Elk Caliber with Particular Rifle Considerations

[BuckSmasher]

Why, what property makes it not suitabl

Why don't you share some real terminal results?

All that you have cited is a (most likely) grossly inflated weight of one animal.

There are hundreds of animals in the .223 and 6mm kill threads with pictures of the damage. Dozens of elk are among them.

Rather that stating things are wrong because you said so, back it up. Pictures, ranges, bullet type, impact velocity. Actual data.

Its been posted

 

[BuckSmasher]

I admire your tenacity, although your inability to come up with anything other than “because I said so!” doesn’t really give your argument a lot of substance.


To the OP, the main point to take away from all this is that a heavy for caliber bullet (regardless of caliber) at a moderate impact velocity will break bones and penetrate to vitals.

Headstamps don’t matter, bullets do.

Yeah. 22 ones are too small.

 

[KHntr]

I honestly don't know what will/will not go through an elk, or through its shoulder. I can 100% honestly testify that I frequently didn't have close range pass throughs on sub 200 pound wild pigs with a 223 firing 62 grain fusions and 62 ttsxs. It stands to reason a 800 lb bull elk is built a lot stouter than a 150 Lb pig.

You prolly shoulda stopped at that first sentence….. That was the last thing you said about elk killing that was accurate.

 

[ckt3]

Folks

My favorite thing is to brag war witg one uppers about what ive done with rando’s on the net.

Folks we are off to a good start! Let’s go for 1000 pages even!

You’re the one who asked him about the animals he’s killed with 22. But then when the question is reversed it’s this response^

Starts with mot being 22

Anything else to your line of reasoning other than this start? It is not very persuasive especially relative to the logic and data Form and others have presented to the contrary.

 

[DLSJR]

I think I’ll exit this conversation. It seems certain individuals are heavily invested in their view that .22 caliber chamberings are elk cartridges, while some others of us understand the folly of such a concept. I’m always willing to discuss or debate the merits until a certain point where a discussion just becomes a pissing match and pointless. I think this discussion has reached that point so I’ll exit now.

I do hope the original poster makes a sensible choice of rifle in something like 270, 308, 3006 or similar. As for the 22 crowd, I hope none ever draw an elk tag, because elk deserve better than you ilk.

Y’all have fun now.

 

[ckt3]

I think I’ll exit this conversation. It seems certain individuals are heavily invested in their view that .22 caliber chamberings are elk cartridges, while some others of us understand the folly of such a concept. I’m always willing to discuss or debate the merits until a certain point where a discussion just becomes a pissing match and pointless. I think this discussion has reached that point so I’ll exit now.

I do hope the original poster makes a sensible choice of rifle in something like 270, 308, 3006 or similar. As for the 22 crowd, I hope none ever draw an elk tag, because elk deserve better than you ilk.

Y’all have fun now.

Your view may be correct, but we’ll never know unless you can support your argument effectively.

 

[Steve O]

Hello. I am interested in purchasing a rifle for elk hunting. I have experience with shotguns, 5.56, and archery. I have been in the rabbit hole, both on rokslide and elsewhere. I prefer archery hunting but a group of us are planning a trip for rifle season. I’m between 3 or so choices and I just can’t make a decision.

Tikka T3x Lite in 308
Seekins Ph3 in 7 PRC
Bergara in 300WM.

My concerns are:
308- Pros- Lightweight/Shootability/ Concerns-“knockdown” power
7 PRC- Pros- Larger Seekins- Rifle cost, ammo quality/availability (I’m not a reloader)
300 WM-Bergara-Pros- 30 Cal, velocity, Cons- Weight, recoil

I have a max 300 yard range I shoot at. I really don’t think I’d take a shot further than that no matter the rifle. It wouldn’t be ethical without a lot of practice at those distances. I would imagine most elk are taken within that distance? Has anybody ever hunted with a 308 and wished for more? I don’t want to wound an animal. Is there a caliber I should consider outside of these? Should a 30.06 or 7 REM Mag be a consideration?

