Caliber for elk

[Bear2]

Question
Which caliber for elk in Utah this fall? Probably will not shoot over 300 yards, being an eastern whitetail hunter.
Remy 700 in 30.06 - 165 gr Nosler Partition
Remy 700 in 338 - 210 or 225 gr Nosler partition
Both shoot MOA.
Thanks in advance, and appreciate all opinions.
Bear2

 

[CapDog]

Either will work well. I'd hedge towards the .338 since you are going specifically for elk, but what ever rifle suits the terrain and method you will be hunting is the best bet.

 

[trueblue]

Either will do the job. If you shoot both equally well, I would take the 338.

 

[3006savage]

I would take the 338 if it is within a pound in weight of the 06.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Beings how both will do the job well, I would take the one I was the most comfortable AND confident with provided you stick to your guns and keep it to within 300 yards or so.

 

[J E Custom]

Question
Which caliber for elk in Utah this fall? Probably will not shoot over 300 yards, being an eastern whitetail hunter.
Remy 700 in 30.06 - 165 gr Nosler Partition
Remy 700 in 338 - 210 or 225 gr Nosler partition
Both shoot MOA.
Thanks in advance, and appreciate all opinions.
Bear2

For Elk I would choose the 700 rem 338 Ultra mag with the 225gr Accubond at any distance.

The Partition has been my favorite bullet for almost 50 years but the Accubond is proving
to be better.

The 250gr Accubond is even better but recoil is more.

J E CUSTOM

 

[royinidaho]

For elk, bigger is always better. Though the little'ns get the job done.

I'd grade the 30 cal 165 class as marginal and pretty much the same for the 338 with anything less than a 225 NAB especially beyond the 250 yard mark.

I know died in the wool elk shooters who limit their weapons to 338, 358 and 375 cals.

But I also know just as many that are regular elk getters with cartridges from 6.5-06 through the 30-06.

However, which ever rifle you are most comfortable with and remember to keep shooting until it's down.

 

[grit]

Whichever you are most likely to put the bullet where it belongs with.

 

[Bear2]

Thanks for all the answers.
I shoot both (700 Classics) equally well. I will go with the 338 & 225 gr Nosler Partitions with 73.5gr H4831. Scope is a Leupy Vari X 111, 3.5x10, and I will stay under 300 yards.
(I had 35 rounds left of; 165 gr Nosler Partitions after a caribou trip to Northern Quebec) Guess I will have to go back to Quebec then.
Bear2

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Good choice and no reason to stay under 300 yds with that cartridge shooting MOA.

My suggestion... if you're hunting elk, their vital zone is large. Zero for 300 yds and make a drop chart for 400-500... and practice a little. You might find an opportunity to make a 400 or 500 yd shot. In some situations you may not get closer. And take a range finder. It's real easy to miss judge distance by 50-100 yds.

Good hunting

-MR

 

[royinidaho]

Thanks for all the answers.
I shoot both (700 Classics) equally well. I will go with the 338 & 225 gr Nosler Partitions with 73.5gr H4831. Scope is a Leupy Vari X 111, 3.5x10, and I will stay under 300 yards.
(I had 35 rounds left of; 165 gr Nosler Partitions after a caribou trip to Northern Quebec) Guess I will have to go back to Quebec then.
Bear2

There ya go...... Give 'em heck.......

 

[sambo3006]

Good choice and no reason to stay under 300 yds with that cartridge shooting MOA.

My suggestion... if you're hunting elk, their vital zone is large. Zero for 300 yds and make a drop chart for 400-500... and practice a little. You might find an opportunity to make a 400 or 500 yd shot. In some situations you may not get closer. And take a range finder. It's real easy to miss judge distance by 50-100 yds.

Good hunting

-MR

I would have to agree with all of the above, definitely the range finder. If you have a steady rest, an exact yardage and the correct trajectory for your bullet, 400 yds would be reasonable with practice. However, you are the one who knows your limitations so stick to the max distance you are comfortable with and I hope you shoot a big one!

 

[Bear2]

I am a pretty good rifle rifle shot. Shoot even in the winter and most times I am the only one there, aside from the range officer ofcourse.
Only problem is there is no place to practice beyond 200 yards, and then there are few 200 yard ranges here in Michigan. I shoot mostly at 100 yards.
Recoil from the 338 does not bother me, so I am lucky in that regard.
Thanks for all the great advice, and I do have a range finder.
Bear2

 

[teddy12b]

Where in Michigan are you? If you're in the southern area there's a great range in northern Indiana that goes out to 1000 yards called Youngs Longshot. If you're going to go through all the trouble of going out west on an elk hunt it'd be well worth it to take a long drive some day and spend a whole day practicing at a range with steel targets every 100 yards.

You may find out you're better with one rifle than you are the other especially if you haven't shot past 200 yards with them yet.