Caliber for elk

[xring]

7.62 x 39 is NOT suitable. THe mosin is a suprisingly decent rifle and IS suitable with soft point amunition. You have to match your bullet to shot placement. A soft bullet like the interbond or cheapo 7.62x54 soft point -heart lungs. Puts em down right now. Hard bullet like the barnes- shoulder also puts em right down. 6.5s too light IMHO
Mininum- 270, 7 mag better, 3006 better 30 mag best.

[J]

Mininum- 270, 7 mag better, 3006 better 30 mag best.

Bah! I'd take a 7 mag over an 30-06 any day. Much better ballistics, and plenty of energy for the beast, out a good ways away. The 30-06 is a fine caliber for elk (as is the 308win). I just disagree with your ordering there.

Though I agree with your extremes. 270 minimum, 300mag is excellent (what I shoot for elk). Though if I didn't have the 300mag, I would be OK with a heavy load in my WBY 257 mag, probably more so than a 270win.

[armstrong001]

I'm hoping to use my grandfather's very early model 70 in 300 H&H to take an elk this season. He lived in Florida, and bought it specificaly to come to Colorado to hunt in the late 40s. I believe its been a safe queen ever since that trip. Unfortunately he died a few moths ago.

I'm sure a magnum is more than enough for an elk, I would be comfortable with .308 or .30-06.

[xring]

I'm hoping to use my grandfather's very early model 70 in 300 H&H to take an elk this season. He lived in Florida, and bought it specificaly to come to Colorado to hunt in the late 40s. I believe its been a safe queen ever since that trip. Unfortunately he died a few moths ago.

I'm sure a magnum is more than enough for an elk, I would be comfortable with .308 or .30-06.

Im sorry for your loss. I understand that its nice to hunt with a heirloom.
You probably already know this but early model 70s tend to have substantial collector value to the extent that very few of them are in the field for fear of loss of value. Your choice, it may be worth more to you to use the gun

[armstrong001]

Im sorry for your loss. I understand that its nice to hunt with a heirloom.
You probably already know this but early model 70s tend to have substantial collector value to the extent that very few of them are in the field for fear of loss of value. Your choice, it may be worth more to you to use the gun

I appreciate the advice, but the value is only there if you plan on selling it. Now don't get me wrong, I won't be carting that rifle up and down mountains, beating the hell out of it. But I would like it to see some action for probably the first time in 50 years. I think my grandpa would've liked that.

[raymill]

I will be using a 6.5x55 Swede with 140gr soft point

[yankeefan98121]

I will be using a 6.5x55 Swede with 140gr soft point

+1 I heart that round

[45XD]

I'm wondering what is the smallest caliber that people feel is ethical to use for elk hunting.

I never get tired of this discussion...

[rgvt4]

I'm wondering what is the smallest caliber that people feel is ethical to use for elk hunting.

270 and up shoud be fine.

A good placed shot is better than anything. No matter the caliber

[Song Dog]

.243 is the smallest caliber you can legally use here in colorado for big game. I have taken many elk with a .243. Shot placement is everything, knowing your limitations as well as your firearms' makes for a successful hunt. Bullet selection makes a world of difference between gutting an animal or tracking an animal.