Elk Hunting Round Advice

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

H&H said it all (as did I but much shorter). These T.V. shows featuring long range shots on game have started appealing to those folks out there that are flat out too lazy to put the real work in by getting to a reasonable range of game animals. In 40+ years out in the field, hunting pretty much every edible critter on the North American continent, I have tried my utmost to get well within comfortable and reasonable shooting distances. Now, as I said earlier, in my younger, brasher, more "chest thumping" days, I too was guilty of taking what I would now call questionable range shots. Luckily I was highly trained by some of the best teachers on Earth and made those shots. But shortly after, I honestly felt that I had robbed myself of the true beauty and true honor of the hunt. That is, getting close to my quarry and beating them in their own habitat at their own game. CAN I make those 700 and 800 yard shots? Yep, sure can. I have years of training, the math skills to make calculations on the fly, and the knowledge of the quarry to "guesstimate" their state of relaxation and such. But not a damn one of those skills can prepare you for that one instance that all LIVING targets present. That instance is that they have a mind and they will move whenever the notion strikes them. You take those very long shots and you have absolutely no control of the time it takes for that bullet to travel those 600 or longer yardages. Trigger breaks, that animal steps right then. OOPS gut shot! Now what the hell do you do! I'll tell you, you LOSE an Elk and that poor animal goes off to suffer and more than likely die a painful and miserable death. We simply OWE it to our quarry to make as clean and quick of a kill that we possibly can. Long range shooting should be left where it belongs. The target range. Paper doesn't move. Paper doesn't die a slow, miserable, painful death when we make a mistake. Can mistakes happen at reasonable ranges? Of course they can and do. But it is far more unlikely if you would take your time and get closer. This is the LEAST you owe our game animals.

 

[earplug]

I have worked in the pits pulling targets for 600 yard matches.
The angle of the bullet coming down is rather steep at long range.
Being able to hit a paper target is one thing, being able to correctly predict the tract of the bullet into a vital zone on a living body would be quite a skill.

 

[Kachok]

It is rare to spot a clean shot at 600 yards and much harder to find a shooter who is capable of that shot under feild conditions. I am not going to assume that you cannot do this so let me avoid the ethics issue and go streight to the ballistics. A 300 win/WSM is capable of driving a 180gr Accbond (a hella good LR bullet) right at 3000fps, this will give you 1500 ft/lbs at 600yd but just barley. A 7mm Rem mag can drive a 160gr AB to 3000fps as well this is just under the 1500 ft/lbs recomendation. Now my recomendation for what you are looking for is 338 win mag, push a 225gr AB to 2800fps and you are making over 1700ft/lbs at 600 and even more with a 250-300gr poly-tip if needed. You could use VDL bullets for thier remarkable high BC but they are not well known for elk level penatration though they have been used for that before. I hope you handload because factory fodder usualy does not cut it at those ranges.

 

[Biggerhammer]

A .450 Ultra Magnum gets the job done.

 

[jbkebert]

I have only killed two elk in my life.

The first one taken at 19 yards using a jennings buckmaster bow at 64# draw weight and a 30" arrow. Using a 125 grain thunderhead. The arrow was not quite a complete pass through. The elk ran approx 50 yards and piled up.

The 2nd was taken using a .270 winchester shooting a 140 grain accubond. Winchester Supreme factory ammo. Shot was approx 75 yards elk made it 5-6 steps and collasped.

So I know nothing about long range shooting of elk or of any animal other than praire dogs. However the only two rifles I own that would meet my requirments for such a feat. Would be a 7STW or .300 win mag. Both of which are Remington 700 Sendero's.

 

[Steel Talon]

An experience from the past...I hunted with Bart. He tells of hunting elk with Leonard. Bart carried a 338, Leonard a 300 Win Mag. Lots of debate about the better gun. One day on the way back to camp some Spruce Grouse surrendered in front of Bart, and he took ones head off...body shots tooooo effective...good camp dinner that eve. Leonard wants one, shoot miss a few times (yes those Spruce chickens are that dumb). Bart sez.. Leonard you're hittin him, but just not killing him. Leonard ate his can of beans in silence even after Bart offered to share his Spruce chicken.

Morale of the story.. Dumb Spruce Grouse can only be killed with a .338 by a man named Bart.

 

[H&Hhunter]

A .450 Ultra Magnum gets the job done.

No doubt about it. A .450 RUM oughta be a kissing cousin to the .450 Rigby/Dakota/.460 G&A almost identical in fact.

I sure wouldn't want to be on receiving end of that hog. I'll bet those CEB bullets do a nice job though.

 

[GJgo]

I wouldn't take a 600 yard shot at an elk with any rifle I care to carry around the high country. I'd say 400-450 is my self imposed limit for supported field positions, I've taken those shots & won. I probably wouldn't shoot over 150 off-hand.

