Experienced Elk Killers Pick Your #1 Elk Cartridge

[elkhunter1104]

I voted 7mm rem mag because 28 nosler wasn't there. I have only killed a handful of elk. Of them, one was with a bow, two with a 300 WM at 300 yards and two with the 28 nosler at 1104 yards and 1245 yards. All in Colorado. I picked the 28 because i am comfortable with it and it shoots great. None of the elk were any deader than the other. I say pick a gun that has plenty of energy "I pick 1500 ft/lbs min" left at the distances you are comfortable shooting, practice and practice and practice and go have fun. Next year I hope to try out the 300 Norma or 338 Norma. It just depends on which one I get to shooting the best at distance between now and then.

 

[35 Whelen]

I voted for the 270 Win. because I have used it. I have also used the 300 Win.mag. and the 35 Whelen. They all have did a fine job, one shoot kills. The 35 Whelen is my favorite for elk and most of where I hunt. If I was going to be were I'd be taking over 500 yard shoots I'd take the 300 win. mag. I would like to get a 358 STA for the same thing. I am a fan of the 270 win. but it is my opinion that it is the smallest for elk, all though I know some people that have used smaller calibers with good results. I would have voted for the 35 Whelen but no option close enough to it. Good bullets in a rifle you shoot well is a good place to start.

 

[HARPERC]

The .35's big and small are lethal.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Just use my 300AX, hard to beat a big 30cal

 

[26Reload]

Whichever rifle I have available....i will limit my shots do to geography...whether it be in open country or timber.....

 

[06mauser]

I voted for the good old 30-06. I shot the majority of my elk with this round from ranges of 100 yds to just over 600 yds and never had a problem. But I really do like my 28 nosler and 264 win mag, both of those rifles have worked very well for me over the last few elk seasons but they were not on the list.

 

[packgoatguy]

My 14 year old son took his first elk this season with my 300wm (tikka superlite)... one shot, 320 yards.

That said, if I were to build a real long range elk gun, it would either go all the way with a big 338 that could do at least 2900 fps with a 270gr or heavier bullet...

OR

a really fast 7mm like a 28 Nosler in a 162-175 gr bullet

Both options have BC's at the top of list, buck the wind as good as any, and still have enough oomph for extreme long range shots.

I put together a spreadsheet that ranks various popular elk calibers based on the OTC Hornady ELDX and Nosler ABLR Trophy options.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/156KStH-VKLIwILKsmubbCZDm6XzUvyz47oro0nR5hxY/edit?usp=sharing

 

[Golovkin]

My 14 year old son took his first elk this season with my 300wm (tikka superlite)... one shot, 320 yards.

That said, if I were to build a real long range elk gun, it would either go all the way with a big 338 that could do at least 2900 fps with a 270gr or heavier bullet...

OR

a really fast 7mm like a 28 Nosler in a 162-175 gr bullet

Both options have BC's at the top of list, buck the wind as good as any, and still have enough oomph for extreme long range shots.

I put together a spreadsheet that ranks various popular elk calibers based on the OTC Hornady ELDX and Nosler ABLR Trophy options.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/156KStH-VKLIwILKsmubbCZDm6XzUvyz47oro0nR5hxY/edit?usp=sharing

Very cool. I'd like to see you put the 230gr. ELDX in there at 3200fps (338RUM)

The 270 @ 2,900 would be an animal, and seeing the effective range comparison would be interesting. Another data point to look at is 2,600fps (the speed limit of hydrostatic shock on calibers below .35).

 

[packgoatguy]

Very cool. I'd like to see you put the 230gr. ELDX in there at 3200fps (338RUM)

The 270 @ 2,900 would be an animal, and seeing the effective range comparison would be interesting. Another data point to look at is 2,600fps (the speed limit of hydrostatic shock on calibers below .35).

As Hornady does not make a 338RUM in the ELDX precision hunter factory loaded cartridge, I did not have that data. I just added your 3200fps number to the spreadsheet. Is that a velocity you have gotten out of a 24 inch barrel consistently with that 230gr bullet?

As for the 2600fps threshold, as all of these cartridges fall short of that before 500 yards, I did not think to add it before.

 

[gunaddict]

My Elk Guns:
7 Rum
300 Rum
338 Rum
375 Rum
I rotate them so they feel wanted. LOL

 

[Bravo 4]

My Elk Guns:
7 Rum
300 Rum
338 Rum
375 Rum
I rotate them so they feel wanted. LOL

I have a switch barrel .338 / .300 RUM, thinking of adding the rest of the RUM lineup to it.

 

[mfk]

First post..
I live in Montana and in decent elk country. If i had to pick one: my long throated 280 Remington. If it's a Factory Chamber, it's 7RM all day long. Of course on Long hikes I have a skinny barrel 7mm08.. That being said, I've shot more elk with a 308 than any other cartridge. Practice + bullet choice is most important.

love the ballistics of 7mm.

 

[mfk]

It depends on where I am hunting and more specifically how. If I know I am going in to thick country and bugling an elk into 30 yards and he is ready for a fight I prefer a fast 33 and a stout bullet. Yes a hundred different calibers will work, but I like something that packs a 225plus grain bullet that will make two holes and punch through some mass if needed.
If I am planning more of an open country, glassing the opposite side of the valley hoping to find the unsuspecting elk at 500-700 yards then something pushing a high bc vld/eld bullet in a 6.5, 7mm or 30 works for me. Today I would prob walk out the door with my 260ai, or maybe the 7mag.
There is an advantage to living in the middle of elk country and being aboe to hunt 5 min from the house. Once you know the country your going into you can taylor your gear to it.

You live 5 minutes from Elk Country? You live the dream!!

 

[Golovkin]

I just added your 3200fps number to the spreadsheet. Is that a velocity you have gotten out of a 24 inch barrel consistently with that 230gr bullet?

Nosler 5th edition lists a 230gr fail safe at 3,227 with a 26" barrel.