.257 for elk- experience?

[topher89]

I have an older Ruger in 257 Bob.... I took a deer and antelope with it this year and would have no problem taking a cow elk at a reasonable range with it, provided I have the right bullet.

I think a TSX, shots under 300yds and waiting for a good broadside shot and you would be good to go.

 

[mtwarden]

well in a strange twist of events I ended going w/ a Kimber Hunter in 6.5 CM, BUT I responded to a thread where a guy was wanting to trade a .257 Featherweight for a shotgun, turns out I had a shotgun he was interested in so looks like I'm getting a .257 afterall

 

[GKPrice]

Just recapped this thread - funny how it went from the .257 Roberts killing deer ... to elk ... to the .243 for EVERYTHING up to moose ... and then included the .257 Wby ... ending close to the 6.5 CM (that magical round "we've all" been waiting so long to arrive) Yes I use monolithic bullets, and Accubonds and Scirocco's and Aframes sometimes - And I normally wait for the "right" presentation for the shot but then ... I shoot .30 / 180 or 200, no scope eye, no headache, just dead elk, plenty of 'em (and wonder of all wonders, dead antelope and deer and caribou too ! My Grandson will start his hunting career with a .243 and shoot premium bullets and ya, maybe even his first elk with it (so there, I'm a hypocrite) but just as soon as he's big enough and proficient in shooting, (read asap) he'll be shooting at elk with at least a 7mm-08 or .270 because IMHO it's the responsible thing to do - big game animals are not there to serve at our pleasure of seeing how miniscule a cartridge we "can" kill them with and when the "anti's" win (just like "we" won in November) we can cuss them for using "stuff" against we hunters - That's the reality of it all, there will always be consequences for our actions, anyone who challenges that should re-read the threads discussing "common sense" (again and again maybe)

 

[Matt Cashell]

GKP,

I am not sure what you're getting at.

Are you saying if someone uses the Bob for elk hunting, the anti's win?

Are you saying your dead elk are proof that a 180 or 200 grain 30 cal is sufficient for elk hunting but the other posters' dead elk with .257 (and smaller) caliber is not similar proof for their calibers?

I also read back through the thread and nobody recommended using as small a caliber as possible for elk hunting.

This thread was a discussion about whether the .257 Roberts is sufficient for elk hunting, and some posters pointed out that in their experience cartridges like the .257 and smaller have proven sufficient, so as to help the OP with his question. That seems reasonable.

Some people are recoil sensitive. Some people shoot smaller calibers better than larger ones. I would always recommend an elk hunter use the rifle they shoot the best with and are most confident with, over a larger caliber they are not confident in. IMO, the .257 Roberts fits in the elk-capable cartridges list when used with a proper bullet and within its limits.

 

[mtwarden]

^ that's the same conclusion I came to as well

 

[GKPrice]

make your own decisions and own your results I always say - why should I argue a point I am totally "ignorant" on when in the company of so many "experts" ? enjoy ..........

 

[elkguide]

Having had clients who shot elk with calibers such as the .25-06 and the .30-30, most anything is possible. And yes I would much rather have a hunter get into camp with their beat up, old tried and true .270 or .30-06 if they shoot them well BUT given my druthers I want a hunter to be shooting the biggest caliber rifle that they can comfortably and accurately shoot.

 

[Ryan Avery]

make your own decisions and own your results I always say - why should I argue a point I am totally "ignorant" on when in the company of so many "experts" ? enjoy ..........

You're the only one I see in this whole thread that is close-minded, that is "ignorant". No one is claiming to be an "expert", just posting our experiences.

 

[mtwarden]

the .257 Roberts fits in the elk-capable cartridges list when used with a proper bullet and within its limits.

I think this very succinctly sums up what I got out of the thread; I'm not aware of anyone stating it's the "end all" caliber for elk

 

[GKPrice]

I've seen lots of elk shot with a 243. Keep it under 500 yards, make solid hits and you will be fine.

