Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 7-08 for Elk?

I have two kids who want to elk hunt, and they each have 7-08s they shoot well. Assuming premium bullets (triple shocks and accubonds) and proper bullet placement, am I expecting too much to think they can take elk efficiently? And can they do so into the future, or are they pressing their luck every time they pull the trigger on critters that big?

Make sure they have good skinning knives.

7-08 is good to go for elk.... Keep the ranges within the limits of the kids ability to consistently place the shot in the right place and your freezer will be full.

Cant see why not. Been using 140gr Accubonds from 270WSM rifles to harvest elk. Accubonds / TTSX's great bullets. 140 will work for the 7-08.

Get within good range (closer the better-thats the fun part calling the in)(keep under 200yrds) and if the kids can shoot as mentioned.

Have FUN !!! Cant wait for my boys in a few years. Dont want them to grow up too quickly but cant wait for that time to come.

Yep I knowof several kids who have taken elk with 7-08 close range good shots and they did fine. I am not nocking the 7-08 for range but the kids where in their comfort zones and shot at 100 yards or so.

One fellow I know took three bulls with three shots using his 7mm-08 Model Seven. He was then talked into moving up to a 300 Mag. He says they work about the same but he thinks he is getting stronger from carrying the extra weight. GD

No, it doesn't appear that you're asking too much. Check out this article by Mule Deer: Kick & Killing Power . Referencing the 7mm-08 in particular,

"In contrast, I�ve recently encountered many defunct big game animals taken with cartridges considered by magnum-men to be suitable only for small deer. Foremost, perhaps, are the 13 elk that my friend John Haviland�s teenage boys have taken with the 7mm-08 Remington - with 14 shots. John loads various 140-grain premium bullets, including the Fail Safe, Nosler Partition and Swift A-Frame, and they all work at any range the boys care to shoot. (No, the bullets do not bounce off past 187 yards because they dropped below X number of foot-pounds.) This past year one Fail Safe went through both shoulders of a big cow, ending up under the skin on the far side."

Shoot lots before the hunt, and not from a bench! Shoot 2 or 3 boxes of rimfire for each box of 7mm-08 they go through. And have a knife ready.

FC

This is both boys walking up on son number two's '09 antelope. Number two is carrying his Kimber and the shot was 202 yards off the bi-pod. Son number one has done the same with his Rem. Mod. 7, on 'lopes and deer. Although all their critters so far have been taken with Nos. partitions, the Kimber really likes 140gr accubonds, and the Rem. likes 140 gr triple shocks. But we have zero elk experience, so I do appreciate all your input. Many thanks!

My next door neighbor/hunting partner who reloads, uses his 7mm-08 with Nosler Partition 140 grains bullets to put elk in the freezer. Another hunting partner -- ex-partner now as he moved far away -- killed several bull elk with his 7mm-08, without any trouble. He used factory ammo as he didn't reload, although I don't remember what brand.

I've not used a 7mm-08, but have killed elk with my old .280 Remington, 160 grains Nosler Partition bullets, with great satisfaction.

Accuracy is what counts.

Good luck to your sons/hunting partners!

L.W.

Unless you WANT a heavier caliber rifle stick to the 7mm-08. If you do get an Elk gun get a 30/06

Practice, practice, practice until the aiming and trigger squeeze is automatic. That way if the size or experience is intimadating, reflexes will kick in. (that ain't bad advice for grown ups neither)
I've never killed a elk with a 7-08 even though it's my favorite cartridge but I've always thought that a 160 would be what I'd use if a 7-08 was my only rifle.

I shot some 160s in a M70 once, but they seemed slow and loopy in trajectory. Have heard the 150 or 154 is a good step up from 140 if one wants.

Today's bullets like 120/140 Barnes (they will act like 160), and your standby partition in 140 if not 150 will down any elk IMHO at sane ranges, with vitals shot placement as required on any game. If not busting a shoulder, I'd bet a 120 Ballistic tip and standard cup core 139-145s will do just fine on broadside lung shots. It just depends how much margin of safety do you want if you DO need to bust heavy bone to take a shot.

Folically Challenged,

These days the elk count with Haviland's sons and the 7mm-08 is over 30. Still no failures.

120ttsx or 140gr AB/NP + good shot = Dead Elk.

KCrowley, PM me with your email address. I've got an article from Haviland you'll find very interesting.

JD

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/3335530/1

This story and photos helps answer the questions, too.

This picture deserves a place above the mantle. A great picture!!!

I'm not that brave--120gr?, but I like the performance of that TSX.

Thank you! That was the boy's first big game hunt, so I brought the good photo gear and hustled down to the critter to catch his expression as he walked up.

Here are a few more from that snow hunt. I have many more and some are already on the kid's walls:











[img]http://www.lodgetrail.com/img/s10/v18/p627565031-3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.lodgetrail.com/img/s8/v12/p985603515-3.jpg[/img]

Looks like some really happy boys there...well done!