Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: rock on May 27, 2011, 10:36:57 AM

Title: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on May 27, 2011, 10:36:57 AM: I am gonna be hunting the Siouxon this year for elk. I have the following guns, 12 gauge mosssberg with slug barrel, 300 savage, 50 cal muzzeloader inline.
I can put scopes on any of them. All the shots except for very few times willl be under 150 yards.
I I will be hunting the regualr firearms season. I can shoot any of them with accuracy.
Thanks
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: h20hunter on May 27, 2011, 10:44:14 AM: 300 Savage. I don't think you have range needed on the 12 gauge if you have to reach a bit. Not a muzzy hunter so don't have much info on it.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: deerdog on May 27, 2011, 10:48:16 AM: Both the 300 savage or 50 cal muzzleloader will get the job done. So I would think that it would be which ever one you fell most comfatable with. Not sure where you are hunting for elk, so maybe its legal to hunt elk there with a shotgun but its not here so no input on the 12 gauge. Good luck!!!
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2011, 10:53:21 AM: It's legal to hunt elk with 12 gauge or bigger shotguns, and slugs. If you have an accurate shotgun with a scope, you should be fine out to 150 yards, about the same as a muzzleloader. I would probably go with the 300 Savage though. You're still limited on your range. It would be best with any of those choices to keep your shots to 100 yards or less. Just because with the rain, and the brush, a wounded elk can be really hard to find.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Curly on May 27, 2011, 10:53:41 AM: 12 ga slug would be a good choice. I'd prefer it over the muzzleloader. (12ga is legal BTW)

That said, I'd go with the .300 Savage. 150 gr bullets at 2600 fps will do just fine on elk.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on May 27, 2011, 11:31:15 AM: I am most familair with the muzzelaoder and 12 gauge. Since i am goin during regular firearms i can use a scope and 209 primers. The area i am hunting is very very sttep with small cuts in areas. I like the 12 gauge because of quick follow up shots. The 300 savge is a lever action.
Thanks
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: GoldTip on May 27, 2011, 11:33:28 AM: The 300 savage is far from a long range caliber, but it will cleanly take elk to 150yards, that would be my choice of the three you mention.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2011, 11:36:09 AM: I would definitely consider using the shotgun if you can shoot it accurately. You will put a much bigger hole in an elk than you would with the 300 Savage, and that will provide a better blood trail to follow, if necessary. If you're more familiar with it and not so much with the rifle, then I would just go with what you're most familiar with and probably have the most confidence in.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on May 27, 2011, 11:45:05 AM: Thats what i was thinking also there is a restricted firearms area close the GMU were hunting. So it would be nice to have that option. But then there is the question of what slug to use. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on May 27, 2011, 12:08:12 PM: What slugs do you normally use? Whatever shoots good in your gun is what I'd recommend. I don't think you need anything special for elk. I would imagine that just about any 12 gauge slug would do the job just fine on an elk.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Armadillo on May 27, 2011, 12:11:06 PM: tirdy aught six ;)

knockin the wind out of em since 1906
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on May 27, 2011, 12:27:20 PM: I used winchester's they work good for deer. Should i go up to a 3" sehll though?
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: elkoholic on May 27, 2011, 12:41:51 PM: this should work....

acctually all the guns you have would work just fine...
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: THEBUGLER on May 27, 2011, 05:09:28 PM: I put a scope on my 12 gauge and could hit a paper plate at a hundred yards.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: GlennGTR on May 27, 2011, 05:23:20 PM: 300 Savage will take elk cleanly out to 250 yards if you do your part and choose a good load. There tends to be a lot of folks out there that think a bullet has got to reach the speed of light in order to be worthy of elk hunting. My 308 win will drop elk with ease and the 300 Savage is close to it in the balistics department. Shot placement and bullet construction are far more important than blistering speed. If you shoot a 150 grainer, make it a partition, A-frame, Barnes, or Trophy bonded bullet. Get a good quality 3-9x40 on that rifle and you are set for anything in the lower 48. Good luck on your hunt and stay away from those with a bad case of magnumitis.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 27, 2011, 06:14:08 PM: 300 savage with 165 grain bullets, or 180 grain. If less than 180, stick with premium bullets (ie partition, accubond, barnes, etc.) With 180's, you could use the corelokts, they even hold together at 3000 fps. It'll work easily out to 250 yds. I'm not a fan of shotguns or muzzies, though use them on occasion when required. They'll shoot good, but just don't have that static shock reaction I get from high power guns...
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: colockumelk on May 30, 2011, 12:59:37 PM: It doesn't matter what gun you use. From what I have read you want about 2,000 foot pounds of Kenetic Energy. So take whatever rifle you have and look at a ballistics chart and see how far out your gun still has 2,000 foot pounds of Kenetic Energy. Then limit yourself to that yardage. And then practise and practise at the range over and over and over again. Don't just go out the weekend before the season starts to make sure that at 100yds your gun is still on from last year. (At least as long as you have sandbags and a bench) I hate those guys. That is unethical especially since those are usually the ones taking 400 yd shots at groups of elk with their magnum loads. Sorry about that rant. I know archers that do it to, drives me just as crazy. Basically just be a good shot and be competant with whatever weapon you use and you'll do fine.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: argosinu on June 01, 2011, 08:59:33 AM: Either is enough to kill if you hit the elk right. Choose your most accurate gun; let the lead do the rest.
Shoot straight and have fun!
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Curly on June 01, 2011, 09:34:14 AM: Quote from: Wanttohuntmore on May 27, 2011, 06:14:08 PM
300 savage with 165 grain bullets, or 180 grain. If less than 180, stick with premium bullets (ie partition, accubond, barnes, etc.) With 180's, you could use the corelokts, they even hold together at 3000 fps. It'll work easily out to 250 yds. I'm not a fan of shotguns or muzzies, though use them on occasion when required. They'll shoot good, but just don't have that static shock reaction I get from high power guns...

