most popular caliber for mule deer and elk

[Paradude54]

I'm not interested in what the best caliber is necessarily, but what everyone is using out here for mule deer and elk. I'm adding a poll, so feel free to vote. I don't know if it'll let you vote for more than one, but if not then please post to the thread with your advice or if there's something that's not in the poll then please post it and let me know.

Thanks

[MarkCO]

I hunted with a .30-06 for 20 years, but switched to the .338-06 about 5 years ago. I was shocked you had it in the poll. Of the group I hunt with there is 1 7mm Mag, 1 .300 Win Mag, 2 .338-06s and 3 .30-06s.

[USMC88-93]

Completely irrelevant to you poll but everyone I hunt with uses 7mm STW

[GreenScoutII]

I don't think a guy can go wrong with a .30-06. Very versitle caliber, plus it sounds cool to say.[LOL]

[SA Friday]

I voted other. I've used 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win mag and 30-06. I take which ever one tickles my fancy at the time, but I think it's pretty hard to beat my 7mm mag.

[theGinsue]

When I was looking for a good hunting rifle 21 years ago, my dad told me that since I was only looking to get one gun at the time, the best "all around" big game cartridge was the .30-06 (very versatile). I've used it on all sorts of big game across the country and haven't been disappointed once. Of course, I've picked up a few different caliber big game rifles over the years but I still use that same old Ruger M77 left-handed bolt in .30-06 as my primary "gun of choice".

[Paradude54]

The 7mm STW hadn't even occurred to me. I'm only vaguely familiar with it and I don't think that I've ever seen a gun chambered in that cartridge, unless it was just sitting in a gun rack at a gun shop somewhere.

The reason for not including the 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag is because I just don't care for belted cases. I'm not saying that there's anything at all wrong with them, it's just a personal preference.

Thanks for all the input so far. By the way, the .338-06 was included because it's one of the guns that I happen to have. I built it on a Remington 700 action with a Sako extractor, completely blueprinted it and chambered it myself and then made a nice stock out of American walnut, my first stock and it actually turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. All of the metal is highly polished and rust blued with a jeweled bolt. The bad part though is that I've yet to use it on a hunt! Something that I intend to change in the near future, but at the moment I still live in Tennessee most of the year and it's a bit much for a whitetail deer; unless you want to field dress it at the same time. [LOL]

[Bowtie]

I shoot 300 Weatherby now. I have hunted deer and elk with .243, 30-06, and .338 but .300 Weatherby shoots hard and flat. I shoot factory ammo so I have found this is a good round for me. If I was going to buy a new elk and muley gun I would probably buy a 300 rem Ultra Mag. I hunt late seasons and on public land, so far shots (200 yds +) are the norm.

[SA Friday]

The reason for not including the 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag is because I just don't care for belted cases. I'm not saying that there's anything at all wrong with them, it's just a personal preference.

Good. Makes my brass easier to find. Stay away from the RL-22 too.[Coffee]

[Dryfli]

I hunted for a long time with the good old 30-06 but this past season picked up a ruger m77 in 7mm mag and I wont be changing back. I really like how flat it shoots I took a 6x6 elk and it dropped him

[newracer]

I use a 300 win mag for elk and 30-06 for deer. Could use either for either too.

[Batteriesnare]

I've always used my trusty .308 for a couple Muleys and antelope here. Drew a elk tag once, but all the elk in Estes Park know where it's safe to hide....and taunt.[Bang]

[Colorado Osprey]

I voted "other"
300 WinMag for elk, lever action 30-30 or 45-70 for deer because where we hunt the deer are always close in the brush/scrub.

[Paradude54]

Thanks everyone for all the input. Despite my dislike for belted cartridges maybe I should have included both the 7mm Remington Magnum and the .300 Winchester Magnum.[Tooth]

[CowboyTuff]

7mm Rem Mag

[Troublco]

I have used my 700BDL in .308 exclusively for the last 10 years for everything from Antelope to Elk. My last Elk was a good size cow shot at 350 yards. I got her in the liver with a Sierra 165 Game King HP, and when I came down off recoil and reacquired her in the scope she was knocked on her back with her legs flailing in the air. She did pop up and run about 600 yards into a sage bottom, but she wasn't going any further. Now, I wouldn't use a .308 for anything larger but I wouldn't have any problem using it for any other Elk. The only other limitation I put on .308 is that I won't go out farther than 500 yards except for field goats, and then I won't go past 600. And this is with a Springfield 6x40 rangefinding reticle scope, not a standard duplex.

[10x]

A while back Cal from the Shooting Den told me that for antelope, deer and elk seasons 80% of the ammo he sold was 30-06, 270, 308, 7 mm Rem mag and 300 Win mag.

