Hunting Elk and Deer Calibers

[zimagold]

I agree with Hoser and only use premium bonded or monolithic bullets for hunting these days.

Having moved here in 2014, I have minimal elk experience, but have taken dozens of deer with 223Rem to 30-06 in the last 20 years. I look for good penetration (2 holes) even on off angle shots and minimal fragmentation to avoid damaging meat. I use a 270Win with Barnes LRX if hunting both deer/elk and hiking a lot. 270Win is about my recoil limit for accurate improvised shooting in a traditional lightweight rifle (<8 lbs w/ accessories). For open areas I have a 7 Rem Mag. I've been told my 7 Rem Mag is a terrible choice for Elk by a lot of hunters. Normally they have some story that boils down to use of a light weight BT/Vmax/SP that failed to penetrate at close range or just terrible shot placement. The 7RM is suppressed and is significantly easier to shoot long, but is heavier at about 9.5lbs and is long in the brush/deadfall.

The 2 Bull Elk shot by my hunting group this year were taken with a 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag. The one was shot 4 times and the other 3 times. The number of shots was not due to poor caliber/bullet performance but just plain terrible shooting by 2 out of state friends that were visiting this year. Both animals had a single hit in the vitals. I suspect both hunters will return back east and probably tell everyone that you need atleast a 300WM for elk as the animals just wouldn't go down.

I have offered a site in day for my office the last 3 years and set steel at various distances in the Pawnee. It generally opens peoples eyes when you take away the lead sled and bench. I've seen several high power scopes and magnums be replaced.

Edit: 7RM is loaded with 160gr Accubonds at 2950fps