Suggestions from Elk Hunters?

[GrayRider]

Me and my brother have finally put our foot down and are going on a “poor boy” Colorado Elk Hunt in 2008. It is a shame to be turning 40 and never tasted the hunt for elk. I’ll be bringing a Sako 30-06 as well as a 7MM magnum in Remington as a backup for us. I have read posts on numerous other web sites including this one and over whelmed with what I have read. As I’ve said I’ve never hunted elk, but have killed a good many whitetails and I know the difference will be like day light and dark.

My ’06 loves the 165 AccuBond but the looks I get from guys that have been out west hunting I get, “Uhh . . . you need 180’s in yer ’06, If you never seen an elk up close you’ll be wishing you had’em” From what I’ve read Partitions and “Out West” hunting go hand in hand. Should I go with the time tested Partitions or the Accubonds in 180?
My gut tells me Partitions.

Also could you post any of your favorite loads for a 3006 elk gun? Thanks much in advance fellas!

GrayRider

 

[JD338]

GrayRider

Welcome to the forum.

The three most popular Elk bullets Nosler makes are 7mm 160 gr PT, .308 cal 180 gr PT and .338 cal 210 gr PT. These three are endorsed by RMEF and their label is on the box. These three have taken a lot of elk over the years are are classic proven performers.

Going up from the 165 gr weight to 180 gr in your 30-06 is a wise choice. Elk are big and tough, a bull can tip the scale at 700 lbs. You may end up with a hard angle shot so you want max penetration. Either the PT or the AB will get the job done. Try working with IMR4350 or RL22 and pick the bullet that shoots the best in your rifle.
As for your 7mm RM, look at the 160 gr PT and AB. Try RL22 and again, pick the one that shoots the best.

JD338

 

[Powerstroke]

GrayRider,

Congrats on your decision ! You'll have a great time. Any idea what area and season your looking at hunting? There is a lot of diverse country here from lower cedar / quakies to the black tember.
As JD stated, find the load that shoots the best. I don't have any experiecne with the -06, but the 160gr AB would be a great choice for the 7mag. Shot placement is everything! but certianly want to stack the odds in your favor with the right bullet. It doesn't take a cannon to take an elk, but poor shot placement and a little adrenaline rush an elk will be in the next STATE in no time.
All I can say is the elk are where you find them.
If you plan on hunting at any kind of altitude, I'd plan on showing up at least three days prior to opening day for aclimation.

Good Luck

 

[Norm]

I would tend to agree with most of what JD338 said. I would add that if 165gr AB shoot better than for you than 180's, I would use them. I really don't think the elk will notice a 15gr difference . The most important thing is shot placement and don't be afraid to keep shooting until they are anchored.

My preference for 180's in a 30-06 came from having 165gr core-loks fragment while the 180's tended to hold together and cause less damage to the meat. With bonded core bullets that probably is not a big problem anymore.

 

[OU812]

I can really only echo what has already been said. If the 165's shoot the best use them, bullet placement is what will anchor an elk. But, if the 180 shoot close to or as good as the 165 I would be all for stepping up to them. When you hit an elk keep shooting til it's down, they can be one of the toughest animals to put down for keeps. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Alaska]

300 Win with 165 TSX or 180 Nosler AB

or

7mm Mag with 160 AB

270 WSM or 300 WSM would be excellent also!

 

[YoteSmoker]

+ 1 what JD338 and Norm said. Be it AccuBond or Partition, shoot the most accurate in your guns.

 

[whiplash]

I am glad most everyone is on the same way of thinking as me. If the 165 AccuBond shoots good, use it. To me shot placement is far more important than 15 grs of bullet weight. That 700lbs bull is not going to notice 15 grs of weight, or the possible 2in less penetration from the 165gr. My elk load is my .308Win with a 165 speer hot core, or the 165 AccuBond. Both shoot great. Am I shooting elk past 400yrds??? no, that starts turning into shooting and not hunting.

 

[big rifle man]

I think you people are missing JD's point. The difference isn't so much the 15 grains, its bullet construction. As bullet weights get heavier the construction also changes, both enhancing penetration and retained weight. I've had the opportunity to hunt Elk with both the 165 and a 180 in 30.06 and found that the 180 was definitely superior. By the way a good 180 grain load is 57Grains of IMR4350 with the 180 but approach carefully as it's listed as max.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've yet to shoot an elk that's standing there posing for me. You more likely to shooting at the butt end while it's moving through the trees.

 

[JD338]

I've yet to shoot an elk that's standing there posing for me. You more likely to shooting at the butt end while it's moving through the trees.

+1
Thats why I feel a 180 gr PT or AB from a 30-06 is the better choice.
Plan for the worst and hope for the best. :wink:

JD338

 

[Richracer1]

Like mentioned before, if the 165AB shoots well, use it. They say use a 160 in 7MM, so why not use a 165 in .308?????

FWIW, my uncle has been using 165 Speer or Sierra something for the past 30+ years in his old Remmy pump -06. It's downed many muleys, elk, and a moose.

Good luck on your elk hunt. Remember to exercise before going. CO altitudes will put a hurtin on you if your not in shape and ready for it.

 

[craiger40]

It sounds like everyone has an opinion and rightfully so. I just went Elk and Muley hunting in Idaho this fall and this is my two cents. I was shooting 180 Accubonds from my 300 WSM and was lucky enough to kill both an elk and a muley in one neat clean shot each. Both shots were at about 250 yds and both ended in devastating impacts , seriously. I am an absolut believer in making the right shot but its seems i can never get that chance when elk or muley hunting. I prefer a bigger nastier bullet just because when iam huffing and puffing i like the extra power when i cant make the right shot. Until this year my father swore by 165 grainers out of his 300 win mostly because he cant take the hit to the shoulder like he used to but he will be shooting 180gr accubonds next year he says.

