An easy question for all you elk hunters..

[RyoTHC]

Have been doing some pondering recently, and one thing I keep wondering, what’s the average distance an elk is taken at ?

If you’re an archery hunter, feel free to include your ranges !

if you’ve harvested many elk, you can also just give an average..
if you want to be really helpful, just put the general terrain the shot was taken in as well.

Am currently piecing together an elk specific gun, so all answers appreciated and will go a long way to helping me make a decision when I’ve never hunted them let alone harvested one.

might as well let you guys pick apart my plan so far..

BLR stainless pistol grip in 300 win mag, with a vortex viper gen II 1-6 scope. (Liking the extra weight to manage recoil a bit )

also debating a .308 hells canyon speed, scope undecided.. but that’s a bit boring :D
wouldn’t want to bump up to the 300WM in the hells canyon as that defaults to a 26” barrel and not the nimble 22”.

cheers.

[koothunter]

250, 320, 200, 350. Used a 260 rem for the first 2, and 30-06 for the next 2.

[Stroodle]

300, 6, 250 with a .338RUM and 200, 200, 150, 200 with 7mm RM. Open terrain, steep angle at times, flat shot on others. All tasty!

[Norwestalta]

I’ve shot a dozen or so. Closest was at 25 yds with 25-06. Farthest was 500 and change with a 26 nosler. The majority were between 250-400 with a 338 wm with 2 taken with 30-06. Lots of field hunting.

[Timberjack]

stainless pistol grip in 300 win mag, with a vortex viper gen II 1-6 scope. (Liking the extra weight to manage recoil a bit )

also debating a .308 hells canyon speed, scope undecided.. but that’s a bit boring :D
wouldn’t want to bump up to the 300WM in the hells canyon as that defaults to a 26” barrel and not the nimble 22”.

cheers.

I've found the BLR stock designs do a poor job at managing recoil for me. You end up with a fair amount of "jump" in the barrel/gun... I wouldn't want a 300wm in a BLR, but that's just me. I would say that a good ole "boring" 308 is about perfect for anything out to 300ish yards.. After that I'd be looking at a flat shooting 7mm or even 6.5. I'm currently running a kimber montana in 308 as it fits the bill for compact, ultralight and powerful enough. The straight stock design of the kimbers does an excellent job with recoil, just as the x-bolts do.

Good luck!
TJ

[RyoTHC]

I've found the BLR stock designs do a poor job at managing recoil for me. You end up with a fair amount of "jump" in the barrel/gun... I wouldn't want a 300wm in a BLR, but that's just me. I would say that a good ole "boring" 308 is about perfect for anything out to 300ish yards.. After that I'd be looking at a flat shooting 7mm or even 6.5. I'm currently running a kimber montana in 308 as it fis the bill for compact, ultralight and powerful enough. The straight stock design of the kimbers does an excellent job with recoil, just as the x-bolts do.

Good luck!
TJ


hmmm, you make a fair point... I have the blr in .308 and the recoil was negligible so I figured the 300 wouldn’t be so terrible, but after watching some videos of people shooting it, the muzzle climb is insane aha. Unfortunately this model for whatever reason browning decided shouldn’t come with sling mounts so it’s certainly not a gun I’m carrying around all day !

I already have the hells canyon LR in 6.5 CM shooting 140G accubonds and the gun is a laser. Was just wanting a little bit more punch, looking at all these ranges I’m going to say I’m going to need the extra horse power lol.

I suppose after reading this I’m leaning towards the 300WM for the extra insurance at planting the bull where it stands.. back to the drawing board.


thanks folks.

[JoeSixPack]

60 yards broadside, 19 yard frontal, 25 yards broadside. First two with 375 ruger, last with pointy stick. All 6 point bulls

[Ride Red]

All at 150 - 300 yards with 30-06 and 300 Weatherby. I prefer the larger calibers as I’m not recoil shy and I’ve had too many grizzly around my hunting areas the last few years. Nothing like a screaming bull.

[Ron.C]

Bow all broadside shots
1 at 18 yards
1 at 30
1 at 43
1 at 53

1 at 35 with a muzzleloader

[RyoTHC]

All at 150 - 300 yards with 30-06 and 300 Weatherby. I prefer the larger calibers as I’m not recoil shy and I’ve had too many grizzly around my hunting areas the last few years. Nothing like a screaming bull.

another good point.. I’ve even been seeing them the odd time around my white tail spots north and east of Kamloops.. definitely good to have the extra security in their turf.

[willyqbc]

really depends on the kind of elk terrain you'll be hunting.....in the timber?, open scree slopes, farms?

