My father is 76 now and two years ago, after three elk hit in two years and not retrieved, I told him no more. I tracked one in 2 feet of snow and 10F for over 5 miles and never got it. He was shooting a 7mm Mag.
Last year, I hit an elk, from 225 to 300 yards, 5 times out of 5 with a .338 at dusk, in about 12" of snow and 15F. I thought I hit it 4 out of 5, but upon butchering, I had hit the elk 5 times. 4 were fatal for sure and 2 clipped the heart. I kept shooting due to the time, weather and location.
Elk are tough, and while I the .338 hits a little harder, the .30-06 is plenty. I have lost two elk with my .338-06, both were shot and tagged by another hunter before I could finish them. Never lost one with the .30-06, and I have shot more with the .30-06. That said, CoreLokts are crap bullets for elk and Ballistic tips are not much better, except for the perfect heart or head shot.
I guess I agree with those who say it is not the cartridge that is the issue. Telling my dad I would not let him elk hunt with me again was pretty rough, and there were consequences, but it was the right thing to do. I hope to get him out for deer or pronghorn again, but his health is not great right now. I wish you the best in dealing with a tough circumstance.
Last year, I hit an elk, from 225 to 300 yards, 5 times out of 5 with a .338 at dusk, in about 12" of snow and 15F. I thought I hit it 4 out of 5, but upon butchering, I had hit the elk 5 times. 4 were fatal for sure and 2 clipped the heart. I kept shooting due to the time, weather and location.
Elk are tough, and while I the .338 hits a little harder, the .30-06 is plenty. I have lost two elk with my .338-06, both were shot and tagged by another hunter before I could finish them. Never lost one with the .30-06, and I have shot more with the .30-06. That said, CoreLokts are crap bullets for elk and Ballistic tips are not much better, except for the perfect heart or head shot.
I guess I agree with those who say it is not the cartridge that is the issue. Telling my dad I would not let him elk hunt with me again was pretty rough, and there were consequences, but it was the right thing to do. I hope to get him out for deer or pronghorn again, but his health is not great right now. I wish you the best in dealing with a tough circumstance.