What caliber rifle for elk? 1st hunt

[K.E.C. Darkside]

If you like a bullet to pass through get a bonded bullet or mono.
If you want a bullet to blow up inside the animal get Berger's or some other target bullet.

 

[FEENIX]

What's your thoughts on the Berger VLD Hunting for elk?

I was a long-time NBT and A-Max before transitioning to Berger bullets as my go-to bullet, and never turned back - that was 21 years ago. I had plenty of success with NBT and A-Max on antelope and deer but never on elk.

 

[southpa]

.284 or .308 caliber

This....

 

[Muddybuddy]

Well I dial a lot on other rifles that I shoot so that's the more common way that I shoot. But I don't really know what to expect for shot distance since I've never been out there. If the shot is likely to be over 300 I'd prefer to dial.

Be prepared for anything. I'd want to be effective as far as possible. I've shot elk from feet to a long way.

 

[dustbag]

You said the 6.5/284 is the most accurate and you are confident with it.
That is the rifle to take.
Try and get 140 Accubond dialed in, they should hold up a little better than Bt.
What ever you choose practice, practice and practice shooting some more.
Which you the best on your hunt.

This would b my first choice from your list. 30-06 close second.
If you use this trip as a perfectly valid reason (which it is for sure) to get a new rifle either mag would be great. I would lean toward the 300 win.
Either way your set. Practice your up hill walking and good luck!

 

[Muddybuddy]

What's your thoughts on the Berger VLD Hunting for elk?

Hybrids and eldm are killers on elk.

 

[birddog 68]

What's your thoughts on the Berger VLD Hunting for elk?

I had used Berger for my first elk and then numerous whitetail and they worked well. And then I had one fail to expand on a wt and acted like a fmj.
I lost confidence in them after that and haven't used them for hunting since. Many others here using them with great results. Once I lose confidence in a bullet or broadhead I switch to something else.

 

[Rick Richard]

I am now on the Hammer Hunter band wagon.

 

[FEENIX]

Be prepared for anything. I'd want to be effective as far as possible. I've shot elk from feet to a long way.

This! And the right set-up to humanely harvest at that distance.

 

[lancetkenyon]

We have killed elk from 50 to 882 with rifles. So be prepared.
Bergers for almost all. I think the furthest one went was about 40-50 yards on a dead run @ 662 yds, piled up with his nose buried in the dirt. Most went about 3'...straight down. For me, any of the rifles will work. But know your limits. Work up some 156s in that 6.5x284, and some 175s in the .30-06. Take BOTH rifles with you.

My last elk hunt I was on, we AVERAGED 4000' elevation change and 7.2 miles a day for 6 days straight.
Usually, rifle bull seasons are towards the end of the year, after they have been pushed around by deer hunters, and hunted by archery and ML hunters, plus cow hunters. They are oing to be worn out and tired of people. So the big bulls will be in the nastiest stuff they can find away from roads where humans don't want to go.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

I would focus on one of the lighter rifles. All will kill well under 500yds, and probably much further than that. If it were me, I would switch over to a lighter-weoght monos (I'm very partial to Hammers) for one of the lighter weight rifles. You will see increased velocity which improves terminal performance, amd load development will be very quick and easy with the data available.
BTW- I am a huge 6.5x284 fan. The only reason I didn't promote that one is due to the weight. Ig you think you can comfortably tote that rifle, it's a no-brainer.

 

[Lazy D]

The generally accepted numbers for Elk is a 1000 ft lbs of energy at impact. Run the numbers on what you have and see what comes out the best. The 7mm-08 has long been the caliber of choice for a mount gun.
Mild recoil, extremely accurate and high down range energy. Good luck on the hunt.

 

[crazymonkey]

Any of those will work just fine . Caliber is not as important as shot placement. Lots of elk have been taken with all those cartridges and smaller . It's typical to see kids shooting elk with 308,708,and 243 rifles . The smaller the round the closer you'd need to be . 300 yds or less on small cartridges and what ever distances your comfortable with on bigger depending on expansion and energy on target.

 

[Longshotjames]

Tune that 30.06 in with 180accubonds or a Hammer bullet.

If your dark timber hunting 90% of all elk are killed between 30-90yards.

Then be prepared for 300-600yds with your scope/rifle combo if that presents itself.

After you have gone a time or 2 you will build a special rifle to feed your new addiction…HA

Most of all I'd get your butt in shape!
Hope it's a great hunt
James