HuntingNut
HuntingNut
   Login or Register
HomeCommunity ForumsPhoto AlbumsRegister
     
 

User Info

Welcome Anonymous


Membership:
Latest: RichardZ
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 1
Overall: 13126

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 418
BOT: 1
Total: 419
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Your Account
02: Forums
03: Home
04: Forums
05: Your Account
06: Home
07: Forums
08: Forums
09: Forums
10: Your Account
11: Forums
12: Forums
13: Forums
14: Forums
15: Home
16: Forums
17: Photo Albums
18: Forums
19: Forums
20: Forums
21: Home
22: Forums
23: Forums
24: Your Account
25: Your Account
26: News
27: Forums
28: Forums
29: Home
30: Forums
31: Forums
32: Forums
33: Forums
34: Photo Albums
35: Forums
36: Forums
37: News
38: Home
39: Forums
40: Your Account
41: Forums
42: Forums
43: Forums
44: Forums
45: Forums
46: Forums
47: Forums
48: Forums
49: Home
50: Forums
51: Home
52: Forums
53: Forums
54: Forums
55: Photo Albums
56: Forums
57: Home
58: Forums
59: Forums
60: Forums
61: Forums
62: Forums
63: Forums
64: Your Account
65: Photo Albums
66: Forums
67: Forums
68: Forums
69: Home
70: Forums
71: Your Account
72: Forums
73: Forums
74: Forums
75: Home
76: Forums
77: Home
78: Forums
79: Photo Albums
80: Forums
81: Forums
82: Photo Albums
83: Forums
84: Forums
85: Forums
86: Forums
87: Forums
88: Your Account
89: Photo Albums
90: Home
91: Forums
92: Forums
93: Forums
94: Your Account
95: Home
96: Forums
97: Forums
98: Forums
99: Forums
100: Your Account
101: Forums
102: Photo Albums
103: Forums
104: Forums
105: Forums
106: Forums
107: Forums
108: Forums
109: Forums
110: Forums
111: Forums
112: Forums
113: Home
114: Home
115: Home
116: Forums
117: Photo Albums
118: Your Account
119: Home
120: Forums
121: Forums
122: Forums
123: Forums
124: Forums
125: Forums
126: Forums
127: Forums
128: Forums
129: Forums
130: Forums
131: Forums
132: Forums
133: Your Account
134: Forums
135: Forums
136: Forums
137: Photo Albums
138: Forums
139: Forums
140: Forums
141: Forums
142: Forums
143: Forums
144: Your Account
145: Photo Albums
146: Forums
147: Photo Albums
148: Forums
149: Photo Albums
150: Your Account
151: Photo Albums
152: Forums
153: Forums
154: News
155: Forums
156: Forums
157: Forums
158: Home
159: Forums
160: Home
161: Forums
162: Forums
163: Photo Albums
164: Forums
165: Forums
166: Forums
167: Your Account
168: Home
169: Forums
170: Your Account
171: Forums
172: Home
173: Forums
174: Forums
175: Forums
176: Forums
177: Forums
178: Forums
179: Forums
180: Your Account
181: Forums
182: Home
183: Forums
184: Home
185: Photo Albums
186: Forums
187: Forums
188: Forums
189: Forums
190: Forums
191: Forums
192: Forums
193: Forums
194: Forums
195: Forums
196: Your Account
197: Forums
198: Forums
199: Forums
200: Forums
201: Forums
202: Your Account
203: Forums
204: Photo Albums
205: Your Account
206: Home
207: Your Account
208: Forums
209: Forums
210: Photo Albums
211: Forums
212: Forums
213: Photo Albums
214: Home
215: Forums
216: Photo Albums
217: Forums
218: Photo Albums
219: Forums
220: Forums
221: Forums
222: Your Account
223: Photo Albums
224: Forums
225: Photo Albums
226: Forums
227: Photo Albums
228: Forums
229: Forums
230: Home
231: Forums
232: Forums
233: Forums
234: Forums
235: Your Account
236: Forums
237: Photo Albums
238: Photo Albums
239: Home
240: Forums
241: Forums
242: Forums
243: Forums
244: Forums
245: Your Account
246: Forums
247: Your Account
248: Forums
249: Your Account
250: Forums
251: Your Account
252: Forums
253: Forums
254: Forums
255: Forums
256: Your Account
257: Forums
258: Forums
259: Home
260: Forums
261: Forums
262: Photo Albums
263: Forums
264: Your Account
265: Forums
266: Your Account
267: Forums
268: Forums
269: Forums
270: Forums
271: Forums
272: Forums
273: Photo Albums
274: Photo Albums
275: Forums
276: Your Account
277: Photo Albums
278: Forums
279: Forums
280: Forums
281: Home
282: Forums
283: Forums
284: Forums
285: Home
286: Forums
287: Photo Albums
288: Forums
289: Forums
290: Forums
291: Forums
292: Forums
293: Forums
294: Forums
295: Photo Albums
296: Your Account
297: Home
298: Photo Albums
299: Forums
300: Photo Albums
301: Home
302: Forums
303: Forums
304: Forums
305: Home
306: Forums
307: Your Account
308: Forums
309: Forums
310: Forums
311: Your Account
312: Forums
313: Forums
314: Forums
315: Home
316: Forums
317: Forums
318: Forums
319: Your Account
320: Photo Albums
321: Forums
322: Forums
323: Forums
324: Your Account
325: Photo Albums
326: Forums
327: Forums
328: Forums
329: Forums
330: Forums
331: Forums
332: Home
333: Forums
334: Home
335: Forums
336: Forums
337: Forums
338: Photo Albums
339: Forums
340: Forums
341: Forums
342: Forums
343: Forums
344: Forums
345: Forums
346: Your Account
347: Forums
348: Home
349: Forums
350: Photo Albums
351: Forums
352: Your Account
353: Your Account
354: Photo Albums
355: Home
356: Photo Albums
357: Forums
358: Forums
359: Home
360: Forums
361: Forums
362: Forums
363: Forums
364: Forums
365: Forums
366: Forums
367: Your Account
368: Forums
369: Forums
370: Home
371: Your Account
372: Forums
373: Forums
374: Forums
375: Forums
376: Forums
377: Forums
378: Photo Albums
379: Forums
380: Your Account
381: Forums
382: Forums
383: Forums
384: Photo Albums
385: Photo Albums
386: Photo Albums
387: Forums
388: Photo Albums
389: Forums
390: Home
391: Forums
392: Photo Albums
393: Forums
394: Forums
395: Forums
396: Photo Albums
397: Home
398: Forums
399: Forums
400: Home
401: Forums
402: Forums
403: Forums
404: Photo Albums
405: Forums
406: Forums
407: Forums
408: Forums
409: Forums
410: Forums
411: Forums
412: Your Account
413: Forums
414: Your Account
415: Forums
416: Photo Albums
417: Photo Albums
418: Forums
  BOT:
01: Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
 