Unless Rock reloads, he's probably stuck with factory loads and 150's or 180's..............150 gr will probably be easier to find. I'd choose whichever shoots best in the rifle. Probably not going to find Partition, accubond, or Barnes in factory ammo. As much as I hate soft points and Cor-lokt bullets, I think they may be ok even in the 150 grain load since velocity should be under 2600 fps at the muzzle. I guess my point is, if the 150's shoot a lot better than 180's than go with the 150's even though they aren't premium bullets.......just try to get a broadside shot through the lungs.

Rock, just get a few boxes of ammo and put a scope on that rifle ASAP and start shooting. BTW - is your 300 Savage a model 99?
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rosscrazyelk on June 01, 2011, 02:02:02 PM: .338 mag with 210 nosler.. Deadly , will knock a elk on its ars at 400..
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 02, 2011, 05:57:42 PM: Quote from: Curly on June 01, 2011, 09:34:14 AM
Quote from: Wanttohuntmore on May 27, 2011, 06:14:08 PM
300 savage with 165 grain bullets, or 180 grain. If less than 180, stick with premium bullets (ie partition, accubond, barnes, etc.) With 180's, you could use the corelokts, they even hold together at 3000 fps. It'll work easily out to 250 yds. I'm not a fan of shotguns or muzzies, though use them on occasion when required. They'll shoot good, but just don't have that static shock reaction I get from high power guns...

Unless Rock reloads, he's probably stuck with factory loads and 150's or 180's..............150 gr will probably be easier to find. I'd choose whichever shoots best in the rifle. Probably not going to find Partition, accubond, or Barnes in factory ammo. As much as I hate soft points and Cor-lokt bullets, I think they may be ok even in the 150 grain load since velocity should be under 2600 fps at the muzzle. I guess my point is, if the 150's shoot a lot better than 180's than go with the 150's even though they aren't premium bullets.......just try to get a broadside shot through the lungs.

Rock, just get a few boxes of ammo and put a scope on that rifle ASAP and start shooting. BTW - is your 300 Savage a model 99?

Yes it is. My great grandfather bought a LONG time ago.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Curly on June 03, 2011, 08:19:09 AM: :tup: Savage 99's are very valuable rifles. Very collectible. I recently got one from my father-in-law (250-3000 Savage).
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 03, 2011, 09:54:51 PM: Your odds of getting a shot in the Souixon are slim - why bust your butt to get a shot and then have inferior equipment? Trade one of those for a 30-06 at least or a .338 if you could. You might go ten years between shots - you gonna risk that on a shotgun when you don't have to?

It used to be guys who hunted hard in that unit got a shot every year or every other year at worst. no more. You can go five years or more without a shot. Don't waste it.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Bob33 on June 03, 2011, 10:15:02 PM: I've killed a few elk with a 12 gauge and slugs. In general slugs are much slower than a rifle bullet, and have low ballistic coefficients. They do not have the same shock effect as a faster bullet but can punch a large hole in an elk. My advice is to test some in your shotgun at 150 yards and see if the accuracy is sufficient (5 of 5 shots in an 8" circle is a good test). Very few shotguns can shoot slugs well at that distance.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 04, 2011, 09:05:00 AM: Thanks for the advice everyone. Now it looks like im coming out for early muzzeloader season.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: cem3434 on June 04, 2011, 11:57:09 AM: Do you have a rifled barrel for your shotgun? If you do, try a Remington Copper Sabots because I can shoot about a 4" group at 150 yds with mine.

If not, then definetly go with the 300 Savage if your not going to invest in another gun. Like others have suggested, you should sell or trade one of your guns for a 30.06, 300 wsm, 300 wm or a 338 wm. These calibers are capable of effectively killing anything in North America.