With that said, when I hunt deer & elk I'm not out there to boost my ego or "beat" the animal. I'm there so I can put meat in the freezer and not have to eat beef for the next year. Elk aren't easy to come by on public land, and I only get 1 week a year to hunt them. If I see one that I have a good shot on I take it. I'm not interested in stalking in closer if I don't have to, because I'll probably blow them out & I may or may not get another chance. If that happens I'm off to City Market & 51 weeks of regret...

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I sure wouldn't want to be on receiving end of that hog. I'll bet those CEB bullets do a nice job though.

Hell I aint so sure I'd want to be on EITHER end of that beast! I guess in my older years I just don't much like the recoil of those monsters anymore. Maybe getting the hell beat out of me with the .450NE's and such knocked some sense into my thick head? Aint hunting the African dangerous game like Capes so I have no use for them. Getting so that anymore I don't even enjoy shooting my various .300WM's anymore. Except a couple of the strictly bench rifles but they are so heavy they don't even kick. Much

 

[jbkebert]

.450 Ultra Magnum gets the job done.

I think he choose his username for a reason. Nice looking rifle though.

 

[Kachok]

450 ultra mag.....my shoulder get weak at the mention of it's name. I am not sure which end of the gun would hurt worse, at leased the receaving end would kill you all quick and mercyfull like, the giving end just fataly beat you and left you for dead How do the ballistics compare to the 460 Wby? That is a real thumper too, a friend on mine keeps one just to use as a practicle joke, last guy who shot it ended up dazed on his butt about six feet from where he was standing LOL.

 

[Double_J]

While I personally have never been elk hunting a very dear friend has. He told me a story of hunting an elk and having to take a 280 yard shot with a 30-06. I don't remember what kind of ammunition, nor any other details about the hunt other than he said that was a LONG shot for him. He also went out during the primitive weapon season with a patch ball muzzle-loader. The elk he took that time was taken within 20 yards, after a few hours of stalking. Both kills were fun, but both also took skill and patience. I will say that if/when I get the chance to go on a hunt like that I want to have enough gun. I also want to make sure I have practiced with it like I will shoot in the field. That means shooting from odd positions, stalking, estimating range and wind, and knowing when to let the animal walk away. This last part is the hardest to learn from what I am told, and I believe it with all of my being.

Take your time and learn to shoot realistic distances using realistic positions with the gear that you will be carrying in the field. Do not rely on the fact that you are an "expert" on a flat range, or that you can shoot 600 yards or better. Learn your real distance and stay within it. BE A SPORTSMAN, not a wanna-be.

 

[Kachok]

A good ol 06 can carry elk killing power out to 500yds with quality bullets, that is plenty for me.

 

[MuleRyder]

I have never hunted elk, but the rifle I would pick from my safe would be my .338 win mag. I don't find the recoil bothersome any more than a .30-06 which would be my back up gun.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I would pick from my safe would be my .338 win mag. I don't find the recoil bothersome any more than a .30-06 which would be my back up gun.

Both very sensible choices.

 

[MCgunner]

If a guy WANTS a belted magnum, is there something wrong with that? Hell, I don't hunt anything bigger than whitetail and hogs and I have a 7 mag just BECAUSE. I've shot a number of deer with it. It kills 'em just as dead as my .308 or my .257 Roberts does. If I ever got to go elk hunting, I'd take it over my .308. It's more gun on paper and it packs a helluva whallup on whitetail and mule deer, seen THAT for sure. I'd shoot a Nosler 160 partition on elk, a very accurate bullet in that gun if not boat tailed. But, I ain't shootin' past 400 yards with it.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

If a guy WANTS a belted magnum, is there something wrong with that?

Well, it's according to his experience with the big boy rifles. If he has experience and is not prone to flinch then nope. But if he is inexperienced and could quite possibly flinch on a 250 yard shot and pull heavily causing a gut shot, then YEP theres a problem. When chest thumping starts to encroach upon ethical shots on live animals then yes sir I have a severe problem with that.

"Me big man, have big ultra magnum gun, can shoot far away and will make shot because me have ultramag!" Too many times have I seen that exact mindset. They think because they have the latest greatest super duper magnum that they can shoot far distances and it will magically kill the animal no matter where it hits! Big bore rifles don't HAVE to have big men behind them. But they DO have to have more skill and better technique because of the greater recoil. My oldest daughter (weighs about a buck 10 on a fat day) shoots my TC pro hunter with the .300WM barrel on it just fine with no flinch whatsoever. The girl has no fear (of pretty much anything actually) but I have been teaching her, as well as the rest of my kids, since they could walk. Funny thing is, now she prefers Archery over everything. (Thats me girl!)

