Caliber for elk

[trailgunner]

I'm wondering what is the smallest caliber that people feel is ethical to use for elk hunting.

[ridgewalker]

JMO from my 30+ years of elk hunting...

It sort of depends on what you are hunting and your hunting style, ie, trophy bull vs meat cow, dark timber vs long range, etc.

I have taken maybe them with bow, with 30-06 and with 300 WM. Obviously I like 308 caliber. I have seen good shots take nice little 5x5 bulls in dark timber using an open sighted 30-30 at maybe 50 yards.

One key is to use top quality bullets and know where to hit them. If you can discipline yourself to take only heart-lung shots at under 150 yards, then a 95-100 gr Nosler Partition in a .243 would probably do OK. But if you want to take a trophy if it appears with a raking shot if that is all that is presented, use nothing less than a 308 caliber and 180 gr top quality bullets, ie, Nosler Partition, Barnes, Trophy Bonded, etc.

1600-1800 foot lbs of energy at point of impact has been suggested by pros. That is a good suggestion.

[spyder]

I have been wondering this exact same question, I haven't hunted before. I am picking up a new rifle and am wondering is a 6.8 spc will do the job (hitting in the right spots of course)?

[the_man]

I think you will be limited by range. I'm not sure if you would have enough energy beyond 100 yds...

[Zombie Steve]

On a bull? I'd say it depends on skill level like ridgewalker said. Can you get a 6.8 or .243 to work? Sure, but it's not going to bust up a shoulder blade and keep moving on to the vitals.

For the purposes of this thread, I'll say a minimum ethical cartridge for the average skill level would be a .270 with a nice "hard" 150 grain bullet. An '06 with a 180 would be better.

[Mtn.man]

270
alot of elk have fallen with it.
I prefer a 308 or 30.06., then you have the people who carry bazookas and miss.

[Zombie Steve]

More shooters than hunters in the woods these days.

[CO Hugh]

I am curious if anyone has used a 7-08 on elk and results, particularly for kids. I also think bullet selection is critical and Barnes tipped have worked great in our camp.

[2008f450]

I tend toward the .30 calibers. My favorite is .300WM. I like the extra thump it gives at longer ranges if I need it. But I would also feel good with a .30-06.

[jmg8550]

I would also agree with choosing a 30 caliber. Every type of bullet is manufactured for them. I have had very good results with Barnes TTSX bullets. I tried the Barnes Vor-Tx cartridges and was not happy with the accuracy considering the price tag of them. $37 per box is a little steep. I expected them to be more accurate. My load for the TTSX bullet is very accurate.