Caliber for elk

[cstone]

Thought about spending $80-100 on a mosin? ballistics of 30-06.

I was just going to ask; has anyone here taken an elk or mule deer with a mosin? Seems like the 7.62x54R rounds would be good for a well place 150 yard shot. That is assuming you the shooter is confident of POI for the rifle and ammunition.

[spencerhenry]

7.62x54??? make sure you find expanding bullets. not only would it be unethical, it is the law.

sks for elk? i agree with a previous post, find something else. 7.62x39 may be in the 30-30 power range, but very few people would call a 30-30 adequate for elk. sure it will kill them, but if your shot is beyond 100 yards, or you dont put the bullet right in the ribcage you will be tracking for a while. i dont have an sks but my guess is that they are not super accurate. the old rule of thumb i remember is 1000 ftlbs for deer and 1500 for elk.
i havent used a rifle on an elk in a long time, but i have killed more elk with a 270 with 130gr sierras than most people have killed. only lost one, a facing straight on shot and the problem was the shooter.
i would say 308 winchester is a minimum.

[cstone]

7.62x54??? make sure you find expanding bullets. not only would it be unethical, it is the law.

Agreed. FMJ/surplus ammunition is inappropriate for hunting. I was thinking more of some soft point. Seems as if the round is capable as long as the accuracy is there. Still wondering if anyone here has ever taken an elk or gone deer hunting with a Mosin. Mostly just curious.

[brianakell]

203g soft point Barnaul. out of a 91/30 (cheaper these days anyway) still 1500 ft/lbs at 250 yards.
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo019.htm

Agreed. FMJ/surplus ammunition is inappropriate for hunting. I was thinking more of some soft point. Seems as if the round is capable as long as the accuracy is there. Still wondering if anyone here has ever taken an elk or gone deer hunting with a Mosin. Mostly just curious.

[spyder]

So... what you're saying is that the 18" POF in 308 is going to be my rifle...

[BUC303]

Here is a link to "Elk Hunting University" on the CDOW website, should be able to find most of what you are looking for there

http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/...allistics.aspx

[yosemite]

Costs a lot of money to go elk hunting, I prefer a caliber that I know will anchor the animal, no need in wasting a pristine animal because of a poor performance round and an "IFFY"shot placement, 7.62 x 39 is a 30-30 class cartridge, 7.62 x 54 is a full power cartridge, along with 308, 30-06, 8x57m, I myself fee good with 30 calibers in the open, and 35 Rem, 444m, or 45-70 in heavy cover, It is true that Karamojo Bell killed hundreds of elephant with the 6.5x54, and the 7x57, but I do not have the balls to, good luck