Can I hunt Elk with a 150gr bullet in my 30-06

[ctmccull5]

Hi, I was just looking for some feedback as to whether or not I could hunt elk if I dropped from 180gr to 150 grain in my 30-06, Thanks

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Cant see why not..... I have taken elk with my 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds........no issues.........1 shot kills

[muleyhunter7]

Why wouldnt you be able to?

[Badgoodguy]

A 22 if hit right LOL 30 06 no worries

[Hogie135]

I've never hunted elk or much else for that matter, but after seeing what my 30-06 did to my bear this weekend with 150gr federal ammo I'd be very surprised if anything in north America could survive it.

[Lefty-Canuck]

OH sorry....165gr minimum....read it on the internet









In the right place 150gr will do the trick

LC

[Andrzej]

If you drop bullet weight you should use tougher bullet.
We hunt with 30-06 and use 150 gr Barnes TTSX with good success.
Hornady GMX, Nosler E-Tip or other monolithic bullet will do and they don't spice your venison with lead.
Last year my son shot through 6" pine tree before bullet entered WT doe boiler room....so this what would happened if heavy bone was struck, bullet would still reach vitals.

Cup end core bullet would likely disintegrated on bone or tree.

Welcome to the forum.

Andrew

[lone wolf]

Originally Posted by Andrzej

If you drop bullet weight you should use tougher bullet.

150 grain would be plenty, however I agree with the previous posts and use a good quality, well constructed bullet.

[alpineguy]

I'm no expert but why drop to 150's. Your B.C. should be higher with a 180 and therefore better flight and I believe more energy as well. Just my thoughts.

[Mountain Guy]

NO..Not allowed. U can go to jail for that..

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Mountain Guy

NO..Not allowed. U can go to jail for that..

If it doesn't have "magnum" in the title is it still a hunting caliber?

[graybeard]

I use 165 grain Nosler Partitions for everything. I do not change the grains from deer to elk.
The premium bullets allow for bone crushing results. You will not be disappointed.

Good luck........

[Andrew]

a 150 grain through the boiler room should do the job without a hitch.

with that in mind, elk are known to be quite hardy animals, and alot of times your going to have to punch through thick bone. like stated before, premium bullets are probably the way to go. All coppers like the barnes TSX, hornady GMX and Nosler E-tip are nice. 100 percent weight retention and no lead. bonded bullets, nosler partitons and and the like will also hold up well.

Good luck in your future elk hunts.

[ndw]

I used 150 grain for years on deer, elk and moose. It will work fine, shot placement is the key. I bought a box of 165 grain Superformance round and tried it last year. My Savage actually groups better with the 165's so now use those. Whatever groups best in your rifle is the best one to use because of shot placement. Good luck.

[urcayuse]

I've shot about ten elk all with 150 Gn federal vital shock ammo
Out of a 280 rem. none went further than a hundred yards you
Got no worries

[ctmccull5]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I am still fairly new to hunting and have only hunted deer so I just wanted to make sure before I went and sighted my gun in with them. Also new to the AO forum and just wanted to try it out.
Thanks

[Big Daddy Badger]

There's people dropping elk with 100 grain bullets from other rifles.
A 150 is more than enough but twice that isn't enough if you botch the shot.

[avb3]

Never used anything more than a 130 grain in my .270. Never had a moose go more than a few steps.

Bullet placement is the issue. I also use Nosler partitions on moose, Sierra boattails on deer/antelope.

[Dan Boone]

30-30 and .243 Thats been my 2 elk guns the past few years.
30-30 for the bush and 243 for more open terrain. They're just little BB guns to some folks but they work for me. I also take along my 7mm too, but seems to stay in camp more and more each year!

So ya, your 30-06 with 150grain bullets will serve u just fine!

[ctmccull5]

Originally Posted by Dan Boone

30-30 and .243 Thats been my 2 elk guns the past few years.
30-30 for the bush and 243 for more open terrain. They're just little BB guns to some folks but they work for me. I also take along my 7mm too, but seems to stay in camp more and more each year!

So ya, your 30-06 with 150grain bullets will serve u just fine!

What are you shooting for a bullet with your 243? I have a ruger 243 that I use primarily for coyotes and deer.

[Mountain Guy]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

If it doesn't have "magnum" in the title is it still a hunting caliber?

Mine doesnt.
I have a 300 wsm.
Got a new pea shooter last fall too.....7mm-08

[silver lab]

I've shot three with the 150gr BT all were bang flops I don't think you'll do any better with 180's and out to 300 yards 150's fly flatter. That said I'am running 190gr bergers now.

[Thunder/FX]

Load em and shoot em

[300wsm3006rem]

Originally Posted by Mountain Guy

Mine doesnt.
I have a 300 wsm.
Got a new pea shooter last fall too.....7mm-08

Weird... And here I thought the SM in WSM stood for short magnum. Go figure.

[bb356]

Originally Posted by ctmccull5

Hi, I was just looking for some feedback as to whether or not I could hunt elk if I dropped from 180gr to 150 grain in my 30-06, Thanks

Don't fall into the hoakam that elk are bullet proof ........... 150's in the lowly factory ammo have smoked many a critter !!!

[catnthehat]

At one time the 257 Roberts was looked upon as a toally acceptable elk cartridge, by the likes of Col.Townsend Whelen and others!
Cat

[jackrabbit000]

150gr in a 30-06 would do the same job as a 130gr bullet in a .270 Win. which is what I use.

[Okotokian]

Sheesh... these guys all nervous and worried about whether they have enough gun or bullet to kill an elk... rookies. LOL

jk. I feel your pain ctmccull5

[bb356]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Sheesh... these guys all nervous and worried about whether they have enough gun or bullet to kill an elk... rookies. LOL

jk. I feel your pain ctmccull5

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Sheesh... these guys all nervous and worried about whether they have enough gun or bullet to kill an elk... rookies. LOL

jk. I feel your pain ctmccull5

How many remember hunting with .303's? They probably have killed more moose/elk then any other gun to this date.