Help chosing an Elk Cartridge.

rickjoty · Dec 6, 2018

35 Whelen said:
All the ones you list will work fine. Out of all of them it would be between the 270 Win. and the 30-06, The 270 Win. Is one of my favorites but the 30-06's using heaver bullets gives a slight edge with penetration. I have become very found of the 35 Whelen, it shoots about the sane as the 30-06 but with a heaver bullet and only very slightly more recoil. In a short action I'd go with the 270WSM or 308 Win. My 270 WSM's recoil is about the same as the 30-06, but my 308 and 270 win.'s are not much less, not much that I notice any may. My wife on the other hand can notice the difference in her 270 Win. with 130 gr. bullets and the 150 gr. bullets. I don't. I have 270win, 270wsm, 308win, 30-06, 300win. mag., 35whelen, and there all grate. If recoil is a big concern for you I'd go with the 270 Win. or 7mm-08. 270 Win. ammo may be a tad easer to find in small towns. Other wise pick the one that really intrigues you the most, it's kind of like looking for a wife, the one that your heart calls out to is the one you will be the happiest with. Happy hunting and shooting.

Well I'm thinking about rebarreling my Tikka T3 light from 270 Win to 243. I have a Sako A7 in 270 Win so I don't need two. I might consider selling it if you decide to go with that caliber. I love the 270. I have hand loads developed for it that shoot lights out. Also, two mags.

John Spadaro · Dec 6, 2018

kai said:
John, I have a Tikka Superlite T3 in 270 Win with a muzzle brake and a Limbsaver Airtech recoil pad that you're welcome to try.
I need to take it to Koko Head to test the 117 gn Hammer bullets I loaded for it.

Hi Kai, that would be much appreciated. I will send you my contact info in a PM.

USAF Marksman · Dec 6, 2018

John Spadaro said:
How much difference is the recoil between the 270 WSM and the 30-06? I am guessing that they are about the same.

It's been about 10 years since I've had that 270 WSM. It was an A Bolt II Composite Stalker, with a limbsaver recoil pad. I can recall, and recall telling others, that the recoil on it was mild shooting the 130s and 150s alike. I also recall it feeling more like a push than a punch. I'd say it's comparable to the -06. I never shot those two calibers side by side though. Since you mentioned it, I have no idea what you can do for reduced loads in the WSM (if at all).

Dry Heat? · Dec 11, 2018

300 WSM. You can build or buy a Kimber or Nosler. My Montana in 270 WSM is a very accurate Rifle. My wife's Mountain Ascent in 7mm-08 is ridiculously accurate. She just killed a Bull Elk @ 287 yards standing behind a BogPod using 145 gr Barnes LRX Bullets which Group 3/8" for 3 shots.
My Nosler M48 in 30 Nosler shoots 210 gr LR Accubonds into 2" group @ 400 yards. Plenty accurate and absolutely Rolls Elk. But if I was gonna limit my shots to 400 yards, I'd get a 300 WSM.

WildRose · Dec 11, 2018

John Spadaro said:
How much difference is the recoil between the 270 WSM and the 30-06? I am guessing that they are about the same.

Take a look at Len's recoil spreadsheet linked at the top of this forum.

The biggest difference is probably in the weight of the rifle and the drop at the comb between the two.

You're shooting much heavier bullets with the 06 with a similar powder charge.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/30-06-springfield/

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/270-winchester-short-magnum-wsm/

Daegon · Dec 12, 2018

Back to the caliber thing you really can't go wrong with a 7mm rem mag. I've had family kill elk with it even out to 500+ yards and the recoil isn't bad but there are always brakes or suppressors to tone it down and it's a perfect all around caliber!

MudRunner2005 · Dec 12, 2018

Derek Davis said:
Back to the caliber thing you really can't go wrong with a 7mm rem mag. I've had family kill elk with it even out to 500+ yards and the recoil isn't bad but there are always brakes or suppressors to tone it down and it's a perfect all around caliber!

It really is hard to go wrong with the 7mm RemMag. Been hunting deer with one for going on 17 years now. Can't see myself ever straying away from it for an all-around North American hunting cartridge. I have bigger calibers, and larger/faster cartridges, but the 7mm Remington Magnum seems to be the perfect caliber for cartridge combination. And after all these years with a perfect track record, there's something to be said for that confidence factor when you put that rifle to your shoulder, drop that crosshair on your target, and KNOW what's going to happen when the pin drops...

