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Posted: 2/13/2014 5:34:30 AM EDT
[#1]
I would stick with the 30-06. Especially since you are not taking shots passed 300 yards. 270, 280, and 300 Win mag are all good choices.
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Posted: 2/13/2014 6:17:43 AM EDT
[#2]
The next step up from 06 is a 9.3x62 or .375, the former in particular if you handload.
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Posted: 2/13/2014 8:27:08 AM EDT
[#3]
Go for the classic, get a 375 H&H.
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Posted: 2/13/2014 4:42:23 PM EDT
[#4]
30/'06 is the correct answer I know people that use a 25/06 but thats a damn small bullet. The 30/06 with a premium 180g bullet shoots plenty hard and flat also holds more rounds than the new whiz bang magnums
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Posted: 2/13/2014 10:01:54 PM EDT
[#5]
.375 ruger caliber, savage bear hunter, waiting on my left hand one to be built in the savage custom shop.
I've killed elk with 7mm mag and 30-06 as well. |
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Posted: 2/13/2014 11:11:30 PM EDT
[#6]
The 25-06 will do the trick, but leaves little room for error. Loaded with a good barnes tsx/ttsx will work. But that negates a new rifle buy. The 4 you listed, are great rounds, and will work great on elk. Of the 4, 30-06 and 45-70 get the edge. Just for the Shit where the hell did I put the ammo fud.
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Posted: 2/13/2014 11:38:24 PM EDT
[#7]
30.06 Will do the job well.
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Posted: 2/13/2014 11:53:39 PM EDT
[#8]
I'm suprised nobody gave you the .22LR gaffe yet.
Anything better then the quarter bores will do if you hit them right. A good 30-35 caliber will be more then ample for Elk. If you have designs on hunting the bigger stuff.....eventually, just get either the 338 win mag or the 375H&H. Big bears and moose can really absorb lead well. Best to plan ahead and be prepared. |
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Posted: 2/14/2014 12:00:59 AM EDT
[#9]
270 if you want a medium action.
I am going to buy a 7mm-08 next week as my "all around" gun to use from prarrie dogs to yotes, deer and elk. I don't like recoil much and the 7mm-08 is fine to 400yds. I won't shoot elk past 300 anyway (if I can find one that I have a tag for  )
I find it funny that .243 and 7mm-08 are fine youth and lady's calibers for deer and elk (respectively), but when we become manly men, we need howitzers. A magnum will give you a longer range and more recoil and muzzle blast. If you don't need the range, why deal with the recoil and muzzle blast? |
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Posted: 2/15/2014 11:17:25 AM EDT
[#10]
7mm-08 or a .308 are fine choices as well as the 30-06. No need for crazy big calibers and magnums.
I shoot a 20" Remington 700 AAC-SD with 210gr bullets and still have the required 1k ftlbs of energy at almost 900 yards. People should be more concerned with bullet design and sectional density when shooting large game. |
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Posted: 2/16/2014 8:26:37 AM EDT
[#11]
A guy on another forum I'm on is a long time elk hunter and has many animals under his belt. He uses an 8mm Mag and says he wants to hit them with something big as he doesn't care to track them any father than he has to as they usually end up in a spot that's harder to get them out. I'm not an elk hunter but were I to go under you conditions I think I'd take my 35 Whelen or my 375H&H.
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Posted: 2/16/2014 1:11:06 PM EDT
[#12]
7mm, 300 WSM/Win/Wby/H&H, or .338 Win.
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Posted: 2/16/2014 10:16:04 PM EDT
[#13]
308 for under 300 yards. 338 federal has great short range balistics. Either would allow you to use an "ar10"
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Posted: 2/17/2014 10:39:38 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A guy on another forum I'm on is a long time elk hunter and has many animals under his belt. He uses an 8mm Mag and says he wants to hit them with something big as he doesn't care to track them any father than he has to as they usually end up in a spot that's harder to get them out. I'm not an elk hunter but were I to go under you conditions I think I'd take my 35 Whelen or my 375H&H. My hunting partner uses a 35 whelen or a 358 win. Bigger bores leave a nicer blood trail. I can definitely back up what hes saying about them running where you dont want them to its usually places you can hardly crawl back out of. |
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Posted: 2/17/2014 11:12:02 AM EDT
[#15]
Thanks guys.....I've sort of decided on the .35 Whelen. Seems like a good setup for Elk.....
