Elk Rifle

[sir shovelhands]

Any cartridges with similar or greater power than a 308 will work just fine on an elk.

[NAVY CHIEF]

300 win. All day

[Felix40]

Something fairly light if you are going to buy a new rifle for the hunt. Packing something like a sendero around would be a mistake imo.

[aggieman08]

300 win mag and slap him with a 200 grain + bullet.

[ladrones]

Do you have a rifle currently? If so what caliber?

[critter69]

A 7mm mag is by far enough. I have shot them with 243 100 gr. Nosler partition. I have shot them with a 454 casual 300 gr, Hornady (encore) a 300 savage and a 7 mag and a 270. Longest shot was with the 243 at 300 and some yards.

[Trumpkin]

Bullet selection is far more important than caliber. 7mm with Noslers or the TTSX by Barnes will do just fine. I use a 30-06 with the 165 gr ttsx. Those bullets do require a high muzzle velocity to expand reliably, but 7mm won't have a problem with that.

[Ronnie41]

300 win mag will do it all.

[CRM_95]

Do you have a rifle currently? If so what caliber?

This. I don't plan to elk hunt with a rifle, but if I ever do I'll just take my 270.

[NAVY CHIEF]

.270 is plenty

[32drawlength]

This October taking my 270 with 130 grain Accubonds & my buddy taking his 300 win mag...hopefully we both kill one

[BTLowry]

I have no idea what best caliber is, but the long range shows sure knock the hell out of them with a 7mag !

Drop them in their tracks from 1000yds so I don't understand the "lack of energy at longer ranges" comments

[Hoytbowhunter]

If everything goes as planned I will be going to hunt Elk with the opportunity at Mule Deer as well next year. For the guys that have actually killed Elk what is your caliber of choice. I am leaning towards the 7 Mag. My reservation is that even with good bullet selection it may not have the power necessary on the longer shots. I would like to keep this to factory available ammunition as well.

I think the 7mag is perfect all around great caliber, When you get your New rifle I have a perfect scope setup for you good luck,

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=654217

[texas shag]

7mag is perfect for elk and mule deer to 1,000 yards. Don't worry about lack of energy. shoot a premium 150-160 grain bullet such as an accubond, partition or TTSX and you will have dead elk every time if you do your part.

Now stop worrying about the gun and start worrying about your fitness and shooting. Make sure those are good to go and your odds of success really increase. good luck!

[trophy8]

I have no idea what best caliber is, but the long range shows sure knock the hell out of them with a 7mag !

Drop them in their tracks from 1000yds so I don't understand the "lack of energy at longer ranges" comments

Me either. I haven't killed one YET. Going in October and will be shooting my 7 mag with 180 grain Berger traveling 3025FPS. Should hit them like a train. Hope I can report back on it. But I can tell you it's got as much punch as my 300 did shooting 185s. Not much difference. Big recoil difference though haha