'll focus on 90 grain E-Tips and 90 grain AccuBonds for his rifle.

 

[Guy Miner]

Yum!

Sure you're not going to use the 6mm E-Tip? :mrgreen:

Actually Guy on a spike bull that weighs about 400 pounds and either that 100 gr. Partition, 90 gr. E-tip, or the 90 gr. AccuBond and I was nice and steady, I would feel comfortable putting one in his ribs!! :shock:

Me too. 6mm Rem or .25-06 Rem, either one would be just fine for a bull of this size, particularly broadside like the photo.

Guy

 

[baltz526]

If the Grass was not there, I would set up and shoot. 275yrds is under the MPBR I set up my open country elk rifles with.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I can shoot sitting at this distance and kill this spike just fine. I have done it with mountain mule deer in Utah many times, especially with a rangefinder. The lack of a backstop would bother me with a 210 gr, .338 Partition