Which rifle/caliber for elk

[N2TRKYS]

I've got a Rem M700 in 25-06 with a 24" barrel and a Win M70 in 270 Win with a 22" barrel. Which one would you use for elk and what bullet would you use in it?

 

[Dosh]

.270 with 140 gr bullet and heart-lung shot.

 

[FEENIX]

.270 with 140 gr bullet and heart-lung shot.

Another vote for the .270 Win! Use the heaviest bullet that your rifle shoot accurately.

 

[mountainman56]

Another vote for the .270 Win! Use the heaviest bullet that your rifle shoot accurately.[/QUOTE

Yep +2

 

[WildRose]

Yep +2

Make it three. You also want that heavy bullet to be well enough constructed to ensure deep penetration before expanding.

Inside of 600yds it's really hard to beat the Nosler Partition on Elk. I have a buddy that has shot the same 700bdl Rem 7mm Rem for over thirty years loaded with partitions who has killed at least 40 nice elk with that combo. His farthest kill was almost 800yds.

Personally my preference runs towards higher BC boat tails but I sure can't argue with his results.

 

[JJMoody]

Not that a 25-06 can't handle an elk, but I'd for sure be using the 270. Wildrose definitely has something with the 150 Partition. Try it over some H4831sc and you may have yourself a winner. Almost brings a tear to my eye, that's the combo that took my first elk down.

 

[HARPERC]

Another vote for the .270 Win! Use the heaviest bullet that your rifle shoot accurately.

I'll line up with this parade.

 

[lckytylr]

I have a good friend that killed his first 8-10 bulls with a 25-06 because it's all he had. It's certainly not ideal . . . he now shoots a 300 RUM and Berger 210's. Bang . . . Flop.

I'd also vote for the .270, provided that it's a shooter. If you can't trust its accuracy, it's a spear.

I shot a 30-06 for years when I was living on the East coast and it killed everything in my path. When I moved out West, it was inadequate as it would shoot 3"-4" groups at best with hand loads.

back to the point, the advice given previously is good.

 

[roninflag]

where are you going to hunt them? bulls? cows?

 

[N2TRKYS]

where are you going to hunt them? bulls? cows?

I'm hoping to get drawn for WY bull tag in the near future. It spends 99.9% of its life shooting whitetails in Alabama. I was thinking of using 140 grain Accubonds or Partitions in my 270, so I wouldn't have to change bullets for my elk hunt. I'm not planning on shooting more than about 300-400 yards out West. Thanks for the replies.

 

[ntg]

I'm with the 270 camp. Either of those 140s will do the job if you put it in the right place.

 

[Bbear]

.270 with 140 gr bullet and heart-lung shot.

This. Take the 25-06 w/ 120 partitions as a back up if you can/need to. Otherwise, go kill an elk!

 

[waltercrouse]

gun)

Not that a 25-06 can't handle an elk, but I'd for sure be using the 270. Wildrose definitely has something with the 150 Partition. Try it over some H4831sc and you may have yourself a winner. Almost brings a tear to my eye, that's the combo that took my first elk down.

The 270 winchester with Barnes 130 grain tsx or ttsx bullets gets the job done. California you have to use copper bullets.

 

[Morrison]

Your 270 is really not the best choice for Elk. I really would suggest that you consider getting a Magnum caliber, one of the short Magnum calibers work well. I am seriously opposed to a wounded animal and if you are not loading the 270 with a premium bullet it is my feeling that it is not sufficient. The Elk has a thick skin and heavy bones, select only partitioned bullets, bonded core bullets or solids like the Barnes or the Nosler E-Tip. I have seen the cheaper bullets come apart and leave an animal wounded and suffering. Please remember that you will be shooting at an animal that will be 500 lbs or larger.