Someday I will come back and read the 10 pages but with the qualifiers given, I’d choose the .308 Tikka. .308 is not sexy but will do the job 100%. It won’t beat you up, it is very balanced, it is customizable as you go down the road very easily.

 

[HOGSJL]

Don't post much on here, mainly just buy chit.

First western elk hunt this fall.
Put together a 300 PRC (heavier than I envisioned). Have a little lighter 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots lights out with a 124 mono.

Question I have. Perfect scenario presentation. Have shot enough to be confident, gather data, drops, conditions and know my DOPE.

What bullet do you want if they both fail. Both hit at the same broadside boiler room, behind the slats. Both bullets have an "issue" with the meplat deforming causing bullet to not come apart. My thought would be a 30 cal 215 going sideways would be more damage than a 264 doing the same thing.

Living in the east, long range is not a thing for me. Muzzleloader is long range and from my observations on a few deer (not elk) big ML leave big holes in, out, and lots of blood to follow.

Outfitter did ask what cartridge I was bringing and when I answered, he said "good". Would I get the same response as the 6.5 Creedmoor? Although, part of me wants to use the creed, just to get that cross eyed look from everyone.

This is an honest ask, from those who are avid elk hunters, as bullet failure is not something I have seen mentioned yet. Do you plan for everything perfect, or for FAFO?


Asking for a friend

 

[BuckSmasher]

Don't post much on here, mainly just buy chit.

First western elk hunt this fall.
Put together a 300 PRC (heavier than I envisioned). Have a little lighter 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots lights out with a 124 mono.

Question I have. Perfect scenario presentation. Have shot enough to be confident, gather data, drops, conditions and know my DOPE.

What bullet do you want if they both fail. Both hit at the same broadside boiler room, behind the slats. Both bullets have an "issue" with the meplat deforming causing bullet to not come apart. My thought would be a 30 cal 215 going sideways would be more damage than a 264 doing the same thing.

Living in the east, long range is not a thing for me. Muzzleloader is long range and from my observations on a few deer (not elk) big ML leave big holes in, out, and lots of blood to follow.

Outfitter did ask what cartridge I was bringing and when I answered, he said "good". Would I get the same response as the 6.5 Creedmoor? Although, part of me wants to use the creed, just to get that cross eyed look from everyone.

This is an honest ask, from those who are avid elk hunters, as bullet failure is not something I have seen mentioned yet. Do you plan for everything perfect, or for FAFO?


Asking for a friend

Oh yeah this thread gonna hit 1000 no doubt. Y'all better buckle up, its gonna be a ride!

 

[BuckSmasher]

- Only thing that matters in gauging lethality is kinetic energy

- Match bullets shouldn't be used on game.

- If the picture of what you are hunting isn't on the box, don't use it!

- Everything below .30 cal is for coyotes and groundhogs.

- A bullets BC is irrelevant

 

[MTlan66]

If the picture of what you are hunting isn't on the box, don't use it!

There is a picture of an elk on the Remington Core-lokt 6.5 Creedmoor box, so that should be a fantastic choice.

 

[Tobe_B]

Someone should hop on over to the .223 thread and the 6mm thread and tell all those dead animals to get back up. They can’t be killed with all those TMK and ELDm bullets since they aren’t pictured on the box.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Someone should hop on over to the .223 thread and the 6mm thread and tell all those dead animals to get back up. They can’t be killed with all those TMK and ELDm bullets since they aren’t pictured on the box.

Seriously. These are all facts right?

- Only thing that matters in gauging lethality is kinetic energy

- Match bullets shouldn't be used on game.

- If the picture of what you are hunting isn't on the box, don't use it!

- Everything below .30 cal is for coyotes and groundhogs.

- A bullets BC is irrelevant

 

[HOGSJL]

So I wouldn't say I am in the KE camp is what kills. Bullet manufacturers state a min velocity for function, not min KE to function right. Energy is something, but that doesn't explain all these itty, bitty bullets these folks are killing with.