Ryan, that's not what I got from your comment, if you were not promoting shooting elk with the .243 then I apologize - For the record, I never once argued the .257 "anything" was inadequate and actually I didn't say that about the .243 although I did imply it often - I'll not say another word and just quietly accept that "I" am the only ignorant one entangled in this thread ...... as said earler, own your decisions and results (and NO, I was not even THINKING that the 30.06 is the end-all cartridge for elk, or any other species but it certainly is not a "marginal" round for elk either but STILL needs a decent marksman pulling the trigger as with any other hunting shot - If anyone does not think the folks that would love to stop us from hunting anything are not always watching and looking for ways to sabotage "hunting' as an activity in any form, well OK then ..... enough said, call ME ignorant

 

[belly-deep]

If anyone does not think the folks that would love to stop us from hunting anything are not always watching and looking for ways to sabotage "hunting' as an activity in any form, well OK then ..... enough said, call ME ignorant

I think that most non-hunters lack the knowledge to know what cartridges are elk-appropriate. Tell them you shoot elk with a 243 and you may as well be speaking a foreign language. On top of that, anti-hunters will always disapprove of hunting. It's not like shooting elk with a 30-06 is less offensive. It's all offensive to them. You'll never sway anti-hunters. We have to convince the undecideds.

But if this thread is actually damaging in some way (which I don't believe it is), think about this: to the general public, who has no clue whether a 243 is an appropriate round for elk, it's not the guys who are using them that are giving the antis fuel. It's the guys who are ranting online about it being unethical who are creating the perception that it is a problem.

Guys who have probably never shot an elk with a 243 themself.

Keep in mind 1000's of elk are killed every year with arrows.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I doubt an anti hunter gives two shits whether I cripple the elk I'm shooting at, or what caliber I'm shooting at it with. Nor do they give a shit whether you use a rifle, bow or muzzle loader.

Back to the original post, I would argue that being choosy about your shot selection is a lot more important than the stamping on the barrel.


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[GKPrice]

cool .... NON-hunter and ANTI-hunter are two different beasts altogether but you experts know best .... BTW, enjoy those Canadian Greys

 

[belly-deep]

I'll not say another word and just quietly accept that "I" am the only ignorant one entangled in this thread ......

Canadian Greys and I get along just fine.

 

[Jason Snyder]

cool .... NON-hunter and ANTI-hunter are two different beasts altogether but you experts know best .... BTW, enjoy those Canadian Greys

My bad, in your earlier post you referenced anti-hunters and I did not see you referenced non-hunters in your later post. Certainly, they are a completely different animal and require a completely different approach.

I have no idea what your comment means about the Canadian Greys?

Edit: As a follow up to my last comment in my post above, if hunters in general put as much thought and consideration into their shot selection and/or personal limitations as they do what caliber they should get, there would be a significant reduction in wounded animals.

 

[husky390]

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.

Why'd you go and have to publish data? I was blissfully ignorant thinking the Creed was far superior to my .257 Roberts and had it justified in my head to buy one.

OP, if you decide to get the .257, I'd recommend the TTSX. Mine shoots them like lasers and it's a pleasure to shoot.


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[thinhorn_AK]

I got an email with my 257 weatherby a few years ago, not exactly what you're asking about but that's my only experience with the 257.

 

[mtwarden]

OP, if you decide to get the .257, I'd recommend the TTSX. Mine shoots them like lasers and it's a pleasure to shoot.


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I have one coming traded a shotgun for a Featherweight in .257 (I'll have two Fwt's in the stable now)- not hand loading now (it's been almost 30 years now), but I see Doubletap is selling custom rifle ammo- including TTSX's in .257, so I will definitely give them a try

 

[husky390]

I have one coming traded a shotgun for a Featherweight in .257 (I'll have two Fwt's in the stable now)- not hand loading now (it's been almost 30 years now), but I see Doubletap is selling custom rifle ammo- including TTSX's in .257, so I will definitely give them a try

I've had great luck with the factory Barnes vortx ammo in my .308 and .300wsm. Hopefully they offer it in .257.


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[mtwarden]

I sent them (Barnes) an email, they hope to add it, along with the Creedmoor