 

[ZeroJunk]

If a guy WANTS a belted magnum, is there something wrong with that?

All this anti-mag stuff is just in style. I have probably hunted as many places with as many people as anybody on here except for H&H.

I have never ran in to this phantom guy bragging about his magnum and scattering lead in all directions.

I see no downside to shooting a magnum if that is what you want.

And, if you can't figure out if you can shoot it well or not you probably can't figure out if you can shoot anything.

 

[ChrisHarris]

When elk hunting, the fun starts AFTER you pull the trigger. Get ready to work!!

Last time I went elk hunting in Colorado (used to live there) I decided to pass on a 400yd shot at a cow. I had a .300 Win Mag that was sighted for 350yds. I could have nailed her broadside and probably dropped her right there on the spot.

But it was 4th season and we were up high and wearing snow shoes. The snow was deep. The packs were heavy. We were tired anmd it was already after 3pm. The truck was 6 miles behind us. The elk was 400yds across a valley. Thats what the range finder said. Now to actually RETRIEVE that animal meant another mile and a half of hiking.......... AWAY from the truck. In the snow. Gonna be dark soon. Gonna get colder. Storm comin'. Probably gonna snow again.

I found a solid rest on a boulder and pulled down on her. I held the appropriate elevation to compensate for the additional yardage. I clicked the safety off and put my finger on the trigger. I checked my elevation again. I envisioned the shot. I envisioned the bullet hitting her right in the boiler and hearing that 'thwap' sound when a bullet finds it's mark. Then I looked at my buddy and said, "Let's go home."

Clicked the safety on again. We watched her for 3 or 4 more minutes. Then we turned around and started hiking.

It just wasn't worth the risk. IMO every animal deserves a clean shot. If you're going to kill it, do it cleanly and within your personal limits. That particular shot was beyond my personal limits. I think there's a 99% chance I would have dropped her in her tracks, so it's not a question of ethics. I was simply dog tired and the truck was a LONG ways away in deep snow.

sorry for being so long winded

 

[sixgunner455]

Chris - that was wisdom speaking there.

 

[Biggerhammer]

Hahaha, in my opinion Jack O' Conner was over rated and was read by people who had more time back then to fantasize about magazine articles than they did time and money to spend in the field actually doing it. Jack can take his distance shot wisdom along with his petite .270 Winchester and kiss my .300 Win Mags hind end.

 

[JimBoIHN]

.338 Lapua 250-300 grain. If you have to attempt such a shot, give yourself the best chance for a killing shot re ballistics, wind drift, terminal energy. Some of these guys posting have lots of opportunities to hunt elk due to where they live. Some of us don't and can't be quite so choosy in shot selection. Just use good judgment as far as possible.

 

[Ankeny]

It just wasn't worth the risk. IMO every animal deserves a clean shot. If you're going to kill it, do it cleanly and within your personal limits. That particular shot was beyond my personal limits.

I agree 100%. I have posted on this before. I too am really tired of the message being sent by some of the long range hunting shows. The attitude of, "Yes, you too can shoot your elk at 1000 yards if you buy our complete long range hunting package..." is becoming very problematic here in the west. But, the issue is a double edged sword.

I hunt elk in the wide open sage and grass of central Wyoming where elk take refuge with distance as their ally, not concealment. I have done the ultimate sneak, crawling, and waiting stalks and still could not...no way...no how...get within 400 yards. So, does one take a 450 yard shot or just let the animal walk away? Obviously the answer depends on the conditions at the time...

 

[Kachok]

Hahaha, in my opinion Jack O' Conner was over rated and was read by people who had more time back then to fantasize about magazine articles than they did time and money to spend in the field actually doing it. Jack can take his distance shot wisdom along with his petite .270 Winchester and kiss my .300 Win Mags hind end.

I am no huge 270win fan nor a member of the Jack O'Connor cult, but to say that he was an accomplished hunter is an understatement, I don't think that he would disagree with you that the 300 Win makes a better elk rifle, he certainly thought the 06 trumped his 270 in that depertment. Jack was a bit recoil shy that is why he perferd his 270, and he was a good enough marksman to get away with it. Elmer Keith would tell you to grow a pair and get a 338 Win Good ol Elmer thought that the 7mm Rem mag and 30-06 were just too dern puney even for deer, needless to say I don't subscribe to his nonsence either. Never take caliber advice from a man who loves hunting with his 500 Nitro Express LOL. He had some really weird ideas, he though nothing under .33 cal was worth hunting with, not even for thin skinned game. How on earth anyone could think that the 357 mag was a fantastic deer cartrage and the 30-06 was worthless is beyond me.

 

[Biggerhammer]

Well said Kachok.