Favorite Elk Calibers

[Don Fischer]

I can go with pretty much anything from the 260 Rem on up to the 30-06 but leaving out all the magnums! Not a fan of recoil at all.

 

[cthomas88]

The tired an true 270

 

[Tyglick]

I’ve shot 7mm and 300 wsm. Same results with both. Nothing but great end results.

 

[NAHMINT]

I figure great ELK calibers are what the hunter shoots well...shoots most other game with the same centerfire.....
Moose,blackbear,deer =.300win.mag./different loads.
but the .30-06 would work as well.
Whatever works for you.

 

[MT Super Puncher]

7mm Rem or 33 Nosler

 

[Red-Team 98]

7mm Rem Mag and 160gr Accubonds
300 Win Mag and 180gr Accubonds

 

[Elkguy1967]

I'm in the 300WM/WSM crowd, but as of last year I'd have a hard time not leaning to the 28 Nosler.

 

[danr55]

Well, here we are, 20 odd years later and the changes are miniscule. Looks like the old favorites are still the favorites or at least in the running and the few new commercial rounds are squeezing their way in there. I'm still shooting the same wildcat that I was shooting in 2003 so I guess those of us who choose to differ, are still different. I wonder how many of those guys are still around and how many would respond the same way? Regardless, we are still hunting elk and still complaining about not getting tags when we don't get tags.. Looks like the more things change, the more they remain the same.

 

[BoomerUSAF]

Another vote for the very productive.300 Win!

 

[elkhnter]

Got apps in for Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado this year.
Rifle with be a 300 Weatherby Weathermark shooting 180 TSX. Finally found a load it likes.
That or my Hoyt Axius Ultra.

 

[R*and*Y]

I've shot nothing but a 300 WSM for elk...and pronghorn, deer, bear etc. for many years now. Love it, don't think I'll ever switch.

You know, in about 100 years or so; your 300 WSM turns into a 308 Winchester.

lol
Have a good day.

 

[T Bone]

Well, here we are, 20 odd years later and the changes are miniscule. Looks like the old favorites are still the favorites or at least in the running and the few new commercial rounds are squeezing their way in there. I'm still shooting the same wildcat that I was shooting in 2003 so I guess those of us who choose to differ, are still different. I wonder how many of those guys are still around and how many would respond the same way? Regardless, we are still hunting elk and still complaining about not getting tags when we don't get tags.. Looks like the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Danr55!

Where are you at these days?

Still tearing up the roads in the Shelby?

 

[danr55]

Danr55!

Where are you at these days?

Still tearing up the roads in the Shelby?

Hello T Bone.. Yep. Still in AZ and still driving the Red Car. Got a complete frame off restoration, rebuilt the engine, rebuilt the Tranny. Drove back from Kingman after Rt. 66 at 100+ most of the way. No advisable to follow my lead. It's not safe or sane.. I'm told. How about you. What's shaking in your world?

 

[Hammsolo]

Hello T Bone.. Yep. Still in AZ and still driving the Red Car. Got a complete frame off restoration, rebuilt the engine, rebuilt the Tranny. Drove back from Kingman after Rt. 66 at 100+ most of the way. No advisable to follow my lead. It's not safe or sane.. I'm told. How about you. What's shaking in your world?

Pics?

 

[Bill Zent]

Being born during WWll I guess you could say I am old school. Wow, have things changed in the hunting world. I started hunting at a very young age, being taught the art by a granddad, several of his brothers all born in the 1800's and my father. In their youth they had to make every shot count, no waste of ammo. In the 50's most of them still shot model 8 or 81's in 30 or 35Rem. The recoil operated automatics were so one person could kill all five bucks in a bunch if needed, not to throw lead and hope for a hit. They were well known for their hunting skills and feeding families during hard times during the depression. Proof you do not need to shoot magnums etc to constantly bag game.

I see way to many "shooters" these days and very few real "hunters".

 

[popeyoung12]

.338 win.mag or 300prc

 

[WW2 Buff]

300 Win Mag

 

[ismith]

Some years ago, I ran a survey on this forum asking everyone about what caliber they shot for Elk. Here are the results listing caliber and the number of persons who indicated that was their primary rifle for elk. It's interesting but I bet there are no more than one or two changes to this list today. Anyone else curious?

PRIMARY
300 win 32
30-06 31
338 win 30
7mm rem 29
270 20
300 wby 9
375 H&H 7
340 WBY 6
7mm STW 3
7X57 3

You must mean chamberings?

 

[vladkgb]

I've had good luck with my 7mm magnum 160grain nosler accubonds. Flies flat, recoil not too bad.

 

[MrCarbine]

Put me down for the 7x57 Mauser.
I no longer enjoy recoil, so the 280 Remington and the 270 Winchester are good friends of mine too, but I have put more creatures down with the Mauser than anything else.
In the 1990s I did most of my hunting with this rifle, Savage M110 WLE in 7x57. It had a beautifully figured walnut stock which fitted like a glove. It was a little heavy as I recall (at almost 8lb naked) but I was much younger and fitter then.