Non-Experienced Elk Hunters, Pick your Cartridge!

I totall agree

memtb said:

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

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I totally agree, but those "Larger Cal's" usually, REQUIRE Brakes, to shoot, "well" !
The 7 R. mag /.270 WSM, will kill Elk out to those ranges and a Brake, isn't nec. When younger I could shoot, my 9 Pound .338 WM pretty well ( no Brake ) but it wasn't much, FUN, to practice a lot with ! Your last sentence, says it all, for me !

I picked the 300wm since that's what I'm building shortly for elk and other large game.

If i weren't to use a muzzle break I'd likely opt for a 7rm.

Most anything from the 25 on up will kill an elk and we all know it's been done with less. Imo- that starts with a quality 160 grainer from a 7rm or equivalent .

If you're going on a once in a life time hunt you want to have the horsepower to not limit your shot opportunity.

MudRunner2005 said:

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

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Unfortunately there is no way to list every cartridge so you just have to pick the closest cartridge based on power, and give an explanation.

Idaho Lefty said:

I totall agree

I totally agree, but those "Larger Cal's" usually, REQUIRE Brakes, to shoot, "well" !
The 7 R. mag /.270 WSM, will kill Elk out to those ranges and a Brake, isn't nec. When younger I could shoot, my 9 Pound .338 WM pretty well ( no Brake ) but it wasn't much, FUN, to practice a lot with ! Your last sentence, says it all, for me !

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Agreed.....heavy recoil rifles aren't for everyone. And most people will not shoot them as much as they should, to be at their best! My wife hates brakes, refuses to consider one.....consequently she shoots very little from the bench, only verifying zero for hunting. She does do a bit of practice using field positions and the occasional coyote hunt using her .338 WM. She has a Ruger 77/22 which closely simulates her .338 in weight, length of pull, and trigger (aftermarket) pull, giving her a bit more shooting time. She is quite lethal out to 500, which is her self-imposed limit. Her most recent kill, was a quite small ( hard to judge at distance) black bear.....ranged at 378 yards, prior to the shot! Not exactly long range hunting....but she's capable and comfortable of much longer! Getting comfortable with the .338 was not "an overnight success", it took her a year or a little more of shooting to get there. Unless a shooter has physical limitations ( shoulder, neck, reoccurring cornea issues, etc), most people can adapt to many of the magnums of reasonable (8 to 9 pounds)weight! memtb

338-06 on a savage action with a 21" stainless medium contour barrel

My choice is based on what I have, which my lone rifle is a 300 RUM built by Jon Beanland. However, I'd likely choose to use my XP-100 7mm RSAUM, built by Jon Beanland too.

remingtonman said:

338-06 on a savage action with a 21" stainless medium contour barrel

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https://shermanwildcatcartridges.com/338-sherman
Way sexier

OOP'S ! it looks like, I don't "belong here" as both, my son and I got our Elk, this year.
His with, a 7mm-08, 150 ELD-X Hornady at, 2,850 FPS
Mine with, a .270 WSM, 140 Nosler AccuBond at, 3,150 FPS

Idaho Lefty said:

........The Cartridge and Rifle used, depends on your Hunting "style" and the "Terrain" being Hunted......

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Roosevelt's in coastal swamps, that are above or below sea level depending on the tide is a real thing as well.

Shooting larger magnums is a mental game. Muzzle blast is uncomfortable, and most anybody will wear ear protection with smaller rifles. Enduring, absorbing, accepting the recoil- however you want to term it -is the key to shooting larger cartridges. There is some technique to it, but if you're going to tell yourself that it's too much gun then you're already defeated.

I think some just need to sign up for the next Gillette commercial.

I will stick with .280 Rem rifles and my handloaded 140 gr. Accubonds at 3040 fps. Extremely accurate and I am very comfortable with them out to my max ranges I will shoot game... 600 yds. I see no reason to go bigger unless I decide on a grizz hunt some day.
I am kind of fond of my 7mm08s too and wouldn't hesitate to hunt elk at reasonable ranges with them either, although I would prefer my .280s for elk.
I used to be a magnum guy, but over time have realized they aren't necessary for my shooting distances at game. Don't need the extra recoil, blast or powder usage. I enjoy the heck out of shooting on my range and am confident in what I shoot.

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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338 EDGE
BW

Idaho Lefty said:

OOP'S ! it looks like, I don't "belong here" as both, my son and I got our Elk, this year.
His with, a 7mm-08, 150 ELD-X Hornady at, 2,850 FPS
Mine with, a .270 WSM, 140 Nosler AccuBond at, 3,150 FPS

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Everyone is welcome,and like family .....we don't always agree. Which, doesn't make either wrong.....just a different perspective! Challenging others thought processes, experiences, or preconceived ideas, is what makes life interesting! You and your son, got an elk this past season....I didn't! memtb

memtb said:

Everyone is welcome,and like family .....we don't always agree. Which, doesn't make either wrong.....just a different perspective! Challenging others thought processes, experiences, or preconceived ideas, is what makes life interesting! You and your son, got an elk this past season....I didn't! memtb

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Sorry bud, maybe next year, good luck, to you ! YUP, I don't bother to argue Rifles /Cart's with, anyone, anymore as, it's NOT worth, the effort ! Everybody, hunts differently and we all HAVE our preferences/ biases ! Hopefully, the younger generation reads some of, this "stuff" we post and learns from it! Elk are, very tough animal's and "we" Sportsmen/ Women, owe it to them, to use ENOUGH Gun, correct Bullet's, learn Wind reading Skill's, Ballistics for "our" chosen Cartridge, PRACTICE in the Field and how to "Track" Blood trails,... just in case ! Good luck all,.. I'm working up some New Berger, 87 gr. HVLD loads for my .243 Win., for Antelope/ Deer/ Varmints.