WildRose · Dec 12, 2018

MudRunner2005 said:
It really is hard to go wrong with the 7mm RemMag. Been hunting deer with one for going on 17 years now. Can't see myself ever straying away from it for an all-around North American hunting cartridge. I have bigger calibers, and larger/faster cartridges, but the 7mm Remington Magnum seems to be the perfect caliber for cartridge combination. And after all these years with a perfect track record, there's something to be said for that confidence factor when you put that rifle to your shoulder, drop that crosshair on your target, and KNOW what's going to happen when the pin drops...

That's how I am with my STW's, they are all pretty much point, click, bang, dead critter.

I never wonder if I can make a shot I want to take with any of them in my hands.

MudRunner2005 · Dec 12, 2018

WildRose said:
That's how I am with my STW's, they are all pretty much point, click, bang, dead critter.

I never wonder if I can make a shot I want to take with any of them in my hands.

I feel the same way with my STW's, as well, but around here, 99% of my shots are inside of 500 yards, so the STW's are a bit of overkill, since I shoot 180 Hybrids in them. You're in Texas, you know the whitetails around here don't get really big, like they do up north.

adk hunter · Dec 12, 2018

For the 400 yard deal and easy recoil...
How about an '06 in a short action...? .308!
Or a 338wm in a short action...? .338 federal!

Now start adding yardage and blowing out shoulders.
'06, .300wm, .280 Ackley, Sherman so forth.

Keep making it fatter and we will come full circle to the .35's and the 45-70's
My lord we all love to imagine we have invented the latest greatest lol.

Hope to get gramps .38-40 marlin a nice whitetail next season. Pop.

Wolf76 · Dec 12, 2018

I would add that even if you won't shoot beyond 400 yards, things change. Limiting yourself is fine from an ethical perspective. The gun limiting you is unacceptable.
For elk, I'd say have enough KO power to 600. If you don't use it, no harm. If you do need it and don't have it, then tag soup is on the menu.
My guide told us to be prepared to shoot 300 yards. Most of the elk were shot between 350-500 yards.
I'll add the 308 or '06 are perfectly fine for the distance mentioned. There's zero need to get exotic with cartridges at this point.

olyeller · Dec 12, 2018

John Spadaro said:
Based on the responses I don't see any love for the 270WSM. I thought it would be have some additional energy with recoil less than the 30-06.

A custom gunsmith told me that the 270WSM is no longer in favor and recommend the 6.5PRC instead. He said that the WSM cartridges sometimes have problems feeding. I not sure why the PRC would feed any better since it also has a fat case.

My guide for two years out of Raton told me he preferred 270WSM. It's all his wife uses for deer and elk.
I shot one elk each of those two years using my Rem 700 270WSM loaded with Sierra's 150gr SGK at about 3000fps MV. First was 106yds bang/flop behind shoulders; second was 465yd shot. Broke both front legs and breastbone. I hit low underestimating range. Elk was anchored where it stood.
On the other hand, I watched a guy pump 4 180gr Hornady Interlocks out of a 30-06 into an elk at under 200yds before it fell. It's all about shot placement.
Lots of elk been kilt with less than the old 270WIN. Feller named O'Connor might just agree with that. Yes, the WSM's are fading, but that doesn't mean they won't get er dun.

Idaho Lefty · Dec 12, 2018

John Spadaro said:
How much difference is the recoil between the 270 WSM and the 30-06? I am guessing that they are about the same.

I have shot BOTH the .30-06 with the 150's at 2,900 FPS and the .270 WSM with, 140's at 3,150 FPS,.. I couldn't really tell, the difference (both reasonably pleasant with proper, recoil Pads ! ) The .270 WSM is flatter shooting,.. like in "Lazer", flat ! the WSM's are,.. "fading",.. LOL ! The .300 WSM is very, VERY popular and the .270 WSM,.. flat out,.. "gets it, DONE" with, LOW, recoil !

Wolf76 · Dec 12, 2018

I'm personally sick of hearing"it's all about shot placement". Where's the perfect placement for a 22LR on an elk at 300? Where's a bad shot from a howitzer? Why do African guides and countries specify minimum cartridges for certain game animals.
No disagreement that accuracy plays a major role. Turns out bullet construction, penetration, expansion, and energy delivered are of equal importance. People often try to justify marginal cartridges saying " it's all about shot placement ".
BTW I'm not specifically calling you out or your chosen cartridge. I'm saying there are many considerations and to count on a perfect shot is foolish.

olyeller said:
It's all about shot placement.

Help chosing an Elk Cartridge.

rickjoty

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John Spadaro

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USAF Marksman

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Dry Heat?

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WildRose

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Daegon

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MudRunner2005

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WildRose

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MudRunner2005

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adk hunter

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Wolf76

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olyeller

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Idaho Lefty

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Wolf76

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