[Paradude54]

A while back Cal from the Shooting Den told me that for antelope, deer and elk seasons 80% of the ammo he sold was 30-06, 270, 308, 7 mm Rem mag and 300 Win mag.

Thanks again for all the input. This is a small sampling in the big scheme of things, but I think that in prepping we all need to keep in mind what is most popular, not neccesarily the ideal and that's why I put the survey up. Looking back, even though I don't personally like belted cartridges, I should have included the 7mm Rem Mag and .300 Win Mag though.

[rhineoshott]

Other,
I do most of my hunting with .22LR. Mabye if I have some distance shots I'll use a .17 HMR

joking

[Colorado Osprey]

Other,
I do most of my hunting with .22LR. Mabye if I have some distance shots I'll use a .17 HMR

joking

There is actually more to that than you might think.
Nationally, there are more deer taken with 22lr because of poaching than taken with any "other" caliber.

[CapLock]

I end up using an Encore in 300 mag for most of my big game hunting.

[locogunnut]

if your going to use one rifle for deer and elk i would have to say the 30-06 because there is sooo many different grain ammo avaible. but i myself use a 270 for deer and a 300 win mag for elk.

[buffalobo]

I voted "other"
300 WinMag for elk, lever action 30-30 or 45-70 for deer because where we hunt the deer are always close in the brush/scrub.


Voted other for the same reason. Plus I just love 30-30. Usually 30-06 for elk, most versatile round for me.

[battle_sight_zero]

308 for me. Love to shoot the 30/30 but areas where I hunt are often 200-400 yard shots. Find it to be excellent for antelopes as well. I have not hunted ELK yet but I am sure it will do its job on them if I need it too. However I did pick up a Sako A7 300WSM for that possibility as well.

[wyzardd]

I used .30-30 for years, with a scoped Remington in .257 Roberts for those rare occasions I wasn't hunting in bush. But a decade or so ago I started worrying about damaging my grandfathers old mdl 94. I'm not exactly the most coordinated individual, some may say, so I got me a Remington 700 in .308 for antelope, deer, & elk. A few years later I picked up a Ruger No1 in .300 WinMag (because with that indestructible action .257 Roberts seemed tiny. Not because .257 is underpowered for game) but that's pretty much elk only.

I haven't drawn a deer tag in a while, used to be I'd get a deer license by default and hope to draw a good elk tag. CWD thinning out our muleys? I've also heard those damn whitetails are invading... I don't know, but I sure miss venison.

[TennVol]

Currently, a Sako chambered in .300 WSM is my mulie/elk rifle.

[theGinsue]

Okay, I want to take this thread up a notch.

What would everyone consider as the best caliber for not only deer and elk, but for bear - I'm talking both blacks and browns (full sized Grizzleys), as well as Moose.

Is there a caliber that you'd recommend that would cover all of these options without bein too much on one end or too little on the other?

Discuss.

[theGinsue]

What, nothing?

How about if I word it like this:
What do you think is the best caliber for long range elk deer and bear hunting?

What if you were limited to these calibers: .300, .338 or .270 (Yes, Win Mag & WSM can be included)?

[BigBear]

Bear?... hey.....

I would say .338 to make sure it STAYS down. Nothing more alarming than a pissed off bear... I should know. HAHA.

[cowboykjohnson]

.300 win mag works for everything, 165-180 gr for deer, 180 gr for elk and bear, and 220gr for moose and caribou.

[theGinsue]

Yeah, the last 2 posts are exactly the info I was looking for.

Appreciate the info gents.

[sniper7]

I have never hunted elk with a rifle. I use a .50 cal muzzleloader or a bow.

for deer I use .243 as that is the only rifle caliber I have other than .223

Some day I will have a nice 300 win mag. then when I get a deer it will be processed on the spot[Coffee]

[TennVol]

Some day I will have a nice 300 win mag. then when I get a deer it will be processed on the spot[Coffee]


I am a firm believer in the theory there is no such thing as using too much gun for your quarry. Dead is dead. I want my deer/elk to drop where they are shot. I don't mind "losing" a bit of meat by erring on the side of a bigger caliber. I'm not a huge fan of tracking deer/elk for a long ways after they've been shot.

As long as you can shoot your rifle accurately, use whatever caliber floats your boat. Just use one big enough to get the job done and put the round where it needs to go (shoulder, heart, lungs).

Just my $.02 worth....

[sniper7]

I am a firm believer in the theory there is no such thing as using too much gun for your quarry. Dead is dead. I want my deer/elk to drop where they are shot. I don't mind "losing" a bit of meat by erring on the side of a bigger caliber. I'm not a huge fan of tracking deer/elk for a long ways after they've been shot.

As long as you can shoot your rifle accurately, use whatever caliber floats your boat. Just use one big enough to get the job done and put the round where it needs to go (shoulder, heart, lungs).

Just my $.02 worth....


