Minimum Elk Caliber. what do you think it is.

[mtmuley]

I shot mine well too. Works as designed. It’s just fun to shoot a lot and that kind of rifle is not conducive to high round count/fun. We should go shooting sometime when you head this way to grab those cans of RL26 I have waiting for you. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

I have a .222 Remington I shoot a lot. It's an old dog but does the trick. My .243 gets a bit of work also. Don't have to shoot the cannon to stay in shape. mtmuley

 

[elkhuntinfool78]

If you're in the know then a .223 is all you need for anything anywhere. 22 mag is best grizzly defense too...lol I'm laughing but you do you , fun to banter if nothing else

I myself find a .270 win at the low end of what I'll use and most often will be found with some sort of 300 mag. Some days even a .338....lol

 

[Southern Elk]

Nothing sissy about it. I shoot the rifle well. When I can't I will move on. mtmuley

I’m really liking the 30-06 lately. Killed my bulls last year and this year with one. First time using all copper bullet this year. Very versatile.

 

[2rocky]

There is something to be said for not wondering if you have enough gun based on the animal's distance or angle. Watching a bull soak up rounds in the vitals and stay on their feet at 50 yards (for seconds that in the moment felt like minutes) with a magnum rifle is burned into my brain. As a result I shoot for bone in the shoulder and I know the bullets I shoot are made for that.

I guess my point is that big calibers are not as much a guarantee of lethality as many of us think. CNS shock gives me instant feedback though and makes me feel better that I don't have a tracking job to do. When in actuality I clearly remember follow up kills I've had to make on Bang-Flops that were not lethal. Ideally I want to see that elk shudder and collapse on a broken shoulder where I can see him. Not hump up and walk in the dark timber as it is getting dark.

Some folks hunt geese with #6's and head shots doesn't mean everyone should...

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

I would say a 22-250 with a 55 grain barnes from 100 yards or closer.

 

[RidgeRebel]

223 rem @ 407 yards traveled less than 20 yards.

 

[Forkyfinder]

223 rem @ 407 yards traveled less than 20 yards.
View attachment 396590View attachment 396591View attachment 396592View attachment 396593

Bullet? Impact velocity?

 

[RidgeRebel]

Bullet? Impact velocity?

77gn TMK, impact velocity just under 2100 fps

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

77gn TMK, impact velocity just under 2100 fps

Just the 1 round to the liver?

 

[RidgeRebel]

Just one round through both lungs and both sides of the ribs. I think the liver might have gotten cut during the gutting job( some shrapnel may have got it too). This was my. Nephew's elk and be gutted it. But yes only one round through the elk. The first pic is the exit side, I was trying to find the bullet jacket.

 

[El Jason]

77gn TMK, impact velocity just under 2100 fps

Looks like a dead elk.

 

[mtmuley]

RS approved. mtmuley

 

[RidgeRebel]

I am not necessarily all on the small caliber train, but it undeniably works and well to. My brother shot a bull this year with 6.5 prc a little far back that took way longer to die than the one shot with a 223.

 

[TX Trophy Hunter]

Just one round through both lungs and both sides of the ribs. I think the liver might have gotten cut during the gutting job( some shrapnel may have got it too). This was my. Nephew's elk and be gutted it. But yes only one round through the elk. The first pic is the exit side, I was trying to find the bullet jacket.

Ok I thought that mark towards the bottom of the liver was from the bullet. I was definitely confused about a liver shot dropping it that quickly. That’s a good demonstration of shot placement, bullet construction, and sectional density. I tend to hit the shoulder so I shoot Barnes

 

[6mm Remington]

I'd say a good 6mm with excellent bullets. Some that come to mind are:

6mm Remington
6mm PRC
240 Weatherby
243 WSSM
243 Winchester

Bullets:
100 gr. Partition
95 gr. Partition
90 gr. E-tip
90 gr. Accubond

 

[thusby]

I'd say a good 6mm with excellent bullets. Some that come to mind are:

6mm Remington
6mm PRC
240 Weatherby
243 WSSM
243 Winchester

Bullets:
100 gr. Partition
95 gr. Partition
90 gr. E-tip
90 gr. Accubond

Yeah but what color fingernail polish?

 

[corndog1]

Yeah but what color fingernail polish?

I started using a 243 this year and my daughter paints my nails purple.

 

[Foxtrot1]

I usually don't dive into hose kinds of discussions. But it depends alot on who's behind the rifle. I have a buddy with endless patience, who's a stellar shot, and would watch game walk away if not a perfect broadside shot. He would do fine with a .223.

If given 1 chance on a bull in a week, which shots would you take?

I really don't think it takes a magnum. I KNOW a 7x57, 7mm-08, 308, 30-06 with partitions or accubonds will give enough pentration to break a shoulder or angle thru a lot of tissue to reach the vitals if I do my part on 99% of all shot opportunities. The Europeans have great luck with 6.5x55s, but I've never used them. Honestly any smaller than that and I would be very careful with shots and understand it may cost opportunities.

If I were setting a rifle up for a child or my wife, it would be a 7x57 or 7mm-08. Easy to shoot, but good enough penetration for most situations.

 

[6mm Remington]

6mm Remington one shot 30 yards with 100 gr. Partition. Entered right shoulder and exited just in front of the left shoulder on the other side. Staggered a few feet and I shot him one more time and he went down. He was dead on his feet but didn't know it.

6mm Remington one shot at 350 yards with a 90 gr. Nosler E-tip. Entered tight behind the rightr shoulder and exited the center of the left shoulder. She staggered 20 yards and went down. My son Jeff's first elk with his 6mm Remington.

 

[Point Creep]

25-06 100gr Barnes TSX right down the gullet and he didn’t go anywhere.