Does energy = lethality?

I have shot a few elk, others here have shot a few more than I. If you want an authoritative resource log onto the Terminal Ballistics website. There are a number of freebees to read but for less than the cost of a box of ammo you can get Nathan Fosters book on Long Range Hunting which includes the anatomy of killing, various bullet designs (solids, bonded, etc), and a detailed review of a multitude of cartridges. He has killed >8500 head of game and worked with many others to research and compile what is the most authoritative resource I have seen on the topic. It is well worth the money and a good read.
 
At 4000 feet you would need to start a 147 gr 6.5 at 2900 fps. to achieve 1000 ft lbs at 1000 yards. Just how long of a barrel you going to use to elk hunt? My creedmore will not come anywhere close to this velocity without fear of losing an eye.

Lol maybe those born and raised in elk country have faster shooting rifles than those of us who were born and raised in elk country? ;)
Just the difference from 4000 to 11000 feet gives the 147 even at 2800fps another 200+ ft lbs energy at 1000 yards. Something definitely to be said for elevation change
 
Supressors are awesome, but once again...if the requirement to hunt elk is a 300 wm with the added cost and hassle of buying a suppressor, a lot of people won't be able to go elk hunting...
Brakes are the economical choice for those who are recoil sensitive or women/ younger people. Suppressors are an option. A pricier one for sure. I would prefer it over a brake just for decibel reduction.
 
Fig are you one of those people that have to take everything out of context to set up a winnable argument?

1st you shouldn't have to wait for a reaction to the 300 WM fan club. Your rant was proceeded by my first post.

2nd OP did not state being uncomfortable with a magnum until after my post.

3rd don't assume just because you can't shoot a magnum well that others can't.

4th all of my elk were killed with a 300 weatherby. Not that your rant on this made any sense.

5th You are right I don't know you. Also you don't know me and didn't know chit when you called me an out of stater. You are the one that started with the personal ad hominem attacks. If your going to try and impress us with your experience maybe you should let us know what that is. "I grew up in elk county" tells us nothing.

6th there is one other thing I agree with you on. That is picking your hunting partners carefully. You sir would not be invited to my elk camp. We already have enough know it all's there.

7th I never said there was no place in the elk woods for non magnums. This was another one of your putting words in my mouth to argue something that wasn't said.

For the record anyone hunting elk should use the most powerful cartridge they can shoot well. Be it a man, woman, or child. That said maybe you should use a rimfire.
 
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Fig are you one of those people that have to take everything out of context to set up a winnable argument?

1st you shouldn't have to wait for a reaction to the 300 WM fan club. Your rant was proceeded by my first post.

2nd OP did not state being uncomfortable with a magnum until after my post.

3rd don't assume just because you can't shoot a magnum well that others can't.

4th all of my elk were killed with a 300 weatherby. Not that your rant on this made any sense.

5th You are right I don't know you. Also you don't know me and didn't know chit when you called me an out of stater. You are the one that started with the personal ad hominem attacks. If your going to try and impress us with your experience maybe you should let us know what that is. "I grew up in elk county" tells us nothing.

6th there is one other thing I agree with you on. That is picking your hunting partners carefully. You sir would not be invited to my elk camp. We already have enough know it all's there.
I love this - I shoot magnums just fine...just don't like it when other people spew garbage on here about the 300 mags being the minimum for elk. It just isn't true. Not being welcome in your elk camp hurt my feelings brother...that was pretty rude! We would probably get a long really well since we both like the 300 wby for elk hunting! LOL
 
The creed will be fine on elk out to 600, 700 yards easy if you shoot something like the 147gr eldm. Lots of people on here will try and make you believe you need some sort of magnum to kill them and they are bullet proof - thats all BS. I grew up in elk country - hunt and kill them every year. A 6.5 creed will be fine. I have a bunch of magnums to choose from and this year I will be taking out my 260 rem for elk. My son shoots a creed - we have killed a bunch at 600 yards with 115gr bergers in a 25-06. Your creed will be fine.
Nothing beats time behind any gun that's going to be used to hunt an elk at 1/2 mile ranges. You cannot have too much time shooting that rifle to be confident. Shoot it to 800 yards and KNOW it intimately at all ranges between.
 
