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Long Range Hunting & Shooting
Help chosing an Elk Cartridge.
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<blockquote data-quote="Buano" data-source="post: 1521591" data-attributes="member: 21641"><p>With a perfect shot elk will die fairly quickly with a fairly mild cartridge. With a less than perfect shot, more cartridge makes a world of difference.</p><p></p><p>I've seen elk mortally wounded and show no sign of being hit — not even a flinch. These elk can wander off and die and have the shooter believe they missed completely. I would rather knock an elk on its *** than hope it dies soon.</p><p></p><p>I've known of people hunting elk with a .243 or a .25-06. These people even occasionally killed elk. Would I use such a cartridge on elk — no. I have few opportunities to hunt elk and want to be sure I have enough gun for whatever opportunity I have at the elk I want even if the shot is not "ideal". If I had lots of time to hunt elk I might be willing to go small. I don't so I won't. If I was to reach in my safe for a rifle for strictly under 400 yard elk, it would be my Sako 85 stainless in .375 H&H or possibly my Weatherby Alaskan in .300 Weatherby. I know either of these will put an elk down quickly even if I was not presented with a perfect shot opportunity.</p><p></p><p>Light rifles that "pack a punch" are extremely difficult to shoot well. I have ONE rifle that is difficult for anyone to shoot well. It's a .270 WSM LIGHT mountain rifle without a brake. I would rather take my .338-.378 Weatherby mag to the shooting bench than that .270 WSM. I strongly suggest you not go extremely light on any rifle of .270 Win power or more. I will go even further and suggest you go as heavy as you can comfortably carry UNLESS you will be doing serious mountain climbing with it. Heavy rifles are more difficult to carry but much easier to shoot well. I would rather carry a rifle that shoots well than try to shoot a rifle that carries well.</p><p></p><p>As you want to be able to find factory ammunition to fit, cross off the .280AI since every few stores carry ammunition to fit it.</p><p></p><p>My suggestions to fit most of what you want: 7 MM Rem, 30-06, .270 WSM, .300 WSM, .270 Win, and way down on my list, the .308.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Buano, post: 1521591, member: 21641"] With a perfect shot elk will die fairly quickly with a fairly mild cartridge. With a less than perfect shot, more cartridge makes a world of difference. I've seen elk mortally wounded and show no sign of being hit — not even a flinch. These elk can wander off and die and have the shooter believe they missed completely. I would rather knock an elk on its *** than hope it dies soon. I've known of people hunting elk with a .243 or a .25-06. These people even occasionally killed elk. Would I use such a cartridge on elk — no. I have few opportunities to hunt elk and want to be sure I have enough gun for whatever opportunity I have at the elk I want even if the shot is not "ideal". If I had lots of time to hunt elk I might be willing to go small. I don't so I won't. If I was to reach in my safe for a rifle for strictly under 400 yard elk, it would be my Sako 85 stainless in .375 H&H or possibly my Weatherby Alaskan in .300 Weatherby. I know either of these will put an elk down quickly even if I was not presented with a perfect shot opportunity. Light rifles that "pack a punch" are extremely difficult to shoot well. I have ONE rifle that is difficult for anyone to shoot well. It's a .270 WSM LIGHT mountain rifle without a brake. I would rather take my .338-.378 Weatherby mag to the shooting bench than that .270 WSM. I strongly suggest you not go extremely light on any rifle of .270 Win power or more. I will go even further and suggest you go as heavy as you can comfortably carry UNLESS you will be doing serious mountain climbing with it. Heavy rifles are more difficult to carry but much easier to shoot well. I would rather carry a rifle that shoots well than try to shoot a rifle that carries well. As you want to be able to find factory ammunition to fit, cross off the .280AI since every few stores carry ammunition to fit it. My suggestions to fit most of what you want: 7 MM Rem, 30-06, .270 WSM, .300 WSM, .270 Win, and way down on my list, the .308. [/QUOTE]
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Help chosing an Elk Cartridge.
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