Friend needs opinions on elk caliber

[Grizzley Adams]

30-06 or 45/70 i have used both of these calibers on elk and many other game.but the 30-06 will damage less meat versus the monster 45/70.but i love both of these calibers and they work well on pretty much any type of big game.

 

[Colt46]

Many options. Pick one that is accurate

Most hunters will use just about any caliber that they have handy. I'd put more emphasis on using the right bullet. Elk are pretty tough and you want a pretty high sectional density that will stay together as it penetrates.

 

[Full Clip]

.308 is fine. Don't spend money you don't have to on a new rifle. But if he has the itch, get a 30-06. If you don't reload, ammo is available wherever guns are sold and it's enough power to take down most anything huntable in the Americas.

 

[phantomak47]

I think that alone means he should stick with the .308 and just make due.

I don't know about the 300WSM, but the 300WIN is a barrel burner. That isn't even getting into the recoil issue.

This topic has come up a lot lately here, with regards to the .300 win barrels wearing out pretty fast. One poster pointed out that the Marines dumped the idea about using the .300 win because of limited service life of the barrel.

What is the typical life of a .300 win barrel?

 

[KiltedClaymore]

.30-06 will be fine.

or if he has cash laying around, the .50bmg is handy ::

 

[JackCrow]

I hunt with two of my friends, one carries a .30-06 the other 7mm Mag. I have watched both of them kill elk dead in their tracks with a single shot.

 

[jimbo]

338 Federal?

 

[Bartkowski]

What is the typical life of a .300 win barrel?

I have read people getting 1000 rounds if they let it cool between shots, others say 1500. I don't have personal experience, but the numbers kept me from getting one.