I read back through my posts. I did not see where I said 300 was the minimum. Maybe that's because I have never said or thought that. I have seen many elk killed clean with a 6 rem and .243. They were shot by very careful hunters. I've seen elk hunters that couldn't hit a barn from the inside with any rifle and have shot elk to pieces without recovering them. It's all about being proficient with your rifle.

My elk camp comment was taken wrong (you do have a habit of that) what I was trying to get at is we don't need another know it all because I'm there. ;)
 
Brakes are the economical choice for those who are recoil sensitive or women/ younger people. Suppressors are an option. A pricier one for sure. I would prefer it over a brake just for decibel reduction.

My daughter (5) get "scared" when I shoot a .30-06 because it is too loud (with ear muffs on). Based on that, if I want a rifle that I can shoot with my kids (she likes going to the range with me) then a muzzle brake probably isn't an option at the time. A silencer would be nice, although I think I saw that the wait time is around 250 days?

I'm not necessarily recoil averse, I just have no idea what to expect from the magnum cartridges. I also feel like my first rifle should probably take out some of those extra potential areas of concern.

I originally wanted a .338 Lapua, but that will have to wait at least a few years. Regardless of caliber, I definitely wouldn't be taking a shot on an animal if I'm not very confident that I can make a good shot.

Perhaps my goals for a first rifle were too all-encompassing. But I'd be much happier with a gun I can shoot with my kids than one that they refuse to be around at this age, even if that were to mean elk was out of the question.

I have contacted Hornady to see if they can give me information about minimum velocity required for their bullets to be lethal with an accurate shot. Any relevant information they give me will be posted as a reply here.
 
I read back through my posts. I did not see where I said 300 was the minimum. Maybe that's because I have never said or thought that. I have seen many elk killed clean with a 6 rem and .243. They were shot by very careful hunters. I've seen elk hunters that couldn't hit a barn from the inside with any rifle and have shot elk to pieces without recovering them. It's all about being proficient with your rifle.

My elk camp comment was taken wrong (you do have a habit of that) what I was trying to get at is we don't need another know it all because I'm there. ;)
Brother - you are all worked up because you thought all of my comments were directed at you, they weren't. Take a heart pill and relax...
 
Fig are you one of those people that have to take everything out of context to set up a winnable argument?

1st you shouldn't have to wait for a reaction to the 300 WM fan club. Your rant was proceeded by my first post.

2nd OP did not state being uncomfortable with a magnum until after my post.

3rd don't assume just because you can't shoot a magnum well that others can't.

4th all of my elk were killed with a 300 weatherby. Not that your rant on this made any sense.

5th You are right I don't know you. Also you don't know me and didn't know chit when you called me an out of stater. You are the one that started with the personal ad hominem attacks. If your going to try and impress us with your experience maybe you should let us know what that is. "I grew up in elk county" tells us nothing.

6th there is one other thing I agree with you on. That is picking your hunting partners carefully. You sir would not be invited to my elk camp. We already have enough know it all's there.

7th I never said there was no place in the elk woods for non magnums. This was another one of your putting words in my mouth to argue something that wasn't said.

For the record anyone hunting elk should use the most powerful cartridge they can shoot well. Be it a man, woman, or child. That said maybe you should use a rimfire.
Sounds like my post about the 22 Creedmoor. Was only making a point about speed not being the only thing needed to kill effectively. I have a 338 lapua improved. Hurls 300s at 3120fps. Don't think I'll be taking it to elk camp vs my 284 win or 7 mag. I personally don't believe you should take the biggest cartridge elk hunting that you can shoot well, that is just plain silly. Confidence and accuracy mean more than biggest cartridge. We all have opinions, respect each other's as we all should. Nobody knows what another's shooting/hunting experience is here on this forum let alone there proficiency doing it. I'd much rather take a 6.5-284 or 284 elk hunting than any magnum cartridge out there. Others may not feel confident without a magnum. It is what it is.
 
I like the 12 FV for the low cost and solid platform. Based on your cartridge options in that rifle, I would go with 6.5 creed because it is easier to practice with. The benefit of savage is the switch barrel and bolt face. I bought a 12FV for cheap at cabelas when they run their sales. Rebarreld it to a 6.5 SAUM and love it. You can even sell the barrel if you want to recoup some cost. Cost of a bolt face and mag from savage is pretty cheap. I'd look into a switch barrel option as well just because you can get the 12 FV for really cheap on sale.
 
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