What Caliber for Deer and Elk?

[mcseal2]

That particular rifle comes with a factory muzzle brake. I wouldn't hesitate to use a little bigger round since elk may someday be on the menu. I'm not a fan of a gun with a 26" barrel plus a brake so that would rule out the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win mag, plus the 26 Nosler.

In that rifle I'd go with the 270 win, 270WSM, or 300WSM. All have a 22 or 23" barrel to keep the rifle pretty handy and should handle elk or deer just fine. I'd probably end up going with the 270WSM from those choices and shooting the 140gr Accubond. I've shot an A bolt 270WSM with a brake and the felt recoil was about the same as my 8lb 243 without a brake. My handload in it pushed the Accubond at 3033fps. I finished off a wounded muley for another hunter on a tough shot angle at 400yds and the bullet hit right in front of the hip and ended up in the neck. My muley that trip I dropped at 313yds with a broadside pass through shot. I've also taken an elk with that bullet from a 270 win.

If you get the 140 Accubond moving 3050fps for example, you could zero it 2.4" high at 100yds, never go above or below 3" from line of sight to just under 300yds. At 400yds you would be about 14" low. That is a realistic and pretty easily attainable velocity for a 23" barreled 270WSM. That should handle any deer inside 400yds even at less than ideal shot angles, and still be a solid perfomer on elk on good ethical shots.

I like 6.5mm rounds but since this rifle is going to be used within 400yds, and has a brake, I'd go with something that burns a little more powder and gets more velocity than the Creedmoor.

 

[5MilesBack]

I got a Ruger FTW Hawkeye in 6.5 CM for my daughter. But I really enjoy shooting it, the FTW has a brake on it as well. I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more after I start reloading for it. Hard to shoot the factory ammo and see gaps between the hits, then switch over to my 7mag with custom reloads and they're all in the same hole.

I put a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm scope with M1 target turrets on the 6.5, and it's fun to play around with. My 7mag is the only magnum I still shoot, but I've had that gun for 27 years now and it's a tack driver. With the bullets we have today, these smaller calibers perform pretty darn well.

 

[elkbowkevin]

I was in the same boat as you OP and I looked at the ballistics aspect of what I was trying to accomplish.
My background has a rebuilt shoulder in it with a large screw in it placed right where rifles hit. Recoil sensitivity is my name.
I have a .270 and its harsh to shoot, but thats just that particular gun with its harder recoil pad form the 1960's.
Looking at the BC's of various calibers and what I was wanting to do with a rifle I compared the 6.5 creedmore, 308, .270 and .243.

308 has great ammo choice, but seemed to drops like a rock at distance. recoil is a bit more than I like. BUt still a good all around caliber with lots of ammo variations.
.270 I already have one, and shoots great but harsh, bullet choices are pretty much limited to 130-140-150 in readily available factory ammo since I dont reload for rifle (yet).
.243, well I will hunt elk with this thing to so that was kind of out. (not that it cannot be done with a .243 because Ive seen it happen)

SO that left me researching the 6.5 creedmore. The more I looked into that caliber the more I liked. Shoots VERY flat, recoil is about 1/3 less than what my 270 is, and it flat out, out shoots me if I do my part.

I ended up getting a Savage Trophy Hunter in the 6.5 creedmore and so far its great. Recoil is very managable for my glass shoulder. I shot a box and a half of rounds last friday and my shoulder felt fine.

I shot 3 or 4 round groups, and the best 2 were sub 1" at 100. two holes were touching on two sets of rounds.

I know this rifle can shoot sub moa if I can get my brain engaged with the rifle and not jerk the trigger. I had limited support under the butt and was moving on some shots so I am sure that effected accuracy alot.

I have a short 9-13" harris bipod ordered to make the platform more bench stable.

I also got this gun for my 13 yr old daughter to shoot and start hunting with along with her bow.

There are many guys shooting the 6.5 in long "gong" competitions shooting 1000yd plus with it and shooting better than guys with 308's
So,, with this in mind I vote 6.5 creedmore. Look at the balistic tables and you'll also see why. Plus ammo is about 4-8$ cheaper per box than 308.

 

[Jjamesdean]

Well I had pretty much decided on the 6.5 CM. Until I went to order it and it's not available till early next year. They do however have a 30-06 available and in stock. Thinking I might have to pick it up?

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[Jjamesdean]

They also have a 270 and a 308 in stock.