Coppermine Stats
Photo Albums
 Albums: 308
 Pictures: 2451
  · Views: 820723
  · Votes: 1316
  · Comments: 86
 

Elk Hunting
Big Game Hunting topics that dont fit other categories
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index » Big Game Hunting

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
1895ss
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jul 21, 2005
Posts: 2612
Location: Not Here...!!

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:39 pm    Post subject: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

What would you consider to be the smallest caliber necessary for Elk hunting and why?
From personal experience, they can be hard to put down.

_________________
A cruel truth is much more desirable than a really nice lie.
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd or an a**hole going the wrong way.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Dimitri
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Nov 25, 2005
Posts: 5944

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

In my personal opinion if I ever go for some Elk hunting I'd go for something with about 1,500ft-lb of energy AT the target and a 270 caliber or higher.

Mind you I never went Elk hunting, just thats the number my hunting instructor told us and I've always read as a guideline. Smile

Dimitri

_________________
A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow.
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Handloader
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2005
Posts: 1032
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

PostPosted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Probably more important than chambering is bullet selection and acquired skill. My grandsons have killed 6X6 bulls using the 243 Win with Barnes TSX and both got one shot kills. Now, I wouldn't suggest the 243 is the ideal elk rifle, however, for youths of 10 years of age, it has a low enough recoil to place the shot correctly. And, they did.

Hunting skill and bullet construction are more important considerations than simply the chambering of the rifle. John Barsness' article in "Rifle" about his recent African hunting experience is eye opening. Many of the hunters brought magnum and standard rifles and most had relied on standard chamberings for some big, tough African game. Its an interesting article. With today's technologically advanced bullets, the traditional recommendations of cartridge for game has to be revised.

My last bull was taken with a 25-06, 100gr TSX, 180 paces, one shot, one kill. The bullet broke the near side shoulder, penetrated both lungs and exited the off side. Nothing more could be asked. The bull staggered about twenty yards and keeled over.
Back to top
View user's profile
1895ss
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jul 21, 2005
Posts: 2612
Location: Not Here...!!