Our elk hunting has all been in the timber bordering agriculture or cut blocks, I'd say across 14 bulls, the average shot would be less than 70 yds, we did catch 2 out in the open block that would have been 200-250 yd shots.

For the way we hunt them,humping and bushwhacking for up to 10 hrs a day, what I would look for in a dedicated elk rifle, would be.....light as possible, compact as possible. Tikka t3x lite compact comes to mind, wildcat stocked rem mod 7 if building. Leupold 2-7x33 on top

For a cartridge i would want short action with some close range thump, coupled with 300-400 yd capability should the odd occasion arise when I needed to stretch it out a bit. Mild enough recoil to make for quick follow up shots if needed. i have a bit of a preference for 7mm over the 30 cals, so I would probably look at the classic 284 win pushing a 168 barnes lrx around 2650 fps. Plenty of oomph and any angle pass through up close, as well as holding over 2000 fps and over 1500 ft/lbs at 400yds.
If my style of hunting them, or my area made longer shots the norm....280ai will push that same 168 lrx up well over 2800 fps and give you plenty of range with reasonable recoil.

JMO
Chris

[Bugle M In]

Along the river, calling elk in from the other side, mostly 330 yards down to say 150 yards.
In a cut block, anywhere from 150 yards, right down to 10 feet.
A couple I didn't get, because I was too close, as we both could have almost kissed.

[Norwestalta]

My thoughts are elk are tough and they seem to soak up lead. I like to anchor them. Shoot the biggest gun you can accurately imo.

[Norwestalta]

I find a 300 mag of any kind is ignorant to shoot. 338-06 with 210 ttsx might be something to ponder. Possibly a 35 Whelan. I sure like my 338wm for the elk.

[rocksteady]

I have shot them from point blank to about 450..

6.5 by 55, 30-06, 338WM, 7-08.. All died..

People say elk are hard to kill.. I don't believe so, they just react differently when shot.. I shot a moose 7 times thru the heart with my 06 years ago that just stood there and not fall over.. Most elk when shot just decide they need to leave.. they still die, just not where they were shot at.. unless you use head shots, of course ;)

[Frank grimes]

Elk are classy creatures so I’d choose a classy caliber, maybe 300h&h, or 35whelen.

[Squamch]

I've never shot an elk, but I can tell.you that a BLR benefits from magna-porting to combat muzzle jump.

[RackStar]

Never killed one yet, but my northern bc big game rifle is a 300wsm 165ttsx in a kimber Montana. Absolutely love the gun, and the stock is very well designed. Feels like I’m shooting a 30-06. Less recoil then my old tikka 300wm.

I think your on the right track for caliber, your going to want some thump. IMO

[Bugle M In]

I have used the 270 Win a lot for elk.
But having said that, I would recommend a slightly higher caliber, like a 300 win mag.
Reason being, 270's only spit out 150 gr bullets and even a nosler partition doesn't go thru and thru.

And Rocksteady had a great point, elk do not stick around when shot!!!
They haul ass if they can, and can cover a lot of ground before they die, and that's where it gets complicated tracking when you use a
caliber that does not go thru and thru.

A 300 win mag will, up to a good range go thru and thru, thus you now have 2 holes for blood to run out from, especially the exit wound, as
entry is tiny, and tracking for blood is much easier.....hopefully.
With good shot placement, most any caliber is deadly, just sometimes not instantly, and then you are looking for blood.

[RackStar]

I called in a monster sow and 2 big cubs, and a big boar with elk calls this year, ready to come chew my ass. The extra hp is nice. 300wsm for the 24” barrell.

[hawk-i]

closest elk, archery less than 20 paces...furthest, 338 Lapua just over 500 yards

[Timberjack]

Thinking a hells canyon speed in 300wsm might be the ticket for increased power, relatively light weight while maintaining some level of compactness you desire. The others comments certainly are not wrong when it comes to a bit more oomph than a 308 and the wsm has plenty of reach should the need arise.

TJ

[Timberjack]

Oh and to answer your original question. 225 and 20 with a 30-06 and 215 with a 270. All dropped in their tracks.

TJ

[walks with deer]

220yds 185yds and 60 yds...
220 went 3 yards 185 doi 60yarder ran 200..

all with 338 win mag 250 grain accoubond with 72 grains reloader 19...cci magnum primers.

[northof49]

Have taken lots and none over 30yds and most under 20yds.....all called in and no field hunting for me. 338 is the charm as griz frequently responding to calls as well. BLR and 300 dont belong in the same sentence if you ask me. If recoil a consideration the good old 30-06 with bigger pills would serve you well. Like others said tho depends where/how you plan to hunt.

