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smallest elk caliber? |
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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Posted: June/10/2011 at 09:36 |
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What would be the smallest caliber rifle you would feel comfortable with, to hunt elk at ranges up to and including 500 yards. The majority of shots taken would be under 300 yards. I have friends who swear by their .270wins, and others who insist it must be at least a 30.06, and preferably a magnum. As part of the question, assume you don't reload, and will be using off the shelf ammunition.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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The same caliber I use for whitetails... .458 Lott
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I've seen and heard many use 270s to take elk, my elk gun is a 300WM.
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Kickboxer
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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anomad
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/23/2011 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 148 |
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My elk gun is a 30-06, but just because I have one.
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anomad
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/23/2011 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 148 |
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Would that be safe for a charging bull prairie dog? Say, inside 100 yards? |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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No way! Those toothy little b&stards are tenacious!
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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I think he reserves the 20mm for inside 100
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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it's been a few years since i saw a white tail, but i'm guessing this is tongue in cheek.... and you're still having nightmares about the .270win. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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no he really does use the Lott for deer
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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If all I had was a 7-08, I wouldn't cancel an elk hunting trip or pass up any shots at the biggest bull. If I was limited to factory ammo only (which I wouldn't subject myself to, but I'll play along), I'd pick fodder capped off with a good controlled expansion 140, such as Federals loads with the 140 TSX, Trophy Bonded, or Partition... whichever shot best in my rifle.
In fact, there's nothing in the lower 48 that I'd be hesitant to aim a 7-08 at if forced to... assuming good shot placement and reasonable range, which should be the goal no matter what you're shooting.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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I believe 308/30-06 are a good start, thats not to say elk can't be taken with a lesser caliber. Personally I think 300 mags offer the most flexibility especially if shots could be over 300yds.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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ted, would you say the same about a 308, or are you among the crowd that touts the 7-08 as an improvement over the original? |
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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i've looked at the 300, 270wsm and 7mag's... i would worry a little about destroying a small black tail with those, which this rifle most likely will also hunt. |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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I use a 7mm most of the time and I'm not destroying blacktails. Like Ted mentioned, it all about shot placement, even with the little guys. Poor shot placement (even with the smaller calibers) can ruin meat, cripple deer, etc. |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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While destroying meat should be a concern for most hunters, anchoring and humanly taking the animal is the greatest of my concerns.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Absolutely Jeff, that (and ethical shooting) would be part of the "shot placement umbrella" and what I'm trying to say (whether your using a .243 or a 300wm, etc.). As for the meat, well that's how my grandfather survived and raised his children, living off the land (deer, fish, abalone, robbins, quail, etc.); this was passed on to us as we became hunters. We've taken it a step further (sort of like catch and release of fish), we don't just go out there to shot anything. I've passed on deer through out the season looking for the right one and there's been a time or two that I didn't get one the entire season because of this. Another thing and this is just me, with just about every deer you take you should have a nice story to tell. For me it's the experience as well as the hunt. Edited by mike650 - June/10/2011 at 12:05 |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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Good on ya,Mike. Same here,more than yr I've passed and got skunked.
Oh,and when I use my .300 on whitetails around here I use the same load I developed in '85 using the original 150gr Nosler Soild Base. No meat damage and quick kills. I'm just shy of having 100 left though. Edited by 300S&W - June/10/2011 at 11:58 |
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budperm
Optics Retard show me your sheep!! Joined: January/01/2009 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31710 |
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that should more than do with what time you got left pappy!
Heck you and me put together!
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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson |
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