First Elk Hunt Questions

[Jamief557]

I was lucky enough to draw a Big game tag in Montana to hunt elk and mule deer. My first out of state hunt. I usually hunt whitetails here in Missouri. I will be hunting in area 350 if anyone is familiar with that area.

My question is I currently own a 30.06 which has killed many a white tail and coyote. I currently shoot a Sierra 165 grain boat tail hollow point game king. Is a 165 grain bullet enough bullet for an Elk?? and is a boat tail hollow point a good choice?? I know Elk are much tougher in the bone and hide according everything i have read.

So I go to an 180 grain bullet or stick with the 165 grain bullet???

Thanks.........Jamie

 

[brighamr]

180 grain. Boat tail hollow tip or Barnes TSX. You should do fine.

Is your rifle scoped? You'll want it to be, pretty skittish elk out here.

 

[Bill2e]

Just to get you excited.....

I can't tell you what bullet to use, because I have never shot an ELK, but as you can see from the pic I COULD HAVE.

This is a herd near BOZEMAN MT from this past Chrsitmas (Out of Season & in a no hunt area) I saw the same herd last weak when we were out there., but have not down loaded the pics yet. Enjoy your hunt.

 

[redneck2]

I'd ask the mods to move this to the hunting forum. There's lots of guys there that elk hunt.

That said, in the real world 15 grains isn't diddly. I'd be more concerned about bullet construction and what my rifle likes to eat. The 180 in a .30 seems typically to be the fodder of choice.

YMMV

 

[sumpnz]

A 180gr bullet of reasonably tough construction (Nosler Partition, Barnes X, etc) will work just fine. I dropped a big cow elk with a 140gr 6.5mm bullet a few years ago. A 180gr .30 cal is about equivalent in terms of penetration capability. I've since changed to a 9.3x62mm rifle as my primary elk rifle, but I'm a little wierd that way. Truth be told I'd not feel undergunned with a .30'06 with some good quality 180gr handloads.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

A TOUGH 165 grain slug will do it, and do it well with proper shot placement. Partition, bear claw, or grand slams would be good choices.

I've seen several elk that were taken with a 308, one with a 270, one with a 280 rem, and even one with a good old 30-30.

Just put the bullet where it should go, and the old aught six will do you proud.

 

[Shawnee]

The Hornady 165gr. BTSP at this link...

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=3fd358901ec2b806cdbb152612e888c8

.....would be a good choice.

Shot Placement is VERY important with any bullet.

 

[azhunter12]

Shot Placement is VERY important with any bullet.

+1 to that.

 

[T.R.]

Vast majority of local Wyoming elk hunters that I know hunt with 30-06 and plain 180 grain ammo such as Remington core-lockt. But you can go lighter with a Premium such as Winchester's Fail Safe such in 150 grain and get the same penetration results.

Boat tail hollow tip Match bullets are not recommmended.

Plan to get in shape. The altitude will diminish your strength fast.

Good hunting to you.
TR

 

[Ben Shepherd]

I had forgotten a couple good slugs- Remington core-lokt, and the hornady interlocked or interbond slugs. The barnes bullets offerings would work well also.

My reccomendations are based on you staying with a 165 grain slug. With that weight slug on that size of animal, penetration is much more important than expansion.

If you do decide to go up to a 180, make sure you re-zero the gun. I've seen as much as 4 inches difference in the point of impact with those two slug weights in 30-06 at 100 yards.