Is a 270 WSM an adequate elk round?

[257Tony]

The 6.5 elk looked like a neck/spinal shot... it dropped instantly. IMO a riskier shot (perhaps a slight miss to the left from wind?) than a lung shot, but it certainly worked. Hard to make definitive judgments about the suitability of the caliber from this one example... the same results would have happened with any deer-capable bullet from a centerfire rifle.

The 25-06 shot was a front quartering shot that clearly penetrated... you can see the exit wound when the elk turns to the right, and the blood sign gets larger quickly. That elk bled out from a shot that likely took out both lungs and exited just behind the diaphragm on the opposite side. The bullet performed suitably, and this is IMO a positive example.

With both of these, what would have happened if the bullet had been 6" to the right? IMO a dead elk but in the first case maybe 5 to 10 seconds on its feet, but for the second case a gut shot elk that would have run quite a ways.

Is there a margin-of-error factor that makes choosing a larger caliber with more energy a better choice? Not for when everything goes right, but when something goes wrong?

No, not with any of the cartridges I've seen. When the first hit is bad, good chance you're gonna have a sh*tshow on your hands.

 

[257Tony]

Sometimes the "wrong end" is the "only end" that you are offered in a hunting season.

Properly placed, little edible meat is lost unless a ham is hit. Still…..75% of an elk is much better than 0% of an elk! Again, the right bullet properly placed, will kill an elk (or any other big gam animal) very quickly!

Or……loosing an entire elk because a long range, shot with a marginal (under less than ideal circumstances) cartridge is used!

Just because it "can" be done …….doesn't mean it "should" be done! memtb

Ok, you're one of those guys. Just get a bullet in them before they hit the trees eh?

 

[memtb]

Ok, you're one of those guys. Just get a bullet in them before they hit the trees eh?

Sometimes I hunt in the trees! An "unguided" hunter on "public land" can't be picky where he hunts elk! He/she must be prepared for any and all opportunities…..open country or heavy timber!

Some folks don't understand these things! memtb

 

[257Tony]

Sometimes I hunt in the trees! An "unguided" hunter on "public land" can't be picky where he hunts elk! He/she must be prepared for any and all opportunities…..open country or heavy timber!

Some folks don't understand these things! memtb

I'll guide ya! First thing I'll tell ya, don't shoot em in the a**

 

[memtb]

Thanks for the kind offer!

I suspect getting a license in Utah may be a bit challenging though! Then there's that little issue! I've never considered attempting to elk hunt in another state.

If, for the sake of conversation, an out if state'r were to hunt Utah…..what are the success % in the area that you hunt…..and approximate costs? It seems you've been involved with a lot of successful hunters. Then, there's that handicap with my self-imposed 600 yard limit……under near perfect conditions!

I would imagine that some others on the forum may be interested in knowing the challenges of an out of state hunter in Utah! memtb

 

[257Tony]

Thanks for the kind offer!

I suspect getting a license in Utah may be a bit challenging though! Then there's that little issue! I've never considered attempting to elk hunt in another state.

If, for the sake of conversation, an out if state'r were to hunt Utah…..what are the success % in the area that you hunt…..and approximate costs? It seems you've been involved with a lot of successful hunters. Then, there's that handicap with my self-imposed 600 yard limit……under near perfect conditions!

I would imagine that some others on the forum may be interested in knowing the challenges of an out of state hunter in Utah! memtb

The area I guide in is managed more for opportunity than trophy quality, tags are guaranteed through the CWMU program. Almost all of our clients have opportunity at a branch antlered bull, what they do with that opportunity is up to them Lots of 5x5 bulls, with a few 6's sprinkled in. We usually kill one or two in the 300-340 range. I think the hunts are around 10k,I'm just a guide but that's what I hear from the hunters.

 

[memtb]

The area I guide in is managed more for opportunity than trophy quality, tags are guaranteed through the CWMU program. Almost all of our clients have opportunity at a branch antlered bull, what they do with that opportunity is up to them Lots of 5x5 bulls, with a few 6's sprinkled in. We usually kill one or two in the 300-340 range. I think the hunts are around 10k,I'm just a guide but that's what I hear from the hunters.

Thank You Tony!

I assume that these hunts are on large parcels of private ranches. Meaning well managed, for either trophy animals or a large quantity of animals. Maybe not a "high fence" hunt but very well managed.

I'm strictly guessing here: As you aptly described…..for a tidy little sum, a hunter can (maybe almost guaranteed) have an opportunity at an elk. Many hunters, not having ready access to elk hunting areas, merely want an antlered elk……almost any bull elk to scratch that off of there bucket list. You and other guides affiliated with those private lands offer a valuable service for those hunters! I'm certainly not belittling that service.

But, that service isn't for everyone. Many hunters do not have the funding, while others will wait for a license in a hard to draw region/area…….that failing, buy a general license.

That general license can offer some really good elk hunting for those with pack animals or young (er) tough hunters. But, for those not blessed with the above qualifications…..the elk are a bit more difficult to come by.

For some of those hunters…..that means unfilled tags! Maybe that's why it's referred to as hunting…….rather than "shooting"! memtb