Is your bullet big enough, moving fast enough??

[Gamesniper19]

Elk season is coming - wonder what we think?
IMO and IME experience, there is a thresh hold for caliber and bullet size when I hunt elk. Many of my friends call me "magnum" because of this philosophy. When it comes to hunting, especially larger game, I run big heavy (195 and larger) bullets at at least 3000 fps mzl vel for elk. I subscribe to no less than 1000 lbs of energy to kill and in the field, things sometimes aren't as perfect as they are on the range or shooting steel - especially at longer ranges when the bullet has a 1 second or longer flight time. Animals move, take steps, turn and have round bones that sometimes deflect smaller bullets upon impact.

I wonder how every one else thinks about this? Yes, I know there have been elk killed with a .243 but is that really what you want to ethically kill an elk with?

SEND IT!

 

[FEENIX]

Elk season is coming - wonder what we think?
IMO and IME experience, there is a thresh hold for caliber and bullet size when I hunt elk. Many of my friends call me "magnum" because of this philosophy. When it comes to hunting, especially larger game, I run big heavy (195 and larger) bullets at at least 3000 fps mzl vel for elk. I subscribe to 1000 lbs of energy to kill and in the field, things sometimes aren't as perfect as they are on the range or shooting steel - especially at longer ranges when the bullet has a 1 second or longer flight time. Animals move, take steps, turn and have round bones that sometimes deflect smaller bullets upon impact.

I wonder how every one else thinks about this? Yes, I know there have been elk killed with a .243 but is that really what you want to ethically kill an elk with?

SEND IT!

Yes! "My" unwritten rule is 1500 FT-LBS for elk and minimum velocity of the bullet to expand effectively at POI.

 

[dxlbaile]

I also feel 1500 Ft lbs is a great area to be... 338 with a 250 grain or bigger is where I like to live ... JMO though.

 

[memtb]

I'm running 250's @ 3130, though a bit light for caliber.....will be going to 270's when/if "ever" available! Though, I keep my shots under 600 yards.....not because of energy, just a personal decision! memtb

 

[dogz]

foot lbs....wth?

Put a good bullet in a good place with enough speed to open the bullet up reliably and you're golden!

Taking down a elk is far from rockets science

 

[FEENIX]

Oh-oh, here we go again.

 

[Chase723]

I'll stir the pot. Here's a pic of what a 105gr Berger hybrid going 2885fps from a 243 Winchester does to an elk at 364 yards. I'm w/ @coldboremiracle. Shot placement is key. That's the offside. Seems pretty toast to me.

 

[dogz]

Oh-oh, here we go again.

turn on the grill and grab some suds eh.........hope the smoke your way isn't too bad. I'd love to be up on the Sun today doing some hopper fishing

 

[cohunt]

Some like light and fast, some like slower but heavy, then there are muzzle loaders, , archers and pistol hunters.
As long as the animal goes down quick that's what we all want

 

[FEENIX]

Shot placement is key.

I have yet to see a responsible LRH member that will disagree with this statement.

 

[Gamesniper19]

foot lbs....wth?

Put a good bullet in a good place with enough speed to open the bullet up reliably and you're golden!

Taking down a elk is far from rockets science

I have yet to see a responsible LRH member that will disagree with this statement.

Agree - gonna play devils advocate for a moment. Not as much to rile anyone but to support that bullet size and speed matters just as much as placement. E.G. if you place a .22 Long rifle in the right spot at 400 yards, do you expect to kill an elk?

 

[Varmint Hunter]

My comfort zone would be "any 300 mag" at the distances I hunt, which are far shorter than many here. Not sure the bullet weight would change anything as long as we are using an appropriate bullet style.

 

[StanleyActual]

Yes! "My" unwritten rule is 1500 FT-LBS for elk and minimum velocity of the bullet to expand effectively at POI.

X2. If im using a standard jacketed bullet I've always used 1500 ft/lbs of energy as a "loose guideline" to establish my max range. With the solids it's not about the energy as much as it is the min velocity to expand properly that dictates the range.

so to answer your questions, it's NEVER fast "enough" j/k, put it in the right spot and it'll kill.

 

[Plowboy85]

I'm not a yearly elk hunter like you fellas are, I'm from Mississippi and typically bow hunt when I chase after elk. My philosophy for everything I harvest has always been shot placement and confidence in the shot is #1. Second to that is why not carry the largest round you are comfortable shooting and packing in the intended scenario (of course there is always a trade off to be considered for meat damage). I am an avid bow hunter that has a bow in hand 9 out of 10 hunts but a broadhead encounters much less resistance passing through than a bullet does, energy applied to the animal just isn't the same for both applications. I have seen 243s kill things many times but with a poor choice in bullets I have seen them fail to penetrate fully on big bodied whitetails. I'm a rookie compared to some of the gents commenting above but I would also draw the line around 1000 ft/lbs and a good bullet. Been using the hammers lately for my kids and women in the family and really do think they kill better when you turn up the speed on them compared to conventional cup and core bullets.