Possible short action cartridges for elk?

[hermosabeach]

I have only hunted Elk once...

The guide asked what I was using and he recommended 220 Grain ammo in my 30-06.

This also lead to a long conversation at the camp lodge as no one believed me how much the round dropped. Several hunters had zero'd 2" high @ 100 yards and had never shot nor calculated a chart for the round.

I think a lot of the errors by shooters was not knowing how the rounds would drop and accurate range estimation.

The only short action I would possibly consider would be .308.

I am not a fan of ODD BALL calibers... so not short magnums for me... If Walmart does not stocks ammo, I don't want it for hunting.....

If you are considering another caliber, the .338 Win Mag will take pretty much all game in North America...

[bambklr]

To the OP
I have killed a few elk over the years, All of my elk were taken with a Ruger m77 in 7mm Rem Mag. My main rifle now is a Savage 16 in .308 but I would not hesitate to shoot an elk with a 300wsm with the range that you are asking about

[Coyotegunner]

The elk I have killed over the years have been from 20-550yds.Some with a bow and many with a rifle
Kind of being old school,I have used a 338 win mag,300win mag and 280 Remington on most of them.
Then I bought a 300WSM in a Tikka and also fell on a deal for Browning A Bolt.Both in 300WSM.Both rifles will shoot In the 3/4" group size at 200yds.The recoil is relatively mild,the actions short and quick.Kinetic energy,well plenty for elk.Yes I like them.
I reload for everything I own in centerfire.
I would always prefer to shoot them at close range just above a road on a clear day.That 550 yd shot came on a ragged horn bull after not seeing a elk for 9 days of rain and lots of hiked miles.I felt somewhat blessed,when he stumbled and stayed in the clear cut long enough to shoot twice more.He had only 2 bullets in him when I found him just inside the tree line.300 Win mag with Nosler 180 gr Partitions.
Good luck in your hunts everyone.