How many bullets for backpack elk hunt?

[ashersdad]

How many bullets are you all taking on a backpack elk hunt? I've always just thrown a 20 round box in my pack and called it good. Don't remember the last time I needed more than 2 rounds. Getting everything laid out and ready for my Wyoming elk hunt and there is just alot of sh*t going in the pack when you have all your regular hunting gear along with camp stuff, food, water, etc. I'm thinking I could take 5-10 rounds and still be fine. Thoughts?

 

[Treeshark]

10. Two rodeos.

If I shoot any more than that, I need a walk back to the truck to think about my behavior.

 

[mevertsen]

10. Two rodeos.

If I shoot any more than that, I need a walk back to the truck to think about my behavior.

I like the rodeo. Comment. Lol.


Also, I recall years ago, the cmon idea was to carry enough ammo to signal for help.

3, 3 round volleys, like if SAR is known to be close to you, or if you are in an area of high hunter congestion.

That seems to have faded away with the technology changes.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I have a pouch that carries 14. Belly holds 4. If I’m skimping on weight I’ll just take the 14. If not, I’ll carry the 14 w/ 4 in the belly.

 

[rjthehunter]

I usually have 10. 4 in the gun, 3 in my pocket, and 3 in my pack. Never needed more than the ones in the gun though.

 

[huntnpack]

12

 

[MTLabrador]

Full mag plus 10.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I had 13 on my last backpacking hunt - three in the magazine and ten in my GoHunt ammo wallet. Must have been an unlucky number because I didn’t get anything.

This has my interest though:

 

[Dougfirtree]

I usually take 10.

 

[shb]

Well the limit is one elk.

So if you take a box of factory rounds, thats like a 20 year supply of ammo.

 

[the nikster]

13

 

[BAKPAKR]

Well the limit is one elk.

So if you take a box of factory rounds, thats like a 20 year supply of ammo.

You are obviously a better marksman than I am…

 

[Gulf of America]

My 7 mag takes 3 in the magazine and I typically have another 5 or so in a sleeve on the stock. With my other rifle, 3 in the magazine and 5 in a pocket. I figure everything that needs to happen can happen within 2 reloads (and hopefully a lot less). If it was a backpack hunt, I might have some extras though for the SOS volleys if SHTF.

 

[Dsnow9]

15, 2 five round mags and a spare 5 pack. Love me those Norma ammo holders out of the factory boxes. I bring enough so that I’m never gonna need them. 5 to re-zero the gun if needed, and the second mag in case there is an issue with the first. Can only think of one time I made it to the second mag. Put 4 in the vitals of a cow and she didn’t flinch or move, she turned 180 and saw the blood pouring out of four perfect shots, I then Dropped her calf with one, and she was still standing. Put the new mag in and put one more in her and then she finally dropped.

 

[Sawtooth]

Three in the rifle, eight in an ammo wallet.

 

[Jnasa]

I generally take what my rifle holds in the mag (4 usually) plus a holder with 10 rounds.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve needed more than 2. But I like having extra in case. Never know if your scope gets bumped and need to re zero. Or maybe things go south.

 

[Schaaf]

13. 3 in the Magazine and 10 in the magpul ammo wallet because that’s what it holds.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

15, 2 five round mags and a spare 5 pack. Love me those Norma ammo holders out of the factory boxes. I bring enough so that I’m never gonna need them. 5 to re-zero the gun if needed, and the second mag in case there is an issue with the first. Can only think of one time I made it to the second mag. Put 4 in the vitals of a cow and she didn’t flinch or move, she turned 180 and saw the blood pouring out of four perfect shots, I then Dropped her calf with one, and she was still standing. Put the new mag in and put one more in her and then she finally dropped.
View attachment 388071

What caliber? I had a similar experience with a cow this past season with .280ai shooting 152 grain Barnes LRX. Shoot until they drop!

To the OP, I carry full mag of 4-5 plus 10 in an ammo wallet.

 

[Dsnow9]

What caliber? I had a similar experience with a cow this past season with .280ai shooting 152 grain Barnes LRX. Shoot until they drop!

To the OP, I carry full mag of 4-5 plus 10 in an ammo wallet.

.308 Barnes 168gr ttsx bt

 

[winmag]

I used to take 12 or so but after about 15 years of never using more than 3, I’ve trimmed it down.

I took 6 on a recent deer hunt, used 1. I took 8 on a recent hunt in grizzly country, 2 extra for the bears I guess, used 0.