The Perfect Elk Caliber

[HAWKFISH]

I would vote .270/7mm Mag/300 MAG/30-06/ or 338 depending on conditions and how you are hunting. Any of them will work. 7mm Mag is like a .270 on steroids and I like its flat shooting ability. You can take anything from coyotes to elk and grizz. 7mm Mag is avaliable everywhere I buy. Everywhere that I have ever seen ammo for sale... has had some 7mm Remington Magnum ammo. So for the little bit lighter recoil, very flat shooting from 0-500 yards easy, and a proven elk round... I'd take the 7mm Mag.

[James Raby]

30-06 with the Barnes 180 grain TSX. Both Federal and Cor Bon carry them as factory loads. 

[ericire12]

Once again, less selection and not as readily available every where.

Oh i disagree. There is a pretty extensive line of 7mm Mag ammo out there. Yes, you may need to buy online to get exactly what you want, but its out there

[Lucas]

Personally,  I prefer the 30-06.  That is what I learned with,  and every hunter in my family has one!  But like I said before if you ask anyone else from around here (which happen to take down extreamly large elk every year) they do suggest the .300 win mag.  I have shot them,  hunted with them,  and several friends and family own them.  I have never had a problem with it doing the job,  then again I never had to buy the ammo for it!

[Rastus]

Why be uncertain....buy the wife a .270 and get yourself a 50 BMG!

[Sponsor]

[HAWKFISH]

lol, does your wife read these posts Rastus?.. 

[HAWKFISH]

And I do like the 30-06.. great round.. I guess it's the ballistics of the 7mm mag that I keep coming back too. It shoots flatter and hits little harder than the 30-06..  but you don't have the monsterious recoil of the 300 win mag. I didn't know it until a few years ago that the 7mm mag was a very popular cartridge in other parts of the world with big game huters.. ie. Africa etc. Heck you can even buy 7mm Mag ammo at the evil empire.. wal-mart. So, I think it has to be a viable option for any centerfire rifle choice or need.

[shooter32]

I have been hunting deer for over 30 years with my .270. I have been asked to go after cow elk in Colorado. I know there are some great loads for the .270 but I talked my wife into letting me get a new rifle for the hunt. So far, I am leaning towards the Remington 700 CDL in 30-06. A good friend of mine is trying to steer me towards the Savage with the acu-trigger in a 308 or 30-06. What is the best rifle caliber for taking long and short distance shots at elk?

  I live in Colorado and have hunted elk and mulies for 30yrs. And have always used 30-06. It's never let me down. Plus you can find ammo anywhere.

[MikeBjerum]

I have never hunted elk or moose, but they are both on my list.  I have asked many, just like you are, and the most common sense answer I get is .30-06.

It sounds like reliable knock down power (I have talked to many hunters that could not get a kill with a .270), and while many like the 7 mm mag better they know they can pick up .30-06 anywhere they are.  A lot of stories out there of needing ammo, and having limited choices where they are at.  It seems like everyone carries at least some .30-06.

Of course my rack holds a .270 and a 300 short mag.  However, .308 and .30-06 are both on the wish list ... or should I say lust list.

[SlideRacker]

Dad and gramps both swore by the 150 gr. 7mm mauser for elk and deer.