I feel the same way, I like to be prepared and be able to shot very accurately, but there is a large difference between at the range and being in the woods getting ready to take an animal that is staring at you or pissed and your heart is racing!
I have tracked an elk for about 3 hours after a .50 cal shot that went through both lungs...elk are amazing and have a huge sense of wanting to live...deer and antelope IMO are happy to die for the most part, but elk struggle to the very end.

[cowboykjohnson]

Some day I will have a nice 300 win mag. then when I get a deer it will be processed on the spot[Coffee]
Sniper, Tonight or tomorrow i'll find the picture of a buck I hit with mine at around 300 yds, it's pretty tore up. I was using 180gr accubonds.

[theGinsue]

I'm not a huge fan of tracking deer/elk for a long ways after they've been shot.

Oh yeah, tracking an injured animal has never been something I've particularly enjoyed. What makes it even worse is that they always seem to move FURTHER away from any roads or access points making your job of hauling the animal out even more difficult.



I feel the same way, I like to be prepared and be able to shot very accurately, but there is a large difference between at the range and being in the woods getting ready to take an animal that is staring at you or pissed and your heart is racing!
I have tracked an elk for about 3 hours after a .50 cal shot that went through both lungs...elk are amazing and have a huge sense of wanting to live...deer and antelope IMO are happy to die for the most part, but elk struggle to the very end.

I've noticed this too. While antelope move quickly, they often stop a few hundred yards away just long enough to get a good shot off. The deer seem to practically beg you to shoot them and if you do, don't move to far before dropping.

[Irving]

That's why you have your buddy circle the deer and you both shoot it at the same time while facing each other. Duh.

[Colorado Osprey]

Sniper, Tonight or tomorrow i'll find the picture of a buck I hit with mine at around 300 yds, it's pretty tore up. I was using 180gr accubonds.

People that don't belive that there is too much gun for deer and antelope need to go spend some time at a wild game processor. I can tell you that after spending a couple hours with my butcher this year the amount of waste from too big a gun and/or poor shots was phenominal. On average 30-40% of havested meat from deer and antelope was thrown out.

Some animals the entire hind quarters were tossed. Others front half's were tossed.

I have shot one deer many years ago under 100 yards with a 300 WinMag pushing a 190 grain bullet.
The whole front half had to be thrown away.
I will never do that again.
Bullet entered the front shoulder exploding the shoulder sending schrapnel of bone and ribs through the ribs and removing the far shoulder.

[GunTroll]

What he^ said!

[cowboykjohnson]

I shot towards the lungs behind the should knowing there would be damage. It tore up the ribs, but no major meat was lost.

[TennVol]

People that don't belive that there is too much gun for deer and antelope need to go spend some time at a wild game processor. I can tell you that after spending a couple hours with my butcher this year the amount of waste from too big a gun and/or poor shots was phenominal. On average 30-40% of havested meat from deer and antelope was thrown out.

Some animals the entire hind quarters were tossed. Others front half's were tossed.



Who in the hell shoots animals so that "entire hind quarters were tossed".
WTFO???

I shoot a .300 WSM (180 gr Winchester Supreme Silvertip) and last year I shot a pretty decent sized cow elk with a high shoulder shot that put her down on the spot. The bullet went through both shoulder blades and exited. I reckon I "lost" a piece of meat about the size of my fist. On the other hand, she died on the spot and there was zero tracking involved.

If someone puts multiple rounds of a large caliber in the wrong place on an animal, I'm sure they are going to lose meat. IMHO, those idiots need to learn to shoot better, or not be out hunting.

I still stand by my belief there is no such thing as too much gun for your chosen quarry. Having said that, you really need to be able to shoot worth a damn so you don't empty your magazine several times trying to put your animal down!

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.

[cowboykjohnson]

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.
True but it took 6 well placed shots from a .300win mag shooting 220gr Barnes bullets for my pops to put down a pissed charging moose in Canada. All 6 hit lungs and heart... and it finally gave up the ghost about 5 yards from him. He still carries one of the bullets on his keychain from over 30 years ago. I've seen elk go through a lot and not want to give up but that is impressive.

[Colorado Osprey]

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.

True, but the reality is that is not the case.
Most animals brought in for processing had on average 2 shots, many more than 2; a very few only had one. (you can always tell the real shooters from the animals brought in)

[cojab]

Not sure if you meant one caliber for both or a caliber for each. If it was one caliber for both I think I would take my 30-06. Otherwise for elk I always pick my 7mm. For deer I always pick up my 25-06. I absolutely love that rifle and caliber. I love my 30-30 for deer also just cause lever actions are so cool but I sometimes have a little longer shot that I just wouldnt feel comfortable with the 30-30. Although the Hornady lever action ammo has changed that up a bit. Couldn't realy comment on bear as I havn't hunted them yet.