What 30 cal for Elk?
- Thread starter Big Dave
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tahunua001
New member
I figured that was probably the case. never a bad excuse for a new gun
I don't know anything about sako so I don't have any horse in that rodeo but I would recommend something else for your glass option. leupold and redfield(their econ brand) are wastes of money in my experience. their quality has either slipped drastically in the last couple years or I have been plagued but an inordinate number of lemons. either way, vortex is a superior scope for better price. nikon prostaffs are great hunting scopes and I use a 4-12 prostaff on my elk gun. they aren't quite as clear as a vortex but for $160 they are really hard to beat.
If I was going to use my .270 for Elk, it would be the 150 grain Nosler partition or nothing.
The reason I say the partition is because I have witnessed a few 175 grain partitions retrieved from Elk fired from a 7mm Mag, they do stay together, in these cases the bullet weighed at least 85% of its original weight.
I personally use a .338 for Elk, in every instance thus far, the Elk went maybe 2 full steps. I shot a 6X5 bull through the sweet spot on a dead run with a 250 grain partition, literally stopped him in his tracks, it was quite the wreck.
The reason I say the partition is because I have witnessed a few 175 grain partitions retrieved from Elk fired from a 7mm Mag, they do stay together, in these cases the bullet weighed at least 85% of its original weight.
I personally use a .338 for Elk, in every instance thus far, the Elk went maybe 2 full steps. I shot a 6X5 bull through the sweet spot on a dead run with a 250 grain partition, literally stopped him in his tracks, it was quite the wreck.
tahunua001
New member
whatever you do don't use nosler accubonds. I've yet to see a rifle that they do what they are supposed to in. accubonds in a 25-06 vaporize on contact. my hunting loads in 6.5 japanese split in half and both halves took off in 90 degree angles from impact and 7mm rem mag has pretty poor grouping(at least with the load's we've attempted).
partitions are sounding like a much better bullet and they are cheaper. 180gr speer deep curls out of my wby mag blew a 3 inch hole out the other side of my little brother's elk last year. if you reload or can find something loaded with that bullet type I highly recommend them for elk. ATK brands like federal are probably going to be your best bet for finding factory loaded deep curls.
partitions are sounding like a much better bullet and they are cheaper. 180gr speer deep curls out of my wby mag blew a 3 inch hole out the other side of my little brother's elk last year. if you reload or can find something loaded with that bullet type I highly recommend them for elk. ATK brands like federal are probably going to be your best bet for finding factory loaded deep curls.
This topic has got me interested. I was planning on using my Model 70 Featherweight in 270 for Elk this year but maybe I should try an '06.
The only '06's I have are vintage rifles (M1, M1903A3, M1917, and a real heavy Model 70 Vietnam Era clone, and of course my M1903a4.
I think I'm gonna switch scopes on my 'A4. It has an old El Paso Weaver K 2.5, which would work except it's not sealed. Meaning it will probably fog.
So I think I'll put on one of my Weaver hunting scopes and use it for Elk.
I like and have had good luck with Hornady Inter-bonds, so I figure I'll load up some 180 IBs and take this old war horse after elk.
I was going to use it for deer, but I think I'll use my '98 Krag for deer and my 'A4 for elk.
The only '06's I have are vintage rifles (M1, M1903A3, M1917, and a real heavy Model 70 Vietnam Era clone, and of course my M1903a4.
I think I'm gonna switch scopes on my 'A4. It has an old El Paso Weaver K 2.5, which would work except it's not sealed. Meaning it will probably fog.
So I think I'll put on one of my Weaver hunting scopes and use it for Elk.
I like and have had good luck with Hornady Inter-bonds, so I figure I'll load up some 180 IBs and take this old war horse after elk.
I was going to use it for deer, but I think I'll use my '98 Krag for deer and my 'A4 for elk.
Good for you, I have seen hunters loose animals shooting them with smaller calibers, which is really a shame, because the animal surely died. it just wasn't an ideal hit and it took too long to die with minimal blood trail. Personally I wouldn't even consider hunting Elk with a .243 although it just meets the minimum caliber for Colorado.
"whatever you do don't use nosler accubonds. I've yet to see a rifle that they do what they are supposed to in."
Just this last January, my hunting partner used 160 gr. Accubonds at 3000 FPS from his 7MM Rem. mag. His first shot anchored he cow elk and it took a finisher in the lungs to put her down, although she certainly was not gonna go anywhere. Both bullets were recover and looked more like the Partitions after they've literally blown the front portion off. Granted a showing of one doesn't prove much but we all felt they did what they were supposed to. I haven't decided whether I'll be using my .35 Whelen on my next hunt with Accubonds or stick with the TSX. I might try the 180 gr. Accubonds in the 06 and .300 Win. Mag. Just depends on how they shoot.
Paul B.
Just this last January, my hunting partner used 160 gr. Accubonds at 3000 FPS from his 7MM Rem. mag. His first shot anchored he cow elk and it took a finisher in the lungs to put her down, although she certainly was not gonna go anywhere. Both bullets were recover and looked more like the Partitions after they've literally blown the front portion off. Granted a showing of one doesn't prove much but we all felt they did what they were supposed to. I haven't decided whether I'll be using my .35 Whelen on my next hunt with Accubonds or stick with the TSX. I might try the 180 gr. Accubonds in the 06 and .300 Win. Mag. Just depends on how they shoot.
