Minimum Caliber for Elk ?

[waksupi]

Gangbanger - the .275 Rigby is not the 6.5X55. it is the 7X57 Mauser. Both are exellent cartridges for low end on elk, mild of voice and recoil, very good accuracy. I've hunted with both extensively.

 

[Qbn Hunter]

I wouldn't go lower than a .270. A friend of mine has taken tw onice bulls with a .270 Weatherby. Anything under that is risking it.

 

[Eagleye]

I have shot about 3 dozen elk with chamberings from the 6.5x55 up. Placing a well-constructed bullet in the proper place is the key to harvesting any game animal, but as the animal gets bigger, bullet placement becomes increasingly critical. I agree with those who stated that the 243 will take elk, with the same qualifications. I would use the 100 Partition and make sure she passes up any shot that was less than ideal. I have shot moose with the 6mm Remington. It does the job well if you do your part. One shot for each moose, and then the work began! By the same token, I feel that the ideal "elk" cartridge is a 30 cal magnum, but I am not stuck on that theme so tightly that I would condemn anyone using a lesser rifle, as long as they recognize and adhere to the limitations of that gun. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[Kensco]

I trophy hunt. I don't want to be under-gunned. When my choice was 25.06 Rem. or .308 Win. I always went with the .308.

My head-scratching decision was always bullet weight. I like to go light & fast. In the .308 I always use 165 to 168 Gr. bullets.

Now that I've added the 300 WSM to my small arsenal I would use it for elk with the 150 gr. slug.