What's your favorite elk hunting cartridge?

[The Big Game Hunter]

This can be the cartridge you've had the most fun hunting with, the one you've had the most success with, or just the one you think is most effective. Regardless of your reasoning, please just choose one. Feel free to post and tell us why you made your selection.

[MightyWhite]

I hunt with a 300 win mag..found a good handload that it loves..very confident at 400 yrds with the accubonds..had it for 25 yrs or so…taken quite a few animals with it

[wadu1]

Mine is not on the list 9.3X62 the closest is the 35W

[JWBINX]

Very hard to beat a .338 Win mag with 225 or 250 gr Nosler Partitions!

[D-Rock425]

I've only witnessed 1 elk being shot with a rifle so I voted for that cartridge.

[Stein]

30-06.  Now that I think about it, that is my answer any time a question about a rifle cartridge comes to mind because it's what I have in my safe and I've never convinced myself to get anything else.   

[ASHQUACK]

Neither of my 2 favorites are listed either, 7stw or 338RUM. I've personally killed more elk with the 338 than anything else.

[High Climber]

Never hunted elk with a rifle, but if I ever do it will be with my .300 win mag

[EnglishSetter]

I have to go with 300 WM or 338WM cuz that’s what I have and chose them for the opportunity of elk.  Elk opportunities were slim and none where I lived prior other than an out of state outfitter.

The 300 is a model 70 classic w/boss. The 338 was my dad’s pre-64 model 70 in .264 WM.  He killed most everything with that from deer and pigs to jackrabbits. Shot the bore out of it. This summer I had it rebored to 338 WM. 

In today’s world with ability to run a suppressor, a short barreled 300 WSM appeals to me.

[buglebuster]

147 gr ELD-M out of a 6.5 PRC

[kselkhunter]

I love my 35 Whelen for elk.

[fowl smacker]

Whichever one you can shoot the best.  All those calipers will kill an elk with good shot placement and the right scenario.  Having said that I really like the 7 PRC.

[Angus]

I haven't rifle elk hunted since the 90's, back then I used a .300 WM and killed a cow with it at almost 400 yards, definitely right gun for the job. Since then I've bow hunted elk but should I ever draw a MS elk tag I'm sure my .308 I currently deer hunt with will handle the job just fine. Back then I also hunted the east side of the state with a lot more open country, now I elk hunt the westside, not a lot of opportunity to reach out and kill something where I hunt.

[GWP]

Interesting list. No big bores?
45/70.

[The Big Game Hunter]

Mine is not on the list 9.3X62 the closest is the 35W

I've hunted a lot using and taken piles of game with a 9.3x62 (deer, hogs, a black bear, Cape buffalo, zebra, impala, and even an elephant), but have never used it on elk.
Can you tell me more about your experiences with a 9.3 on elk?

[Rat44]

I have owned and used 308,45/70,35 Remington and 30/30 on big game in the past along with the 30/06.
I only own 2 centerfire rifles now besides a 17 Hornet.
They are both 30/06.
It just seems to work on everything .

[birddogdad]

not on the list..... 375 H&H

[Kingofthemountain83]

243... Best elk cartridge ever made!!!

[The Big Game Hunter]

not on the list..... 375 H&H

I'd love to hear more about your experiences with the 375 H&H. I've hunted Africa with that chambering multiple times with good success and I also used it to take an American bison, but have never killed an elk with mine.

[The Big Game Hunter]

Interesting list. No big bores?
45/70.

Tell me more about your experiences elk hunting with a 45-70. Roosevelt Elk in Western Washington?

[Farmer72]

Didn't expect it on the list but a few elk have succumbed to my 8mm Rem Mag. So it is my favorite.

[Sakko300wsm]

Obviously 300WSM is one of my favorite rounds , but the last couple yrs my CA 6.5 PRC has been putting the hammer down on the elk and deer

[crabcreekhunter]

I went with .270 killed a few elk with it and no issues, but now favor the .280AI.  Elk can’t tell a difference but I like the .284 bullet selection.

[slm9s]

+1 for 7STW

[Ridgeratt]

Elmer Keith graduate " Big animals" require big bullets.

338-win Mangalam or 350 Remington Mangalam.

[Cougartail]

not on the list..... 375 H&H

Yep..

[jasnt]

Boring ol 300win mag for me

[timberfaller]

When I was into hunting elk, it was always a 375H&H.  Biggest regret, I sold them all!

[NWBREW]

Most of the elk I’ve killed have been with a 270 but I have now retired that for elk and replaced it with a Ruger American 30-06.