Caliber choices for ELK

I will be on a guided hunt with western outfitters in montrose Colorado. I will start working on some OCW tests with some accubonds and sierra game kings next few weeks.

We are going by horseback so not sure how much on foot we will be covering. This will be a new experience for me. After this bighorn ram will be next!

Ccctennis said:

I will be on a guided hunt with western outfitters in montrose Colorado. I will start working on some OCW tests with some accubonds and sierra game kings next few weeks.

We are going by horseback so not sure how much on foot we will be covering. This will be a new experience for me. After this bighorn ram will be next!

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Congrats on lining up what sounds like an incredible hunt in a very good area!

Don't be surprised if the elk bug doesn't bite you pretty hard and you end up being a regular!

Let us know how it goes!

7MM REM MAG gets my vote but if you ever wanna add another I would say a 338 rum

Ccctennis said:

I will be on a guided hunt with western outfitters in montrose Colorado. I will start working on some OCW tests with some accubonds and sierra game kings next few weeks.

We are going by horseback so not sure how much on foot we will be covering. This will be a new experience for me. After this bighorn ram will be next!

Click to expand...

Cool! Enjoy!

Figure on a fair bit of hiking, and be thankful if you can do most of it on horseback! It's so cool to be able to use horses to access remote locations.

Ram... Normally that takes a lot of points to draw.

Regards, Guy

Ccctennis said:

I will be on a guided hunt with western outfitters in montrose Colorado. I will start working on some OCW tests with some accubonds and sierra game kings next few weeks.

We are going by horseback so not sure how much on foot we will be covering. This will be a new experience for me. After this bighorn ram will be next!

Click to expand...

That's good unit first season as second/3rd have OTC tags. I hope you draw your tag.

The outfitter said we have a 90% chance at draw if we submit as a group. Otherwise we move to week 2 OTC. I think I have the bug already. Would like to go on a self guided in the future once I get an idea of how it works here.

Ccctennis said:

I will be on a guided hunt with western outfitters in montrose Colorado. I will start working on some OCW tests with some accubonds and sierra game kings next few weeks.

We are going by horseback so not sure how much on foot we will be covering. This will be a new experience for me. After this bighorn ram will be next!

Click to expand...

Even horseback you'll get worn out, and when things move fast you won't want a heavy rifle. The whole long range thing can be over played. I'd ballpark a realistic shot at 300 or less, especially with a guide. Most guides aren't in business to let guys go home with unfilled tags. Operating that way can be bad for business.

I'd look for a total, ready-to-shoot package to weigh no more than 9lbs. A lot of calibers will work with today's bulletin technology, and good shot placement.

Thanks for the input. I am excited for the hunt and the bug has bitten. I am looking at Big Horn next and then saving for a Cape Buffalo in South Africa after. Just another reason to keep buying more rifles, especially big bore calibers. I am working on my 7mm STW OCW testing. Hoping to find a proven winner a few weeks!

Ccctennis said:

I know, I know. another can of worms to debate on rifle caliber for ELK.

Here is what I have in the arsenal to choose from.
243 WSSM
257 Roberts
6.5-284
7mm STW
30-06
7mm Rem Mag
8mm Mauser

I just got back from a bison Hunt and use 175 grain nosler out of my 7mm STW.

I shoot the 6.5-284 and 7mm stw the most accurately with my handloads. Heading to colorado in October for Elk and wanted to get a feel for what everyone uses. I have access to any projectile size for these rifles. I could use my Partitions, Accubonds, Berger VLD, or barnes.

I know the 243, and "bob" are not real options. But both are great pack rifles if i draw a deer tag.

What is the average distance i will need to shoot from for Elk? Never hunted out west and the stories make it seem like i will need to hit from 600-800 yards. Here in the south 300 is a long way for most hunting!

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I own 3 of the calibers you listed (6.5-284 Norma, 7 STW and 30-06), but my main elk rifle is a 300 WSM. I purchased it when I moved to Denver in 2007, and have killed elk in CO and NM with it. Distance ranged from 90-440 yards. My back up elk rig is the 7 STW. I love the 6.5-284 but I wouldn't shoot an elk past 500 yards with it using a 140gr bullet. The 300 WSM is lighter (8.25 lbs) than my others, but only by about 1-1.25 lbs. I really didn't feel it much when I was hiking up and down mountains at 9,000-11,000 ft. Although I mainly hunted on land I owned in CO GMU 85, I have done some guided hunts since moving to Texas. In camp, elk were killed with 7 Rem Mags, 30-06's, 300 & 338 Win Mags and my 300 WSM. The outfitters seem to really like a 300 RUM. So, as you can see, any of the calibers will get the job done. Unless you need a reason to purchase another rifle, your 7 STW will be an excellent choice for your hunt. Be very comfortable shooting about 400 yards. Bulls seem to like to walk out of cover at about 350 yards and give you about a 2 second broadside window before showing you their *** and moving back into the cover. Elk are my absolute favorite animal to hunt, and I got hooked on them years ago. Nothing is better and makes you feel more alive than hearing a bugle in the woods. It gives me goose bumps every time. You're going to love it.
Good luck!!

Dougduey, I have to agree with you on hearing the Elk Bugle while out in the woods (or mountains). It makes the pulse race when you are waiting for legal light to come, and you hear Elk bugling all around you. No feeling like it !!

Elk hunting gets in your blood, and it's worth the suffering...enjoy the experience, the scenery, and take lots of pictures...especially if you live in the east

If you're most comfortable with the 7mm STW I see no reason not to use that. Any of your last four listed calibers would work fine.

I've been using a 7MM WSM for many years on Elk Hunts, and never had the slightest problem with it doing what it's made for. Mostly Central Oregon Hunts 300-500 Yard shots.

I've bow hunted that area, actually about 40 miles West of Montrose up on the Uncompahgre. I too think 300yds will be a long shot for you Pard, probably average around 150! Having said that, your 30-06 with a good 180 or 200 Partition is perfect. "IF" you want a dedicated "all around elk rifle", may I suggest a sporter weight 24" barreled 338 Winmag and either 250gr Partitions/Swifts/other Premiums or, if you want a bit more range, the 185 TSX. Scope no bigger than a 2.5x8 or similar ( even 4X is fine!) This type of rifle will fit a saddle scabbard well. The 250 Premiums and even the 185 Barnes will usually shoot through an elk from almost any angle, at least break him down. You "will" get more shots at hard angles than the classic broadside, and on a money hunt, you want to hedge your bet, so to speak. At the end of a long, tiring hunt, when you see an elk, you "will" want to shoot him ( partly from Revenge! ha) and a heavier gun can make a difference. If you don't want a 338, a Sporter weight 35 Whelen (or Ackley Improved) is very pleasant to shoot and kills very, very well, maybe indistinguishable from the 338 out to 250yds! But you can usually buy 338 Winmag ammo ( if need be) anywhere in elk country, not so with the Whelen. Have a ball and let us know what you decided on, we'll go hunting with you "vicariously", ha.