Paul B.
tahunua001
New member
Kraig, please bring a camera along. last year I fought and struggled so hard on what rifle to bring on my elk hunt and came so close to taking my 1903A4 but in the end opted for my 300wby. didn't matter in the end, didn't get my shot anyway.
however one of my proudest hunting moments was taking my black bear this spring with my little arisaka carbine, hunting with ole warhorses is just fun.
I don't think that is what is being implied at all. most guide services recommend what they feel offers the best chance of game recovery. a well skilled hunter can easily kill an elk with a 243 but most guides don't deal with well skilled hunters, they deal with the corporate execs that have never held a gun that decide a montana elk hunt would make a great retreat and other people that have no clue what they are doing. would you hand your 243 to such a person and tell them to go kill an elk? or would you give them something a little more potent to compensate for possible inexperience?
the OP has shown that he is experienced with a 270 and has photos to prove it so I doubt that the guide would object to him bringing what he is comfortable with, it's just a recommendation, not an alleged necessity.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
I'll throw my opinion in here... I will be hunting with a guide in the Thorofare in Wyoming.. An area which borders Yellowstone National Park.. If a wounded Elk makes it over that boundary line, you cannot retrieve it..
The guide, who has over 35 years of experience recommends a 7mm Rem Mag as a minimum... If you research this area, its prudent to bring something that shoots flatter and hits a little harder than a .270... He's told me that they have Elk taken every year with a .270, but also they lose well hit Elk which make it over the park border.. Shot placement with any caliber is critical, but why spend that money on a hunt and then take a gun thats marginal at best...
I love my .270, but it will stay home when I go Elk hunting... My .300 Weatherby with a 180 grain partition will do the job far better than my .270.. I know some people can't shot a magnum well, I can...
If you live in flatter country by all means shoot Elk with a .270 with a well constructed bullet... But where I will be hunting its prudent to bring something bigger...
Also, would you rather have to fend off a grizzly bear with a .300 weatherby or with a .270???
The guide, who has over 35 years of experience recommends a 7mm Rem Mag as a minimum... If you research this area, its prudent to bring something that shoots flatter and hits a little harder than a .270... He's told me that they have Elk taken every year with a .270, but also they lose well hit Elk which make it over the park border.. Shot placement with any caliber is critical, but why spend that money on a hunt and then take a gun thats marginal at best...
I love my .270, but it will stay home when I go Elk hunting... My .300 Weatherby with a 180 grain partition will do the job far better than my .270.. I know some people can't shot a magnum well, I can...
If you live in flatter country by all means shoot Elk with a .270 with a well constructed bullet... But where I will be hunting its prudent to bring something bigger...
Also, would you rather have to fend off a grizzly bear with a .300 weatherby or with a .270???
FrankenMauser
New member
It's a better story, if you use your teeth.
C. Dale Petersen
...might as well use the same weapon for your Elk.
On the ranch I hunt elk they frown on the .270. They would like 30-06 or better, preferably better. One the two hunts I've done on this rance, my first elk was running flat out. My .35 Whelen at 150 yards made her change direction from west to straight down. On this year's hunt, my hunting partner had to do a 317 yard shot at a running elk with his 7MM Rem. Mag. I got lucky on my elk as she couldn't tell just what I was and dropped her with a neck shot at 350 yards. 
Wasn't quite planned that way as I was aiming for a chest shot. After I got home from the hunt I determined that my scope had turned toes up. Has to be the luckiest shot I've ever made.
I have another hunt planned and booked on that ranch for next January. These are cull hunts on spooky elk. They've been hunting steadily since the previous September so shots are usually long and the elk are not hanging around contemplating their sins. Dunno if I'll go with the Whelen again or take my .300 Win. Mag. It's been on vacation for far too long.
Paul B.
Wasn't quite planned that way as I was aiming for a chest shot. After I got home from the hunt I determined that my scope had turned toes up. Has to be the luckiest shot I've ever made.I have another hunt planned and booked on that ranch for next January. These are cull hunts on spooky elk. They've been hunting steadily since the previous September so shots are usually long and the elk are not hanging around contemplating their sins. Dunno if I'll go with the Whelen again or take my .300 Win. Mag. It's been on vacation for far too long.
Paul B.
Jack O'Conner
New member
Bull elk don't topple over quickly like other animals unless two quick shots into the chest organs can be accomplished. Your 270 loaded with 150 grain Premium bullets should do the job nicely.
Majority of my elk hunting suuccess can be attributed to my .308 carbine loaded with 180 grain ammo. Deep Curl bonded bullets by Speer produce great accurasy and penetration.
My average shot at elk is approx 225 yards.
Jack
Majority of my elk hunting suuccess can be attributed to my .308 carbine loaded with 180 grain ammo. Deep Curl bonded bullets by Speer produce great accurasy and penetration.
My average shot at elk is approx 225 yards.
Jack
tahunua001
New member
what would I rather fend a grizzly off with?
a .480 black hawk....
a .480 black hawk....