What is the smallest caliber recommended for elk?

Commercially available in 1962 as a . 280 on steroids, the 7mm Rem Mag. is another favorite among serious long-range shooters and big game hunters. The 7mm Rem Mag. sends a 165-grain projectile at almost 3,000 FPS with 3,200 FT/LBS of energy, making it a favorite among moose, elk, and deer hunters.

The Bullet Does the Work Elk bullets must be tough enough to provide adequate penetration. Choose at least medium weight for caliber: 140 grains in 6.5mm and the lighter 7mms; 140 and 150 grains in . 270s; 150 to 160 grains in faster 7mms; 165 or 180 grains in . 30 calibers.  Takedown request View complete answer on petersenshunting.com

What is the smallest caliber for elk?

30/30 Winchester rounds. That's probably not a great choice in today's world. I would put the minimum around the . 270 Winchester mark.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

What caliber can take down an elk?

308 because of its low recoil and high accuracy. A . 308 is sure to deliver plenty of damage thanks to its deep penetration. It's more than enough power to take down an elk.  Takedown request View complete answer on westcanyonranch.com

Is 7mm too small for elk?

Fortunately, that problem has since been fixed and hunters now have access to an excellent selection of high-quality 7mm bullets that perform very well on really big game like elk.  Takedown request View complete answer on exomtngear.com

Is 308 to small for elk?

308 is a superb whitetail round, but don't believe it's too puny for elk, pronghorns, black bears or plains game. Whenever hunters gather around a campfire to discuss big-game cartridges, you'll hear talk about the .  Takedown request View complete answer on buckmasters.com

Minimum caliber for Elk

Is a 308 or 270 better for elk?

308 are excellent hunting and target rifles, and with proper loads, either can do just about anything you need it to do. For closer shots on heavy or thick-skinned game, we might favor the . 308, while for longer, open-country hunting for pronghorn, deer, or elk, we might opt for the . 270.  Takedown request View complete answer on libertysafe.com

Is 6.5 Creedmoor too small for elk?

With a good 140-grain bullet it is certainly elk-capable, but that's not a heavy bullet for elk-sized game. At Creedmoor velocity, it's also not generous in the energy department. Suitable for elk, sure, but not at long range.  Takedown request View complete answer on petersenshunting.com

Is a .270 good for elk?

270 was adequate for elk. Yes, it is. The longest shot I've made on an elk was at just over 400 yards on a snowy hillside with a Dakota . 270 and a 150-grain Partition.  Takedown request View complete answer on rifleshootermag.com

Is a 7mm more powerful than a 308?

As you'll read in the next few sections, there is very little difference between the 7mm-08 Remington and the 308 Winchester from a ballistics standpoint. Their muzzle velocity (fps), trajectory, ballistic coefficient, and sectional density are virtually identical between both cartridges (within a few percent).  Takedown request View complete answer on ammo.com

What size rifle is best for elk?

The Winchester Short Magnum family with 270, 7mm, and 300 calibers would all make excellent elk rifles to pack into the back country. One of my all-time favorite hunting cartridges, and has claimed several of my best shots, is the 7mm Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum (7SAUM).  Takedown request View complete answer on coldboremiracle.com

What caliber has killed the most elk?

30-30 Win came out in 1895, just ten years earlier than the more powerful . 30-06. The . 30-06 has been one of the most popular cartridges for 114 years, and it would be my pick as the cartridge that has killed the most elk.  Takedown request View complete answer on hunttalk.com

Is 338 Lapua good for elk?

Because elk are so tough, the farther the shot, the harder you ought to hit them! Ideally, something like the . 338 Lapua Magnum makes sense but, realistically, that is too much recoil. So, next best thing: If you're serious about longer shots on elk, man up and use a fast .  Takedown request View complete answer on petersenshunting.com

What is the best elk caliber ever?

300 Win. Mag., and you understand why it's not just the most popular . 300 magnum of all time, but one of the best all-round elk calibers of all time.  Takedown request View complete answer on outdoorlife.com

Is 7mm PRC good for elk?

That's plenty of power to cleanly take elk at significant ranges. Smaller long-range game like Dall sheep and pronghorn should beware, too. The 7mm PRC also boasts excellent accuracy. The long, heavy-for-caliber bullets (in 160, 175, and 180-grains) offer Magnum ballistics out the non-belted cartridge.  Takedown request View complete answer on redhawkrifles.com

What is the smallest caliber for moose?

223 and even smaller can effectively kill moose depending on shot placement.  Takedown request View complete answer on adfg.alaska.gov

What is the best caliber for moose and elk?

7mm Rem Mag

Commercially available in 1962 as a . 280 on steroids, the 7mm Rem Mag. is another favorite among serious long-range shooters and big game hunters. The 7mm Rem Mag. sends a 165-grain projectile at almost 3,000 FPS with 3,200 FT/LBS of energy, making it a favorite among moose, elk, and deer hunters.

 Takedown request View complete answer on resources.mossberg.com

What shoots flatter 7mm or 308?

In truth, these are both great cartridges. It could be argued the . 308 is better suited for large game thanks to heavier bullets, but it could also be argued the 7mm-08, with its lighter, faster, flatter-shooting bullets and less recoil, is better for medium game and varmints.  Takedown request View complete answer on rifleshootermag.com

Is a 30-06 more powerful than a 7mm?

Due to its design, the 7mm can fire the same popular bullet weights as the 30-06, but it does so with higher FPS at the muzzle, more ft-lbs of energy, and can retain those ballistic advantages at longer ranges.  Takedown request View complete answer on ammo.com

Is 308 overkill?

These calibers aren't “overkill” as long as you can put shots on target. But an afternoon of practice at the range with a . 308 Win. will always be less comfortable than with a 6.5 Creedmoor. These medium-sized calibers are more than capable of taking down deer.  Takedown request View complete answer on themeateater.com

Will a .270 take down a moose?

Known as an ideal cartridge for medium-sized game, the . 270 is more gun that most people give it credit for. It will still get the job done plenty well on a moose. It doesn't garner much attraction from today's tinkerers and cartridge snobs, but it's still one of the best all-around choices.  Takedown request View complete answer on outdoorlife.com

Is a 270 overkill a deer?

The truth is, you will have good luck with both the 270 and 243 when it comes to the deer-sized game.  Takedown request View complete answer on ammo.com

Is a 260 big enough for elk?

Bottom line, . 260 Remington is a great elk gun, to a point. Larger animals or longer distances will render it a bit light to the task.  Takedown request View complete answer on quora.com

What size bullet is best for elk?

Elk bullets must be tough enough to provide adequate penetration. Choose at least medium weight for caliber: 140 grains in 6.5mm and the lighter 7mms; 140 and 150 grains in . 270s; 150 to 160 grains in faster 7mms; 165 or 180 grains in . 30 calibers.  Takedown request View complete answer on petersenshunting.com

Is a 30.06 a good elk rifle?

The combination worked well on a wide variety of Montana big game over the next few years, taking not just more whitetails but pronghorn, mule deer, black bear and elk as well. Many of us know intellectually that the . 30-06 is a good all-around big game cartridge.  Takedown request View complete answer on buckmasters.com

Can you hunt elk with 6mm Creedmoor?

Make no mistake, the 6mm Creedmoor can be used on larger big-game animals like elk, but it's officially categorized as a medium-sized game cartridge, and there are better options for those looking to take down heavy, big-boned game.  Takedown request View complete answer on freerangeamerican.us

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