New to Elk Hunting

[Chairman]

I've always dreamed of hunting Elk, and I might get the chance this year.

I'm in a drawing for an Elk hunt for the disabled, in New Mexico.  IF I'm fortunate enough to be drawn, it will be my first Elk hunt.

I bought a T/C Encore last year, and all I have is the 209X50 muzzleloader barrel.  I want to start hunting with a handgun, so which barrel/caliber should I buy for the Encore?  Since I won't be hunting Elk on a regular basis, I'd like to get a barrel/caliber I can use for hunting deer, too.  Am I asking for too much?

I know - I'm not drawn yet....  A guy can dream, can't he....

Thanks in advance

(Edited by Chairman at 8:13 pm on Mar. 1, 2002)

 

[paulc]

chairman, is the hunt you are hoping to go on a handgun hunt? that would be unusual for a raffle hunt.. may want to double check the regs..  if it is a muzzleloader hunt in new mexico the .50 cal will be fine. i expect you are shooting sabots with 250 grain bullets.. in newmexico they are liberal with the muzzleloader.. you can use a scope, sabots, and pelletized powder..
hope this is what you were asking about

 

[Chairman]

paulc - Good question!  It's a "firearm" hunt, and I just "assumed" since it was firearm, I could use my Encore w/15"-17" barrel.  I'm heading to NM's Game & Fish website to find out for sure.  I should know better than to "assume".  Thanks for the heads-up...  

Actually, I was wanting to know what a good center-fire caliber would be for both Elk & Whitetail Deer -  since I won't be hunting Elk on a regular basis.

BTW - Yes, I use sabots in my ML.

I'm just getting too darn excited, the closer the drawing gets (April 5th)!

 

[paulc]

there is lots of calibers that do both. but if you took a poll .30 .06 would get the most votes. lots of good reasons but a couple are 1 most popular caliber, 2 lots of choices for ammo.. from 150 grain on up to over 200 grain...
other choices would be .270, 7mm mag, 300 win. etc

i am geussing that handgun will not be allowed on the firearm hunt but i am not sure.

 

[EricW]

I would think a flat shooting scoped rifle would be the best choice. I would take the biggest caliber that you can shoot well, considering that something in the 7mm-08 Rem to .270 Win range is about the minimum reasonable for elk.

 

[jackrabbit]

Chairman, I have an Encore with a 15" 30-06 Barrel which I have only had the time to shoot less than a full box of PMC full power factory loads.  It is very accurate with just iron sights.  But the full power loads bruised the base of my bare thumb at the range.  I still like the caliber though, and will work up some handloads when I get some relief from my busy schedule.  I know a lot of folks like the .308 in the Encore for it's inherent accuracy, and it would probably be one of the best choices for deer.  But if elk may become a regular part of your diet, I would recommend the 30-06 also.  I have to admit though, I don't know what a good Whitetail caliber would be since I am in California.

 

[Chairman]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

It was a hectic weekend, so I wasn't able to get on-line much.  I did go to the New Mexico Game & Fish site, and the reg's are downloadable in pdf format.  I started to download it, but it took FOREVER...  When I get some extra time, I'll have to go back to download the file.  Yes - I use a dial-up connection.  I live in a rural area, where the best download speed is 28.8k - geez....

I appreciate all the feedback.  Once I get that first Elk, I know I'm gonna be hooked!

 

[idaho]

I use a Savage Lever Action 308 for deer and elk both. I use Winchester Power Points at 150 grain. Seem to work good. My dad killed a lot of elk with his 30-30. he 30-30 is a little small if you are shooting long range however. It is shot placement more than caliber.

 

[fishhead]

What ever you decide on, take a practice shot when you get to the camp.  Elevation and temp. can make a huge difference in trajectory.

 

[Rick]

Is there much difference in performance between the .308 and .30-06 in a 14 or 15 inch barrel?  I don't have any experience, but I would guess that the .308 would not be giving up much in that barrel length since a lot of the extra powder in the .30-06 case would not burn...but I could be all wet on that!  I would probably get a .308 barrel for the Encore and load some rounds with a fairly fast powder and good bullets.  

Anyone have experience with these two rounds in Encore handgun varieties?