Jeff Ovington

.338 is probably the prefered Elk cal...
Personally I've witnessed a 800lb Elk go down with a 7mm-08 topped off with a Hornaday Interbond bullet..
And it was One shot kill........
I also elk hunt with a person that uses only a 6.5 x .284 loaded with a Barns TSX..
I use a 30-06 and it does the job just fine...
Several others use the .270 and 7mm Rem mag, and .300 win mag...
The bottem line is, choose the biggest cal you can handle accuratley and top it off with a premium bullet and place your shot in the vitals....

younggun308

.338 Winchester Magnum

younggun308

LOL!!!!!!

ijimmy

Of the curent cartages available , if I was buying a gun to hunt elk with , the 325 wsm would be on the top of my list , I own a 300 winmag , it would go with me on a rifle hunt for elk , I own a 30,06 allso , and if my 300 was off for some reason , I would not feel underguned going with it .

JeffS

That is really true. If you can't shoot it right it doesn't matter how big a gun you have.

Worc

I'd also say any of the .300 Mags. They are great for close or longer shots. I use the .300 WBY in an Accumark. The Sako 75 is also a pretty good mag gun.

James B

If youare a decent hunter and can shoot your rifle or pistol well, anything from the 6.5x55 on up is a good elk rifle. I have used the 35 Remington, 44 Mag, 50 cal Muzzle loader, 260, 270 30-06, 45-70. 30-40 Krag and a few others for elk and moose hunting. Use a rifle that you shoot well and use common sense and you will be eating well.

eldeguello

"But you can kill them with just about anything if you can put it in the right place."

This reminds me of the story Jack O'Connor used to tell about once on a sheep hunt in Yukon Territory when he and his party were being guided by some local Native American guides. When the inevitable debate started about which gun was best for whatever, he asked his guide. Guide said "Any gun good, shoot'um good!"

I believe this still applies! There is NO "BEST caliber"for anything, including elk hunting! I personally would not take a .243 or 6mm Rem. out elk hunting! But my daughter-in-law has used her .243 for elk for about 20 years, and none of her elk have yet had to be shot more than once.

RDJ

Anything from a .270, 30-06, 7mm, .300 and .338 will work. I watched my buddy drop a 50 inch moose last year with 1 shot from his .270 (not .270 WSM). As is always mentioned, shot placement is key.

I have shot all my bull elk with a 7mm, but this year have decided to upgrade to a .338 WM. Although my 7mm worked fine, through my experience with hunting partners and my own research I have found the .338 isideal for elk......if you can handle the recoil. Besides, I have a draw for bull moose in northen Alberta this year and decided that a .338 would be nice moose medicine.

The very lightest I would suggest would be a 30-06, but if you think you might be into some longer shots (300 yards plus) I would start with the 7mm and go up from there depending on what you are comfortable with.

Good luck in your decision and remember, the research and shopping part is half the fun.

rem 700

Amongst the many suitable cartridges for elk, I favor the 7 mm RM. Just cause I have one