Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Avergae Shooting Distance on Elk Hunt

Average out all the distances listed here in response and subtract 50 percent.

My longest was 350 yards, but I have passed on many at greater ranges. My closest was 40 yards but I have passed on closer, too.

For me, it has been predictable based on the country hunted.

When hunting open country, my shots were longer.
My actual longest that was actually ranged was 392 yds.
A couple may have been a bit longer based on how far the bullet dropped.

In timber, I have quite a few at 50 yds or less.

Sort of sounds like a "duhuh", I know, but it is what it is.

And, honestly I mean no disrespect to anyone.

I don't think I can give an informative answer to this one..It would entirely depend on where I was in relation to where the elk was...I have shot them from a matter of feet to probably 600 yards..If you hunt the thick stuff they will be close, if you hunt the sage or the mountains shots will be far.

Yup!

Really some good shots here!

Taking a fairly common .300 Win Mag ,a fairly flat shooting load*, sighted in @ 200 yards, will drop slightly more then about one bread-basket (chest-cavity height) @ 500 yards, and drop almost 2X bread-baskets at 600 yards. The margin of error is doubled from 500 - 600 yards, it is really a gray area for any consistency.

*For a say, say a Federal Premium 165Gr. Nosler Partition (.409BC) sighted in @ 200 Yards will drop 39" @ 500 yards, and 69" @ 600 yards, ranging becomes very critical.

The longest shot I've ever taken on one is 150 yards and the shortest a nice 5 point bull was 50 feet.

Follow up.
Second time elk hunters:
247 standing cow
228 standing cow Same group of cows
290 standing bull
290 running bull Same group of bulls

All lasered ranges

again, no visible difference in killing power between my buddies 7RM with 160 vs my 338 RUM and 210

KILLS:
25 yards running - 1 shot offhand
50 yards still - 2 out of 2 hits kneeling
125 yards running - 2 out 3 hits sitting after sprint
425 yards still - 3 out 3 hits from prone
606 yards still - 2 out 2 hits from prone

MISSES
75 yards - still (ski gloves, no rest to shoot off of & fatigue)
300 yards - still (rushed shot and shot over him, then tagged him at 425 when came out the othe side of the finger)

I guess the lesson is that ranges are terrain dependant and having a rest or being prone is critical if the shot is more than a chip shot. I don't use a bipod but shoot over my pack if at all possible.

most shots are well under 100 yrds for me.

I've taken almost 30 bulls, some of each with an '06, 300WSM and a 300RUM at distances from barrel length to 526 yds. I'd say the average distance was 150 yards.

An '06 and a well placed and constructed pill in the 180 range will always do the job........it always has before.......

No magic in killin' elk, really. There's much more to the finding them and putting yourself in a solid position to make the shot......at whatever range you're comfortable and proficient.

Good luck, 'cuz there's always a bit of that involved when huntin' elk as well.