What if?

[TRIC]

OK,,, thinking of an elk rifle. What if... I restricted myself to 120gr bullet, what bullet, and what cartridge?

 

[Guy Miner]

If I went that light for elk, I'd likely go with a .257 Weatherby mag or a .25-06 and a 115 or 120 gr Nosler Partition. Good sectional density. Good velocity and good reputation on game, including elk.

 

[JD338]

My first choice would be a 257 Wby with a 120 gr PT. Second choice would be a 25-06 with 120 gr PT.

JD338

 

[TRIC]

Guy, JD, both of you gave me what I have already been putting together. 257 Bee, 72 gr RL25, 1.3" at 200 yds. My 270, 338, and 375 RUM have put elk in the freezer. Thought I'd try something on the zippery side...

 

[backcountryhunter]

are you graduating downward until you find a combo that just wounds an elk rather than killing it ? why don't you "experiment" on rockchucks ??

 

[6mm Remington]

TRIC- 25-06 120 gr. Partition, 250 yards, one shot, went 40 yards. Angled in on left side and exited out behind right shoulder.

Didn't look like much wounding to me. :wink:

 

[TRIC]

backcountryhunter, I have been hunting and killing game for over 45 years. In all that time only twice have I had to shoot more than one round to put an animal down; first time was on a grayling fishing trip in Alaska, 5 rounds into a black bear with a 357; the second time was a wild boar in Germany, he leaped into the air as I shot, got him in the belly, and had to finish him off with an up close head shot. I hit my target! I don't experiment! 6mm, you just gave me all the incentive I need! Thanks...

 

[Guy Miner]

Seems to me we had several accounts of good performance from the .257 Wby and Noslers on elk in the past. Here are a few quotes from posts made by Hightopoutfitter last fall:

Let me say first that I love my 257 Weatherby. It has low recoil, shoots flat and packs just enough punch to get the job done on these big bulls.

The October Bulls were rutting late so there was a lot of bugling. On day 3 of the hunt Danny got his chance. His bull had moved up on a cedar face with his cows. At 508 yards Danny hit the bull 3 times with the third just below the spine busting the bull down and it rolled down the hill.
In looking at bullet performance IMO it was perfect. The bullets created a lot of trauma and penetrated nicely

Now I will admit that I am biased because I took my 2007 Utah bull with 120 Partitions at 563 yards.

Angelas bull was hit 3 times on Day 6. Once at 125, once at 230 and then finally at 335. The penetration on Angelas first shot was amazing.

All those were about the .257 Wby on elk. Some of those bulls required more than one hit, so be it. That happens sometimes in elk hunting. Overall though, sure seemed like our poster thought the .25 cal Weatherby was up to the chore. Personally I always thought a bigger rifle made more sense, but was amazed some years back when I took up mule deer hunting with my .25-06, to find out how many local guys had used the .25-06 for elk...

Interesting stuff. Regards, Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

TRIC- Here is my son's first elk. 6mm Remington, 90 gr. Nosler E-Tip, prone with a bi-pod, now wind, 350 yards standing broadside. Shot right behind her right shoulder and angled forward just enough to EXIT the left shoulder as seen in the photo. MY son was using a 4.5x14-40mm Leupold with the B&C reticle and has shot a couple antelope and at 300 yards and just finished up practicing at 300 yards with those archery animal targets that are about 1/4-13/ life size. Without an aim point on the animal target both boys, other one being a friend and his first elk, put three shots each into 3" or less right where it needed to be.

backcountryhunter, I am not trying to stir the pot or anything, because I do agree the 25-06 is a little on the light side and the 6mm is as well for elk. Good bullets and good shot placement sure nullified any of those issues. Yes a bad shot could have meant a long trail, but a bad shot with anything could mean a long trail or worse a lost animal. I felt confident in both boys as we had practiced a lot, and it was realistic practice. The conditions on both shots were perfect too. No wind, both prone, both using bi-pods. I would not let them take an iffy shot.
David

 

[TRIC]

Guy, thanks for posting that, I read the same earlier. That and other input from different sources is what made me consider the 257 Bee to begin with. I know that you hunt mainly in the Wenatchee area, I stay in around Oak Creek for most of my elk hunting. The 257 Bee will put down a spike elk just as well as a larger cartridge. If I draw an any bull tag, then my 338 or 375 RUM gets dusted off and put into action.

 

[TRIC]

6mm, you know what the best thing about that picture is? That great big smile...!

 

[6mm Remington]

You are correct about the big "smiles" on both boys. I had to put this picture in there as Andy the other boy put the wool blaze orange cap his grandmother made him just for this special hunt on the elk. He took one wearing it while we were eating lunch and resting a by the fire just so it would appear to Grandma that he really loved his cap. He didn't though and did not wear it because it itched to high heaven! :lol: So he wants me to take this picture of the hat on the elk. He of course sent him wearing the cap, and the cap on the elk to grandma both! She saw the humor in it. Something that was pretty neat was that Andy's grandfather was very ill and was so excited that Andy was getting to go elk hunting because no-one in his family now hunts. Neither mom or dad. I told dad that if he got him through hunter's safety I would take him. Got lucky and got them both elk on a special management area near home. Long story.... When Andy got hom that night and called his grandpa at about 11:00 PM with excitement in his voice, his grandfather started crying he was so happy for Andy. It meant the world to the man and it's something that Andy has wanted to do for so long. His grandfather died not long after this hunt took place. I never got anything this year but it was the BEST YEAR I have ever had!

 

[6mm Remington]

TRIC one more thing. Sorry bout being so long winded. The guy in the photo is Andy's father. At the last minute he got to go with us as some appointments at work cancelled on him that afternoon so he was there when Andy got the elk, and...................got to help pack her out!
David

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I would shoot 120gr Barnes tipped TSX outta my 280

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I would shoot 120gr Barnes tipped TSX outta my 280

I have had great performance with the 140gr TTSX and IMR 4350, so should be able to get the 120's to fly!

 

[SJB358]

Great pictures David. I don't think I would pass up many elk with a 25-06 and good bullets in the snout! The 257WBY is just more of a good thing. Scotty

 

[backcountryhunter]

good LUCK all you ... "elk hunters"

 

[jmad_81]

I've seen elk taken with a 120 PT out of a 257 Weatherby, they sure work. I'm kind of digging the Idea of a 120 TTSX out of a 280 (or any 7mm for that matter) though!

 

[HeathSexton]

.260 Remington shooting a 120gr TTSX would be my choice.

 

[C.Smith]

I've seen elk taken with a 120 PT out of a 257 Weatherby, they sure work. I'm kind of digging the Idea of a 120 TTSX out of a 280 (or any 7mm for that matter) though!

Why is that? I'm just curious.

Corey