30-06 or 300mag
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Elkhunter007
Well-Known Member
30-06 will do just fine. Just selected the right bullet.
Don A Parsons
Well-Known Member
Yuppers,,, the old school cartridges will fill the needs for Elk or Moose since they have enough legs to get the job done on the thick skins,,, of course the 300 Mag will Rattle the cage more. Ha.
Good luck finding what cartridge you'ld like and go hunting.
Good luck finding what cartridge you'ld like and go hunting.
Thinking of 165 grain NP or Trophy Bonded Tip.
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
New guns are always a good idea!
For the base question yes a .30-06 is an elk rifle.
With all the good bullets available these days, really it's choosing a rifle that suits you, as much as what it's chambered for.
For the base question yes a .30-06 is an elk rifle.
With all the good bullets available these days, really it's choosing a rifle that suits you, as much as what it's chambered for.
memtb
Well-Known Member
Agreed.....30-06, with the right bullet, in the right place will do fine! Just don't fall for the light, fast propaganda. Personally, I wouldn't go less tha 165 grains....even in a mono! A good premium bullet of adequate weight, will give you the option of taking a less than ideal "raking" shot!
Use the money saved, getting a pair (maybe two) of great boots, and good binoculars....if you already have a good scope. If you will be tent camping....get a good, quality sleeping bag! When I first moved out west a wise young man told me the two most important things to have when elk hunting was....good boots and a good bag. He said, " If you feet are hurting you can't hunt hard, and if you miss a few nights sleep, you will not hunt smart"! It seemed like good advice! memtb
Use the money saved, getting a pair (maybe two) of great boots, and good binoculars....if you already have a good scope. If you will be tent camping....get a good, quality sleeping bag! When I first moved out west a wise young man told me the two most important things to have when elk hunting was....good boots and a good bag. He said, " If you feet are hurting you can't hunt hard, and if you miss a few nights sleep, you will not hunt smart"! It seemed like good advice! memtb
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Both will serve you well but "my" personal preference is the .300 WM. The .300 WM remains my go to chambering from antelope to elk size game up to 1K yards. Load it with 215 Berger and you're golden.
Good luck on your first elk hunt.
NEMTHunter
Well-Known Member
Get you a good bullet and go get you a elk with the 30-06. 400 Yards will be no sweat for the Cartridge as long as the bullet and shooter are up to the task.
A 215 Berger starting @ 2600 FPS shot @ sea level and 30F will still be going 2095 FPS with 2096 FTLBs @ 400 yards. Can you say dead elk?
Its still going 1600 fps @ 850 Yards. Not bad for only starting @ 2600 FPS.
Now if you start @ 2500 FPS it will be going 2007 FPS with 1923 FTLB @ 400 yards. Plenty of punch for elk.
This is all figuring your going to reload.
A 215 Berger starting @ 2600 FPS shot @ sea level and 30F will still be going 2095 FPS with 2096 FTLBs @ 400 yards. Can you say dead elk?
Its still going 1600 fps @ 850 Yards. Not bad for only starting @ 2600 FPS.
Now if you start @ 2500 FPS it will be going 2007 FPS with 1923 FTLB @ 400 yards. Plenty of punch for elk.
This is all figuring your going to reload.
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Guy M
Well-Known Member
Cow elk taken with a single 165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded to over 2900 fps from my 30-06 rifle at 338 yards.
That same season, the same load took black bear, antelope & mule deer. I've also used it for wolf & grizzly. The 30-06, even today, makes a pretty doggone good all-around big game cartridge.
That said, there's nothing wrong with one of the various 30 caliber magnums. They do the same thing, with 200 - 300 fps more muzzle velocity, at the price of more recoil.
Regards, Guy
Caveman0101
Well-Known Member
With the '06 you have to pay really close attention to the velocity with any given bullet at range. There are some bullets with listed required FPS that will limit you to inside 400 yard shots, while different ones would allow you to stretch the '06 to beyond 600 yards. Just be mindful, know what your bullet requires and how that should limit your range for taking game. I believe this is why magnums are the way to go if you really want a long-range 30 cal. hunting rifle. If recoil is a concern give something in the .28 caliber a look. There are many non-magnums in this caliber that can be trusted to take any North American game out to 800 yards +
Target Rush
Active Member
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- Jan 22, 2018
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In 2002 I went on a mountain hunt for mule deer and elk. The outfitter would not take you to he mountain tops with anything less than a 300 mag. They also in couraged specific ammo types. Ammo today has advanced with science, but I would still contact outfitters in the area you plan on hunting. I use a 300 for all my hunting, don't believe in over kill. Many ways to control recoil if you're sensitive to it. I have never owned a 30-06 that was as accurate either. Not that there isn't any, I was never lucky enough to find one. Best of luck on your decision and hunting success.
del2les
Well-Known Member
30-06 is a fine cartridge for elk, and It has taken tons of elk. I have used one out passed 700 yds with a 180gr BT and the 165BT monos. It can be loaded warm and reach another 100fps or so above many factory loads. I have a long throated one that can drive a 165 @ 3,010fps that shoots fairly flat.
