Why I don't shoulder shoot elk!

[bigngreen]

This wasn't me taking the high road or anything, it was a wounded bull that needed to be killed, some wounding happens from idiots doing stupid stuff but this particular case was not that at all, I was more than happy to take this bull!!!
It's just a good example of what a bull can take when hit in a none vital area, they can take a pounding when hitting heavy bone.

[gerryb]

I am one of those that shoots everything in the shoulder. If I took a picture of my hand with the same bone from a big eland bull or a cape buffalo it would be even more dramatic but that's the best place to shoot them too. A heavy premium bullet will blow through that bone and the one on the other side. I have not lost a buffalo yet with a good shoulder shot and have never had a PH tell me to shoot them anywhere else. I do think that a lot of bullets might not do the job but there quite a few that will destroy both shoulders. I am not sure they will do so at a 1000 yards but they will at normal hunting distance. I have not shot many animals at over 400 yards but several hundred big critters at less and never lost one with a shoulder shot. I have had a nice 7 STW and a couple of other long range rifles built and hope I get the chance to try it out.of course just because that's what I do I am not saying there is anything wrong with the other shots. If you hit the vitals they will die.

[COBrad]

I don't take bigngreen as a BS kinda guy. Jusr read more of his posts.
Personally I have used a high shoulder shot effectively to drop one right there when necessary. The precautions are a stout bullet for.penetration, and as b&g stated, know where that spine is.

[FEENIX]

Originally Posted by COBrad

I don't take bigngreen as a BS kinda guy. Jusr read more of his posts.
Personally I have used a high shoulder shot effectively to drop one right there when necessary. The precautions are a stout bullet for.penetration, and as b&g stated, know where that spine is.

Amen to that!

As long as human factors are involved (id, ego, and super-ego), it will always complicate things even with the best intentions, like what BNG is trying to help all of us.

Thanks BNG for sharing!

Ed

[Richard Owl Mirror]

Is this discussion based around the assumption that hitting it in the shoulder will keep the Elk from using it's legs to run with ?
I have never shot an Elk (or anything else for that matter) but, it would seem to me that damaging the Heart & lungs would do more to take the animal down more quickly than trying to shatter BONE.

[Topgun 30-06]

Originally Posted by Richard Owl Mirror

Is this discussion based around the assumption that hitting it in the shoulder will keep the Elk from using it's legs to run with ?
I have never shot an Elk (or anything else for that matter) but, it would seem to me that damaging the Heart & lungs would do more to take the animal down more quickly than trying to shatter BONE.

It's possible for an elk to go a pretty good distance when hit in the chest (heart/lungs). Not so with a good bullet that breaks the front shoulders.

[Broz]

Originally Posted by Topgun 30-06

It's possible for an elk to go a pretty good distance when hit in the chest (heart/lungs). Not so with a good bullet that breaks the front shoulders.

Also not so with a good bullet that destroys hearts, lungs and large arteries when shot behind the front shoulder.

Jeff