Need some advise on a caliber for Elk hunt
- Thread starter smokin502
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CBH Australia
Well-Known Member
How about you test some Hammer Bullets in that rifle, just a little reassurance.
They are getting great review here.
They are getting great review here.
A 124 HH out of a Weatherby would do some serious damage to an elk out to 600 yds.
As I don't hunt (except for quail) the sst seem thin, but could be better suited on thinner skinned and smaller game. For not having/getting the chance for a perfect shot have the backup (1st shot) with a tougher bullet.
Quite a few years ago before going back to the 7mm-08, 7 RSAUM and then a 7mm Rem Mag, we used the 130gr, 140gr and then the 150gr SST on our 270 Win's.
The 150gr worked best. At close range it caused hydrostatic shock and at longer ranges it still produced fast kills. Don't remember ever recovering one, I believe all left exit wounds and caused severe damage to lungs. These will go through the shoulder as well, they always gave good penetrarion.
The 130gr and 140gr didn't always exit and although they did produce fast kills, the 150gr seemed to kill a bit faster, only by a few seconds but those seem like minutes when waiting for the animal to drop.
Many deer were taken with the 150gr and my dad also took a few elk with it, before going back to 7mm cartridges. All were one shot kills, except for one elk that was hit a bit back and following shot did the job.
Hope this helps
Luis
Forgot to add. On the 7mm cartridges our go to bullets have also been the SST's as well.
The 139gr on the 7mm-08, and the 162gr SST on the 7RSAUM and 7mm Rem Mag. Results have also been stellar.
Until a couple of years ago I started playing with Bergers and I liked the results. I like that the Bergers with the 168gr VLDH make the 7mm-08 a bit longer range cartridge.
That said I don't take shots past 600 yds at this time so no need to change what has worked very well.
The 139gr on the 7mm-08, and the 162gr SST on the 7RSAUM and 7mm Rem Mag. Results have also been stellar.
Until a couple of years ago I started playing with Bergers and I liked the results. I like that the Bergers with the 168gr VLDH make the 7mm-08 a bit longer range cartridge.
That said I don't take shots past 600 yds at this time so no need to change what has worked very well.
Plenty of gun. Take the gun you shoot the most consistently. If you make a bad shot, game will likely run away, regardless. Ask any experienced outfitter what they care about most, they will likely say marksmanship or something of the sort.
Good luck with it.
Scooter 45ACP
Well-Known Member
Western4444
Well-Known Member
You need to get another gun. The 270 Weatherby will do an okay job, but there are many much better. If this is your last elk hunt and you don't get it because the elk was 500 yards and not 350. You will regret not getting a new one over and over. These set of emails will haunt you! Good luck.
MJN030
Well-Known Member
I took an elk last year with a 168 gr Nosler in 7mm mag .
The 270 is probably going to be enough gun but I would beef up the bullet . Just my opinion .
You might consider Barnes 180gr ttsx if you have access to some .
If you are going to use the 140 gr bullet sight your bullet at 3.20" high at 100 yards
And that will put your drop out to 350 yards should be approximately -6"
Everything else short of 350 yards should be point and pull the trigger
The drop at 300 yards is approximately -1.5"
This is with a federal bonded bullet .
So your mileage may vary with other bullets but you can certainly play with these numbers
Just my opinion
Not trying to cause a major read or controversy .
Marc
NM-LAnk
Member
What he said…. Actually I'd say it much stronger. No, that is not suitable for elk. "Slipping one between the ribs" is not a realistic way to hunt because of all of the variables (including bull fever). A more sturdy bullet is in order especially at that speed. I've seen several Bullets blow up on an elk shoulder bone so for me, it's not worth the risk.
I would also caution about shots over 400 yards on an elk regardless of what you see on TV in large part because of the same variables. Elk are tough and even finding the spot he was standing across the canyon is very hard when it takes you an hour to get there and perspectives change etc.
Gobbler256
Well-Known Member
IVe taken some 40 elk over the years and many of them fell to my 270 Win. However my go to gun is my 270 WTB mag. With 140gr bullet. My suggestion is use a gun you can shoot well to insure good shot placement and meatball on the table!!
