Smallest / Minimum Calliber for Elk

[TonyS]

The button buck I took during MZ season here had been shot with a .22. It healed up with a void in his shoulder where he had been shot. I can't picture the idiot that did that. If you are going to take an animal at least use enough gun to end its life quickly.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I subscribe to the popular notion that you can't use too much gun, just too little. Dead is dead. Go for dead.

 

[sancho]

.25 cal

 

[Deleted member 33033]

The .243 has killed plenty of elk but I never completely understood the interest in "the smallest caliber" argument. Use enough gun to get the job done cleanly. Heck, a .22 can kill an elk too but that doesn't make it the best choice. And of course you can go the opposite direct too and use a .50 cal muzzleloader but if you don't put it in the right spot, the caliber size becomes a moot issue.

 

[rem4me]

I would say unless your a real young hunter or a real old hunter why not use as much gun as you are comfortable with. I personally don't think you can really have to much gun, but smallest I would say 270. I know one of the most popular calibers is the 338. I guess whats most important is what your most comfortable with and shot placement.

 

[HuntnBrew]

If it came down to it I would use a 270. the 270 WSM has plenty of energy behind it. I think that it comes down to the energy more than just mass. With that being said I got my last bull with a 338 winmag. I prefer a flatter shot and wouldn't have a problem with a 500 yd shot.

 

[chicoredneck]

One dead elk via 95gr bullet at 348 yards. Results speak for themselves.
Large calibers work great of you can shoot them well. A lot of people can't, unfortunately. A 338 and 300 UM is often a guides worst nightmare.

I do a lot of shooting because my job demands it. A session with a heavy recoiling caliber can ruin good trigger control for a while, at least for me. I am not one of those who can tolerate a lot of abuse when it comes to precision shooting, so I like to stick to cartridges that let me place the bullet where I want it confidently and with ease.

 

[dunderee]

For all of you that said .270 there is very little difference between the .270 and the 25-06rem.. Both necked down from 30-06.. Shell is exactly the same. 25.06 is .257 270 is .277 a 2 hundredth of difference.. Depending on the load I can make 25.06 hotter than factory 270 ammo. 25-06 is also flatter, with less trajectory and has higher bullet coefficient if were talking about the 130gr 270 vs 120 25.06.. Two very comparable bullets.. I love both calibers I reload both calibers.. I have the 25-06 and both of my brothers have 270s..

 

[jbcaptain11]

i feel comftarable with my weatherby 3006 with a 3-9 nikon monarch out to 500 yards i practice to 700 the piru rifle range my local range goes out to 1000 but i ordered a 4-16 steiiner for that

 

[sancho]

For all of you that said .270 there is very little difference between the .270 and the 25-06rem.. Both necked down from 30-06.. Shell is exactly the same. 25.06 is .257 270 is .277 a 2 hundredth of difference.. Depending on the load I can make 25.06 hotter than factory 270 ammo. 25-06 is also flatter, with less trajectory and has higher bullet coefficient if were talking about the 130gr 270 vs 120 25.06.. Two very comparable bullets.. I love both calibers I reload both calibers.. I have the 25-06 and both of my brothers have 270s..

I would shoot a 120 bullet from my 257 weatherby at a deer with no hesitation.


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

 

[Bull Elk]

Jim

I've killed elk with a 25.06 and 7mm-08. Think about the 7mm-08 as its recoil is only slightly more than a .243 and you can get factory ammo up to 140 grain bullet. Remember, its all about shot placement, not whether or not your shooting a cannon.

 

[benson_stw]

I'll pack my 270 wsm and 130 grain accubonds and never feel under gunned. I trust my short mag to put holes exactly where I put my crosshairs. I say that the rifle that gives that kind of confidence, no matter what caliber, should keep you butchering elk.