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Posted: 2/17/2014 9:28:00 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Thanks guys.....I've sort of decided on the .35 Whelen. Seems like a good setup for Elk..... Excellent round for the ranges your talking |
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Posted: 2/18/2014 10:59:34 PM EDT
[#17]
I've killed them with a lot of different calibers including 45-70. I love the 45-70 but it is not my first choice. 7-08 is about perfect for a recoil sensitive hunter. I have killed 3 elk with the 7-08.
I really like your choice of 35 Whelen as a very interesting and capable round. A Remington 700 CDL would be on my short list for that round... |
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Posted: 2/21/2014 6:12:06 PM EDT
[#18]
Get a 300WM. If you reload, you can "down-load" it to 30-06 equivalent loads for the ranges you are looking at. If you ever hunt areas where the ranges open up, then go full house loads.
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Posted: 5/23/2014 2:38:18 AM EDT
[#19]
Agree with 300 Win Mag, this is always my first choice, my back up light elk rifle is the trusty '06. And bullet construction matters too,
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Posted: 5/28/2014 4:30:27 PM EDT
[#20]
Your choice for the Whelen is a good one. With a 220/225- 250gr bullets you should have little problem with elk size game up to 400yds. I have a 350 Rem Mag that is approx. the same ballistically as the Whelen. It hits with authority. It's also fun to load up 110 or 125gr 357 mag bullets and go after varmints.
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Posted: 8/24/2014 9:40:30 PM EDT
[#21]
It's been my observation that the people with the least experience tend to suggest the largest calibers/biggest cartridges.
I've been killing elk for more than 30 years and have taken dozens. These days I use a lightweight .308. For the longest time I used a .270 because that is what the rest of the family used and I had not read all the "experts" from gun mags who wrote that anything less than a belted mag was inadequate. The last 1/2 dozen have been with a .308 and I've had zero issues. You are better off with a lighter recoiling gun (like a 308 class cartridge) that you can drive tacks with than an uber-mag that you flinch when you shoot and can't hardly keep on a paper plate at 100 yards. |
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Posted: 8/24/2014 10:22:31 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's been my observation that the people with the least experience tend to suggest the largest calibers/biggest cartridges. I've been killing elk for more than 30 years and have taken dozens. These days I use a lightweight .308. For the longest time I used a .270 because that is what the rest of the family used and I had not read all the "experts" from gun mags who wrote that anything less than a belted mag was inadequate. The last 1/2 dozen have been with a .308 and I've had zero issues. You are better off with a lighter recoiling gun (like a 308 class cartridge) that you can drive tacks with than an uber-mag that you flinch when you shoot and can't hardly keep on a paper plate at 100 yards. I made a called headshot on a bird at 75 yards with a .375 balanced on a stump once. |
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Posted: 8/24/2014 11:33:45 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My hunting partner uses a 35 whelen or a 358 win. Bigger bores leave a nicer blood trail. I can definitely back up what hes saying about them running where you dont want them to its usually places you can hardly crawl back out of. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: A guy on another forum I'm on is a long time elk hunter and has many animals under his belt. He uses an 8mm Mag and says he wants to hit them with something big as he doesn't care to track them any father than he has to as they usually end up in a spot that's harder to get them out. I'm not an elk hunter but were I to go under you conditions I think I'd take my 35 Whelen or my 375H&H. My hunting partner uses a 35 whelen or a 358 win. Bigger bores leave a nicer blood trail. I can definitely back up what hes saying about them running where you dont want them to its usually places you can hardly crawl back out of. |
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Posted: 8/26/2014 11:38:58 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I made a called headshot on a bird at 75 yards with a .375 balanced on a stump once. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
It's been my observation that the people with the least experience tend to suggest the largest calibers/biggest cartridges. I've been killing elk for more than 30 years and have taken dozens. These days I use a lightweight .308. For the longest time I used a .270 because that is what the rest of the family used and I had not read all the "experts" from gun mags who wrote that anything less than a belted mag was inadequate. The last 1/2 dozen have been with a .308 and I've had zero issues. You are better off with a lighter recoiling gun (like a 308 class cartridge) that you can drive tacks with than an uber-mag that you flinch when you shoot and can't hardly keep on a paper plate at 100 yards. I made a called headshot on a bird at 75 yards with a .375 balanced on a stump once. Why did the bird have a 375 balanced on a stump? 
