|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,844
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,844 |
I have been looking and lusting over new rifles and new cartridges. That is enough reason to buy something different than what you already have. Every time I look at ballistics and manageable distances (400 yds which is what I would limit myself to.) the common calibers seem to be just as effective. They are, irrespective of what some internet chest thumper wants to tell you (me included). The question I pose is should I stick with a tried and true classic 30/06, 270, 7mm mag? Or a new chambering in one of the high B.C. Offerings? It won't matter (see your second quoted portion above). Get a new chambering to you. whether that be "tried and true" or a "newer chambering" It's fun to do.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 172
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 172 |
with 400 yards being your max range anything from the 243 and up will work elk are not bullet proof
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,880
Campfire Savant
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,880 |
I think you need another rifle!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,026
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,026 |
Well, I shot my first and only elk (CO) with a .260 140 gr. Corelokt at @ 150 yds. Bang flop. On the other hand , about the 5th time I came through a screen of brush (locally - prior to the elk hunt)) to find 2 gallons of steaming brown bear crap, I decided the '06 with 180 grain bullets was not enough, so I upgraded to a .338WM , mostly with 250 gr bullets. The '06 always worked fine on moose.... It worked too. In the 20+ (well- maybe 30-.... times arunning...) years since, I've never encountered another steaming pile of bear crap. Bears a few times - but mostly when I was unarmed, or distant from the rifle.... Your current rifles are fine. Use the money elsewhere. Says a gun -sucker....
Last edited by las; 04/01/22.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,487
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,487 |
Yes I would stick with one of the tried and true. 270, 30-06 308 7MM Mag or 300 Mag.
I don't know how many elk I have killed in my 56 years of hunting them, but I have owned and used several of the new hot fast super mags. And you are correct. Out to about 500 yards I can see no real difference is the quickness of their deaths between a 270 and a 7MM STW or a 300 Weatherby.
What I can and have seen is the difference between bullets that break apart badly and those the hold together well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,026
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 32,026 |
Yes I would stick with one of the tried and true. 270, 30-06 308 7MM Mag or 300 Mag.
I don't know how many elk I have killed in my 56 years of hunting them, but I have owned and used several of the new hot fast super mags. And you are correct. Out to about 500 yards I can see no real difference is the quickness of their deaths between a 270 and a 7MM STW or a 300 Weatherby.
What I can and have seen is the difference between bullets that break apart badly and those the hold together well. Not to mention recoil, and who can handle it for good bullet placement. Which is the be all and end all. Better a lighter caliber with good bullets than an eye-ball rolling flincher magnumamus. (I have a .338 Wm, I can shoot fine, in the field, but 5 rounds at the bench is all I can take - It's served me well for 25 years or so). I don't flinch with the .338, but I love my .260.... Premiums are fine if they float your boat, but most modern C&C are all I use anymore on either caribou or moose, which kinda bracket elk. I won't use Fed Hi-shoks on game, however, from experience.
Last edited by las; 04/01/22.
The only true cost of having a dog is its death.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,763
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,763 |
There are high BC bullets for about any caliber out there. You may need to handload them.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,387
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,387 |
It is said that to reliably, humanly kill an elk, all things being equal (shot placement, bullet characteristics, yadda yadda yadda), something delivering around 1,800 foot pounds of energy would do. The OP mentioned 400 yards maximum range. So get a caliber of rifle that will deliver 1,800 foot pounds of energy at 400 yards. And then be accurate with it.
Not a whole lot more complicated than that.
Last edited by flagstaff; 04/02/22.
"Successful is leaving something in better shape than you inherited it in. Keep that in mind, son." Dad
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,914
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,914 |
It's also easy to overlook the fact that the 1:10 twist in the 30-06 already IS a fast twist. It was originally chosen to stabilize 220-grain bullets in the 30-03, retained when those 1903 Springfield barrels were re-chambered to 30-06, and is now the standard.
Okie John
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621 |
It's also easy to overlook the fact that the 1:10 twist in the 30-06 already IS a fast twist. It was originally chosen to stabilize 220-grain bullets in the 30-03, retained when those 1903 Springfield barrels were re-chambered to 30-06, and is now the standard.
Okie John Thank you for this. Well said.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,362
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,362 |
Good elk rifles are easier to come by than elk tags.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365 |
The 30/06 is never a mistake. Well over a hundred years track record, an almost limitless number of manufacturers, bullets, etc.
drover
223 Rem, my favorite cartridge - you can't argue with truckloads of dead PD's and gophers.
24hourcampfire.com - The site where there is a problem for every solution.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621 |
Good elk rifles are easier to come by than elk tags.
The 30/06 is never a mistake. Well over a hundred years track record, an almost limitless number of manufacturers, bullets, etc.
drover
These two sum it up perfectly.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,107
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 13,107 |
Buy a stainless Tikka in 7mm Rem Mag. Find some Reloader 26 Find some 162 gr Hornady ELDX Find some WLRM primers Then pm me for the recipe. P
Obey lawful commands. Video interactions. Hold bad cops accountable. Problem solved.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Member #547 Join date 3/09/2001
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 134 |
I harvested 3 elk at 400-440y, no big deal (no runners) with a 30-06, 165grain at 2900fps at the muzzle Pharm has a great recipe too
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,634
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,634 |
Get the 30-06; if ammo supply gets dire, you can always find a round or two in every truck glove box in elk country. ;-{>8
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3
New Member
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3 |
Sounds like he needs more convincing.
The 06 has probably taken more elk and most Alaskan game than any other cartridge! With 180/200s it is right at the starting loads of the 300 mags. With the 208 ELDX starting at 2650, at 700 yards it has 1500 ft-lbs of energy. That's the typical min for elk. Is supersonic to 1600 yards. I love the 270, it's best with a 150 ABLR and can get to 500 yards, but it's not an 06, it stops at the 150s with the 10 twist. 7mm is good but they stop at about the 180s.
If your in big bear country I think you want an 06 with 200s! But definitely not anything below 7mm
Last edited by Silent_Hammer; 04/03/22.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3
New Member
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3 |
BTW, if you're really wanting to go super heavy-for caliber, it's time to go up in caliber!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,727
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,727 |
I felt that was power enough. But I came within 20 feet from a grizzly. . It’s up to you if you will be in grizzly country, As for me, I’m chicken when it comes to something that might hurt me after I shoot it. [/quote]
"What doesn't kill you makes us stronger....except bears...bears will kill you"! lol I'm with you on this Pard!
|
|
|
|
726 members (1beaver_shooter, 12344mag, 160user, 007FJ, 10ring1, 10gaugemag, 70 invisible),
3,074
guests, and
1,302
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,190,485
Posts18,451,922
Members73,901
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|