If I am going to shoot an elk with a cup and core, it's gonna be a 215 Berger. That is a proven "match" bullet.

 

[MTlan66]

Don't post much on here, mainly just buy chit.

First western elk hunt this fall.
Put together a 300 PRC (heavier than I envisioned). Have a little lighter 6.5 Creedmoor that shoots lights out with a 124 mono.

Question I have. Perfect scenario presentation. Have shot enough to be confident, gather data, drops, conditions and know my DOPE.

What bullet do you want if they both fail. Both hit at the same broadside boiler room, behind the slats. Both bullets have an "issue" with the meplat deforming causing bullet to not come apart. My thought would be a 30 cal 215 going sideways would be more damage than a 264 doing the same thing.

Living in the east, long range is not a thing for me. Muzzleloader is long range and from my observations on a few deer (not elk) big ML leave big holes in, out, and lots of blood to follow.

Outfitter did ask what cartridge I was bringing and when I answered, he said "good". Would I get the same response as the 6.5 Creedmoor? Although, part of me wants to use the creed, just to get that cross eyed look from everyone.

This is an honest ask, from those who are avid elk hunters, as bullet failure is not something I have seen mentioned yet. Do you plan for everything perfect, or for FAFO?


Asking for a friend

I apologize that none of the avid elk hunters have answered your honest question. I really don’t think I’m qualified to answer, as I have only been in on the killing of eight elk, none of which were real monsters. But as nobody else seems interested in asking your direct question, here goes!

I have a difficulty in planning anything around a bullet failure. I would simply go with a bullet that has proven to be very reliable overall. I imagine your 215 bergers fit that category. If you look at a .30 caliber and 6.5 caliber bullet side-by-side, the size difference really isn’t all that much in a meaningful way. I suppose the heavy 30 caliber may carry a little further penetration due to extra weight, but if that sideways bullet is going through vital stuff, it will kill it in either case, and if it’s not going through vital stuff, it isn’t gonna kill it in either case.
I have heard of guides here in Montana and surrounding states that won’t let clients bring anything less than 30 caliber, or maybe a 7 mag. I have also heard of just as many that carry a 243 for their clients to use because they show up with huge guns that they can’t shoot well.
If your guide wants you to carry your 300, and you can shoot it very accurately on demand, every time, and you’re not cringing every time you pull the trigger, then by all means use it! If you want to use your Creedmoor out of spite, and your guide doesn’t care, then go for it! I personally am very skeptical of mono bullets, but my experience with them is extremely limited. I was wholy unimpressed with a few pigs and deer that I shot with them (out of a 243), and I have never been inspired to try them on anything else.

Put the bullet where it belongs, and you’ll have a full freezer.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[bpatterson]

One thing to consider, with all these new wiz bang cartridges everyone’s flocking to these days you sure can find some deals on classic cartridge chamberings on the used market. Consider the 270 and 30-06!

 

[fngTony]

Couldn’t tell if some of you were fighting or flirting with each other but I cleaned it up so let’s not stray so far off topic that people lose interest in the thread.

 

[Grillnugz]

I own a bunch of rifles, but I usually choose my Tikka T3X in 308. The new Seekins PH3s are awesome as well. Considering price, I'd probably go with a Tikka T3X in 270, over the last year I've seen alot of good deals on Tikka 270s. Some companies are making shouldered prefits for Tikkas, which gives the platform more versatility.

As for the 7 PRC, I've been a little disappointed on this cartridge. In my experience it is slower than advertised (shooting a 24" barrel both factory and handloads were ~200fps slow, even with N570, RL26, etc). Something with less powder like 280AI, 284 win, 7 SAUM gets essentially the same performance with less powder. The 162 gr class of 284 bullets are excellent and consistently accurate, no need to shoot 180s IMO. If you want a hammer just go 300WM.

 

[airmacnair]

308 is a great all around round if set on those 3 options. Took my first cow elk with 308.