.257 for elk- experience?

[luke moffat]

I have seen moose killed with a 243 on a couple of occasions. My buddy also has taken several grizzly with a 243 as well. Sure it can be done, but you can also drive railroad spikes with a framing hammer too.

 

[GKPrice]

I have seen moose killed with a 243 on a couple of occasions. My buddy also has taken several grizzly with a 243 as well. Sure it can be done, but you can also drive railroad spikes with a framing hammer too.

PERFECT example !!

 

[GKPrice]

[video=youtube;hY0w1c-gf18]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18[/video]

Again, not preferred, but it shows the power those little cases have.

Ryan - I get what you are saying but I recently watched a guy load 6 or 7 12' 2x4's in a Subaru Outback and drive away from Lowes - Obviously it "can" be done but one little thing goes wrong and then what ? All of it, "precision long range shooting" or hunting or most anything else ain't perfect and the guy who thinks "I seen it done so I'm gonna do it to" at some point in his life with be standing there scratching his head asking "what the FUG just happened, I can't explain it" - It will happen to most of us who "do stuff" but I personally don't want any more of those moments than possible so I err on the side of OVERKILL, not UNDERKILL - call that IMO or whatever ...

 

[GKPrice]

I'd bet on a full pass through inside of 300yds and probably more with a TSX out of the 25-06 unless you hit a major bone. Hell, you probably could ass to nose one assuming no bones. Those mono-metal bullets plain don't want to stop.

Go for it.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

and what happens "unless you hit major bone" ?? Big Game animals are not "jellyfish" ??

 

[GKPrice]

thanks gents! I think I'll give it a go

hodgeman- I have a .06 (Featherweight) currently with no plans to part with it, easier to justify (at least in my mind) a caliber a few steps away

I love the Roberts, had an old style Ruger 77 in 257 AI that was a kick in the butt to shoot coyotes and such with and I loved hunting deer with it, gave it to my son for his first DEER rifle - Hunt elk with it ? HELL NO, WHY would I ???

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have seen moose killed with a 243 on a couple of occasions. My buddy also has taken several grizzly with a 243 as well. Sure it can be done, but you can also drive railroad spikes with a framing hammer too.

Like hitting a brad nail with a sledge hammer!

 

[flyinsquirel]

and what happens "unless you hit major bone" ?? Big Game animals are not "jellyfish" ??

Then you don't get a may not get a pass through...... But you will get the joy of finding one of those perfectly petaled TSX's somewhere inside a very dead elk.

You're right, they aint no jellyfish. But they also aint a damn brontosaurus either.

Have you ever shot an animal with a monometal bullet? I have, and I've yet to recover one. Couldn't even find the 130 TTSX out of my lowly 270 when I stem-to-stern'd a mullie at just over 300yds. Good thing I went gutless on that one

Look, shoot whatever you are comfortable shooting. Nothing wrong with that. Also nothing wrong with choosing to shoot elk with a 25-06.

 

[luke moffat]

Like hitting a brad nail with a sledge hammer!

That's what happens when you shoot Sitka deer with a 300 RUM and 230 bergers

 

[Ryan Avery]

Ryan - I get what you are saying but I recently watched a guy load 6 or 7 12' 2x4's in a Subaru Outback and drive away from Lowes - Obviously it "can" be done but one little thing goes wrong and then what ? All of it, "precision long range shooting" or hunting or most anything else ain't perfect and the guy who thinks "I seen it done so I'm gonna do it to" at some point in his life with be standing there scratching his head asking "what the FUG just happened, I can't explain it" - It will happen to most of us who "do stuff" but I personally don't want any more of those moments than possible so I err on the side of OVERKILL, not UNDERKILL - call that IMO or whatever ...

My grandfather hunted elk and deer with a .25-20 and guess what, it killed elk too. Now that's crazy! A 243 is a jackhammer compared to that!

This year I helped look for a deer shot with a 338 Lapua at 250ish yards. You can say "what the **** just happened" with any caliber. The nut behind the butt always trumps caliber.

But you don't have to worry about me, as Luke can attest to, I'm always over gunned

 

[belly-deep]

Ryan - I get what you are saying but I recently watched a guy load 6 or 7 12' 2x4's in a Subaru Outback and drive away from Lowes - Obviously it "can" be done but one little thing goes wrong and then what ? All of it, "precision long range shooting" or hunting or most anything else ain't perfect and the guy who thinks "I seen it done so I'm gonna do it to" at some point in his life with be standing there scratching his head asking "what the FUG just happened, I can't explain it" - It will happen to most of us who "do stuff" but I personally don't want any more of those moments than possible so I err on the side of OVERKILL, not UNDERKILL - call that IMO or whatever ...

