Wife Wants an Elk

[Paul7]

Fella's;

"You cannot hunt elk with reduced recoil ammo." That there is what there's a lot of out in the bull yard. If we're talking reduced .30-06 loads, then you most assuredly have to hunt smarter, and limit ranges. If you use something like my suggested 6.5 Swede, there are very few limitations as to what you can accomplish.

Elk are not armor-plated, they're just big deer. They get taken with all sorts of calibers every year here in Montana. Which is not to say that every caliber that could be mentioned is a good choice. It really depends more on the hunter than the gun in my opinion. Which brings up the question of the hunter's physical condition, which was mentioned earlier. Around here, you really can hunt both sides of the same acre. If you get outta the truck & off the ATV that is. Success is fairly easy if you get off the beaten path. Getting the critter out can be it's own adventure though.

Adventure is defined as finishing field dressing the carcass at 5:30PM on November 12, it's starting to snow, you're 680 feet down and two miles away from the truck. The carcass is at 7200 feet of elevation, and you haven't got a cel tower within 20 miles. Y'all have fun now.

900F

Exactly, if you poke a hole in an elk's lungs they're going to die. The early settlers wiped out the elk population with calibers that would make a 6.5x55 look like a .338.

Barbary Sheep, Oryx, and wild hogs with their shoulder armor can be tough animals, elk are not.

 

[Bullchip]

Paul7

I'm using a Hornady 129 Gr. SST at 2850 fps. I zero at 250 yards, so the drops are, -3.8 at 300, -16 in. at 400, and -25 or so at 450. At 400 yards there is still about 1300 ft-lb. of energy left, plenty for deer or antelope, but a bit light for elk in my opinion.

 

[Don McDowell]

2850 fps from a 30 cal 165 gr bullet??? Where does this stuff come from? Really stretching things from an 06 or a 308, both well known elk killers. Certainly not anywhere near that from the 30-30 ,30-40 krag or the 300 savage, and all will kill elk much quicker than most folks with limited elk woods experience might realize.
Like CB 900f said, elk aint' bullet proof, but it is important to put the shot where it belongs, and that's a bunch easier with a rifle/cartridge combination the shooter is not afraid of..

 

[Paul7]

Paul7

I'm using a Hornady 129 Gr. SST at 2850 fps. I zero at 250 yards, so the drops are, -3.8 at 300, -16 in. at 400, and -25 or so at 450. At 400 yards there is still about 1300 ft-lb. of energy left, plenty for deer or antelope, but a bit light for elk in my opinion.

Where would that hit at 50-100 yds?

 

[Bullchip]

Don M

Not sure about your experiences, but my formula for my Grandson's 06 is 62.6 Gr. of RE22, Winchester case, Federal 210 primer, and a Nosler 165 gr. partition bullet, seated to 3.360. Velocity is 2962 avg. fps. over an Oehler 35P Chronograph. From a 308, this velocity is probably not possible.
This is from another Sako rifle with a 24 in BBl. All of this at a reasonable 48,000 Psi, as measured with a 22 in. HS Precision pressure and velocity barrel. Please do not try to duplicate this load without working the load up.

As Paul7 stated, settlers almost wiped out the elk population, what he didn't quantify is how many were wounded and not found. To keep this thread OT, I suggest the OP take advantage of every bit of available technology, and have an enjoyable and successful hunt with his wife.

 

[Bullchip]

Paul7

About 1.5 in high at 50, and close to 3 in. at 100

 

[CB900F]

Bullchip;

I'd suggest that you go back and review. That way you can get it straight about who said what.

900F

 

[Bullchip]

Bullchip;

I'd suggest that you go back and review. That way you can get it straight about who said what.

900F

My bad, it was paul7. Probably not enough coffee yet.

 

[CB900F]

Bullchip;

No prob, I have suffered from the dreaded lakacaffine syndrome too!

900F

 

[Bullchip]

Bullchip;

No prob, I have suffered from the dreaded lakacaffine syndrome too!

900F

My wife would call it a senior moment.

 

[Don McDowell]

Don M

Not sure about your experiences, but my formula for my Grandson's 06 is 62.6 Gr. of RE22, Winchester case, Federal 210 primer, and a Nosler 165 gr. partition bullet, seated to 3.360. Velocity is 2962 avg. fps. over an Oehler 35P Chronograph. From a 308, this velocity is probably not possible.
This is from another Sako rifle with a 24 in BBl. All of this at a reasonable 48,000 Psi, as measured with a 22 in. HS Precision pressure and velocity barrel. Please do not try to duplicate this load without working the load up.

As Paul7 stated, settlers almost wiped out the elk population, what he didn't quantify is how many were wounded and not found. To keep this thread OT, I suggest the OP take advantage of every bit of available technology, and have an enjoyable and successful hunt with his wife.

Bullchip over the last 50 someodd years of elk hunting and licensed professional elk hunter herding, I'ld be willing to bet I've killed more elk with a 243 that half the internet experts have even seen in their lifetime.
I've seen elk killed with a myriad of cartridges, and none of the work was well as the old rounds most consider to be to anemic, such as the 6.5's, and 7x57's, 30-30s and 30-40's etc loaded with those old outdated cup and core bullets.
Plain matter of fact that most folks can shoot those cartridges a bunch better than they can the belted flinchmaster's that have become the norm these last few years.