P.S. Nosler has built a damn fine bullet in the AccuBond

 

[baltz526]

just shoot your 165gr accubonds

 

[Iron Buck]

Good luck on your elk hunt. Remember to exercise before going. CO altitudes will put a hurtin on you if your not in shape and ready for it.

Best advice yet! Finding & getting to the elk is THE hardest part of elk hunting. Working out is the only way to be in the condition you will ned to be in by next fall. Start early & keep up with it. All cardio & legs. Building your lung capacity & leg strength will be what you need.

There is also plenty of time to work up a load & practice shooting before the season. I will be a voice of decent here and advise using at least a 180 grain bullet in your 06 for elk. Yes............I believe that the added 15 grains.......actually the better penetration due to higher sectional density can make a difference. It would to a SHAME to need the penetration & then not have it. Wounding & loosing an animal. Not to mention the cost of the tag $500+, cost of airfare or fuel, vacation time etc. Elk are HUGE animals. I'd rather use a bullet that shoots 1.5 or even 2 MOA over tiny little groups if the bullet is a better performer on elk sized game. I want a bullet that will work when everything goes wrong.....not one that will require that everything be "just so" to quickly dispatch an elk. Even at 2 moa you'll have no problem with elk at 300 yards. AND REMEBER TO PRACTICE SHOOTING FROM HUNTING POSTITIONS! Not just the bench. Watch what happens to those tiny little bench rest groups as you start to shoot prone, kneeling, standing, rushing etc. Less of a difference than you might think between a .5 MOA bench rest & 2MOA bench rest gun.

The 06 is a great round for elk. I used 180 grain partitions to kill one 2 years ago at over 300 yards. This past season I used 200 grain NPs out of my 300 wby. I only switched to the 300 because I had it & had bought it 10 years ago to use for elk. I left it with a buddy who lives there so I can use it again.

 

[FOTIS]

YUP

get in shape!

 

[Iron Buck]

Here is an example of the terrain in South western Colorado where I hunt. It seems the elk are always up in the 11-12,000 ft range! Getting up there is impossible if you are out of shape. At least getting there at the times where you will see elk...first light & last light.

 

[kiddekop]

Me and my brother have finally put our foot down and are going on a “poor boy” Colorado Elk Hunt in 2008. It is a shame to be turning 40 and never tasted the hunt for elk. I’ll be bringing a Sako 30-06 as well as a 7MM magnum in Remington as a backup for us. I have read posts on numerous other web sites including this one and over whelmed with what I have read. As I’ve said I’ve never hunted elk, but have killed a good many whitetails and I know the difference will be like day light and dark.

My ’06 loves the 165 AccuBond but the looks I get from guys that have been out west hunting I get, “Uhh . . . you need 180’s in yer ’06, If you never seen an elk up close you’ll be wishing you had’em” From what I’ve read Partitions and “Out West” hunting go hand in hand. Should I go with the time tested Partitions or the Accubonds in 180?
My gut tells me Partitions.

Also could you post any of your favorite loads for a 3006 elk gun? Thanks much in advance fellas!

GrayRider

I have some experience hunting CO I used a Sako 30-06 with 165gr nosler solid base bullets ,58gr IMR 4831 & Rem 9 1/2 LR Mag primer, a Sako 300wm with Sierra Gameking 180 gr spitzer boattails,Rem 9 1/2 LR Mag primer & 72gr of IMR 4831 on mule deer.A friend hunted elk with a 6mm Ruger #1 hitting them in the neck or head(he was a USMC Force Recon Sniper in nam).In the campground I surveyed the hunters re caliber of weaponsne 6mm,308s ,a couple of 7mm mags,a couple of 06's and about a dozen 300 win mags.We were in Little Hills in the Piceance creek Basin area of Rio Blanco County west of Meeker.

 

[kiddekop]

Me and my brother have finally put our foot down and are going on a “poor boy” Colorado Elk Hunt in 2008. It is a shame to be turning 40 and never tasted the hunt for elk. I’ll be bringing a Sako 30-06 as well as a 7MM magnum in Remington as a backup for us. I have read posts on numerous other web sites including this one and over whelmed with what I have read. As I’ve said I’ve never hunted elk, but have killed a good many whitetails and I know the difference will be like day light and dark.

My ’06 loves the 165 AccuBond but the looks I get from guys that have been out west hunting I get, “Uhh . . . you need 180’s in yer ’06, If you never seen an elk up close you’ll be wishing you had’em” From what I’ve read Partitions and “Out West” hunting go hand in hand. Should I go with the time tested Partitions or the Accubonds in 180?
My gut tells me Partitions.

Also could you post any of your favorite loads for a 3006 elk gun? Thanks much in advance fellas!

GrayRider

Forget what others have to say, a friend always uses 165gr Nosler Solid Base Bullets in his 300 Weatherby Mag for Mule Deer ,Elk & Black Bear in Colorado.Your 165gr will take out elk or mule deer,another acquaintence used a 270 on elk in CO ,I've seen 5x5 bull elk dropped with a 30-30.Some shots are less than a 100 yards but others are a bit longer I shot a huge mule deer doe(in the packing house she hung with the 6x & 7x mule deer bucks with noses dragging the floor made a big mistake telling other hunters my kill area next year there were campers covering the area,it was a migration route)at over 600 yards with my 300win mag Sako Finnsport using 180gr Sierra Game Kings,72gr IMR 4831 with a Rem 9 1/2 mag primer,Leupold 3x9x40 Vari X2 with CPC Reticle had it on 9 power.

 

[JD338]

Iron Buck

Very nice bulls and pics. Thanks for sharing.

JD338