.416 Rem Mag for elk?

[Gtscotty]

There's no way a Grendel can punch an effective elk load out to 500 yds, but the .264 wm is still capable, there are plenty of lower recoil, smaller diameter chamberings that will fit the bill, and grouping them in with a moron who loses an elk to a long shot on a Grendel is not appropriate.

Sort of like how some guy wounding an elk at 500yds with a 6.8 SPC doesn't automatically make the .270 Win a bad choice for knocking them over at 300yds. Heavier bullets at higher speeds.... Apples, oranges and whatnot.

OP, this thread isn't really about what you need to kill elk, but what you want to kill elk with. It sounds like you're not exactly new to elk hunting, I'm sure you've weighed the pros and cons. If you really want to use your 416, and are willing to pay the costs in trajectory, rifle weight and recoil, what reason could anyone really come up with to make you reverse your decision? Might as well use what you want.

As a side note, the longest shot I've personally heard of this year was a 534yd shot on a Colorado bull by my Co-Worker's adult son using a .30-06. The guy is a real hunter like his dad, so I don't think he was out specifically looking for a chance to snipe. I do know they've made a lot more sub-200 yd shots than 400+ yd shots, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to be ready.

 

[eastbank]

over kill on both ends. eastbank.

 

[ScrapMetalSlug]

You dont have to take 500 yard shots or longer everytime you go elk hunting. You can try to get closer. I see no problem with the 416. Set your max range to where you can consistently hit a paper plate, if thats 300 yards or 200, then its what it is. A 416 will kill an elk from as far away as you can make a good hit. People kill elk with a bow every year, and they do ok without launching arrows from a half mile away. If you can shoot it well and have good placement, i wouldnt worry about doing too much damage either. Shots to the hams from any caliber tend to ruin meat.

That is quite impressive, if you can shoot 300 yards from standing or kneeling. I do my best shooting from prone, and try to set up all long shots from prone.

If that is your favorite rifle and you shoot it well, use it. Take good pics, and post them when you get back.

Ofcourse everyone states how a 223 or 243 can drop an elk just fine, but those guys dont like to brag about using a marginal caliber when they lose one either.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Ofcourse everyone states how a 223 or 243 can drop an elk just fine, but those guys dont like to brag about using a marginal caliber when they lose one either.

Do you know what a false dichotomy is?

 

[Peakbagger46]

Are you 5’06” tall with a really big truck?

 

[LoonWulf]

Are you 5’06” tall with a really big truck?

That made me choke on my coffee....

Guess i need to get 8" shorter and a truck 3 sizes larger, cause i want a .375 to shoot axis deer and goats.........

 

[adcoch1]

I just got done rereading ed hubel's 585 HE thread, and I'm thinkin the 416 might be a little light! JK of course, but honestly if you shoot it well, the by all means use it. Elk are plenty tough, but with an appropriate expanding bullet (no dangerous game solids) the 416 shouldn't be too over the top.

 

[1stmarine]

Suggestions, comments, concerns, jokes, etc. are welcome.

Picture: right to left, 45 ACP, 357 Mag, 223 Rem, 243 Win, 270 Win, 300 Win Mag and 416 Rem View attachment 769507 Mag

hi, yes it will put a see through hole on the elk! LOL

IMO it is too much and you have to invest more to get the same or less in the end that you can get with other easy calibers.
If you look at all the calibers you will realize that after the mighty 35 and 375 bores the ballistics efficiency drops drastically.
Of course you can find 416, and 50 caliber low drag bullets in 450 - 800gr but those are reserved for insane rounds that most likely need BMG type actions, also some 375 ones.
So for the tipical 250gr to 300gr bullets you will get more done with a 35 or 375 bullet.
There you have several magnums like the tried and tested 375 H&H or the modern 375 ruger or 358 Norma Magnum that offers everything one needs.
Or you could simply go with a 35 whelen that will give you magnum like performance with the superior ballistics of the 35 bullet over the 375 for the same weight yet
the cost of much cheaper rounds. Even cheaper to shoot and practice with than the parent 30-06 since you have amazing deals on 358 and specially 357 caliber bullets like
200gr speer TMJ and 250gr 358 hotcor.
Even if you had the Short action 358 winchester that is nothing more than the 308 winchester necked up to 35 caliber one should not feel short handed. Any of these calibers
would be suitable for Elk and much larger animals like the largest moose or grizlies.
As the range extends you will find that the 35 and 375 bullets will put more momentum and speed on the target so you don't have to punish yourself so much to actually shoot
flatter and better.