Snicker.... seriously, that's a good shot. |
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Posted: 8/26/2014 11:45:05 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Go for the classic, get a 375 H&H. Even better.... get a 300 H&H! |
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Posted: 9/3/2014 1:03:23 AM EDT
[#26]
If you want to build up an AR-15 platform, I was just reading an Elk hunt report using .243 WSSM. Seems to me like it did the job well, and I think it was a 340+ yard shot.
Might be something to look into. I have never personally used it, however.
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Posted: 9/6/2014 10:34:41 PM EDT
[#27]
I have a friend that uses 338-06.
Better bullet selection than .35 whelen for reloading. I am thinking .338 federal Tikka for my next rifle |
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Posted: 9/6/2014 10:51:27 PM EDT
[#28]
My new elk gun is a 30-06. Haven"t taken it out yet
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Posted: 9/7/2014 8:40:09 PM EDT
[#29]
300wm here.
200gr nosler partitions. H1000 or... I forget the other powder I use. |
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Posted: 9/7/2014 11:19:42 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's been my observation that the people with the least experience tend to suggest the largest calibers/biggest cartridges. I've been killing elk for more than 30 years and have taken dozens. These days I use a lightweight .308. For the longest time I used a .270 because that is what the rest of the family used and I had not read all the "experts" from gun mags who wrote that anything less than a belted mag was inadequate. The last 1/2 dozen have been with a .308 and I've had zero issues. You are better off with a lighter recoiling gun (like a 308 class cartridge) that you can drive tacks with than an uber-mag that you flinch when you shoot and can't hardly keep on a paper plate at 100 yards. This man knows what he is talking about. Pick a caliber you like and go with it. They all work. None work particularly better than another. Shot placement is key. I use a 300 WSM. My 11 year old daughter killed a cow elk with a 243 that was DRT. Your 25/06 is perfectly adequate, but any excuse to buy a rifle is a good reason. ETA- good sturdy bullets are the key for elk. Partitions, Barnes, etc. |
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Posted: 9/7/2014 11:40:09 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Why did the bird have a 375 balanced on a stump?
Snicker.... seriously, that's a good shot. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
It's been my observation that the people with the least experience tend to suggest the largest calibers/biggest cartridges. I've been killing elk for more than 30 years and have taken dozens. These days I use a lightweight .308. For the longest time I used a .270 because that is what the rest of the family used and I had not read all the "experts" from gun mags who wrote that anything less than a belted mag was inadequate. The last 1/2 dozen have been with a .308 and I've had zero issues. You are better off with a lighter recoiling gun (like a 308 class cartridge) that you can drive tacks with than an uber-mag that you flinch when you shoot and can't hardly keep on a paper plate at 100 yards. I made a called headshot on a bird at 75 yards with a .375 balanced on a stump once. Why did the bird have a 375 balanced on a stump?
Snicker.... seriously, that's a good shot. Best I've made. But just saying some people can shoot the big guns. I would suggest the 30-06 with a 200 Partition to most people. |
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Posted: 9/18/2014 9:33:56 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Even better.... get a 300 H&H! Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Go for the classic, get a 375 H&H. Even better.... get a 300 H&H! I love mine. 200 grn Partitions
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Posted: 9/18/2014 11:37:07 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A guy on another forum I'm on is a long time elk hunter and has many animals under his belt. He uses an 8mm Mag and says he wants to hit them with something big as he doesn't care to track them any father than he has to as they usually end up in a spot that's harder to get them out. I'm not an elk hunter but were I to go under you conditions I think I'd take my 35 Whelen or my 375H&H. I agree with the long timer's assessment. I want them DRT, so I use a magnum caliber as well. Done my share of tracking in the mountains and it ain't my favorite part of elk hunting. |
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Posted: 9/18/2014 11:47:06 AM EDT
[#34]
.308, 30-06, 7mm, 300 win mag. 45-70 would do also. My go to rifle for any shooting if I'm not sure I have enough gun is the .308.
