Caliber for medium range Elk

[Fedwell]

My daughter 19,g an elk every year with a 270 wsm. Great round low recoil. All but one have been 1 shot kills most went less than 20 yards if not dead right there.

I have been wanting to learn what Loads most fans of the 270WSM Like the best. can you help me out a little ? Thanks and MERRY Christmas

 

[littlewhaler]

I have never had a problem with a 280 AI in 30 years of use. Burns less powder than the magnums but has plenty of down range umph. If you really want a short action, the 300 Wsm is a great cartridge.

You nailed it for me...it's a coin flip between the 280ai and 300WSM for the job the original post called for. I take both on every elk hunt and each serves as back up for the other. I zero them at 300 and shoot 160 gr in 280ai and 180 gr in 300WSM. I never notice recoil in either when in hunt mode. Really like both these choices especially if you handload!

 

[del2les]

0-600 yards? How many decades did so many of us use the old stand byes 270, 280 and 30-06 with the occasional hunter using a 264WM and 7RM thrown in? Given our lowest recoil request, personally, I would go with the 264WM or the 280/280AI, but for a long time, I used a 270 with 140/150gr at that range or the 30-06 with 165's and 180's.

 

[LVJ76]

OK, here is the scenario.....you are a medium range 0-600 yd elk hunter. You are looking for a rifle with moderate(light as possible without a brake) recoil, under 10lbs with scope and on a model 70 action.....

the real question is what caliber? 284 Win, 280 AI, 30-06(AI or regular).....or jump to the magnum bolt face and 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Wthby, etc..

thoughts?

Merry Christmas!

I'll stick to the cartridges you mentioned and without a brake.

280 AI with the 162gr SST or 154gr Interbond, low recoil.

30-06 with a 165gr Interbond or 165gr SST, also low recoil

I like Hornady as you can see and for your max range of 600 yds, BC's dont matter much.

You do not need a magnum, I have a 7mm Rem Mag and love it but you don't need more than the cartridges I mentioned. Now if you do have the itch for a magnum I'd go with the 7mm Rem Mag with the 162gr SST, same recoil as the 30-06 and with that bullet well placed its an awesome fast killer.

Now if you are in to lead free then I'd use Hammer bullets with the cartridges I mentioned.

Whatever you choose, bullet selection and shot placement will be what matters most.

 

[Smokepoles]

I think your on the right track. For 0-600 your first three choices are exactly what I'd choose too. A lot of people don't think about how the rifle fits you and the ergonomics of it regarding recoil. A proper fitting stock made of carbon or similar materials will seem to eat a lot of recoil. 7-7.5lb bare rifle with a stock that fits you and your normal shooting positions well can make a huge difference in recoil and your ability to control the rifle after the shot, thus building more confidence in your ability to shoot that rig. I certainly wouldn't go any lighter than that if low recoil is the goal. Good luck making your decision, you can't lose with any of those options!

 

[Mustang72]

I'm now using a NULA in .284 shooting 160 gr accubonds. Been through numerous 7mm and .300 magnums and started downsizing at .358 STA.

Is that the left hand nula that was for sale on here a while back?

 

[COBrad]

No, I ordered mine October 2018 and got it at the end of this last September. Like it so much I was going to order another in 6 Creedmore but have another Cooper coming instead. I grew up lusting over classic wood and blued steel.

 

[Mustang72]

Is the quality still there? Heard mixed reviews the last couple of years. A nul A is my dream hunting rifle,but I love good wood and blueing! Missed a lefty on here a few months back. How do you like yours in 284?

 

[COBrad]

Mine is top quality all the way through. I really like the .284. I'm shooting 160 gr Accubonds. Great performance from that bullet and fairly mild recoil.

 

[Mustang72]

Thanks.

 

[FEENIX]

I have been wanting to learn what Loads most fans of the 270WSM Like the best. can you help me out a little ? Thanks and MERRY Christmas

Welcome to LRH and enjoy! You might want to consider starting a separate thread of your own or do a search query.

 

[Seezer]

I have been wanting to learn what Loads most fans of the 270WSM Like the best. can you help me out a little ? Thanks and MERRY Christmas

For factory 270 WSM ammo, I like the Barnes Vor-TX 140 Grain with the TSX-BT bullet. I also have handloads using the 130 Gr TSX-BT for Mule Deer. I have found that most guns shoot Barnes TSX ammo very well...

 

[COBrad]

I used 140 Berger HVLD's in my 270 WSM for varmints and same weight Accubonds for elk.

 

[Johnny blade]

Can be if set up in the right stock with a quality muzzle break.

Part of the requirement was no brake.