Elk Caliber and Bullet Choice - 2024

[BuzzH]

So... the 7mm-08 might be too light?

I know of 23 elk that I've shot with one that may disagree.

 

[Waspocrew]

I have too many options, but the top contenders would are:

- 338 RUM shooting 285 gr ELDM or the new 245 HHT
- 7 SAUM shooting 175 Berger
- 6.5 PRC shooting 140 hybrid

 

[Trapper330]

I know of 23 elk that I've shot with one that may disagree.

Good to know. Think I'm leaning towards the 7mm-08.

 

[CPAjeff]

6.5 PRC shooting 156 Berger

 

[USAF Ret]

Good to know. Think I'm leaning towards the 7mm-08.

I had a custom 7mm-08 built specifically for elk hunting, if that says anything. The barrel builder tried to talk me into a 6.5 PRC. No thanks.

 

[RevJim]

Good to know. Think I'm leaning towards the 7mm-08.

Your 7mm08 is a "modern" 7x57! 120 TTSX or 150-160 Nosler Partitions. Sharp knife and take your strong Son's and Son in Laws to haul it out!

 

[MT Super Puncher]

33 Nosler w/225 Accubonds or 7mm Rem w/155 TTSX. Haven’t decided yet. Game time decision.

 

[BuzzH]

Your 7mm08 is a "modern" 7x57! 120 TTSX or 150-160 Nosler Partitions. Sharp knife and take your strong Son's and Son in Laws to haul it out!

I hear good things about the 120 ballistic tips and 140 accubonds as well.

 

[YakCountry]

I'll be hauling around my 6.8 western with 175gr sierra handloads. 3rd season with it and its my go-to for pronghorn, mulies and elk. Great all around setup for me and the kids.

 

[Caseknife]

Probably grab which ever rifle hasn't killed an elk yet, but I never know until I leave and hopefully pack the correct ammo. That said, if the Utah draw gods look kindly down at me it will be a Traditions 50 cal with Barnes 290 T-ez, or maybe a 338 Federal for Utah cow, or maybe the 7PRC with AH 155's for Wyoming cow, will be carrying the Traditions for elk here. Hopefully I will draw a tag or two so I have choices.

 

[Cornbread]

I was lucky to draw a Montana Big Game tag, and I think that based on trigger and accuracy, I'll take the Browning Mark3 BAR in .300 Wm with Federal Premium 180gr Trophy Copper, and as a backup rifle the Browning Safari Mark2 in .338 WM with Hornady 230gr Prec Hntr. Also bringing the M77 LH in .25-06 for mule deer. All shooting less and 1" groups.

 

[wytex]

300wsm with 165 gr Grand Slams.
Going to have load up some more rounds, we have some access in one of the unlimited cow license areas.

 

[PaLuke]

6.5x284 with 143 grain ELDX, looking hard at the Barnes 127 grain LRX though. The 147 ELDM's are tack drivers in my rifle but I'm worried about using a match bullet. So far I have taken zero animals with this rifle.

 

[Fire_9]

6.5x284 with 143 grain ELDX, looking hard at the Barnes 127 grain LRX though. The 147 ELDM's are tack drivers in my rifle but I'm worried about using a match bullet. So far I have taken zero animals with this rifle.

Although I've never used it personally, the 147 has a reputation of being a great killing bullet.

 

[Guy]

Plan is for the Winchester Model 70 in 7mm Rem Mag with handloaded 140 grain Barnes TTSX at 3200+ fps. That could change of course.

 

[Bennitto]

My main go to is a .300WM shooting 168gr Barnes TTSX's handloads. This setup has killed several cow elk over the years. If my new custom .280AI is done by October, I'll load it up with 145gr Barnes LRX's handloads.

 

[Bennitto]

Might try either a .270 or .308.
Don't know if either are any good.

Both kill elk. Bullet selection is key for both. Solid coppers and bonded bullets work amazingly for those two calibers on elk.

 

[Hem]

Both kill elk. Bullet selection is key for both. Solid coppers and bonded bullets work amazingly for those two calibers on elk.

It was a bit of a joke.
If you stay for awhile you'll pick up on which members don't take things too seriously.
Welcome aboard.

 

[Bennitto]

Same as last year. 338-06 with 185 gr TTSX and 308 win. with 150 gr. TSX are my go to elk rifles.

I've also been shooting the Barnes 150gr in my .308 Win. The have been shooting great! I was wondering what limits you put on your shooting distance for elk with the .308 win.

 

[Bennitto]

It was a bit of a joke.
If you stay for awhile you'll pick up on which members don't take things too seriously.
Welcome aboard.

Got ya and thank you!