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[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Out of 270, 308, and 30-06 I'd go 30-06 w/o a second thought.

 

[rileybassman]

Out of 270, 308, and 30-06 I'd go 30-06 w/o a second thought.

Yup, love the 30-06. Not as exotic as other calibers, but has prolly accounted for more deer and elk then almost any other caliber. Very versatile - I load 168s at almost 2900 fps and 130s at 3330 fps.

I have the 6.5 CM as well and LOVE it, but they are both amazing cartridges and both fully capable of what you are asking.

 

[CorbLand]

do they have a 708? 708 preform very similar to the 6.5, especially within 400 yards.

 

[slvrslngr]

Every time I read a 'which all-around caliber?' thread on any forum, general consensus always comes back around to the fact that the good old 30-06 is never the wrong answer.
It's not new, it's not sexy but it just keeps being awesome at everything.

This statement right here, no truer words could be said. Don't get caught up in ballistic tables or "long range" tactical gack. An -06 with a 3x9 scope is all you will ever need. Sub in a 308 if you prefer a short action gun.

 

[Jjamesdean]

What factory ammo would be my best option with a 30-06? Lighter or heavier?

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[Backpack Hunter]

Let your rifle decide. I have an '06 that shoots 150gr lights out, and another that shoots 180gr better than anything.

 

[rileybassman]

What factory ammo would be my best option with a 30-06? Lighter or heavier?

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the old standby is for cup and core bullets is 150s for deer and 180s for elk... but todays bullets are very good and shot placement is most important. Pick a good bullet - ttsx, accubond, partition etc and you can have one bullet do it all. I use 168 ttsxs and have had deer fall no issues and my wife shot an elk this year with the same round and no issues there either.

 

[N2TRKYS]

150 or 165 grain Partition/Accubonds, whichever the rifle shoots best.

If I had to shoot Barnes bullets, I would shoot 130 grain TTSX.

 

[SCSportsman]

I really like the 7mm-08, particularly if limiting yourself to 400 yards. Great round and very little recoil.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

What factory ammo would be my best option with a 30-06? Lighter or heavier?

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I hunt/hunted the 168TTSX (handed loaded but also available in vor-tx) with good results in mine but I usually use my 7mm guns these days more so. In the end though if using factory ammo you need to see what shoots well from the gun since you can't tune it and are limited to the factory specs.

 

[rileybassman]

150 or 165 grain Partition/Accubonds, whichever the rifle shoots best.

If I had to shoot Barnes bullets, I would shoot 130 grain TTSX.

the 130's are nice, but the BC is fairly low... I have em, and they are lightning bolts tho - 3330 in a 22" barrel for me.

The nice thing with the mono metal is they retain 95-98% weight, so penetration is great and lighter bullets hit like heavier bullets.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Funny thing about BC numbers. A lot of folks get hung up on them, but don't shoot game animals far enough for it to benefit them. The last stats I've read stated that most animals are shot 200 yards or closer. Lol

 

[topher89]

30-06. I started hunting 4 years ago and my Weatherby Vanguard in 30-06 was my first rifle. Recoil isn't a problem and I have the ability to take elk, deer or antelope with it. I have been lucky enough in my short hunting career to take two deer and one antelope with it. I have no doubt it could take an elk and hopefully I fill my late season cow tag this year!

 

[robtattoo]

What factory ammo would be my best option with a 30-06? Lighter or heavier?

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Honestly?
Under 400yds, there isn't a bad choice these days. Core-lokt have been killing shit deader'n hell since God was a kid. The days of 'bad' bullets are fairly well over.
Buy a box of whatever your local store has, go to the range & shoot it. If it shoots to your accuracy standard....have at it.

Anything you can buy in '06 will kill a deer & 99% of everything you can buy of 150gn & up we'll do fine on elk.

Spend your money on range membership & ammunition & use both. A lot. Run a MINIMUM of 20 rounds a week, every week, from 50 to 400 yds without fiddling with your scope. Zero at 200 & learn your drops. By heart.
That'll make you a better rifleman than 90% of guys in the woods.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Funny thing about BC numbers. A lot of folks get hung up on them, but don't shoot game animals far enough for it to benefit them. The last stats I've read stated that most animals are shot 200 yards or closer. Lol

Prepare for what you want to be able to do not what always happens. Knowing what I can accurately hit when needed is handy even when the goal is to usually close the gap more.