Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Elk at 300yds

I've been arguing with some guys on another site that claim anything over 200yds is too far to shoot an Elk. I've been told I'm not a hunter,just a shooter because I would if needed shoot an Elk at 300-350yds.

They say a "real" hunter would never take a shot that far. One guy said he knows first hand how tough a shot that is because he shoots long range black powder matches. He has a hard time shooting the 600yd target with his open sighted 45-70. Apparently that means an Elk at 300yds with a high powered rifle with telescopic sights and a good rest is impossible.

How do you feel about shooting an elk at 300yds?

I think that shooting any game animal at 300 yds is risky business. It can be done. I've done it several times, but that is a long ways off when the shot goes bad. Under 300 is better, over 300 is to be avoided if possible.

I suppose they could be correct if one was taking just any shot at random, when standing on one's hind legs, right after running(?) up a mountain, etc. However, it could also be a relatively easy shot if one was set up properly for it, had the rifle sighted correctly, was well practiced at various distances and so forth.

Part of what makes one a good hunter is having and using the judgement to discern when a shot should be taken and can be made positively and effectively. If that fits you then I think those guys are full of it.

Some folks need a scooter to get to the kitchen,others don't.

I'd tell your pard to stick with what he "knows".....................(grin)

When you show up to a match with a 45/70...what else can you say?

very well said.

A "REAL" hunter knows his/her limitations. Whether they be 100 yards or 400 yards and sticks to them.

300 yards with modern equipment is well within the limitations of a "hunter" who bothers to learn to shoot. I have hunted with many yahoos who are scared of their "big" 06 and close their eyes every time they take a shot. For them 50 yards is a long shot.

I no longer go out with anyone if I need to sight in their rifle for them.
As far as knowing your limitations and staying within them..that's great but few do. I am amazed by the guys who have made "600" yard kills on game and have zero idea about trajectory and no clue as to the difference between 175 and 600 yards. What did they achieve...who knows, certainly not them.

If you don't practice and understand your rifles trajectory than 300 yards is too long. If you do, it is entirely possible if not quite routine.

I do get gas over the 500 yard boys but maybe they could use the elements of my argument against me.

Two years ago I shot two elk, at 340 yds, ( lasered this past year) with 220 gr Sierra RN , 30-.06. Both flipped upside down. For years I shot 200, 300, 600 yd match courses with iron sights. I try to limit myself to 300,yds,but there are alot of guys out there a darn sight better than me who can shoot better. I'm not a fan of long range hunting. Most of my elk ar eshot unde 100 yds.

High Brass, hit it on the head, its all about knowing your own limitations. These guys that are telling you this, probably cant shoot long range, so they give everyone else that can crap.
Toby Joe

I would venture to say that the dude's that wont shoot past 300 dont really hunt elk out west.
Here in WA I talked with state game bioligist from various areas before elk season. Each one of the four told me to be ready to shoot elk at 400 yards plus. Nothing new to me, but I found it interesting that would be their advise to the general public.

Its funny that you mention out west as the board is based in Western Oregon. Mostly "hunters" from Oregon and Washinton. Alot of the Elk hunting done in W. Wa. and W. Ore. is done in clearcuts where the shots range from at your feet to 300yds plus.

Stick said it well.

There was a time when 300 yards was my max. That was before I took the time to learn my equipment. I still prefer to keep it in that range, but with time to set up a shot, I'm confident out further.

Seriously guys, sometimes it's about "hunting" and sometimes it's about filling the freezer. Say what you want about me, but I LOVE elk meat (deer, antelope, bear, etc. too) and at times it is about food, plain and simple -- hmmmmm, wasn't that why folks started "hunting" to begin with???????

If conditions are right and I have 99.9% confidence I know my rifle enough to make a longer shot? Done deal! I'm with Saddlesore though regarding the LR guys. I guess LR is for each of us to define, but when it becomes a "stunt" I'd rather not partake.