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 10:14 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Handloader, I have been on some sites where some people would argue with you and say you need the latest whizz bang magnum and some would say you need at least a .30. I agree with what you are saying about shot placement and bullet construction being more important. I would think though that someone using a smaller caliber, less then .270 for example, would also limit the distance at which they would take a shot at an Elk.

_________________
A cruel truth is much more desirable than a really nice lie.
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd or an a**hole going the wrong way.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
English Mike
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jan 08, 2007
Posts: 1709
Location: Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:05 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

I'll be using a .300WSM again this year, though I would be perfectly happy using .270Win with a 140gr bullet at sensible ranges.
In Northern Europe, one of the most popular calibers is 6.5x55 Swedish & you have to remember that the European Elk is the same as your Moose.
Shot placement is always more important than caliber IMO.
Back to top
View user's profile
Dimitri
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Nov 25, 2005
Posts: 5944

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:09 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Handloader,

You are correct bullet design does play a vital role as you want a good bullet. But in my opinion going to the store and picking up a box of Remington's loaded in Swift Sirocco for example is just what is done, its a hunting round for larger game, you don't go skimp on that and buy cheap so called "Hunting ammo".

And considering that shooting abilities should ALWAYS limit your distance that you are going to take the shot, IE if you know you can't hit a 6" circle at that distance with your hunting rifle with a 100% accuracy rate in that 6" diameter circle you shouldn't take the shot at that range!

So only thing that is left in my eyes is the energy that the rifle will have at the distance your going to take the shot, therefor I mentioned that in my previos reply. Smile

Dimitri

_________________
A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow.
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Handloader
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2005
Posts: 1032
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:56 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Dimitri and 1895ss bring to the discussion the matter of distance and accuracy of the shooter. Kudos. I am aware that many that own rifles know not how to shoot them accurately from a standing, kneeling or sitting position.

Regarding distance, in the eight years (nine, this year) of guiding elk hunters, the objective is always to close the distance to allow a sure shot. It is something I do when hunting for myself. A wounding shot on elk will result in far too much hard work to risk the shot in the first place. Hunting isn't snipping; its about the skill to to kill humanely.

I like Dimitri's example of shooting a 6" target. We use paper plates to test our skill levels at various distances, although they are 8" plates.

There is no magic formula for energy that computes to real world killing ability of a bullet, IMO. To kill, the bullet simply must penetrate enough to disrupt or destroy organs and may have to traverse bones and body to do so.

Personally, having taken 18 bull elk and guided many a hunter to their trophies, I hold the opinion that accuracy and proper bullet construction are more critical than cartridge capacity or velocity. FWIW, the majority of bulls I have witnessed have been taken under 100yds. It is flight of fancy to conjure 300+ yard shots under most circumstances and such shooting is usually an admission of lack of skill or patience to get closer. Respect for one's quarry encourages otherwise.
Back to top
View user's profile
Dimitri
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Nov 25, 2005
Posts: 5944

PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Handloader,

The paper plate method is common, myself I use the 6" method mainly because I practice with 5.5" Shoot and See targets, and I count near misses. Embarassed

Dimitri

_________________
A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow.
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
skb2706
Member
Member


Joined: Apr 10, 2006
Posts: 269

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:09 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Depends on whether your elk hunting involves thousands of dollars, months of planning, miles of transportation and one chance. Or you are relatively local, have plenty of time, know the area and have little more than a license invested.
My opinion
One guy should use a minimum .300 mag of any persuasion.

One guy could get away with anything starting with a 25-06 up...

Both needing correct bullets and plenty of shooting practice.
Back to top
View user's profile
Coyote_Hunter_
Member
Member


Joined: Mar 05, 2005
Posts: 208
Location: Franktown, CO

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 8:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

A .243/6mm is the legal mimumum in Colroado. While a .243 Win can work I consider it to be a bit small for most folks - I've seen more elk wounded with .243 Win than all other cartridges put together.

The smallest I generally recommend is a .270 Win with a 140-150g bullet of good construction (Partition or better).

7mm Rem Mags and 160g Grand Slams have worked flawlessly for 25 years.