Many times, less, becomes more in the end.

Makes sense?

 

[H&Hhunter]

The .416 is an effective elk popper. Especially in thight cover situations. I know a guy in NM, as a matter of fact who hunts elk with his .416 Remington Mag every year using 350 Gr Barnes bullets. I don't find the recoil on a .416 Remington to be all that brutal. In fact I recommend it as a very controllable DG rifle for Africa and big bears up north.

I know more than one guy who use the .416s of various favors up in AK for moose and general use. I don't own a .416 but I do have a .404 Jeffery built on a modern action I load it up to duplicate .416 Rem, Rigby ballistics with a 400 gr bullet at just shy of 2400 FPS. Recoil is just not that bad. With a scope on it I can manage MOA groups out to 300 yards. If you want to use it, go for it you'll be surprised at how nice they do up close and how little you're giving up at longer ranges. If you know your drop you can easily put bullets on target at 500 yards with a scope sighted .416. And once that bullet gets there it won't have any problems with penetration and the .400 and bigger bores come "pre expanded" so that's not going to be an issue either.

 

[hps1]

FYI I can shoot this rifle acccuratley and comfortably, as long as I’m standing or kneeling. It’s also my favorite rifle.

It's your favorite rifle and where you plan to hunt shots are limited to ranges you are comfortable with, shoot it!

My son has killed everything from dikdik to cape buffalo (6) with his 416 and if I'm not mistaken that is what he used to shoot his elephant; it is his favorite rifle, as well. His longest shot with it was 300 yds., a Grants IIRC. He always hunts TX whiteatail deer with it and has not torn them up any worse than with his 300 WSM.

I was watching when he shot this turkey with it. Would have loved to have had a picture of the feathers floating a good 10' in the air, but had my fingers in my ears and couldn't manage the camera. Turkey was facing and he placed bullet at base of neck. Bullet ran right down turkey's back w/no loss of anything edible.



Regards,
hps

 

[H&Hhunter]

It's your favorite rifle and where you plan to hunt shots are limited to ranges you are comfortable with, shoot it!

My son has killed everything from dikdik to cape buffalo (6) with his 416 and if I'm not mistaken that is what he used to shoot his elephant; it is his favorite rifle, as well. His longest shot with it was 300 yds., a Grants IIRC. He always hunts TX whiteatail deer with it and has not torn them up any worse than with his 300 WSM.

I was watching when he shot this turkey with it. Would have loved to have had a picture of the feathers floating a good 10' in the air, but had my fingers in my ears and couldn't manage the camera. Turkey was facing and he placed bullet at base of neck. Bullet ran right down turkey's back w/no loss of anything edible.

View attachment 769776

Regards,
hps

That is just the point. In Africa folks carry heavy and medium rifles as their sole rifle. They kill small stuff like dikker and impala with them just as effectively as they kill heavy game. Big slow moving bullets simply do not blow up small critter. They just put a hole through them.

 

[browningguy]

I've used my .458 Winny on deer and pigs with no ill effect. If you shoot it well have at it, there's no such thing as too much gun.

 

[Don McDowell]

If the 416 floats your boat then by golly take it out there and get your wiley wapiti. There is no wrong choice when it comes to elk cartridges, the wrong choice generally comes down to not so good choice's in taking the shot, or not exactly putting the shot where it should go. I've used and witnessed cartridges all the way from 22-250 to .458 win mag being used on elk, and it always comes down to the same thing, if the shooter is comfortable with the rifle and can use it well, the cartridge works, if not, it can turn into a hell of a tracking job.

 

[CraigC]

That is just the point. In Africa folks carry heavy and medium rifles as their sole rifle. They kill small stuff like dikker and impala with them just as effectively as they kill heavy game. Big slow moving bullets simply do not blow up small critter. They just put a hole through them.