Big Stick nailed it.. Stick to what you know. Some people are good out to extreme distances, some have no business shooting at 100yds..

Some people call the trip the to mail box 200 yard. Most guys can't judge range to save their neighbor's azz. In the words of Clint Eastwood, "A man has to know his limitations." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I am sure as hell glad I am not saddled with someone elses maximum range of 200 yards, especially on elk <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



The hunting starts LONG before the season starts, so your friends are up in the night once again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Flinch

Flinch, I got me one of those new bang whiz Lieca range finders this year. Took it out and ranged some areas that I have been hunting for years. Guess what, my approximate ranges were darn close to what I always figured them. There might be a lot more guys out ther than can approximate range distances than you think. After 300 yds though, accurate range estimation gets a lot more critical for most hunting calibers of rifles in the .270-.06 class. In the magnum class, I would suspect it might strech out to 400 yds.

I always figure hunting trips were in two areas. The finding portion that takes up about 95% of the time, and the hunting that takes the other 5%.

SU35, I have hunted "Out west" for + 40 years. As I get older, my distance to shoot elk gets shorter, not from lack of ability, but from the fact that I like to hunt them more than shoot them.

Anyone with a little practice can sit on the edge of a clearing and snipe elk out at 400 yds or so. It takes patience, perserverance, and skill to get down and dirty in the thick timber with a bull at 30 yds or so.

"It takes patience, perserverance, and skill to get down and dirty in the thick timber with a bull at 30 yds or so."

Actually, it takes more "patience, perserverance, and skill" to get to the kitchen on a scooter too...

Heck with them elk, y'all got me wanting a scooter now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Saddle,



the variables are so many while on an elk hunt that

the accomplished hunter should be flexible to do what it takes.

I enjoy hunting north face timber (I dont have a choice) and have killed more elk in the thick, but on occasions down in those holes you'll see through the trees a bull across the way on semi-barren south hillside. I like to reach out and touch them and since I hunt hard all week just to see a shootable elk, if the occasion presents itself I'm going to take up on it. I'm not one to wait to see if Mr. Wapiti will stick around for me to hike to the bottom of the drainage then try and sneak up on him at a steep upward angle. Chances are he will be gone. I just wont give him that chance. Short range, Long range, makes no difference to me. Hunting is not measured in yards in my book.

I also hunt the sage brush country where shots under 400 yards are a rarity. I hunt for meat and do whatever it takes to put the stake's on the table.



Here in WA I know several who hunt the west side and use

the ultra mags with the 375 mounted with a 6.5x20 variable

being a favorite. They shoot from mountian side to mountain side at ranges I will not attempt and that's because I know my limits for the tools I carry.



I drew a blank this year on elk and that wasnt because I didnt put in the leg time. By the end of my hunt week, I wanted to put an animal down and I'll be dadgummed if I'm going to take an attitude that says "lets see if I can get closer so I can call it hunting" stupid to say the least.



To all who expouse this idea I suggest you take up iron sights.

Using a scope is not hunting, after all, anybody can use a scope.

Its all relative you know.

SU35. My reply wasn't meant as a put down, or flame. Here in CO, we have been fortunate to be able to get 2-3 elk tags a year. More if you want to pay trespass fees.
For my table fair, I chose a yearling cow this year, as I already had a lot of elk meat in the freezer. I went the 3rd season, again with a cow tag, but just because I was taking a Kansas guy on his 1st elk hunt and I particularly didn't need to shoot another elk. Just for the game, I played around with a big 5 point and two raghorns for several hours. I put my crosshairs on them several times. Just a lot of fun. After they are down, it's just a lot of work if they are bulls or cows.

I have shot elk with iron sights, and peep sights, just to see how the rifle would do. It wasn't much different.

Coming home without the tag filled isn't a big deal with me. In the early years, I had to have the meat. Now days, it seems the less effort I put into it and concentrate on having fun, the more elk I shoot. I'm perfectly happy to let a big bull walk if a good shot doesn't present itself.