30-30 for elk?

[436]

I never have hunted Elk with a .30-30 Win, I hunted a couple of times with a friend who would push deep dense revive(s) for Elk using a Win 94 in .30 WCF in the Cascade Mountains, he had killed a couple that way over the years, and from him and others who hunted with him told me he never lost one, My friend said; his shots were always well within the .30-30 range being quite close. I also have some Canadian friends who have hunted Moose with a .30-30 Win in B.C. Canada. Now this goes back to the late 60s and 70s hunting days. With that said; one of my favorite rifles is my (1942) Win .30 WCF I've never used it for Elk but if I had to I think it would work within its range limitations. I had another hunting buddy that used a Remington Mod 8 in .30 Rem for everything, it's pretty much the ballistical twin of the .30-30 Win. Don't get me wrong I don't think a .30-30 WIn is a good choice for Elk, especially big Elk... but yes, it could and has worked.
Just my 0.2 Cheers.

 

[Dr. Richard Gray]

It's all in knowing the gun and how it shoots. I have 2 Win 94 26" octagon barrel and shot 150 gr for years. The past 15 years I've been using 170 gr Nosler or Norma hollow points. If you can consistently hit a paper plate at 150 yds with peep sights (which I don't doubt one bit) a scope will not make a major difference.
Use your heavier loads on the larger animals, and try to keep the distance under 200 yds.

 

[MontanaJack]

Elk are too noble to be lab rats. Lots of elk were taken decades ago with a 30-30, when thats all people had available. Those days are over. Using an underpowered round these days is nothing but a stunt. Elk size game require a minimum of 1500 ft-lb of energy in a projectile delivered to a vital area. Pre 1960 most elk hunters were feeding their family. Hunting was about subsistence rather than recreation. Times have changed. Don't ask me about archery. I hear far more stories about sticking an arrow in one than actually making a kill. I killed lots of elk, but confess that I wounded some that I never found. Most of those happened when I took a shot that shouldn't have been taken. Young & dumb!

 

[AussieWriter]

Elk are too noble to be lab rats. Lots of elk were taken decades ago with a 30-30, when thats all people had available. Those days are over. Using an underpowered round these days is nothing but a stunt. Elk size game require a minimum of 1500 ft-lb of energy in a projectile delivered to a vital area. Pre 1960 most elk hunters were feeding their family. Hunting was about subsistence rather than recreation. Times have changed. Don't ask me about archery. I hear far more stories about sticking an arrow in one than actually making a kill. I killed lots of elk, but confess that I wounded some that I never found. Most of those happened when I took a shot that shouldn't have been taken. Young & dumb!

If subsistence hunters were successful, then what is the argument against their choice of firearm and cartridge?

Did they not also have a choice when procuring their .30/30's?

Surely, having a different preference does not counter argue anothers success?

 

[Rflshootr]

My dad killed his first 6 elk with a 30-30. Back in the 50's and 60's. Then he stepped up to a high powdered Savage 99 in 308. Granted this was in the deep timber of the Washington coast at close range. Many an elk has dropped with a 30-30 or 32 win special in the days of old.

Don't you know that elk have gotten tougher to kill and wear bullet proof vests and armor plate these days???