7mm08 for cow elk?

I agree and understand we can't be perfect, but making a poor shot with a larger caliber doesn't equal success. I think a 308 would be fine for hunting elk and practice builds confidence which will equate to better success. I swore off the 243 because the first deer I ever shot with it was never recovered and it went a long way. I now realize that this was my error not the rifle or cartridge. Bring enough gun for the game you are hunting.

I agree but also a magnum caliber on elk can't hurt but may help. With good Bullet selection the extra foot pounds
Of energy can make a difference on a less than perfect shot. Not even the great Carlos hathcock shot perfect all the time.

The closer to the boiler room the better, and some people can't shoot magnums, I've never been bothered by them but some people don't like them and you are back to the beginning. Shot placement trumps all in my opinion.

Mountain Sloth said:

The closer to the boiler room the better, and some people can't shoot magnums, I've never been bothered by them but some people don't like them and you are back to the beginning. Shot placement trumps all in my opinion.

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Unless you are shooting a poor quality bullet. Some work well, reliably, under many different conditions, and many do not.

Steve

+1 for shot placement is key. I would use the 708. Larger calibers shine on less than perfect hits and none of us hit perfectly every time. Cows are easier to kill but the can still be very tough if you get a big one. Dont expect it to just fall down. I have been amazed at how much mature Bulls can take.... good luck!

Blacktail-hunter said:

Thanks everyone for the help! The load I settled on for her cow elk hunt and also my California X zone hunt is the hornady 150gr ELD-X over 39.5gr of H4350 going 2640fps the load is constantly shooting .5 MOA out to the 600 yards that I have available for practice. I want to thank everyone for all the help it's been awesome

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Great choice and good luck. My daughter took her first elk, a spike bull, at 548yds with a 7-08. Shot placement trumps bullet diameter. Glad you're having your wife shoot the rifle she's confident in.

Both of my daughters drew cow permits again this year. They will both be packing their 7 08s with 140 partitions. They have both killed elk,my oldest 15 now has also taken bear and a bull moose also with the same setup. It is just as deadly as any ultra mag within its limits.

Kimber7man said:

Shooters Pro Shop has their Nosler 7mm08 load with the 140 ETip on sale for $24.95 plus another 10% off this weekend. I bought some to try in mine.

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Update: my Beanland 7mm08 likes these. Shot nice little 3 shot 3/4" groups at 100 yards yesterday. Chrono'd at 2,780 fps, which is about 70 fps less than the advertised velocity on the box.
At 400 yards it will carry 1334 lb-Ft of energy at 2070 fps velocity. I think the ETip might get the call next month...

Got my unit 33 type 4 cow elk tag for Wyoming. Taking my 7mm08 since this is an antelope/cow elk hunt. Shooting 140 accubonds pushed by 45.5gr imr 4350 cci primer. Shot these two groups this weekend 400 yard 1-1/4" and 500 yard 2-3/4". I think I'm good to go.

I've done quite a bit of hunting with the 7-08, up to good sized caribou bulls. I'd think your 140gr TSX would be just fine.

Well we tested the 150 Bergers this year on 3 blacktail bucks at ranges from 400 down to 160 and it worked perfect! All 1 shot kills and everything DRT so I'm excited to hopefully try it out next week on my X zone draw tag then off to Colorado!