what caliber do you all use?

[Natas5150]

So I currently have a Tikka .270 I use for deer hunting. I was thinking about in the future doing some elk hunting and was wondering if I should upgrade to say a 30-06 for elk. Yes I know .270 can take elk but I have read that the shot placement for that caliber must be very precise. Plus I want to be humane. I am sure I have opened a can of worms asking this question but I am just curious what everyone opinion on a good hunting cartridge for elk hunting is. A guy at Cabela's told me about 6.5 creedmor claiming it to be a great round with feet per second for hunting elk. I do not remember what exactly he told me but said the caliber was viable for elk. Looking for help on this before I buy in the fall. Trying to do my research now before hunting season.

Thanks.

[jrebel]

Your .270 will kill an elk deader than dirt.....no need to upgrade unless you want another rifle. 

[Alchase]

Your .270 will kill an elk deader than dirt.....no need to upgrade unless you want another rifle. 

Agreed, .270 is good to go.
Bullet selection would be good to research.

[Scheindogg]

My friend who's been hunting deer and elk for 30+ years uses exclusively 270. He has .243, 7MM, 30-06, but pretty much exclusively uses his 270 for all his deer/elk needs

[Roperfive88]

The 6.5 is smaller then the .270  . Both will work fine. Even with bigger rifles you need to hit the right spots. Seen an elk shot at 150 yds with a 300 RUM high in the back get up and run off only to be found 6 days later running around just fine. It was taken with a .270 same distance one shot.

I killed my only elk with a 25-06 and hunt a 300 wsm now. I haven't got a shot at an elk but has been awesome at 300 yds on a couple nice whitetail bucks. My dad killed his branch bull 2 years ago at 180 yds with his .270 went 20yds and was done.

[CP]

I like a .35 Whelen.  Bang - plop.

[C-Money]

I use a .270 win for elk, Wife uses a 7mm-08. Like said, 270 Win is a great choice for elk.

[PlateauNDN]

.270 all day on occasion my .308 as well.

[bobcat]

30/06 is an excellent choice for elk. I certainly would never try to talk someone out of using a 30/06 for elk. I have two 30/06 rifles myself. If you don't mind a little more recoil you could go with a 300 Win. Short Mag. (WSM) or a 300 Win. Mag. Another good choice would be the 338 Win. Mag. Great elk cartridge and if you really want a significant increase in performance over your 270, think hard about going with the 338.

[Special T]

I say dance with the girl you got. Good bullet selection for penetration and grouping, and practice will do more for you than anything else. 2c

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[Woodchuck]

.270 Will kill elk just fine. I killed my last one with a 7mm-08, tipped over in it's tracks, I don't think it could tell what I was shooting. 

[dvolmer]

You will get more opinions on this than probably anything on this forum.  With that said, I will give you mine.  If you are a one gun guy, and lots are, Then a 30-06 is the gun of choice.  On the smaller side a 270 will work and on the larger side a 7 mm mag will work.  If you are a two gun guy, and lots are, then a 270 and a 300 win mag is the pair to have.  on the smaller side, a 243 and a 7mm mag will do the trick.  If your a power guy then a 30-06 and a 338 will fit your bill.

I owned a 30-06 for years for both deer and elk.  5 or so years ago I sold my 30-06's and went to a 270 for deer and antelope and a 300 win mag for elk.  Suits me fine.  Like I said, you will get more opinions than you could ever imagine on this.  My only warnings are to stay away from all the fad calibers that come and go.  The 243. 270, 30-06, 7mm mag, and the 300 win mag will give you all the choices you need and easy access to reliable, accurate, and reasonably priced ammo.  You can re-load all you want to fit any conditions or needs if that is what you like to do.

[Curly]

Looking for help on this before I buy in the fall. Trying to do my research now before hunting season.

The part quoted above stuck out to me so I have to ask...........why wait? 

Do your research now, and buy ASAP is my advice.  That will give you time to get the rifle setup with a scope, settle on ammo that it likes, break in the barrel and get some practice in with your new rifle.

[Tbob]

I almost always archery hunt, but my "all around rifle" is my Remington 700 in .308
Take down anything in North America. I've shot antelope up to a big ol' bull moose. Ammo is readily available too. Best all around hunting rifle for my needs.

[hunter399]

This is a debate that has went on for 80 years ,your comparing Apple to oranges ,both are very good caliber.If I had to choose one 270 is it.Both are about the same ballistic,velocity,bullet drop,some say the 270 shoots flatter,30-06 has a heavy grain bullet and bucks the wind better.I would save your money and just use the 270 for elk,your not gaining anything by useing a 30-06.If you want a elk only rifle go get ,7mm mag ,300 win mag,338,act.