[j270wsm]

I already have the hells canyon LR in 6.5 CM shooting 140G accubonds and the gun is a laser. Was just wanting a little bit more punch, looking at all these ranges I’m going to say I’m going to need the extra horse power lol.

I suppose after reading this I’m leaning towards the 300WM for the extra insurance at planting the bull where it stands.. back to the drawing board.

thanks folks.

I've used arrows, 270win&wsm, 300win, 300rum on 10+ elk, ranging from 60yds to 400 and none of them dropped instantly. They all went 15-30yds then piled up. My son shoots a 6.5x55 and has killed 5 elk ranging from 60 to 320yds. 140gr Sierra game king at 2700fps hammers elk out to 400yds no problem.

[pg83]

Shot one last week with a 280AI at a hair over 100 yards. He was moving slightly and I hit him a touch high and forward from what I would have liked, but right through the front shoulder blade. Dropped with the shot.

[todbartell]

I missed this one when I was in moose camp. Have seen many bull elk killed, avg is right around 90 yards. Closest at 6 yards, longest was 350

[Fennemonster]

My cousin and I got our Roosevelt this year at 60 yards. Return bugled at 300 and wouldn't budge until I was within about 150. He walked right into us screaming. We had the 1-11B hunt.

[steve-r]

Thinking a hells canyon speed in 300wsm might be the ticket for increased power, relatively light weight while maintaining some level of compactness you desire. The others comments certainly are not wrong when it comes to a bit more oomph than a 308 and the wsm has plenty of reach should the need arise.

TJ3 elk in timber at 33 yds, 66yds, and 88 yds w my 308 anD 168TSX.
But this past season we went to a different area, in alpine with little to no cover, and elk busted us at 750,500, and 450 yds, so Im going back there next season with a new Hells Canyon Speed in 300 wsm. Still working on a load for confident accuracy at these longer ranges trying 175 gr VLd Hunters, 178gr Eldx, and 175gr LRX. also have some 190Lrab and 200Eldx to try.

[wideopenthrottle]

this will not be of any help because i only have 1 elk @75 yards and was not hunting elk at the time..... I was up the bull river near sulfur creek and was looking to fill my last WT tag. was told to bring an elk tag just in case...he was following his harem of 3 cows and 2 younger ones so kind of pre-occupied...i put a shot into his boiler room with a 30-06 and prolly was almost as quick as a semi auto on a follow up shot because of how many stories i had heard of them soaking up lead and running off...it did not run off and the second shot was a bit higher clipping the spine... only the back legs dropped and it tried to get up and escape. it turned to face me and i put one in the throat but contined to try and get up evenn after the 3rd shot...it dropped dead on the 4th shot that was just under the chin....even though they are not as big as moose, i believe they are a harder animal to recover and would give me pause to get a bigger stick than the 30-06 with 150 grain little deer bullets

[moosinaround]

Shot a couple at 30 paces with a 300gr 375h&h, on a seismic line. Shot one this year at 100-120 yrds with a 338 RCM, on a seismic line, and a 210 ttsx. Shot one at 200ish yrds steep downhill angle with a 300 win mag and a 180 fusion, one at 150 plus yrds with a 270 win and a 130 gr swift scirooco. Moosin

[SemperAurum]

When I was a kid the go to guns were .270 and 30-06. Seemed to kill elk just fine. Hunters tended to become proficient with the rifle by practicing alot. Some guys had 7mm, 300 win, and the odd 338.

Nowadays there are multitudes of calibers to choose from and it can be quite daunting. Don't overthink your choice. They will all do the job if you do your part. Lots of very expensive cartridges out there

Your opportunities to bag an elk will increase greatly if you are prepared to walk to a spot in the dark and come home in the dark. If you stay overnight near them you will likely hear them bugling and have a better idea of their location. If walking, Be careful not to go too far because it makes retreival a very difficult and lengthy task. Packing out an elk is not an easy one man job.

[dbergen69]

I think it depends on how you intend to hunt. I have shot 8 Elk and the Longest shot was about 80 yards. I would say my average shot has been about 35 yards. All but 1 have been called in. If you are decent at calling the shots should be close. If you plan to spot in open areas the shots could be long.

[pappy]

338 wm with 210 ttsx from 60 to 325 yards for the majority of elk. A couple of bulls with 270 win with 140 accubonds, both closer than 80 yards. I think anything comparable to the 270 win or bigger with a proper elk bullet will get the job done for you as long as you hit the right spot.