Elk Calibers

[Clackamas Jack]

Hello,

On a Remington 700 forum a question was asked about what was the best Elk caliber. Now it opened up a can of worms but one member advised if you use anything less than a 270 winchester for elk you are a "nimrod" and of course that started a interesting argument with many people. What are your caliber range of Elk? I felt the smallest I would go would be a 25-06 as long as I placed the projectile where it needed to go and biggest I would go would be some sort of 45 cal stuff like 458 Win Mag would my max but thats just me. I feel like the golden range for me would be a 264 Win Mag/6.5 PRC or similar up to 350 Rem Mag/35 Whelen for elk. Love to see your input on the subject.

 

[Ryan500L]

My dad killed a nice bull with a .270 Winchester years ago but he was less than 100 yards away. The world record bull of many years was killed by a man with a 30-40 Krag. But if I'm spending the money and effort I'm going with something in the .300 to .338 magnum class with good bullets and learn to shoot it well.

 

[OK Corgi Rancher]

I started hunting elk in Colorado with a .30-30. As a matter of fact, first elk I got was with a .30-30. After a few years of using that I got a .338 rifle. Just too much...so I finally settled on a .30-06. Used it for everything. In my opinion it's one of the most versatile and useful calibers out there for hunting. Then again, I no longer hunt. But if I did I wouldn't even consider anything else. You can find -06 ammo everywhere. I like it.

 

[wolfkpr]

Ive hunted places where .270 was the minimum. My experience is limited, as the 3 elk ive taken were with bow, and ive guided one of my kiddos to his first elk with .308... .260, 7/08 and yes 25-06 are sensible minimums. Proper bullets and proper placement are important with an animal that might weigh 350, and might weigh 1000. Here is a cow shoulder blade with .308 barnes-x from 120 yds, and exit through shoulder meat.

 

[Clackamas Jack]

I think if you did 25 cal I would think the 257 Weatherby would be the best option, but so many better options are available. 30 cals, 33 cals and the 7mm's seem to rule the roost for the Elk cartridge game.

 

[Jcann]

6.8 western
numerous 7mm
7prc (although it doesn’t do anything my 7WSM can’t do)
numerous 30 cal or 300 whatever’s
300prc
338 of different flavors

All of my choices would be setup for long range, at least 800 yards.

The 300 prc and 338’s would be very good long range choices

 

[WoodsCraft]

30-06 and 300 H&H have always worked for me . I can't say anything else is required , but it is worth nothing that most people don't understand when its beneficial to use a magnum over a standard caliber.

Its got nothing to do with more "killing power " as I 've not found that my 300 H&H doesn't do a better job than the 30-06 of putting an animal down, its the ability to take a longer range shot easier. Same can be said for my 7 mag vs the 280 or the 7x57 .

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Can of worms is right. I will keep my caliber opinion like my elk hunting spot. Secret.

 

[Bocephus123]

I started hunting elk in Colorado with a .30-30. As a matter of fact, first elk I got was with a .30-30. After a few years of using that I got a .338 rifle. Just too much...so I finally settled on a .30-06. Used it for everything. In my opinion it's one of the most versatile and useful calibers out there for hunting. Then again, I no longer hunt. But if I did I wouldn't even consider anything else. You can find -06 ammo everywhere. I like it.

most likeiy the best caliber ever!! one was always one of my favorites.

 

[ragsflh]

one that kills