Common caliber that could kill an elk without being "overkill" for a deer?

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horsey300 said:
You didn't confirm what chambering you're going in, lots of favor for the 06, not predjudiced for it but here you go.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853813479
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/product-configurator
Decent setup pre accessories and fees $450.
ETA save ya $50
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/856969026
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Man... Thank you so much for that Boyds link! I set it up for a Savage Axis, & it was only like 215! 270 with rear pillar bedding.
I wonder if it would be the same for the Axis 2s??

I still haven't decided on Caliber X )

I thiiiiiiink I might go with .243 for now, since I've got my Mosin; & once I buy some other things I want to get first, then I think I'll go with the 30-06.

I've decided to get into reloading, so I need $ for that (definitely first on the list); I want to get another 5.56 AR X ); I also want to get an AK... So I gotta figure out where this rigle places on this list lol X )
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
Man... Thank you so much for that Boyds link! I set it up for a Savage Axis, & it was only like 215! 270 with rear pillar bedding.
I wonder if it would be the same for the Axis 2s??

I still haven't decided on Caliber X )

I thiiiiiiink I might go with .243 for now, since I've got my Mosin; & once I buy some other things I want to get first, then I think I'll go with the 30-06.

I've decided to get into reloading, so I need $ for that (definitely first on the list); I want to get another 5.56 AR X ); I also want to get an AK... So I gotta figure out where this rigle places on this list lol X )
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The only difference between the axis and 2 is the trigger, my Boyd's axis stock was a direct fit to my kid's axis 2.
If you keep an eye out, your budget can be flexible and you'll wind up with a model 10/11 for the price of an axis:
.243
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/854476570
ETA plenty of bullet options for the .243, if you take it for elk pick appropriately built bullets (bonded, monos) and since you're getting into handloading that will help! Just be sure it's legal where you hunt, in Wyoming, 24 caliber is ok, in Nebraska (last I checked) 25 is minimum.
 
Arkansas Paul said:
There is no such thing as overkill.
I believe I heard @MaxP say on "Big Iron", there are no degrees of dead. And the idea that if you use a caliber more powerful than necessary to kill an animal, you waste a substantial portion of the meat is simply false. Any high velocity round that hits bone is going to destroy the meat around it.
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^^^This. Using the appropriate bullet for the game you are hunting, is more important than the caliber....as long as that caliber is adequate. As has been said, the venerable ought-six has been popular for so many years because of it's versatility with a wide assortment of bullet types and weights. Handloading for a caliber like that means you can tailor your ammo to a specific game animal. Better to go too big than to go too small.
 
Legend has it that the .30-06 is the single most versatile cartridge known to man. Able to smash deer and topple elephants with nothing but a change in loads. The power of the legend itself has most critters begging to be dispatched quickly. In reality, there are dozens of cartridges that do everything the `06 can and many do it with less recoil. Virtually all are more interesting.
 
horsey300 said:
The only difference between the axis and 2 is the trigger, my Boyd's axis stock was a direct fit to my kid's axis 2.
If you keep an eye out, your budget can be flexible and you'll wind up with a model 10/11 for the price of an axis:
.243
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/854476570
Click to expand...
I didn't realize how many models Savage has until I went on that boyds website. So the 10/11 is a "better" model than the Axis, huh?
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
I didn't realize how many models Savage has until I went on that boyds website. So the 10/11 is a "better" model than the Axis, huh?
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It is. 10/11 have been around a lot of years. The Axis is another cost cutter they were able to market by cutting corners... Savage and the various gun writers said so when they rolled it out. I've never seen or heard of 10/11 having the problems I've heard about with Axis. If you can get a deal on a 10/11, you'll be money ahead.
 
In addition to the above, the 7mm mag also works well; especially if you have some distance to your shots........
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
I had no idea you could barrel-swap for different calibers easily with the Axis 2s! That jumped up very high on the list now!
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Easily? That depends on if you consider buying an action wrench (or making an action holder block), barrel wrench, nut wrench and headspace gauges a good investment. You can’t just pop a barrel on like building an AR. It might be worth the money if you’re going to do several guns, but for the cost of a barrel and all the hardware you can just buy a second Axis.
 