_________________
Coyote Hunter
NRA, GOA, DAD
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
ripper007
Member
Member


Joined: Mar 05, 2006
Posts: 199
Location: Colorado

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:52 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

I have a 30-06 that I have never shot anything with just for the fact that I have only had it for a short time, and have not hunted with it.

before I went out to buy a gun for hunting, I asked a few guys around here what kind of gun they used, and that I was thinking of buying a marlin 30-30.

they all said they used bigger guns than the 30-30 , and told me the that 30-30 was not the good. it was only good for shots for about 100 - 150 yards

knowing that they guys I was asking, was big time hunters . I asked whats the farthest shot they have to take to get a dear or elk. almost every one of them said with in 100 yards.

umm. I went and bought a marlin 30-30 lever action. shot my first dear with it at about 150 yards. hit it around the upper front shoulder. it walked a yards then dropped.

would a 30-30 be good enough for elk hunting ?

I think that accuracy and where you hit a elk would be a big factor .

if you hit a dear in the butt with a 22 , you will probley never find it, hit it in the right spot in the head, it will probley drop right in its tracks.

_________________
icq: 114244509
msn: kccrabb @ yahoo.com
Back to top
View user's profile ICQ Number MSN Messenger
Handloader
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Aug 22, 2005
Posts: 1032
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:23 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Commercial 30-30 ammo has thin jackets to assure expansion at moderate velocities. This reduces penetration, often, the type of penetration needed for fulll sized bull elk.

If you handload, Barnes offers some superb 30-30 bullets that are thicker jacketed and will aid the penetration. In loaded commercial, the Hornady LeveRevolution ammo is an improvement over standard ammo.

Shots on elk can be quick, so the matter of bullet placement, always important, could be compromised unless much practice and discipline is needed.

Can a 30-30 kill elk? Sure, but, there are better choices. And, that gives you the opportunity to go get that 06 or 375 or 458 or 500 Nitro.
Back to top
View user's profile
SwampFox
Super Member
Super Member


Joined: Jul 15, 2005
Posts: 1040
Location: Destin, Florida

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:28 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

Ripper,
If you have a 30-06 you have enough gun for anything in NA. Just select the proper bullet and load for the critter you intend to hunt. For Elk, leave the 30-30 at the house.

Now, go practice with the 06 before you take it hunting the first time. Very Happy
Ed

_________________
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
-Winston Churchill
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
powergel
Rookie Member
Rookie Member


Joined: Sep 04, 2007
Posts: 6
Location: Australia

PostPosted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:32 pm    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

I might be the odd one out here, your Elk is near on par with our Sambar we usually hunt in thick bush in steep mountainous country and 95% of the shots are quick snaps on running deer so you need a adequate deep penetrating cal. for racking shots from behind, we mainly use cals. in 300WM 338 375H&H 458WM but the min. would be 30.06 with 180gn projjie like the Woodleigh's which is one of the best I've used, actually that's all I use in all my firearms...it's the old saying "use enough gun"
Forgot to add that Sambar are not a herding animal, big stags are loners and they are hard work to get onto.

What sort of terrian you guys hunt Elk in, be interested to know, thanks
Back to top
View user's profile
Weinbender
Member
Member


Joined: Sep 13, 2007
Posts: 226
Location: Manitoba, Canada

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 11:06 am    Post subject: Re: Elk Hunting Reply with quote

I too agree that shot placement is generally more important,
i say this cause my brother killed a big doe with .22 cal. reason behind that, he got a lucky shot and the 40gr bullet penetrated the does vertebrae and she dropped like a sack of hammers.

i havent done any big game hunting yet, i bought my .300 mag for that reason, mostly we do waterfowl hunting which manitoba is pretty much one of the best places in the world to go for waterfowl hunting.
generally me and my dad would kill on an average of 15 to anywhere up to 40 ducks in a few hours. (dont worry we eat em all!) most of the time we dont miss a lot of shots, id say we have an average of 80-90% accuracy. this is because my dad has a ton of experience from hunting in Russia, Latvia and now here in Canada, i have learned a lot from my dad and i would just add to the shot placement that experience counts for a lot too. shot placement can mean that it was a lucky shot but it can also mean that thats where the hunter wanted to place the bullet.

my summary:
Shot placement-Very essential
Experience- with this comes everything else
big caliber- i like hard kicking and hitting calibers cause they give u a bigger chance that the big piece of meat on 4 legs is gonna drop

Weinbender

_________________
"If it dont kick like a mule, it aint worth shooting"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic   Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index » Big Game Hunting
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Valid CSS! Valid HTML 4.01!
Click to check if this page is realy HTML 4.01 compliant for speed :)

All logos and trademarks in this site are property of HuntingNut.com.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2011 by HuntingNut.com
Interactive software released under GNU GPL, Code Credits, Privacy Policy

.: Upgraded to DragonFly 9.2 by *Dizfunkshunal* :.