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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
.25cal Elk Bullets
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<blockquote data-quote="winmag" data-source="post: 401628" data-attributes="member: 22166"><p>First off, I agree with everything in Troutslayers post; However</p><p>It has been a long held belief/common practice by many guides and hunters alike that a .270 and bigger with a tough bullet is the ''minimum'' for elk, and the commonly held idea to shoot the biggest cartrige you can accurately shoot for elk. I can definately see the reasoning behind this practice. But Im dang sure not gonna tell a guy that the only rifle he has (257wby)isnt big enough. Id say limmit your shots to ''closer range'' and DO NOT SHOOT if you think the shot is questionable in any way.</p><p>Ive seen butchers use a 22lr to shoot a cow, or bull (bovine) in the head in the corral, and its 1 shot and lights out. Its all about getting the right shot at the most effective range for your cartrige, rifle, and ability. Ive seen girls and smaller frame folks use a 243 or a 308 for elk, and it worked. Any caliber you can legally shoot for a given critter CAN work IF you choose your shot. The big problemb is that MOST folks dont have the luxury of being able to take thier time and shoot at an animal holding perfectly still while standing broadside inside thier effective range. It just doesnt happen all that often in real world hunting situations. Between short seasons, and the incredibly HIGH price of hunting these days, and the excitement of the moment, alot of folks will be tempted to take a shot even if its somewhat questionable with a Howitzer. This is horrible. The key is to be able to eat your tag as many years as it takes to finally get that shot. Frankly I dont know even one person who elk hunts that has the kind of patience when an elk jumps up in front of you out of nowhere, and offers you a <u>quartering shot or better,</u> in thier effective range who wouldnt take it. Do you have confidence in your ability and the ability of your cartrige and bullet to make that shot? Or better yet do you have enough self restraint to pass if things arent just right? Can you tell the difference in a split second? Can you live with passing on a shot that you ''couldve made'' with a different cartrige? You need to have the answers before your in the situation.</p><p>Guides seem to be put under alot of pressure to get thier client an elk. Guides also have to take all commers. My best advise is to be upfront with your guide and build his confidence in you and your ability, but also listen if he says dont shoot. I dont use guides, due to where I live and hunt but, I know a few and they definately have a difficult job. I could not do what they do and keep my sanity. I have hunted and killed elk many times. Im not a guide, nor an expert, nor am I perfect. I have even felt lower than dirt for wounding an elk that I had to follow for 3 days untill it was finally brought down. Its a horrible feeling that I would not wish on annyone. But it wouldve been the same result weather with a 257wby or my elk rifle. My shot placement was too high shooting over brush, and didnt break the back nor disrupt the vitals enough to put the animal down. Youll only make that mistake once! Its the worst feeling ever. Ever since that mistake, I choose my shots more wisley, Vitals or pass. </p><p>I am of the opinion that bigger is better on elk, but If an elk shot in the vitals decides to run its simply because he's decided he's not dead yet. Ive seen this with everything from 7mm to 338win mag. Shoot again! but I certainly wouldnt tell anyone that a 257wby isnt enough. You just have to choose your shots at your most effectice range and be willing to eat your tag if your that shot doesnt present itself.</p><p>Im not dissagreeing with Troutslayer, just the opposite, I aggree bigger is better for such game. I dont think he was judging either. Just bringing up a solid point to think about. But IMO, You just have to be willing to choose your shot apropriately when using a smaller bullet, and choose the aproperiate guide/service if you choose to go the guided route. A 257wby will work. You just limmit yourself.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="winmag, post: 401628, member: 22166"] First off, I agree with everything in Troutslayers post; However It has been a long held belief/common practice by many guides and hunters alike that a .270 and bigger with a tough bullet is the ''minimum'' for elk, and the commonly held idea to shoot the biggest cartrige you can accurately shoot for elk. I can definately see the reasoning behind this practice. But Im dang sure not gonna tell a guy that the only rifle he has (257wby)isnt big enough. Id say limmit your shots to ''closer range'' and DO NOT SHOOT if you think the shot is questionable in any way. Ive seen butchers use a 22lr to shoot a cow, or bull (bovine) in the head in the corral, and its 1 shot and lights out. Its all about getting the right shot at the most effective range for your cartrige, rifle, and ability. Ive seen girls and smaller frame folks use a 243 or a 308 for elk, and it worked. Any caliber you can legally shoot for a given critter CAN work IF you choose your shot. The big problemb is that MOST folks dont have the luxury of being able to take thier time and shoot at an animal holding perfectly still while standing broadside inside thier effective range. It just doesnt happen all that often in real world hunting situations. Between short seasons, and the incredibly HIGH price of hunting these days, and the excitement of the moment, alot of folks will be tempted to take a shot even if its somewhat questionable with a Howitzer. This is horrible. The key is to be able to eat your tag as many years as it takes to finally get that shot. Frankly I dont know even one person who elk hunts that has the kind of patience when an elk jumps up in front of you out of nowhere, and offers you a [U]quartering shot or better,[/U] in thier effective range who wouldnt take it. Do you have confidence in your ability and the ability of your cartrige and bullet to make that shot? Or better yet do you have enough self restraint to pass if things arent just right? Can you tell the difference in a split second? Can you live with passing on a shot that you ''couldve made'' with a different cartrige? You need to have the answers before your in the situation. Guides seem to be put under alot of pressure to get thier client an elk. Guides also have to take all commers. My best advise is to be upfront with your guide and build his confidence in you and your ability, but also listen if he says dont shoot. I dont use guides, due to where I live and hunt but, I know a few and they definately have a difficult job. I could not do what they do and keep my sanity. I have hunted and killed elk many times. Im not a guide, nor an expert, nor am I perfect. I have even felt lower than dirt for wounding an elk that I had to follow for 3 days untill it was finally brought down. Its a horrible feeling that I would not wish on annyone. But it wouldve been the same result weather with a 257wby or my elk rifle. My shot placement was too high shooting over brush, and didnt break the back nor disrupt the vitals enough to put the animal down. Youll only make that mistake once! Its the worst feeling ever. Ever since that mistake, I choose my shots more wisley, Vitals or pass. I am of the opinion that bigger is better on elk, but If an elk shot in the vitals decides to run its simply because he's decided he's not dead yet. Ive seen this with everything from 7mm to 338win mag. Shoot again! but I certainly wouldnt tell anyone that a 257wby isnt enough. You just have to choose your shots at your most effectice range and be willing to eat your tag if your that shot doesnt present itself. Im not dissagreeing with Troutslayer, just the opposite, I aggree bigger is better for such game. I dont think he was judging either. Just bringing up a solid point to think about. But IMO, You just have to be willing to choose your shot apropriately when using a smaller bullet, and choose the aproperiate guide/service if you choose to go the guided route. A 257wby will work. You just limmit yourself. [/QUOTE]
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