The real problem these days is everyone shooting beyond the capability of certain cartridges. Yes a 243, 257 Roberts or 25-06 will take elk cleanly #1, when the bullet is placed in the vitals and #2, within its range to make said bullet perform and function properly. I've killed elk with my 25-06 and 120 grain Nosler Partition without issue out to 400 yds. But I have that cap on it and have passed on shots 500+ yds. Stay disciplined. Get closer. If you can't, try again tomorrow or buy a bigger gun. We owe it to the animals to stick to our principles and limitations of our equipment. They aren't gonna roll over and die I promise. The will to live and escape are beyond our comprehension. Unless you've been in certain situations, at war or on the battlefield, this will to live never crosses our minds. So always remember your limiting factor out there. Is it your shooting skills, your rifle, your bullet etc...You can kill elk with a 22 long rifle if you had to. Just have to know our limitations and stick to them.
257 Weatherby on Elk
- Thread starter MT257
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Agreed! The availability of heavier bullets and faster twist barrels has been a game-changer., i.e.,
(L=145 Black Hole at 3090 FPS and R=163 Chinchaga at 2915 FPS out of 22" 1:7" barrel during powder pressure test).
Aoudad shooter1975
Well-Known Member
So true--the equipment has gotten so good that making hits beyond 600 is not only doable but somewhat common. A lot changes past 500 yards. Also with suppressors and shorter barrels more "vogue" short barrels (as much as I love them) are not great for performance--a 24 in barreled 6.5 creedmoor is not the same animal as a 18 in barrel creedmoor. Just some thoughts
Wilderness Blacktail
Well-Known Member
Velocity is velocity tho right? It doesnt matter what barrel length or cartridge ya start it with. Its velocity specific performance levels in this case.
2900 is 2900.
Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges.
One of the most irksome example of this was when a gunwriter was sayin the 6.5CM was only a 200yd elk rifle for cows n spikes but his 6.5PRC was fantastic on big mature bulls out past 400. His load was exactly same bullet & velocity as my 26" 6.5CM. LOL
Aoudad shooter1975
Well-Known Member
All I'm saying is my 25 in barreled 257 wby is not the same as with a 18 in barrel is really a 257 Roberts at the muzzle.
Your rights 140 grain bullet at 2900 is a 140 grain at 2900--but cut the barrel 4-5 inches--it's a 140 grain bullet at 2750--that is not the same
Wilderness Blacktail
Well-Known Member
Yes.
"Switch powders or bullets till the performance meets your needs. If that isnt enough get a bigger case to push it OR accept your expansion limitations and shorten ranges."
sable tireur
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Gun writers get paid to positively address the advertisers which helps to sell the advertising space, digital or hard copy. Most now are simply bloggers without much real experience. There are some but fewer each year.
Really can't give today's gunwriters and IG influencers much credence or credit their opinions on anything anymore. For example, in just the past month those so called expert hunters called Muley Freak (Eric Vacubrain) is promoting shooting mule deer at 750 yds with a 22 Creedmoor. Claiming it the greatest deer rifle on the planet. I just don't understand the lack of respect for the wild big game animals with this crew. I know if everything is perfect you can kill plenty of deer with a 223, 22-250 or 22 Creed. I've done it myself for ranchers under depredation permits. I promise you the day will come when things don't go perfect and because you didn't choose the right tool for the job, the animal will be lost. Yeah yeah bullet placement blah blah blah. Have you been out there and actually witnessed where hunters hit big game animals? 60-70% hit the sweet spot. Plenty of bad hits out there. It's normal. People get excited. Rush shots, shoot beyond their capabilities, misread wind or whatever. I spend over 100 days out there hunting on the public land every year. It's not all heart shots and pinpoint hits out there. Just use your own brains out there folks. Know the minimum threshold levels and for God's sake respect the game! Rant over. Happy Thanksgiving 