 

[Bullchip]

Bullchip over the last 50 someodd years of elk hunting and licensed professional elk hunter herding, I'ld be willing to bet I've killed more elk with a 243 that half the internet experts have even seen in their lifetime.
I've seen elk killed with a myriad of cartridges, and none of the work was well as the old rounds most consider to be to anemic, such as the 6.5's, and 7x57's, 30-30s and 30-40's etc loaded with those old outdated cup and core bullets.
Plain matter of fact that most folks can shoot those cartridges a bunch better than they can the belted flinchmaster's that have become the norm these last few years.

Maybe you ought to read the OP's first post. He has an 06, doesn't want to spend a lot of money on a new rifle, and wants his wife to use the 06 if possible. My advice was intended to help him do that. A good muzzle brake will allow his wife to shoot that rifle with full power ammunition with ease, and harvest an animal without wounding it, and having to chase it into the next county to recover it.

 

[Don McDowell]

Did read the OP's first post, suggested he cut the stock to fit her for length of pull, she can handle the recoil much better. Later also suggested as others did down loading, or using some of the factory "managed recoil ammo".
A muzzle break will probably make her flinch like crazy unless wearing ear muffs at all times. That's a serious handicap while hunting.
Do things right and she can work up to "full power" ammunition in short order. And there's no flies in the ointment on an 06 loaded down to 30-40 and 300 savage levels if she can't handle the full power recoil.
Do not for the life of me understand folks that won't spend the time, effort and money to set their wives up with a proper rifle, and train them into enjoying the shooting/hunting sports.

 

[rondog]

I think it's awesome your wife wants to do this! My wife wants nothing to do with guns, shooting or hunting. Went to the club range with me once, but only because it was July 4th and there was food and an open house.

I'd love to get an elk, but I'd have to go alone and my biggest fear would be recovering the animal by myself. Or pay huge bucks for a guided hunt.

 

[greyghost01]

If your interested in a Brake at all, High Tec Customs builds a brake that reduces recoil by 65%, It made my 300WM shoot like a 223,
Rich Riley owner- 719-667-1090
His Brakes do work, He can make a cap when you take the brake off and screw it on its hard to tell you ever put a brake on it. Well worth the money

 

[Bullchip]

If you read the OP's post, you must have seen the part where he described the rifle as family heirloom and did not want to extensively modify it. If he cuts the stock to fit his wife, the rifle won't fit him anymore. A brake is the least expensive and most efficient way to solve his problem.

 

[Bullchip]

If your interested in a Brake at all, High Tec Customs builds a brake that reduces recoil by 65%, It made my 300WM shoot like a 223,
Rich Riley owner- 719-667-1090
His Brakes do work, He can make a cap when you take the brake off and screw it on its hard to tell you ever put a brake on it. Well worth the money

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This!

 

[Tony k]

If you get outta the truck & off the ATV that is. Success is fairly easy if you get off the beaten path. Getting the critter out can be it's own adventure though.

Adventure is defined as finishing field dressing the carcass at 5:30PM on November 12, it's starting to snow, you're 680 feet down and two miles away from the truck. The carcass is at 7200 feet of elevation, and you haven't got a cel tower within 20 miles. Y'all have fun now.

.

^^THIS^^ I know this is the rifle subforum, but elk hunting is usually physically demanding in my experience. If she's not physically and mentally prepared for what happens before and after she pulls the trigger, she probably won't enjoy the hunt. No rifle will change that. Let her shoot your ought-sixes as they are with ammo suitable for elk. If she feels ok with one of them, great. just make adjustments to the scope eye relief, LOP, recoil pad, etc., as necessary to make make it better for her.

If neither of the rifles you have works for her, let her find one that she likes. Lots of good calibers and efficient bullets out there.

Meanwhile, start training for the hunt. Being strong, having good cardio, and generally being mentally and physically prepared for stalking, quartering, and packing in rugged terrain will make for a much more enjoyable experience.

 

[Don McDowell]

By the time he has the muzzle brake installed he could have her her own Savage Axis, Ruger American etc, and won't of wrecked the value of an "heirloom" barrel.

 

[Bullchip]

By the time he has the muzzle brake installed he could have her her own Savage Axis, Ruger American etc, and won't of wrecked the value of an "heirloom" barrel.

Ruger American rifle in 7-08 about $ 375.00 on sale, cheap 3X9 scope, Burris, Vortex etc. $ 225.00. Total $ 600 KDF Muzzle Brake $ 250.00 including shipping

 

[Don McDowell]

Remington 700 scope combo at Cabela's 449, she has her own rifle.
But on the other hand sticking with the original 06 left alone as is ,a bunch of reloading components can be bought for 100 bucks and she can shoot reduced loads that will get the job done on any elk ever built..

 

[Bullchip]

But I repeat myself: He doesn't have the money for a new rifle! And nowhere in his post did he mention that he had the ability or the inclination to handload.

 

[Don McDowell]

But I repeat myself: He doesn't have the money for a new rifle! And nowhere in his post did he mention that he had the ability or the inclination to handload.

Yes but you are making assumptions on limited knowledge, he does reload, matter of fact he has a thread going right now asking about..... wait for it..... don't guess....
30-06 dies.....