Best Elk Caliber,is there one?

[5jackz]

243 . If shot is well placed , it does the job .

[huntingfamily]

Yuppers everyone,I should say I'm aware of there not being a best,but for argument sake I'm curious as to what might be the overwhelming consensus.....I have a 300Win Mag but the weight is a bit discouraging to drag around(not a huge deal but.. )...looking at 30-06,a bit less of kick and great ballistics

30-06 would be a great choice too. Are you reloading or using factory ammo?

[backcountry98]

Shot placement paired with a premium bullet usually is ideal, but if shooting 300-400+ yards and having a round that carries lots of energy down range is better then a long skinny bullet making a pinhole through the vitals. Impact shock in the vitals area is a great to have. Im a fan of almost all 30 cal, 280cal, 270/7mm-08 is as small as id personally go for elk but good bullets they are very lethal. Most magnums are a typically a good choice as long as they can be shot accurately.... with all that said no less then 1500ftlbs of bullet energy on impact is a good rule of thumb.

[Ocender]

30-06 would be a great choice too. Are you reloading or using factory ammo?

Factory...

[Ocender]

Shot placement paired with a premium bullet usually is ideal, but if shooting 300-400+ yards and having a round that carries lots of energy down range is better then a long skinny bullet making a pinhole through the vitals. Impact shock in the vitals area is a great to have. Im a fan of almost all 30 cal, 280cal, 270/7mm-08 is as small as id personally go for elk but good bullets they are very lethal. Most magnums are a typically a good choice as long as they can be shot accurately.... with all that said no less then 1500ftlbs of bullet energy on impact is a good rule of thumb.

Good answer....thanks

[horseman2]

Shot my first Roosevelt Elk with a 30-06 and 165 grain Nosler Partitions.
Second on with 338 Win Mag.
From the rifles I have owned in order: 338 WM, 300 WM, 30-06, 280 Rem, 270 Win and 25-06.
Shot placement is not everything . . . it is the only thing!

[Downwindtracker2]

When Winchester started selling the Alaskan, the 338WM, sales didn't do as well as they had hoped until elk hunters discouvered it. So I guess it's some form of 338 . I have a 338WM and a 338-06.

[leadpillproductions]

Im going to try the 375 rum this fall should work ok 270lrx

[Codes44]

Nothing beats a well placed, accurate shot. I personally don't like the "best caliber for ____" question. It's a loaded question with too many factors to plug in, couple that with the fact that so many calibers and sizes are well suited for big game it comes down to where and how you hunt. That's like asking best car for driving....depends on the driver and road.

[J_T]

A sharp 3-blade G5 Montec broadhead on a straight shaft total weight weighing about 500-600 gr depending on your bow poundage.

Lethal.