Everyone I know that has used a 243 on elk says it works surprisingly well. I haven't tried it personally, but probably will get around to it one of these days. Until then, I'll hold off on my opinion. I do find it funny that all the people who say you shouldn't use a 243 on elk have never tried it.

 

[Jason Snyder]

My grandfather hunted elk and deer with a .25-20 and guess what, it killed elk too. Now that's crazy! A 243 is a jackhammer compared to that!

This year I helped look for a deer shot with a 338 Lapua at 250ish yards. You can say "what the **** just happened" with any caliber. The nut behind the butt always trumps caliber.

But you don't have to worry about me, as Luke can attest to, I'm always over gunned

My grandfather killed a pile of animals with a 25-35, also pretty anemic compared to the 243.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[texag10]

Seems like a 6.5 creedmoor would meet the OP's criteria of less than a .30-06 while still being adequate for elk, all while having some pretty excellent external ballistics for the size.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Seems like a 6.5 creedmoor would meet the OP's criteria of less than a .30-06 while still being adequate for elk, all while having some pretty excellent external ballistics for the size.

Not a lot of difference between that 6.5 and the Bob.

Hornady data:

.257 Roberts 117 grain at 2950 fps MV vs. 6.5 Creed 120 grain at 2920 fps. MV.

I understand the 6.5s have some heavier bullet options too with a little more advantage, but the cartridges really are pretty similar even out to the OP's listed ranges.

These threads are always good fun though.

Know the limitations and act accordingly. Some guys even kill elk with arrows.

 

[mtwarden]

I've definitely considered the 6.5 and haven't ruled it out; definitely a nice round that does offer up some heavier bullets.

Reading more on the.257, it looks like they offer a "+p" version meant for all modern actions (excluding the old Mausers), looks like a 5-10% boost.

Preference on bullets (elk)- Nosler Partition 100, 115, 120; Accubond 110; Barnes TSX 100, 115; TTSX 100; others???

 

[Matt Cashell]

Preference on bullets (elk)- Nosler Partition 100, 115, 120; Accubond 110; Barnes TSX 100, 115; TTSX 100; others???

Yes on any of these.

I especially like Barnes for your use.

My son used a 140 TTSX on his elk out of a 7-08. I think I may load 120s though for next year in that gun.

 

[boom]

i read that Ed Weatherby's favorite caliber for elk is the .257 Wtby magnum. it was stories like this that made me save my allowance as a young kid to buy one. i took it elk hunting, but never had a chance to line up on an elk. not for the usual reasons either.

funny fact. the guy that took me on that hunt was Danny Farris's grand-dad. he would always tell me that his grandson would call the elk for me. i had no idea that danny would grow up a famous hunter for Bowhunter Magazine. i wish i met him..hell, i'd love to meet him now to tell him his granddad got me hooked on elk.

 

[mtwarden]

^ great story!

 

[6mm Remington]

My son and I have taken elk with a 6mm Remington and 100 gr. Partitions and 90 gr. E-tips (his rifle). He shot his first elk a large cow at 350 yards. One shot behind the shoulder and she went about 20 yards and fell over. The 90 gr. E-tip hit tight behind her right shoulder and exited out the center of her left shoulder, breaking the shoulder on the way out! We have also shot elk with a 25-06 using 120 gr. Partitions. I shot a spike bull at about 350 yards using that cartridge and bullet! It worked just fine.

The .257 is not the preferred choice, but with reasonable shots it will work just fine. A good bullet like a Partition, Accubond, or E-tip would help tip the odds in your favor also. Any of those three weighing 100 grs on up would do the job. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[cowboy300]

Father in-law shot his cow this year at 550 yds with a 25-06 and 115 Berger VLDs. She went a couple steps and fell over dead. I shot a cow this year with a 243AI at around 200yds with 105 Hybrid @3200 and shes dead too. Same load I used to kill a doe antelope this year at 875yds, and six goats last year in WY all 1 shot kills from 100 to 600yds. You will be just fine if you put it in the right spot

 

[jack88]

I'll be taking a 257 WB next month for cow elk, will report back if I connect. I really have no quams with this pairing, I'll be using a 120 A-frame.