Non-Experienced Elk Hunters, Pick your Cartridge!

***ERROR- Switch "25-06" and "6.5X284" places, this is a mistake I can't edit - Sorry!***

This is or people that have not harvested an elk **
(Another poll will be created for those that have.)

Pretend you get chosen to go on a once in a lifetime Montana elk hunt in a district with all types of terrain, thick lodgepole to wide open plains. Choose the cartridge you take. (if your ideal cartridge isn't listed, pick the closest one to it).

Feel free to explain.

I picked the 7mm Mag because I think that's probably the biggest caliber I could shoot accurately without flinching.

rjtaylor said:

I picked the 7mm Mag because I think that's probably the biggest caliber I could shoot accurately without flinching.

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Amen to THAT,..
We sold, our. 300 / .338 Mag's for, THIS very,.."reason" ! I still have to fight my .338 W. Mag, "FLINCH", to this Day ! Brakes, weren't an option, in the "old" days and I still won't, hunt with one, even today !. And IMHO, the .25-06 doesn't belong being "ranked" with the 3, .270's the Win, Wby and WSM's as, the 140-160 .270 Bullets just Kill,.. well !

rjtaylor said:

I picked the 7mm Mag because I think that's probably the biggest caliber I could shoot accurately without flinching.

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Way to be self aware, I wish there were more hunters like you out there! LOL

FIGJAM said:

Way to be self aware, I wish there were more hunters like you out there! LOL

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What are they gonna do? The 6.5 Creed isn't on the list

.300wm, it wights 9lbs 3oz. with leupold vx5hd 3-15x44, sling and 7 rounds of ammo.
I'am 5'5 1/2' 150 lbs and can shoot about 20 rounds of it without pain at all.
JBM ballistics calculator says it's good to 1800 yards with the 190gr ABLR I'am shooting out of it.

TG-5150 said:

What are they gonna do? The 6.5 Creed isn't on the list

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They are forced into the 2nd option.

caliber grouping is a little off
cant put 25-06 with 270 when talking elk
or 243 with 6.5-284
no vote from me
SnT

Golovkin said:

They are forced into the 2nd option.

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I had a marriage like that once.lol

There are, at least 2 different classes of Elk Hunters and Elk, Shooters !
The Cartridge and Rifle used, depends on your Hunting "style" and the "Terrain" being Hunted.
For, the 500-600 Yard shot, in open Country, to close quarters, in the timber is my style and the .270's- 7mm class of, Cart's, get that done with, an 8 Pound Rifle or, less ! Beyond 600-700 yards, a "cannon" is probably, necessary. To EACH, their own !

snookntarpon said:

caliber grouping is a little off
cant put 25-06 with 270 when talking elk
or 243 with 6.5-284
no vote from me
SnT

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Its a range, there is no way to list every cartridge and give every choice. just pick an option that most closely represents the power of your preferred cartridge. *EDIT* I can't change it, but I meant to List .(243 -25-06) and (6.5X284-270) sorry about that!

Idaho Lefty said:

There are, at least 2 different classes of Elk Hunters and Elk, Shooters !
The Cartridge and Rifle used, depends on your Hunting "style" and the "Terrain" being Hunted.
For, the 500-600 Yard shot, in open Country, to close quarters, in the timber is my style and the .270's- 7mm class of, Cart's, get that done with, an 8 Pound Rifle or, less ! Beyond 600-700 yards, a "cannon" is probably, necessary. To EACH, their own !

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Without a doubt, elk in timber can be "cleanly" taken with sub-27 caliber cartridges, however.....a 9 pound or lighter, 30+ caliber is also effective. For those that hunt mixed terrain ( our shots can range from under 30 yards, to 500+ in the same day)....it's nice to have a "bit" larger caliber. We can be hunting dense timber, and occasionally see the open slope on the opposing ridge....offering those 400 + yard shots! And, with the somewhat higher velocities offered by the 30 + caliber magnums....they offer a nice option! Provided the hunter can accurately shoot the larger bore, higher velocity cartridge! memtb

I chose 30-06 because of my consideration of the recoil and possibly flinching issues. If I ever have the opportunity to go, I would also consider a 280ai, and maybe a 338-06. But it would be a hard decision for me to make.

7mmRM is a great cartridge, but I don't see the .28 Nosler or 7mm STW listed on there...