Ideal Elk Cartridge?

[trophyhill]

A lot of great elk cartridges from 25.06 on up to the biggest of the big bores. Personally I love my 7 mag on rare occasion I gun hunt.

 

[35WhelenAI]

35 Whelen Ackley Improved. Not much velocity over the standard Whelen, 50-75 fps, but it's a dang good looking cartridge. A 200 grain Barnes TTSX is the Holy Grail of elk bullets in my opinion. I've taken elk with each practical weight of Barnes, some with the original X (200, 225 and 250), a 200 TSX and in the last 10 years, the 200 TTSX. As well a couple with the 250 grain Hornady spire point for nostalgia sake.

None of them do it any better than the others with respect to the end result of a dead elk, however when it comes to retained velocity the 200 TTSX starts fast with a handload and makes it an honest 350 to 400 yd elk gun. Gives me the most opportunity in my opinion to take advantage of shot distances and game presentation, as it is a great penetrator on a hard angle shots.

 

[cmc934]

I’m a middle of the road kinda guy, so the 30-06 w/180’s is my ideal load for elk.

^^ This right here ^^


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[35WhelenAI]

Yeah, that's a hard one to argue with.

I started elk hunting with a 300 Win Mag, really liked it. When the opportunity presented to make a 35 Whelen AI on a Mauser action and build it up like I wanted, the 300 Win Mag hasn't seen work in many years. From experience, there's nothing that one can do that the other won't do the same. Only real difference I've seen is the impact of the larger diameter bullet seems to be more pronounced with respect to the effect and reaction of the elk. Could just be my imagination, but it seems to be the case.

It's great to see such a variety of chamberings and guys that enjoy using them. Very refreshing to see having just joined this forum vs some of the others I've been on that just aren't enjoyable anymore.

 

[TXhunter89]

I have only taken an elk with a 300WSM but getting a 33 Nosler built to be a little more heavy hitter.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I have only taken an elk with a 300WSM but getting a 33 Nosler built to be a little more heavy hitter.

What's your build going to look like? What action, are you having nosler build it, etc?

 

[mtblackdog]

The caliber that a bull soaked up the most rounds was a 300 win mag. Fastest kill was as a kid with a 25-06. Both lung shots 200ish yards. Both big mature bulls. So take your pick. These days I shoot a 28 Nosler.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Solid choice in a 28 nosler, great bullet performance I'm sure. What is your projectile of choice?

 

[steelhder]

300 win mag


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[corey006]

Solid choice in a 28 nosler, great bullet performance I'm sure. What is your projectile of choice?

I am firm believer in E-Tips, TTSX for up to 300 yards....past that Eld-X or Berger VLD.

You want a tough, bullet.

Carry both loads....1 st shot chambered is E-Tip...

If longer range shot presents itself...simple eject the first round and chamber the Eld-X.

Otherwise I would choose Partitions or A-frame.....as an all around bullet out to 400-500 yards max.

 

[sndmn11]

160gr Accubonds fly and kill well for me.

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Do you know what those weigh now?

 

[Preston]

7mm Mag, 30/06, and 270.

 

[Fullfan]

Have killed bulls w my 7 mag, 338 win mag and my 300wsm. All bulls were between 70 and 380 yds. Bullet selection Is very important.

 

[PaHunter86]

Choose the 300 WM bc in my Bergara its a shooter out to 500yds. If I do my part.

 

[Broomd]

I've killed many with my .308 (165gr. accubond) one of the most prolific cartridges on Earth not even on the list.

 

[corey006]

I've killed many with my .308 (165gr. accubond) one of the most prolific cartridges on Earth not even on the list.

I tried to pick the most popular cartridges in class....

For 308 class cartridges I chose the 6.5 CM which is widely more popular than the .308 these days.


The .308 is fairly close to 3006 performance out to 300 yards.

 

[tdot]

Where are the short mags?

I'd pick just about any of the WSM, SAUM, or Sherman family of cartridges, married to a shorter barrel. Our elk woods are closer to jungles, so a short handy rifle with some oomph to get the job done quickly is preferred. The ability to reach out is also appreciated, so any of the 308 based cartridges are not as ideal.

 

[corey006]

Where are the short mags?

I'd pick just about any of the WSM, SAUM, or Sherman family of cartridges, married to a shorter barrel. Our elk woods are closer to jungles, so a short handy rifle with some oomph to get the job done quickly is preferred. The ability to reach out is also appreciated, so any of the 308 based cartridges are not as ideal.

Not much difference between 300 wsm and 300 wm.

Same as 7mm rem.mag and 7 mm saum.

I basically picked each caliber. from 358 down to .243 and picked the most popular cartridge in that caliber diameter.

Left of the 8mm (325 wsm,).

 

[tdot]

Not much difference between 300 wsm and 300 wm.

Same as 7mm rem.mag and 7 mm saum.

I basically picked each caliber. from 358 down to .243 and picked the most popular cartridge in that caliber diameter.

Left of the 8mm (325 wsm,).

Balistically the longer magnums may be similar to the short mags, but the ability to switch to a short action is what makes it ideal IMO. I've personally switched all my rifles to short magnums. Rifles are as short and handy as my 308, but hits like a 300wm. As the ladies say, size matters.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I haven't owned a short action bolt hunting rifle. Best I can tell it's a 1/2" difference in the action length based on these numbers from Winchester. Done some reading, and it's similar with other manufacturers as well.

Winchester XPR short action in 300 WSM w/24" bbl is listed at 44" overall length. 7.0 lbs listed weight.

Winchester XPR in 300 Win Mag is listed at 46.5" with 26" bbl. 7 lbs 4 oz listed weight with a 2" longer bbl.

Those numbers don't seem to lend a significant advantage either in weight or handiness?