Question for all the elk hunters. .338 overkill or stick with 30-06?

[predatorhunter21]

Going after Co Elk this year for the first time. I have a .338 and 30-06 which one should i take. i know its all about shot placement. and i am very comfortable with both guns and both guns shoot well. is the .338 over kill? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

[jerryt]

It is personnel preference. I've shot a 30-06 the last seven elk trips to CO and have not lost an animal. Fact is most have dropped where they stood. Shots ranged from 515 yards to 10 yards.

 

[ltdann]

+1 on the 30-06. Ammo cheaper too.

 

[predatorhunter21]

What grain bullets are you shooting out of your 30-06?

 

[ltdann]

What grain bullets are you shooting out of your 30-06?

150 gr E-tip out of a tikka t-3 lite. Put down a 320 lb Tule cow pretty easily at 231 yds. Also used it for a 150 lb hog that was DRT. I went with the 150 gr, vice 180 gr, because the rifle is so light. The 180's gave a noticeable increase in recoil.

 

[k_rad]

150 gr E-tip out of a tikka t-3 lite. Put down a 320 lb Tule cow pretty easily at 231 yds. Also used it for a 150 lb hog that was DRT. I went with the 150 gr, vice 180 gr, because the rifle is so light. The 180's gave a noticeable increase in recoil.

Curious Dann what your two distances were with the different bullets. I did the dance with resighting my 7mm rem mag for copper bullets. I started with 140 and went to 180. I ended up with the 140 Reminton copper solids because the distance was so much greater with little drop.

I keep the 30 06 at 180 lead for out of state elk (or out of condor zone) can still make a 400 yard shot with it but with a much bigger drop.

Just have to be comfortable with what ever you are shooting so you know exactly where that bullet is headed ,consistantly. Dann is right about the cost though 30 06 is the a chevy 350 when it comes to cost compared...

 

[ltdann]

Curious Dann what your two distances were with the different bullets. I did the dance with resighting my 7mm rem mag for copper bullets. I started with 140 and went to 180. I ended up with the 140 Reminton copper solids because the distance was so much greater with little drop.

I keep the 30 06 at 180 lead for out of state elk (or out of condor zone) can still make a 400 yard shot with it but with a much bigger drop.

Just have to be comfortable with what ever you are shooting so you know exactly where that bullet is headed ,consistantly. Dann is right about the cost though 30 06 is the a chevy 350 when it comes to cost compared...

Seems to me that the 150's were much flatter shooting than the 180's. It's been a coupla years so I don't remeber specifics, but the recoil difference was noticeable on the T-3 lite.

Personally, I feel very comfortable in using the '06 for large North American game. There are so many bullet designs and weights that it's pretty easy to find a combo to fit your needs.

Jeez, everything from 55gr accelerators up to 220 gr brute that Teddy Roosevelt used to kill elephants with. Can't go wrong with that variety. What really sells the 30-06, though, is its availablity throughout the US. If you find yourself in Podunk, Iowa, short on ammo or just forgot to pack it, chances are excellent that 30-06 is available (in some usable form) at the Podunk "hair care, tire shop and sporting goods emporium".

That may not be the case for .338, 7mm-06, .300 wsm/RUM or some the other more exotic calibers. Face it, the 30-06 is still America's cartridge.

 

[jerryt]

I shoot the 150 and 165 at Elk because they will give you a clear pass through at most yardages. My dad shoots 180's and he has yet to get a clear pass through on an Elk. 165 grain drops at about 56" at 500 yards but still packs one heck of punch. I shot a coyote this weekend at 350 yards with 165 grain E-Tip (Condor Range) this last weekend and only held about 10" high and thumped him hard. Nothing better sounding than the whack of a bullet on an animal at 7:00 in the morning.

 

[BigSurArcher]

Which ever one has the better scope.

 

[DAWG]

The '06 is plenty good, but if you all ready have the .338, why not? I use both, and can't honestly say the difference is noticable, but what else you going to use the .338 on? The .338 isn't overkill, but you can do just fine with less energy.

 

[myfriendis410]

I would take both just in case of a mishap while hiking around. We always bring one spare for that eventuality. I agree that you should shoot whatever you are most comfortable with. Either gun will do just fine for elk. Yes, the 30-06 is perfect for elk, but the .338 is just fine, too.

 

[Orygun]

s its availablity throughout the US. If you find yourself in Podunk, Iowa, short on ammo or just forgot to pack it, chances are excellent that 30-06 is available (in some usable form) at the Podunk "hair care, tire shop and sporting goods emporium".

That's it in a nutshell. As mentioned, take em both so you have backup.

 

[CA Karen]

My 30-06 has done everything that I have asked of it... I use 180's for elk... did not like 165's performance, my 180's may pass through... but I would say half don't... but the elk only travel maybe 30 yards max after being hit with them. But they are only traveling at 2600 fps... and I have not needed to shoot any any distance over 200 yards... I see ..I sneak ...I shoot... and sometimes...ok most often I just lay in wait on a trail I know they will use at my secret spot.

 

[Joetech34]

I agree with most the 30-06 will work, however 338 is probably a much better elk gun. I think it comes down to what your more comfortable with and which gun you can shoot more accurately...just my $.02!

 

[Redneck75]

Gotta go with the .338. I've hunted elk with both but I prefer the heavier bullets for elk-sized and bigger game.

 

[21Beandog]

Going after Co Elk this year for the first time. I have a .338 and 30-06 which one should i take. i know its all about shot placement. and i am very comfortable with both guns and both guns shoot well. is the .338 over kill? any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

There's no such thing as too dead. If your comfortable shooting both, take em both.