I'd say its effective if the trigger man does his part, The ballistics concur
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Ultimate Budget Caliber
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DDWing
Well-Known Member
300WM. Great cartridge that's readily available in lots of brands and bullet weights.
tnek13
Well-Known Member
270 WSM because that is what I have - I load Berger VLD hunting bullets with RL 16 that give me 3305 FPS, at 500 yards that is over 1600 foot-pounds of energy.
HawkeyeSATX
Member
With the new powders and high BC .308 bullets, I would have to say go with the .30-06, and a 24 inch barrel.
StaBall 6.5, and RL-26 can have a 180 gr bullet going in the 2900 + fps, a 212 gr Hornady ELD-X bullet can go 2700 + fps.
There's enough oomph out to 1000 yds to take an elk.
But, on the other side, a rifleman should practice, practice, practice before even attempting that long of a shot. There are a lot of variables that will affect shot placement at that distance, even with a .300 Win Mag!
It's better for the elk, and shooter to shorten the distance to 500 yds or less.
StaBall 6.5, and RL-26 can have a 180 gr bullet going in the 2900 + fps, a 212 gr Hornady ELD-X bullet can go 2700 + fps.
There's enough oomph out to 1000 yds to take an elk.
But, on the other side, a rifleman should practice, practice, practice before even attempting that long of a shot. There are a lot of variables that will affect shot placement at that distance, even with a .300 Win Mag!
It's better for the elk, and shooter to shorten the distance to 500 yds or less.
In this case per the OP it is cost. The question of what is the BEST elk cartridge has been...already covered.
rustyshackleford
Well-Known Member
30-06 with a 26 inch barrel spitting 215 Berger's stuffed on top of RL-26. I'd wager you'd hit 2850 or so. If you wanted to really be economical you could use Winchester brass, 200 gr SGK's and RL-16 and still have probably a 600 yards rifle.
TxHeartShot
Well-Known Member
Who shoots an elk at 1000 yds? Get a 30-06 and sneak closer...
Well then, I'd say there is no real need to ask the question, because cost is not based on anyone's opinion, and I haven't noticed anyone posting any $$$$$ yet.
Stgraves260
Well-Known Member
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I would go to your local gun store and see what factory ammo was mostly available and start from there. (( This is if you don't hand load )) the problem you will run into is how much energy is needed to be considered a elk rifle. Some say 2,000 ft lbs, some say 1,500 ft lbs and I say 1,000 ft lbs. No of those are wrong answers. I've taken a cow elk at just under 1,000 yards with a little 260 Remington and 140 grain Berger bullet. ((But I hand load)) look at your ballistics calculator and plug your numbers in and see what it says at the ranges you want to hunt elk. You will be surprised on what caliber rifles you can use.
Is 300 Win Mag ammo cheaper than the 338 you suggested ?
I'm not picking on the 300. What is the cheapest between the 4 options in the OP? You tell me.
cowboyarcher
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the replies, gents. Figured this was more of a fun theoretical question than anything. Cost vs. performance is always an ongoing discussion.
bigngreen
Well-Known Member
We do, if the conditions say get closer then that's fine, if conditions are good just walk over there with a knife and pack!!
Elk to that 600-800 yard range is where the lighter magunums really shine, I've taco'ed quite a few in the 600-900 yard range with a 270 WSM, 6.5 SS, 300 WSM which were all ample to make a bull rethink living rather quickly. I like the 270 win, 280AI or 06 designed right but I REALLY like my WSM's or Sherman chamberings for elk especially if your looking at that 800 ish average limit. Between 600-800 yards is a SWEET spot for elk!!!
the 280AI, 270 WSM and 300 Win ammo price are within a dollar of each other
