Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game What caliber for plains muleys/pronghorns and the occassional elk?

Jack I am having a similar dilema I currently have a 25-06 and am looking for a litttle bit bigger gun for the occasional Elk mostly I don't like alot of recoil so the 300 mag was out and I want a 165gr to 180gr for my elk hunting. I looked at the 30-06 the .308 and finaly settled on the .280 it has vitrualy the same ballistics as the 7mm with less powder and recoil and will shoot the smae 165 bullet as well as the 30-06 with out the extra thump so I am going to get the .280

30,06-.270 Win. Pretty much a toss of the coin to me. Both more than sufficient for the game you have mentioned. With a good 165 gr. bullet in the 06 for either species, or 130 for Deer and Antelope, 150 gr. for Elk in the .270 Win. Both damned good cartridges......Swede 6.5

I'd have to say the .270 is your best choice. For plains mule deer and pronghorn, the .270 is top notch. In my opinion, you just can't do much better. And for elk, the .270 is fine if you do your part and use the right bullets. You did say the "occasional" elk, right? So find a good load with a Barnes X or try factory FailSafes and you should be fine for elk, too.<P>

I think I'd take the .30-06 here. Heck, I'm with those that would take the .30-06 just about anywhere. It's an old round, but it's still hard to beat.<P>Springsteen

Jack: From about 1956 to 1979, I used the '06 doing much the same kind of work you're discussing. Lived and hunted in Colo, Mo, Wyo, among other places and, for the last 32-yrs, in Idaho. I started hunting with a .270 and, for a brief time I tried the 308 Norma. The '06 was a better choice. Then, in '79, got my hands on a 7mm Rem mag and developed some good loads for it. Much better on pronghorns, better shot placement and range for muleys and every bit as good for elk. Have also used the .338, which is better for elk alone, but for all the above, the 7RM is my choice, without hesitation.

Game 270 280 30-06<BR>Deer/Antelope 130gr 140gr 150gr<BR>Elk 150gr 160gr 180gr(premium pills)<P>Do your part and the game doesn't care, it's dead.<P>[This message has been edited by jackfish (edited January 26, 2001).]<p>[This message has been edited by jackfish (edited January 26, 2001).]