Elk Calibers

[swampratt]

Have you ate any elk?

Years ago my cousin made me an elk steak from one he shot.
That is the only time and eeehhh it's meat like any other meat.

But I do not have that expensive pallet like most.
Milwaukee's Best was my beer of choice. my whiskey was Beam 8 star. Or Yukon Jack.
I eat greens and beans and fish straight from the can.
I drink the tuna fish water in the can.
I do not like expensive flash lights or knives either.
I can't fathom someone paying over 50 bucks for a knife much less $300!!!
I just have a cheap arse pallet I suppose.


I am not one to ask if I super liked something. EEEHHH it'll make a turd.

Never ever going to pay to have something processed.
It's just meat get the skin off and cut it up and cook it.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

Years ago my cousin made me an elk steak from one he shot.
That is the only time and eeehhh it's meat like any other meat.

But I do not have that expensive pallet like most.
Milwaukee's Best was my beer of choice. my whiskey was Beam 8 star. Or Yukon Jack.
I eat greens and beans and fish straight from the can.
I drink the tuna fish water in the can.
I do not like expensive flash lights or knives either.
I can't fathom someone paying over 50 bucks for a knife much less $300!!!
I just have a cheap arse pallet I suppose.


I am not one to ask if I super liked something. EEEHHH it'll make a turd.

Never ever going to pay to have something processed.
It's just meat get the skin off and cut it up and cook it.

Trade you a hind quarter for the backstraps? (venison) It'll make more turds.

 

[Toothpick]

I have never been Elk hunting but I have been invited to Colorado to do it many times.
My cousin loves his 7mm Rem Mag.
He told me there are 2 guys in their camp that use the 30-30 rifles and get their Elk every year.
He said they told him no shots past 250 Yards with the 30-30 but they kill fine at 250 with proper shot placement.
These guys have been doing this for over 20 years together.
One day I may go.
But I would need a third deep freezer.
Oklahoma white tails and hogs and fish keep me in meat to the point I do not need to buy any.

So justifying an Elk hunt in my mind is tough.

I’d recommend that you go Swamp, even if you just go along as a helper. If you didn’t carry a gun, you could tag along and likely get hooked. Your crew must know what they are doing. I went 2 years ago for the first time on public land over the counter (bull only 5% success rate) and saw cows really close and I will never forget that moment. You could run circles around me at altitude and would have a blast.

 

[dennishoddy]

Taken 10 elk in 12 years. Everyone with a 30-06 using Barnes 165 grain TTSX bullets. Never had one take more than a step or two and that has been at long range at times.
No matter the caliber, select the correct bullet for the job, one that is well constructed and will retain all its weight. Copper bullets like Barnes appear to do that after recovering only one bullet over the years.

 

[PBramble]

Helps to be schooled by a wife who was a butcher too. I'm not afraid to break anything down now.

 

[saddlebum]

guy I used to hunt with in Wyoming killed 33 bulls in 35 years all with a Browning BLR in 243.......it's where you shoot them

 

[swampratt]

Trade you a hind quarter for the backstraps? (venison) It'll make more turds.

I have sent back straps and tenderloins right through the meat grinder many times.
Yea I know that is against the law.

 

[Choprzrul]

From 1895 to 1965, I wonder how many elk fell to a 30-30 round?

Part of answer to OP's question involves distance. A 30-30 at 100 yards should be fine.....but not so much at 500 yards.

My 30-06 with 168gr Speer Gold Dots stays above 2000fps and 1500 ft lbs to 500 yards, so that is where I'd limit myself to in distance for elk.

Conversely, my 25-06 with 90gr Absolute Hammers makes 1500 ft lbs out to only about 325 yards......but is still zipping along at 2311 fps at 500 yards. Is 1067 ft lbs enough to kill elk if the projectile is going 2311 fps? Will that mono penetrate through an elk shoulder and still sufficiently destroy vitals? Personally, I think I'd limit my shots with my 25-06 to 400 yards-->2550fps and 1299 ft lbs.

just some ramblings....

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

.22LR… aim for the eye.

Seriously though…. Backstrap through the grinder? Bruh, that’s blasphemy

You must either:

A: have good hunting properties and an abundance of venison

Or

B: Not know how to cook and/or appreciate meat