Len Backus and Robb Wiley discuss some of the best elk hunting calibers - Video

[7mmpredator]

That is a McMillan Game Warden with Hydro dipped Kuiu Verde straight from McMillan.

 

[IndianaMatt]

That is a McMillan Game Warden with Hydro dipped Kuiu Verde straight from McMillan.

I like it

 

[Dry Heat?]

I like it

I'm getting a Nosler M48 Liberty in 30 Nosler. I know it's really nothing more than a non-belted 300WM/300WBY, but that's not a bad neighborhood to be in for smacking down a big wapiti. We drew a pair of Early Rifle Bull Tags for September 28-October 4 in a Trophy Unit and we have some Monsters here in the Grand Canyon State. Something in the 200 gr. + Range should do them justice. I bought some 210 gr ABLR Trophy Grade Cartridges as they are very close to unfired brass price-wise in the 30 Nosler (a definite drawback). I will shoot them up, see how they group, then load some 212 ELD X Bullets and some 210 class Bergers and see which one shoots the best. The winner gets to go Elk Hunting with me!

 

[7mmpredator]

Dry Heat?, I would plan on a muzzle break very early on to make this gun play nice. I have one in 26 Nosler she jumps off the bags on the range.....just sayin'

 

[Dry Heat?]

Dry Heat?, I would plan on a muzzle break very early on to make this gun play nice. I have one in 26 Nosler she jumps off the bags on the range.....just sayin'

Thanks 7mmpreditor. A Terminator II should tame it down. I have one on my Custom 338-375 Ruger and that Rifle, even at its considerable weight would be punishing to shoot without it!

 

[Wheeler co]

Thanks 7mmpreditor. A Terminator II should tame it down. I have one on my Custom 338-375 Ruger and that Rifle, even at its considerable weight would be punishing to shoot without it!

Just a bit of advise, from experience, if you choose to take it. Buy a good suppressor instead of a break. You have expensive custom rifles, but what is your hearing worth?

 

[Dry Heat?]

Thanks. I'd install the thread protector to hunt with and always wear muffs and plugs at the Range when I'm developing loads. I shot a light weight 7mm Mag for years without a break, so I'm not recoil shy, but it seems like a break would be prudent on this 30 Nosler as I'm gonna be choosing between a Nosler 210 gr ABLR, a Hornady 212 gr ELD X and a Berger 210 gr VLD Hunting Bullet and they will have quite a bit of push on the Bench, launched by Retumbo, H1000 and 7828. I will have the most accurate of these combos in my magazine when my Elk Hunt starts on September 28. I'm not a big fan of the Can. They are fun on a MAC 10 or an Uzi, but a bit unwieldy in a Canyon or Mountain top.

 

[Wheeler co]

Thanks. I'd install the thread protector to hunt with and always wear muffs and plugs at the Range when I'm developing loads. I shot a light weight 7mm Mag for years without a break, so I'm not recoil shy, but it seems like a break would be prudent on this 30 Nosler as I'm gonna be choosing between a Nosler 210 gr ABLR, a Hornady 212 gr ELD X and a Berger 210 gr VLD Hunting Bullet and they will have quite a bit of push on the Bench, launched by Retumbo, H1000 and 7828. I will have the most accurate of these combos in my magazine when my Elk Hunt starts on September 28. I'm not a big fan of the Can. They are fun on a MAC 10 or an Uzi, but a bit unwieldy in a Canyon or Mountain top.

I would try to cut some corners for you, but everyone needs to make their own decisions. All I can do is relate my own experiences over many years. I bought in on the big magnum craze some years ago, and bought a new .30-378, to shoot elk at a 1000 yards from then on. Sighted it in at 300 yards. Put a box of shells through it at the range with the break that came on it - with muffs on. Pretty mild. Zeroed for 300 yards. First elk shot was beaded down - at 40 yards. Used no muffs, like I always hunt. The wind was blowing about 35, and evidently blew the sound away from me. Everything was fine. Next elk shot was across a canyon, two quick shots. Blew my hearing away. Bells crashing in my head. Sat there for ten minutes, with a dead elk on another hill, wondering what just happened to me. Now, many years later, the bells still ring in my head. It's called tinnitus. Hearing loss comes from accumulative sound...it all adds up...but that was the last straw, that finished off what I had left - all at once. I often think that the manufacturer should have included a four foot square fluorescent red warning sign ( to get your attention) in the box - Warning : Do not shoot this without hearing protection. After, at the range, took the break off and installed the thread protector. Put two rounds in the magazine. Fired one round. Took the other out of the mag, and it went home gather dust. Just too punishing to hunt with. Now, after hunting in NZ, and discovering suppressors, I don't go hunting, anything, without one. Cuts recoil like a break. Cuts sound like muffs, even 300 W. Animals can't tell where sound came from. One man's experience. All good. Nothing bad.

 

[Danehunter]

Yep, as Robert Ruark says, "Use enough gun." I have a Browning A-Bolt Stainless stalker with a BOSS brake. Quite accurate when the brake is dialed in for the load.

But. if going for cow elk, deer and antelope I'll use my 6.5 Creedmoor Ruger American Predator. With 147 gr.ELD-M bullets it will do the job on the deer and antelope. The controlled expansion 143 gr. ELD-X is better for cow elk.

180 gr. .300 Win mag and 143 gr. ELD-X 6.5 CM bullets have virtually identical trajectories, just different energy levels.

Eric B.

 

[Dons7777]

Robb Wiley of Non-Typical Outfitters and I got into a couple of good discussions recently on video. The setting is up in the mountain wilderness camp in between our shooting class sessions a couple weeks ago.

The topic of this first one is "Good cartridges for killing elk". We talk about the effectiveness of various 30 caliber cartridges, my own personal use of several 7mm cartridges and a growing interest in various 6.5mm cartridges.

 

[Dons7777]

I've been hunting elk for 50 years I have a 375 H&H improved 300gr. bullet at 3000fps
an night-force scope I've never had to shoot any over 500yds. They all just drop to the ground like a rock! Yes you have to hold on to it just takes some getting use to, are you going to take change when that bull of a live time comes out. But if I can my 45-70 will get to job better than the 375 but couple hundred yds is all its good for, sure is fun. O by the way I have 300 rum good for 1200 yds just in case I need it and it's fun to and I have 6mm wssm shooting 75gr bullets 3800fps good for a 1000yds in case I want to do some head shots. Don