Elk trip a year from Nov...caliber?

[smokin feathers]

I’ve killed them with 270, 30-06 7mm08 338 federal n 30-378 weatherby, the weather by is a cannon n hammers them at long range but I prefer to get closer n not blow my ears off now days. Lil 338 fed hammered bull n cow at 200 yds

[Drp_89]

In the same boat. Not really wanting to buy a new rifle right now so I'm gonna take the 308.

[gravetyl]

.308


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[kkp005]

Randy Newberg kills tons of elk with 7/08s and 308s shooting nosler Accubond & partitions

[kmon]

An outfitter friend in Montana sayd he would much rather have someone shot up with a 7-08, 308, 370 30-06 they can shoot well than a magnum they cannot. I hav e used 257 wBy, 6.5-284, 7STW, 300 WBY and 350 Rem Mag on elk and all wored very good.

[noflyzone]

The difference in 7mm-08 ballistics and .308 ballistics don't get different until you're beyond the range you would want to use either caliber for elk. I would say those are both 300 yards or less elk rounds.

If your talking about a TV show using .284 168 grain bullets fired at higher velocity than a .308 168 grain bullet, then the .284 wins everytime out at long range TV show type hunting.

That being said, I prepped and practiced for 700-800 yard shots with my .300 wby both times I went and both times I killed bull elk under 100 yards.

If he is wanting to buy a gun that he can take on an elk hunt and come back to Texas and shoot everything in the entire state, tell him to get a .30-06.
Factory ammo for .30-06 is common and literally everywhere in a non-pandemic year. (FYI at a grocery store in Alaska they had .30-06 and 12 gauge next to the matches) Plus factory ammo is offered with projectiles in sizes from varmint to big game.

[RedBear78]

I killed a bull with my 243 shot him in the neck and dropped him but when I cleaned him and saw how little damage that bullet did to all that meat and how big he was I swore I’d never use that small of a caliber again.I bumped up to a 308 150 corelocks and haven’t had an issue goes right through em up to 300 yds so far

[SabineHunter]

Has anyone noticed that the OP hasn't been back and that we are all talking to ourselves. LOL

i think he forgot about it.

[TX03RUBI]

I killed a bull with my 243 shot him in the neck and dropped him but when I cleaned him and saw how little damage that bullet did to all that meat and how big he was I swore I’d never use that small of a caliber again.I bumped up to a 308 150 corelocks and haven’t had an issue goes right through em up to 300 yds so far

Most likely the little damage is more related to bullet selection than it is bullet size. Sound like it held together too well and penciled right through, or barely expanded at all.

[Zen Archery]

.308 is plenty of rifle!
Elk are big and tender. Literally a triple/quadruple sized deer.
Practice, Practice, Practice.

[3rdShot]

Has anyone noticed that the OP hasn't been back and that we are all talking to ourselves. LOL

i think he forgot about it.

Funny! Bringing this back up with a couple of updates:

My brother (he's in Wisconsin) got a 270 and toted it on his elk hunt, they saw a bunch of cows and a few bulls, never got close enough for a shot.

My brother in law in Austin had a Mod 70 Winchester in 7mm Rem Mag in his safe, that I have borrowed with the agreement that if I like it and can shoot decent with it, I'll buy it, or get it back to him. Have a place picked out at the lease to set up a longer distance shooting range, should be able to get a lane of around 400 yards cleared to shoot up to that distance. Prob looking at zeroing at 200yds, and get comfortable shooting it.
Whether I go with that one or not, will also put some rounds through my Savage 308 at those ranges to see how that does...I know the feel of that rifle well, so if I can keep it grouping well at the longer ranges I may just stick with it.

[critter69]

45-110

I like your way of thinking, sharps.

[2Lazy2P]

I say carry whatever you like, but definitely use the trip as an excuse to buy a new rifle!

[ClearcreekDC]

I would nix the 243 not nearly enough bullet. You mention you have a 308. I do also and have taken elk with it. If your into factory ammo I am a firm believer in Hornady 178 gr ELDX as that is the only bullet I now shoot in my 308. Its taken down the following all with one shot at the following ranges......
Bull-235 yds
Whitetails-100-325 yds
Stag - 225 yds
Tahr -225 yds
Wild goats -520 yds
Mule deer - 320 yds
Pigs -275 yds including one (threefer)

My point is this bullet is phenomenal in performance, it is devastating upon impact and just plain lets the air out of whatever it hits. The wound channel (internally) is quite unbelievable in the chaos it creates. Unless you make a really bad shot you won't have to look very far for your target animal after the shot. Good luck!

Whats funny is 75% of the locals use 243. Been told that a bunch.

[kingranch]

i personally would never use a 243.. too light in my opinion and unless you plan on a 200 yd shot in the thicket its a bad idea.

Have you ever shot across the canyon 500-700 yds? them wind gusts will take that lil 243 and put it way off target.
7mm is a great option, I shoot a 300 wsm tho up in the high country