For longrange, what standard cartridge in a factory rifle?

[kselkhunter]

My 270 Win loaded with 140 grain Berger VLD's and using Reloder 26 gets 3100 fps with a 22 inch barrel. At 600 yards it's down to about 2100 fps but I certainly don't think it would bounce off an elk at that lower speed. That's about the same velocity a 30/30 with a 150 grain bullet would have at around 75 yards. I bet a lot of elk have been killed with a 30/30 at that distance.

In my youth, every elk my family members took was with a 30-30, less than 100 yards.   

[bobcat]

My 270 Win loaded with 140 grain Berger VLD's and using Reloder 26 gets 3100 fps with a 22 inch barrel. At 600 yards it's down to about 2100 fps but I certainly don't think it would bounce off an elk at that lower speed. That's about the same velocity a 30/30 with a 150 grain bullet would have at around 75 yards. I bet a lot of elk have been killed with a 30/30 at that distance.

It may not bounce off an elk, but it is also not necessarily going to have a high likelihood of killing it either.  The bullet you mention has a reputation for not expanding at those velocities in that range. 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,215432.0.html

Then use a different bullet. How about a 150 grain Ballistic Tip or a 150 grain Long Range Accubond? Or the new 145 grain Hornady ELD-X.

[Bushcraft]

To each his own, but if you want enough energy to cleanly kill elk at 600 yards I think some of the cartridges being recommended are on the marginal side.

What Bob said. 

Not to disparage anyone's abilities, but I'd only add that the vast majority of hunters simply don't have any business attempting a shot at game at 600 yards.  From personal experience instructing a class on the topic, I'd suggest that most people should simply try and close the distance to at least 300 yards...tops.

[Timberstalker]

To each his own, but if you want enough energy to cleanly kill elk at 600 yards I think some of the cartridges being recommended are on the marginal side.

What Bob said. 

Not to disparage anyone's abilities, but I'd only add that the vast majority of hunters simply don't have any business attempting a shot at game at 600 yards.  From personal experience instructing a class on the topic, I'd suggest that most people should simply try and close the distance to at least 300 yards...tops.

I must've missed where the OP asked for advise on the mechanics of shooting long range.  I thought he just asked for caliber recommendations.

[bobcat]

I agree that 600 yards is WAY too far for most hunters to be shooting at elk. But when I answered the question, my assumption was that the original poster would take the time to become proficient at his given 600 yard maximum range. I figured it's not up to me to question his abilities.

[Miles]

Are we talking archery or rifle? 

[Timberstalker]

Are we talking archery or rifle? 

I haven't figured that out yet.  Still researching how to shoot long range.  This googler (cryder 2014) is amazing.

[yorketransport]

I'm not a big 270 Win fan, but that's probably the best choice just because of the factory ammo requirement. The others are all capable of doing what you want but the selection of good quality hunting ammo is pretty sparse with some of them. With a 270 Win you can have pretty much any bullet you want in factory ammo and that would make a big difference shooting elk at moderately long ranges like 600 yards.

[Magnum_Willys]

To each his own, but if you want enough energy to cleanly kill elk at 600 yards I think some of the cartridges being recommended are on the marginal side.

  At 600 I would be shooting your 28" 300wm. Perfect for that.  I wouldnt feel good with the others past 400.  Need light and out to 600+ I would go with a 300 wsm. 

[Wanttohuntmore]

For factory rounds and 600 yds, hard to beat the magnums.   I was contemplating this 2 weeks ago,  cheap factory readily available non magnum for shooting elk.  Built this energy chart with some known handloads and some known factory loads.   Hard to beat the 30-06.

[fowl smacker]

my 300wsm seems to do the trick!

[Curly]

I don't see where he said factory rounds were a requirement.  He said he's set to load for 270, 308, and 7-08. To my way of thinking, if you're set to load for those, whats hard about loading for another cartridge? Just need to buy another set of dies.  I'd go with a 280AI, 280 Rem, or 270 (in that order).

[Bob33]

270 Winchester is a good round, but if you're going that direction I would consider the 270 WSM. Same bullets but more energy for 600 yard shots at elk.

[MADMAX]

.257 weatherby magnum
.300-RUM

[yorketransport]

I don't see where he said factory rounds were a requirement.  He said he's set to load for 270, 308, and 7-08.

You're right. I always figure that if somebody is avoiding wildcats that they're worried about the availability of factory ammo. I don't think I'd change my suggestion either way though of the options listed. I think the 270 win is pretty boring but it does have an awfully good track record.