Exactly. There seems to be a rather common misconception that the bigger cartridges like the .416 will "blow away" smaller big game. Typically, they are going to produce much less bloodshot meat and tissue destruction than your average .300Mag, depending on the bullet used. As is usually the case, it's all about bullet selection. As has been noted, many choose a .375 as an all-around cartridge for Africa, for everything from the smallest antelope to Cape buffalo. Others, myself included, step up a notch and choose a .416. If you want to use the .416, use it. I second the vote for the 350gr Barnes.

 

[MCMXI]

That is just the point. In Africa folks carry heavy and medium rifles as their sole rifle. They kill small stuff like dikker and impala with them just as effectively as they kill heavy game. Big slow moving bullets simply do not blow up small critter. They just put a hole through them.

Thanks in part to @H&Hhunter this has been my experience as well with my .375 H&H. Typically DRT, no tracking required and no unnecessary meat damage. Another unexpected plus is how well these larger caliber rifles can work at extended ranges with practice and the right bullet. At 500 yards a 260gr AccuBond from my .375 H&H has virtually the same drop compared to a 6.5 CM shooting a 143gr ELD-X and with only 4" more drift in a 10 mph cross wind and almost 900 ft-lb more energy on target.

 

[mokin]

If it is you favorite rifle and you can shoot it well, you certainly may take it hunting. It sounds like you know what you're getting in to.

Are you 5’06” tall with a really big truck?

I like to drive my wife's Honda Civic.

 

[JeffG]

The game I've shot with my .458 WM, has been less bloodshot that with the 7mm Remington Magnum.

 

[Powerstroke505]

Are you 5’06” tall with a really big truck?

This made me laugh pretty hard, I'm 6'3" and weigh 290 lbs, so its not height I'm compensating for. lol and that truck is my daily, they didn't have the F-650 4x4 conversions back then. 416 sits in a rifle rack in the back window.

Well I had to drive to Pueblo CO, this week and didn't have time to reply. So my gunsmith called and said the firing pin is still on order, so unfortunately my 416 is off the table for this hunt. I do have a white tail hunt scheduled later in Texas though....... So the 300 win mag will be going elk hunting. Really wanted to take the 416 but it dosent look promising. I appreciate all the comments and input. Especially the support!

I'll keep you all updated, thanks,Happy holidays to you all!

 

[Powerstroke505]

Hello all, I know its been a while but I hate leaving threads hanging. I didn't get an elk on that hunt ( Ended up going to late in the season) but got another tag this year. I'm also going to order some high BC 416 bullets (340gr) from cutting edge and will be playing with them. Ill start a new thread on that. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[SharpDog]

erm ... take your favorite rifle !

 

[1MoreFord]

.416 Rem Mag for Elk, you'd make Elmer Keith proud!!

 

[darkcloud]

Use what you shoot best under all conditions. A heavy jacketed bullet in the 300 win mag if that is what you use. .416 jackets will be heavy enough. Make sure you get BOTH lungs. Elk can go FAR through some damned rough country on one lung. No fancy "Texas heart" shots. Broadside or quartering and the elk will go down either immediately or very quickly after a mad dash. They can take a lot of punishment from misplaced shots. Practice improvised rests etc and off hand close quick shots. Then pratice some more with your chosen weapon. Good bullets in either caliber will not destroy meat with good shots.

 

[JD Pinardi]

That .416 will do the trick, I like it, maybe after a season with that in the brush, some of those big New Mexico Elk will come over here to Arizona to hide out, where it's safe!!!
Have a good hunt,
JD

 

[hillman23]

My dad has taken his last two elk with his 416 Ruger. My brother shot a 7 point Roosevelt bull with his 458 Lott but has since down sized to a 375 H&H. I'm under-gunned with my 338 win mag. I don't mention this to brag and it's nothing to brag about (I drive a minivan and know well placed bullets from a 22 LR kill elk) but only to point out that extra displacement in the projectile can serve to limit other extraneous factors once the bullet has left the muzzle (i.e.- bullet failure). I've seen it, experience it, and it's miserable. So the choices we've arrived at when choosing elk cartridges have some founding in pragmatism. I know there are trade offs with rifle weight and recoil but it's reassuring to know that each trigger pull on target will produce two holes and a quick kill. I think the 416 Rem Mag is a great choice.

 

[JD Pinardi]

That .416 will do the trick, I like it, maybe after a season with that in the brush, some of those big New Mexico Elk will come over here to Arizona to hide out, where it's safe!!!
Have a good hunt,
JD