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Posted: 9/18/2014 6:38:26 PM EDT
[#35]
My dad and I are going to Colorado in October and we're taking a 30-06 and his .300 WBY Mag.
I'm thinking between the two of us we've got all the bases covered.
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Posted: 9/21/2014 1:49:33 PM EDT
[#36]
.300 win mag and .300 weatherby are great choices. The lowest I would use would be 30-06, but that is just me.
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Posted: 9/30/2014 8:32:26 PM EDT
[#37]
My 270WSM performed well on a huge cow elk. I was shooting 160gr Nosler Partitions (semi-spitzer).
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Posted: 10/7/2014 12:54:04 AM EDT
[#38]
Seen an elk drop dead in its tracks to a 270 but also seen one take a 300 weatherby mag like a BB gun. The smaller the caliber the less room for ANY error. If you can handle the bigger caliber, the better. They are tough animals. Shot placement is very important on an animal that big
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Posted: 12/17/2014 12:17:11 AM EDT
[#39]
I would say a 300 win mag or if you want to go even bigger, 338win mag, though the 300 will shoot a bit flatter.
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Posted: 12/17/2014 10:24:58 PM EDT
[#40]
I dropped my Bull Elk with my 308 this yr. My last elk were dropped with: 45-70, 270, 30-06, and 300 Weatherby. For all my hunting needs (Which includes long range coues deer hunting and pronghorn) I like to use the 300 weatherby.
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Posted: 12/17/2014 10:27:08 PM EDT
[#41]
Forgot to mention my buddy dropped his bull with a 30-375 Weatherby Mk V. I can't remember what bullet he was using tho. But god damn that thing was fucking load. He had a break put on it.
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Posted: 12/18/2014 12:09:30 PM EDT
[#42]
I really like my 300 WSM. I have not killed anything with it yet but a 200 gr Accubond at 2800 fps will kill anything in North America. Ammo is pretty easy to find but is relatively expensive.
But if you are just looking for a rifle to elk hunt with given the ranges you listed a 308 or 30-06 would work great and finding ammo would be easier than anything else available. 300 Win Mag also fits the category and ammo is easy to find and only slightly more expensive than 308 and 06. Here she is sitting in the blind waiting for the elusive whitetail or hog. But she will shed blood soon. 
Sorry for the blurry cartridge pick. Needless to say it's an impressive round in a short action gun. |
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Posted: 12/18/2014 12:32:48 PM EDT
[#43]
I personally like .35 Whelen. But if you don't plan on reloading 30-06 is the way to go
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Posted: 12/18/2014 11:21:16 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
White Gold Medallion? Beautiful rifle |
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Posted: 12/18/2014 11:59:43 PM EDT
[#45]
I dropped a 364" bull last year at 573yds with a 6.5-284 and a 140gr Berger hunting VLD.
Take it for what it's worth . I shoot the rifle very well and wouldn't hesitate to take it on a elk hunt again. I did have my AAC cyclone on it also! |
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Posted: 1/8/2015 2:38:49 AM EDT
[#46]
My Uncles have been hunting elk since the 60's, they started with 30-06 but switched to 300WinMag for the flatter trajectory since they take shots out to 800yards at times.
I was talking to my oldest Uncle today and he suggested a 300 short mag for when I buy my rifle. |
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Posted: 1/8/2015 5:52:59 PM EDT
[#47]
800 yards is a long way in the field.
300 short is good. 300HSM will be a winner too. |
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Posted: 1/8/2015 6:23:19 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
800 yards is a long way in the field. 300 short is good. 300HSM will be a winner too. Yeah it is, I was shocked when I heard they've made more than a few kills at that range. I'll be keeping my shots 300 or less while I still learn. My Uncle dropped his cow at 175 and you could tell it was just a short chip shot for him. |
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