Oregon elk and deer caliber

[Dirtywater]

Know it’s been asked a million times but I have researched other posts so I will make this one a little more custom.
I keep going back and forth on what’s the best caliber for a t3x superlite. Will be hunting elk in eastern Oregon and blacktail in western Oregon(sub 200yd for those generally).

I want to be able to confidently shoot elk on that 3-500yd range yet not destroy a deer.

 

[bielenbm]

I live in Oregon, this year I’m going to use my 22 cm for deer and my 6 um for elk. If I was going to run one gun it would be a 6cm. If you’re looking at a straight factory tikka roll with a 6.5 cm and call it a day.

 

[bielenbm]

Forgot to mention. Oregon the .22 cal center fire is allowed on bear, deer and cougar. 6 cal minimum on elk, goat, and sheep IIRC.

 

[Leaf Litter]

Any elk cartridge can be used on deer effectively by changing the bullet to a barnes/copper for deer. Less meat damage, and it'll definitely have enough penetration. Don't overthink the cartridge choice, they'll all work.

I settled on 6.8 Western for elk, but if I loaded it with an LRX or TTSX bullet, I'd have no qualms shooting deer with it while still having meat to eat at the end of the day.

 

[Chris in TN]

Know it’s been asked a million times but I have researched other posts so I will make this one a little more custom.
I keep going back and forth on what’s the best caliber for a t3x superlite. Will be hunting elk in eastern Oregon and blacktail in western Oregon(sub 200yd for those generally).

I want to be able to confidently shoot elk on that 3-500yd range yet not destroy a deer.

If I had to go *today* and buy one rifle, for an adult to shoot, on deer and elk, inside of 500 yards, and was stuck on a tikka, it would be an 8-twist .243W. If the 6cm is an option - as it may be soon - I'd prefer that, but could spend the rest of my life happily with a .243. I wish I'd realized that 35+ years ago.

 

[Stud Duck]

I know a few guys out there that roll with the 7mm-08 for both species.

 

[bielenbm]

If I had to go *today* and buy one rifle, for an adult to shoot, on deer and elk, inside of 500 yards, and was stuck on a tikka, it would be an 8-twist .243W. If the 6cm is an option - as it may be soon - I'd prefer that, but could spend the rest of my life happily with a .243. I wish I'd realized that 35+ years ago.

I forget that the tikka 243 is a fast twist. Definitely another good option!

 

[coast range]

Yeah the 7mm08 ain’t sexy but damn it’s effective.

 

[Steve300xcw]

They all make things just as dead