Best rifle for Elk?

[Dan-o]

I harvested my first 9 elk with a .243, next 4 with a .270, last 3 with a 7mm. I've never had to track a bull more than 80 yards.
 IMHO...... if you can shoot, I'd doesn't matter what caliber you use. Just be 100% confident where the bullet will go. Time and practice behind your weapon is everything. I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting. My last bull I took was 730 yards, my 2 bullets were 2 inches apart. After the first shot he started walking, 2nd shoot was 2 inches from adrenalin and the bull walking. On paper, I'd hit the same mark.
 What it all boils down to is find a good caliber and bullet. Then get to the range! If you think your comfort level is 500, practice at 1000!!!

You shoot groups that touch at 700 yards?

That's impressive......   Like Jack Reacher impressive.....

[mountainman]

I harvested my first 9 elk with a .243, next 4 with a .270, last 3 with a 7mm. I've never had to track a bull more than 80 yards.
 IMHO...... if you can shoot, I'd doesn't matter what caliber you use. Just be 100% confident where the bullet will go. Time and practice behind your weapon is everything. I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting. My last bull I took was 730 yards, my 2 bullets were 2 inches apart. After the first shot he started walking, 2nd shoot was 2 inches from adrenalin and the bull walking. On paper, I'd hit the same mark.
 What it all boils down to is find a good caliber and bullet. Then get to the range! If you think your comfort level is 500, practice at 1000!!!

Lol
Sorry, I meant ...lol!

Funnier then those who volley fire at long range on this site!

[Matth]

I harvested my first 9 elk with a .243, next 4 with a .270, last 3 with a 7mm. I've never had to track a bull more than 80 yards.
 IMHO...... if you can shoot, I'd doesn't matter what caliber you use. Just be 100% confident where the bullet will go. Time and practice behind your weapon is everything. I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting. My last bull I took was 730 yards, my 2 bullets were 2 inches apart. After the first shot he started walking, 2nd shoot was 2 inches from adrenalin and the bull walking. On paper, I'd hit the same mark.
 What it all boils down to is find a good caliber and bullet. Then get to the range! If you think your comfort level is 500, practice at 1000!!!

You shoot groups that touch at 700 yards?

That's impressive......   Like Jack Reacher impressive.....

I don't believe his intent was to convey that he shoots touching groups at 700 yards.

[BULLBLASTER]

I harvested my first 9 elk with a .243, next 4 with a .270, last 3 with a 7mm. I've never had to track a bull more than 80 yards.
 IMHO...... if you can shoot, I'd doesn't matter what caliber you use. Just be 100% confident where the bullet will go. Time and practice behind your weapon is everything. I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting. My last bull I took was 730 yards, my 2 bullets were 2 inches apart. After the first shot he started walking, 2nd shoot was 2 inches from adrenalin and the bull walking. On paper, I'd hit the same mark.
 What it all boils down to is find a good caliber and bullet. Then get to the range! If you think your comfort level is 500, practice at 1000!!!

Lol
Sorry, I meant ...lol!

Funnier then those who volley fire at long range on this site!

Never miss an opportunity to take a jab...

[Karl Blanchard]

I harvested my first 9 elk with a .243, next 4 with a .270, last 3 with a 7mm. I've never had to track a bull more than 80 yards.
 IMHO...... if you can shoot, I'd doesn't matter what caliber you use. Just be 100% confident where the bullet will go. Time and practice behind your weapon is everything. I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting. My last bull I took was 730 yards, my 2 bullets were 2 inches apart. After the first shot he started walking, 2nd shoot was 2 inches from adrenalin and the bull walking. On paper, I'd hit the same mark.
 What it all boils down to is find a good caliber and bullet. Then get to the range! If you think your comfort level is 500, practice at 1000!!!

Lol
Sorry, I meant ...lol!

Funnier then those who volley fire at long range on this site!

Never miss an opportunity to take a jab...

old habits die hard

[bod]

Do yourself and take my advice buy a Tikka 30-06 in stainless they shoot great right out of the box and a 30-06 will kill them farther than 90% of the hunters can hit them.

[headshot5]

 

[Shoofly09]

I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting.


Where would you aim or shoot a bull at 200 yards with a .22 that you are confident you would kill it?    I've shot a lot of elk, and seen larger caliber ammo (270 Weatherby) bullets stopped by the offside hide.     How in the world does a .22 even penetrate the facing hide?    That doesn't even make sense?

[blackpowderhunter]

I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting.


Where would you aim or shoot a bull at 200 yards with a .22 that you are confident you would kill it?    I've shot a lot of elk, and seen larger caliber ammo (270 Weatherby) bullets stopped by the offside hide.     How in the world does a .22 even penetrate the facing hide?    That doesn't even make sense?

oh man now it's getting good.. a .22 LR at 200 yards has like 60 ft/lbs of energy..pretty sure a horse fly would do more damage to an elk.
best elk rifle?
One of suitable caliber that you are comfortable shooting and know the suitable range for.
get yourself a 30-06 and don't look back or over complicate your life 

[Matth]

I'm confident I could harvest a bull at 200 yards with a .22. I'd never do it, but Im confident on my shooting.


Where would you aim or shoot a bull at 200 yards with a .22 that you are confident you would kill it?    I've shot a lot of elk, and seen larger caliber ammo (270 Weatherby) bullets stopped by the offside hide.     How in the world does a .22 even penetrate the facing hide?    That doesn't even make sense?

oh man now it's getting good.. a .22 LR at 200 yards has like 60 ft/lbs of energy..pretty sure a horse fly would do more damage to an elk.
best elk rifle?
One of suitable caliber that you are comfortable shooting and know the suitable range for.
get yourself a 30-06 and don't look back or over complicate your life 

Well this is getting really lame, but i second or third that 30 06 is more capable than most hunters.

[coachcw]

my groups don't touch at 700 yards cause it just takes one round 

[Jonathan_S]

.30-06 is an classic chambering and will do things excellently...only thing is, there are dozens of chamberings which will do much, much more 

As far as best rifle, a solid and repeatable bolt action with an appropriate scope combination that allows quick and reliable target acquisition.  Off the shelf, the Ruger American is an amazingly affordable and utilitarian weapon.

[Whitenuckles]

Sorry so many of ya'll are so quick to poke fun on this site. I. Doing a 1500-2000 yard shoot the 30th-31st of this month. My computer and phone skills are limited but I'll try my best. And yes, I can absolutely touch the same holes at 700 in the right conditions!

[Jolten]

The world record holder shot a tad over a 1" group at 1000 yards

"Wilson’s world record-setting 5-shot group measured 1.068 inches or, in angular terms, a stunning 0.102 minutes of angle (MOA). " https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/benchrest-shooter-1000-yard-group/

So I believe it's possible to get a touching group at 700

[tonymiller7]

Why does someone ask this troll question every year?  And why do we all buy in to it?  There is more than a dozen correct answers for what is the best caliber for elk, or deer, or insert desired species here.