I have shot an elk every year for more than a couple dozen years. I think I do my homework, and I like experimenting and learning from my experiences.
I have used several rifles, and gained a reasonable bit of real world data to base my opinions on. I have personally shot elk with a .270, 7x57, 7x64, .308, 30-06, 8x57, .356, .35 Whelen, 9.3x62, .375 H&H and .450-400 3" Nitro Express. I have seen quite a few more shot with the same or similar cartridges and also with the 7mm08.
The three elk I had the most trouble with after the shot were hit with .35 Whelen / 250 gr. and .375 H&H 260 gr. and .450-400 400 gr. The ones that were wounded and got away were shot at over 300 meters away with a .300 magnum, and 250 meters with a 30-06, and one gut shot closer in with a .35 Whelen.
The one elk I saw that dropped at the shot through the lungs ( no CNS or heavy bone was hit) was one my son shot with a 7mm08 and standard Rem. 140 corlokt bullet. The same bullet placement at a similar distance on a similar size nice fat 5 point bull (120 paces) this year with my "African Dangerous Game Double Rifle" - Merkel 140 AE .450-400 resulted in a death dash of over 160 meters. I suppose the Hornady DGX bonded bullet was just too "hard" to do much damage to the lungs.
My son shot another 5 pt bull last year with his 7mm08 and 160 Speer Grand Slam at 2600 fps muzzle velocity. Impact was just behind the shoulders through both lungs at about 120 M distance. It ran about 40 meters after the shot. My cow was hit in the pretty much same spot and at a similar distance with my 9.3x62, and 285 gr. RN Lapua Mega, 2400 fps muzzle velocity. Ran about the same distance and dropped.
Choose a bullet that penetrates well and expands, but does not fragment. Place it right, and therefore don't shoot too far away. That's it.
Thank you for having the courage, wisdom and determination not to shoot farther than 300 yards. Use A GOOD BULLET. Go forth and slay your elk. Shoot straight and enjoy the venison.
Last edited by castnblast; 12/05/19.
