Help me choose the right caliber for elk.

[RandyD]

I use a Harrell's Precision muzzle brake on my .300 Win. Mag. There are lots of others, but what I like about this one is it is; 1) it works and 2) it is not some monsterous thing on the end of my barrel and 3) they only cost $30.00 (note, installation will cost a lot more but it is worth it). Here is the website http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?cr...on=show_detail

In an above post, someone said people use large calibers to cover their mistakes. This is true with some hunters. I like a large caliber, so that it immediately puts the animal down. Keep in mind many shots are taken at the end of the hunting day. I do not want to wander around the mountains looking for a downed elk at night. I also tend to take long shots, so a large caliber is what I prefer. My last elk was shot at 750 yards.

[ArmyMedicMoose]

I use 243 win and 6.5-284 norma.. And yes 243 will drop an ELk

[1911man]

Elk

So a 30-06 will take a elk at 300+ yards, if I do my part of course.

[Briancnelson]

You probably won't have to shoot more than 300 yards, if you are doing your part. I have no idea how people end up taking shots longer than that, when I run into elk they are usually right in front of me, and if they aren't I usually try and get as close as I can. But I was with my father when he took an elk in New Mexico this year from about 200 with his 30-06, and assuming you can hit the elk in the right spot from more than 300, it will no doubt take it down with the right ammo.

Muzzle brake won't reduce straight back recoil enough to help with your shoulder. If you are worried about impact on the shoulder, get yourself a limbsaver pad, or wear a thick shooting vest with a pad. Much more effective way to save your shoulder.

[raw24]

I prefer a .30 cal bullet for elk.
I currently use a 300 WSM. I like punch of the 300 but with the shorter action.

I would recommend a 300 WSM with a factory installed BOSS.

[-hanko]

my family has put many elk on the table with both the 270 and .308.... a heavy grain 270 will put an elk down and a .308 does just the same.

My choices exactly, with preference usually for the .270 w/ heavier bullets.

hth

-hanko

[CJJohn]

.270 Weatherby works great. In fact I know a gent who takes one every year with a .257 Weatherby. The 270 Weatherby has been around a LONG time and is good for about anything in the lower 48. 3-400 yards is no problem.

[ElvenSoul]

7.9x57mm works wonders. Just use European Ammo.

[John Browning]

.280 Remington pushing a 160gr Accubond or 175gr Swift A-frame would do you fine, too. .280 Rem is the best of the 270 and. 30-06.

[Newshooter]

I had this same question before my first elk hunt. Went with the 30-06 and 185 grain Nosler Accubond bullets.

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement!!!! At 210 yards, I put one in the neck (he was coming straight at me) of a good sized 5X5 and he dropped like a stone and was dead when I walked down the hill to him.

The other guys on my trip were shooting 300 Short Action Ultra Mags and it took them on average 3-4 shots to put their bulls down. This was due to a couple of reasons: (1) they didn't sight their rifles very well due to recoil, (2) they anticipated the recoil and pulled their shots (3) they felt like they could make "longer" shots becuase they had "big boy" rifles. It was fun to give them all the business because according to them, I was way undergunned with my 30-06.

[RandyD]

I use 243 win and 6.5-284 norma.. And yes 243 will drop an ELk

I know a huntere in Washington State who takes an elk every year with a .243. Again, the primary means of taking an elk is shot placement.

[IrishPirate]

if you're recoil sensitive, .308 with a good muzzle brake and recoil pad will be perfect. It'll have no problem dropping an Elk if you do your part.

[Eljay]

according to them, I was way undergunned with my 30-06.

That's just bizarre. If you can't drop an elk with a .30-06 it's not the rifle's problem. As noted above, a .54 lead ball (which runs about 230 grains) with 110 grains FFG black powder works great against elk as long as you don't mind actually getting near the thing first (100 yards).

[toby]

My 257 Weatherby will accompany me on my next Elk hunt........along with the trusted 30-06....

[1911man]

Elk rifle

Well guys I did it, I meet a fellow cal guns guy to meet him in Santa Cruz to pick up a 6.8 mag. Decided to drive south on highway 1 to catch the 152 back to 101, in Watsonville markley's gun shop was on the way so I decided to stop by and see if it was open and it was. They had a Remington 03A3 custom it was setup for Palma shooting with a 26" barrel that only had 30-06 stamped on the side of the barrel with Palma front site on it they were non adjustable but you could change the reticle in the front site, it has a circle in it. The barrel looked brand new. One of the salesmen behind the counter said it looked like it might be a turned down machine gun barrel, I don't know anything about that, he said machine gun barrels are chrome lined. The crown was 11 degrees. The action had been drilled and tapped for rear sites on the side of the back part of the receiver, and it was drilled on top for the leupold 1 piece mount and the 30mm rings that came with it. The trigger was a clean 1.5-2 lb. when I cycled the action with the trigger pulled back the firing pin dropped. What caught my eye was the stock, because it was kinda a target stock with a wide forearm the whole stock was camo kinda like the older Vietnam era plastic stock sniper rifles. Also came with a decelerator pad on it. The serial # starts with 305***4 it either is a 4 at the end or a A. The receipt says 4 but I thought it was a letter A at the end. When I was doing the paper work. Out the door cost me $575. You guys think I got a deal or paid a
fair price? Any ways I am stoked about it. Merry Christmas to me. Any of you guys know what year it was made?