Favourite caliber for elk?
 

Hi this is a first post for me, long time lurker.

Like the title says, what is your go to for elk? Looking into another rifle and testing the waters to see if there is a known pfererence, also learn more and possibly a good discussion on the options.

Matt.

I've shot elk with the following: .444 Marlin, 7mm RM, .338 WM and 30-06.

depends on your hunting style , distance and a whole lot more
I know guys that swear by a 243, or 308 , some swear by a 30-06
and others go big 30-378
45-70
personally I like my 300SAUM or 300 Rum

6mm. 6.5mm, 260, 270, 280, 7mm-08. List goes on and on..

7mm rem with 160 tsx and 30-06 with 165 partition

I've shot elk with 25'06(100gr.), and 280AI(150gr.)

I've always wanted to get a RUM, but never shot one and I admit that the recoil has me concerned. How bad is it really? And what about the barrel life?

100 grain?! What kind of effective distance?

These mid-bores are great Elk cartridges.

.338-06, .35 Whelen , 9.3 x 62 , .375 . Dead is dead but overkill is under rated.

Smallest rifle i have used on elk is a 270win. I prefer a 300wm or338wm.

If one can deal with the recoil 338 win mag
I personally is a 300 wby

elk favourite
 

7mm remington magnum

.284"

Where you at? I'll let you try my 338 rum. Not bad with the brake. 250 grainers buck a little.

I've used 25-06,30-06 and 338 wm. My preferred is 338 wm but that might change when I get the rum tuned in.

6.5 Creedmoor, 270 Win, 270 WSM, 7mm Rem Mag, and 300 RUM have worked for me.

Missed one (clean miss) with the wsm.

Not much of a betting man but it might be safe money to wager that the 30.06 and 7mm rem mag have been responsible for more horizontal elk/full freezers than the rest combined....

Shot placement and proper bullet over all other factors.

This was a 255yd shot.
Bullet went through the lungs, and exited. The bull went all of 70 yds.

You'd probably take that load to around 400 yds on an elk without much worry.

I know that for a fact at 500yds the 100 gr. Partitions will go through the boiler room of a whitetail doe, even when breaking a rib on the way in.

Now most off the shelf 25'06's won't start a 100gr. Pill at 3440fps. But mine does.
(25" gain twist, and moly coated bullets)
Maybe take 30-50yds. Less for a 24" barrelled 25'06.

I'm also sorry because I noticed you said caliber, but I listed cartridges.
I hope that isn't a problem.

My next elk hunt I will be shooting a rifle chambered in.303 British
Cat

7my Rem Mag with 140 grain nosler partition worked great last time I elk hunted. I no longer have that rifle and would not be afraid to use any other deer cartridge that I own right now.

I'm in Fort Mcmurray. 338 RUM, is that custom?

Lol. Other side of province. No not custom.

The 6.5 definitely peaks my interest. Are they really as good in the real world as they are portrayed? And yes, the old 7mm, 30-06 and 300WM seem to be the main players. I'm just curious to see if there was a noticeable pattern...

Palu kalbe
 

No apologies needed, I'm no expert by any means so I'm looking to those more experienced for some sound advice before I spend any big coin. Once I settle down on a specific caliber/cartridge I will open the can of bullet talk I guess, haha.

No problem, thanks for the offer!

A rock :sHa_shakeshout:

Or a bow...:fighting0074: lol

What about the weatherby options? Any reason not to consider them?

Expensive brass, and marginally better than similar cartridges, usually require 2" more barrel, and excessive free bore to get their magnificent numbers.

Personally I use a 7mm rem mag with 150 noslers and it has worked just fine. When I was guiding I've seen elk shot with everything from a 243 to a 33-378 and shot placement is everything, I would way rather see somebody shoot a 243 that they are comfortable shooting then someone that borrowed a large magnum that they have barely used and are scared of the recoil. Personally I don't think an elk can tell the difference between a .25 hole threw there lungs or a .30 hole

I'll answer it correctly for you. My favorite is a 30 caliber. Per chance are you looking for a favorite cartridge? If so,you never asked that

Sure, cartridge then. Guess I should have been more specific but that's what I was getting at.