Since you have a shotgun and muzzleloader, I would suggest getting rid of the 300 savage if your going to get a new rifle, so you still have other options on future hunts and you dont have to go buy another gun.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: runningboard on June 04, 2011, 12:21:19 PM: Quote
Yes it is. My great grandfather bought a LONG time ago.
don't listen to those that think you should sell your 300 Savage for this reason alone!
many, many have fallen to the 300 Savage and 30-30's over the years so that would serve you well as long as you don't try shooting beyond the rifles or your capabilities. I know people will ask, "how many elk are wounded by 30-30 & the like & never recovered each year?" my response is, about as many that are wounded by magnums that people can't shoot well due to recoil & thus can't hit an elk in the vitals.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 04, 2011, 01:38:04 PM: Anyone of them will kill a elk just fine with the right bullets and right shot placement.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on June 04, 2011, 03:06:43 PM: Really dosen't matter what caliber you use, shot placement is everything. :bfg:
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: dad98684 on June 04, 2011, 03:13:57 PM: i have hunted that unit and the lewis for years, killed a few deer and elk in there. not a single shot over 120 yards. very brushy, i have used 30-06, 300 win mag, both worked fine. but my 45-75 barrel with 4x scope is what i have on now. more then enough range, and can get thru the vine maple & alder they seem to like hiding in. for you if you can shoot a slug out to 100 yards, and put it where you want it, your 12 ga is fine.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 04, 2011, 03:42:42 PM: Quote from: dad98684 on June 04, 2011, 03:13:57 PM
i have hunted that unit and the lewis for years, killed a few deer and elk in there. not a single shot over 120 yards. very brushy, i have used 30-06, 300 win mag, both worked fine. but my 45-75 barrel with 4x scope is what i have on now. more then enough range, and can get thru the vine maple & alder they seem to like hiding in. for you if you can shoot a slug out to 100 yards, and put it where you want it, your 12 ga is fine.
Thats been my point exactly. have you ever been able to find a legal elk in that stuff?
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 04, 2011, 05:07:59 PM: Quote from: rock on June 04, 2011, 09:05:00 AM
Thanks for the advice everyone. Now it looks like im coming out for early muzzeloader season.

OK, but what unit are you hunting? Siouxon is not open for muzzleloader season. :dunno:
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Bob33 on June 04, 2011, 05:20:41 PM: Quote from: bobcat on June 04, 2011, 05:07:59 PM
Quote from: rock on June 04, 2011, 09:05:00 AM
Thanks for the advice everyone. Now it looks like im coming out for early muzzeloader season.

OK, but what unit are you hunting? Siouxon is not open for muzzleloader season. :dunno:
His first post said he was hunting the modern season in Siouxon.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 04, 2011, 05:40:03 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on June 04, 2011, 05:20:41 PM
Quote from: bobcat on June 04, 2011, 05:07:59 PM
Quote from: rock on June 04, 2011, 09:05:00 AM
Thanks for the advice everyone. Now it looks like im coming out for early muzzeloader season.

OK, but what unit are you hunting? Siouxon is not open for muzzleloader season. :dunno:
His first post said he was hunting the modern season in Siouxon.

I know, but now he's decided to hunt the early muzzleloader season.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 04, 2011, 05:40:14 PM: No i am doin muzzle loader season. Now any probaly any units around there coweeman and wind river were ones we were looking at. Battle ground maybey.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 04, 2011, 05:43:09 PM: The units open for early muzzleloader are really limited in number. Coweeman isn't one of them- it is only open for late muzzleloader season. Wind River from what I know (which isn't a lot) can be kind of hit and miss. Battleground has elk but I believe a lot of them are on private property that isn't open to the public.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 04, 2011, 05:47:50 PM: I just know that any units around there open for early muzzle are options. I'll have to look at the list i have. And i have family connection to people who live in Battle ground. I said coweeman because its open for late. I think it was west klictitat that was an option also.
I know i have been a confusing person to work with but thanks everyone for your help.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Bob33 on June 04, 2011, 06:31:57 PM: If you're hunting a muzzleloader season then you've answered the "what gun" question which you originally posted. It needs to be primitive: no scope, exposed ignition, etc.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 04, 2011, 07:04:57 PM: Yes i know that. I have all that figured out. Thanks.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Bob33 on June 04, 2011, 08:03:51 PM: Now you just need to shoot one so big you don't have to lie about it :chuckle:

Good luck.
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 05, 2011, 08:23:26 AM: Hahah. Thanks, :chuckle:
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: Tim on June 07, 2011, 06:27:43 AM: I would never sell my Grampa's Savage !Find someone to load 165 gr. partitions for you and save your money for good rain gear and COMFORTABLE boots that will keep your feet dry.
Where are you from in Northern In.?I'm from Laporte Co.
Tim
Title: Re: What gun for elk?
Post by: rock on June 07, 2011, 06:39:39 PM: St. Joseph In Lakeville. South of South Bend a bit.