A few thoughts:

308 Win
35 Rem
30-06
25-06
7mm Mauser
8mm Mauser
45-70 (purpose loaded)
6.5 Swede
7.62x54 (SJSP's)
300 Savage
338 Federal

Now I notice a number of the ones on my list either have faded to the back burner or never caught on, but they all can bridge classes of game. More and more people see things in terms of niche these days and go crazy trying to fit each one perfectly rather than embrace what works both here and there if you do your part in marksmanship and load specifics.
 
CraigC said:
In reality, there are dozens of cartridges that do everything the `06 can and many do it with less recoil. Virtually all are more interesting.
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Of course there are. Kinda the point I was making with my opening statement.....

buck460XVR said:
Using the appropriate bullet for the game you are hunting, is more important than the caliber....as long as that caliber is adequate.
Click to expand...

I was just using 30-06 as an example. Since it's inception over a century ago, there have been many newer calibers introduced that fill more niches and may well be more versatile. Yet, none of them are more venerable, nor as widely used.
 
Want to say thanks again to all of your replies, guys.

Sorry I've been absent for a while. Been a crazy last couple days. Especially with that Wilder & Fury fight! :D
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
Hello guys & gals

I don't have a hunting rifle yet; & I want my first one to be of a caliber that is 1: abundant & easy to find; & 2: could kill an elk without being overkill for a deer.

I live in southern Oregon, if that matters, if you're wondering about species of elk/deer.

I guess I'd like to go with the most abundant, smallest, & cheapest caliber that could kill an elk with a decently-placed shot.

I've heard .270 is about the smallest one should go for elk hunting. Does this sound right to you guys?

What do you think?

Thanks in advance for the feedback,

Bull.
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6.5 Creedmoor
 
.308 Norma said:
This is only February. Deer and elk seasons in southern Oregon and southern Idaho aren't until October. You have time to gain experience shooting bolt actions before then.;)
That said, I too recommend a 30-06 for the western one-rifle hunter (especially if you don't handload) for everything from pronghorns to elk, and even moose if you're luckier than I am -- I've been hunting big game in Idaho for nearly 60 years, and I've never been lucky enough to draw a moose tag.
BTW, I love my 308 Norma Magnum for mule deer and elk, but I used a 30-06 for many years before I got my 308 Norma. And before that, I used a 270, and before that a 308 Winchester. I even used a 338 Win Mag for a year or two. They all worked. But I believe the 30-06 is the most versatile for the non-handloader.
Just my opinion of course. My wife would probably tell you her 7mm Rem Mag is the most versatile. But she doesn't have as much big game hunting experience as I do -- she's only been at it for 48 years.:p
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I think your wife is right if she been with you that long:rofl:
 
BullHeadedGideon said:
Maaaaaaybe I'll pick one of those up & sporterize it. As long as I can hide it from the GF :evil:
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Don’t hide it.
Never ask permission, but don’t hide it.;)

Unless your lady is nice enough to let you think you have a secret and you are hiding it and she doesn’t hold any vendetta against the fact...:D
 
MCgunner said:
What, nobody suggests the .223 in an AR? :rolleyes:
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There are some guys on here who talk about deer with the AR types in .223/5.56. I don't recall anybody saying they'd shoot an elk with it though. Now, if you look at what Alaskan Indians are doing, including killing moose with that caliber/platform, it would appear elk is do-able. But, just because something's legal in Alaska, that don't make it legal in 49 other states.
 
mustanger98 said:
There are some guys on here who talk about deer with the AR types in .223/5.56. I don't recall anybody saying they'd shoot an elk with it though. Now, if you look at what Alaskan Indians are doing, including killing moose with that caliber/platform, it would appear elk is do-able. But, just because something's legal in Alaska, that don't make it legal in 49 other states.
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Well, on the tundra, you can watch game run for miles before they drop. Then, you ride your snow mobile to recover the dead animal. :D Ain't such an option in the woods around here. :D And, a .22 caliber bullet often doesn't leave much of a blood trail.
 
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MCgunner said:
Well, on the tundra, you can watch game run for miles before they drop. Then, you ride your snow mobile to recover the dead animal. :D Ain't such an option in the woods around here. :D And, a .22 caliber bullet often doesn't leave much of a blood trail.
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Just because some things are legal don't mean they're advisable.
 
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