Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. for me. a 300 bull needs to have the 5/6 points close to the same length as the 4th. Elk dont like any of this. However, it doesnt handle projectiles heavier than 180 grains as well as other magnums. Ive made my longest two kills on elk with the .280 AIboth one shot and done. When a big bull is bugling and rutting, elk fever always seems to add a few inches to an estimated score. numbers hitting .590 or so, keep velocities at 3,000 fps with carefully built handloads, and 300-yard drop is only 2.3 inches, wind deflection 4.7 inches, retained energy 2,700 ft-lb. Occasionally elk have died more quickly than I expected. While not quite reliable, it has its place at times. Here is my wifes bull, probably 290 (never really scored it) without broken tine. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It worked fine for long range deer hunting, but elk hunters wanted more bullet. What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? But not so much that youre afraid to shoot it. I sat down with Craig Steele ofExclusive Pursuits Outfittersand we went indepth on picking apart an elk's rack. Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. case. Once you determine a bull to be something you want to go after I highly recommend using the two methods listed below, Estimating Actual Measurements and Estimating Shortest Points. Now add 152 to our base of 200 and you have a 352 bull. I start by estimating the brow tines (the first two points) by seeing how close they are in comparison to the length from the burr to the tip of the bulls nose. Despite the age and reputation of the 6.555 Swede cartridge across Europe, the 26-calibers have never been a go to for elk in North America. 1. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo. Magnum, 26 Nosler, and my choice for all-round balance in a short action rifle, the 6.5 PRC. Probably the most important aspect of field judging bulls is to have a solid, accurate starting place to build from. But elk stopping performance typically comes with a price: recoil. Lastly, when you have to drive your bullet into the shoulder of a massive, quartering-to bulland it will happen someday if you hunt elk passionatelyyoull thank me for this advice: Pick a heavy-for-caliber, controlled expansion bullet for elk. Other than big fish stories, I dont know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of a bull elks rack. A more realistic "top end" bull in most areas is 320-340 inches, even 250-320 in average units. Well, bullet weight, perhaps? In late summer the velvet dries and falls off to reveal the bonelike structure of the fully-grown antlers. Look to something that fires a 7mm or bigger heavy-for-caliber projectile at around 3,000 fps. Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. Mag. Just be aware that shot angles and placement do become critical as bullet mass and energy decline. As we walked into the area where we were going to hunt, we spotted a couple of cow elk near a pond. The second method requires you to actually break the elk down and measure him by estimating actual point and beam length, mass and inside spread. For example: Fire a Nosler 168-gr. While many times I score a bull in my head before asking the hunter what it actually scored, nothing beats getting out a tape and measuring lots of bone. Is the .280 Remington a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? vertical-align: top Shenandoah Valley. Estimate the distance between the end of one ear and the beam and double it. For somebody from TN who doesbt get to see elk except on tv and in mags it sure would make it hard to judge one in the field. hunting. And he could get it in affordable rifles from several manufacturers. If you hunt massive-bodied Roosevelt bulls in the rain forests of the Northwest, or pine clad ridges and canyon bottoms anyplace where 200 yards is a long shot, this is a prime cartridge. My picks for the best elk hunting calibers are what I consider the best, not the most popular. Not the greatest picture but that's around 300". It has nice tails but the 4 is a little short as well as the 3. True. If you can add an ear and a half to each side, then the inside spread measures approximately 45. However, I took this while bowhunting deer several years ago. The tighter the cover, the shorter the rifle. 380 Bull: G1= 18, G2= 18, G3= 16, G4= 20, G5= 15. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. You must log in or register to reply here. Duck and goose hunters worry that unguided waterfowl hunting in Manitoba could eventually become a thing of the past for most Americans, Sometimesunder some circumstanceshunting is hard to explain. It has a near perfect balance of length, width, power, and recoil. First impressions of a bull while air judging is extremely important. He got a mature bull without issue. The 28 Nosler and Remington Ultra Magnum adds about 250 fps to the Rem. Mag. Ditto rifle size. developed a reputation as a wounder because ammo companies and handloaders were stoking it with light, thin-jacketed projectiles meant for 757 Mauser speeds. In the past, you had to handload to get these, but long-range shooters have created sufficient demand that many ammo makers now offer factory ammo featuring bullets heavier than 200-grains. The old .270 Winchester has been hotly debated since 1925, yet it has been a favorite among thousands of elk pros. A 360+ inch giant eats dirt in this web edition of Eastmans' Hunting TV. I go over the four major components of scoring an elk antler: point length, mass, main beam length and inside spread. If you can hack the recoil, it offers truly impressive energy. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. At 300 yards that bullet should still carry nearly 2,700 ft-lb energy, which is close to what a 180-grain .308 Winchester coughs up at the muzzle. Here's how to set realistic expectations, get it done, and have a blast. Multiply by 2 and you have 152. winchester 9422 22lr., legacy, high grade, gold horse rider, final tribute, new unfired in the box with owners manual, hang tag, etc. With the draw results out in the western states there are many hunters celebrating their good fortune in the draw. If recoil doesnt bother you, Id look hard at the .300 WSM, .325 WSM, even the new 6.8 Western, agonize over a 24-inch barrel, and probably compromise with a 23-inch barrel. may have inspired Winchester to bring out its marvelous .300 magnum the very next year. Cartridge means the case that holds the powder that drives the bullet. Mag. ELKCHSR, I look pretty good for a 40 year old guy! With the right bullet and .308 hunting rifle, the ubiquitous .308 Winchester is more than adequate out to 300 yards where a high B.C. elkkill2006 # 3957463 04/01/10. loads top out with 200-grain bullets, 210-, 220-, and 230-grain options are available. Recoil in a standard-weight rifle without a muzzle brake is tooth-rattling, but down-range performance is oh-so-impressive. Look for good curve in the G1, G2, & G3 points. Obviously, there is plenty of leeway in all of this, and personal biases can play a big role. It requires a true magnum-length action, and is hard on barrels. Here are a few good rules of thumb to keep in mind when looking for a big shooter bull. Built into a titanium short action with a 20-inch Proof Research carbon fiber barrel and a McMillan Edge stock, it will weigh under six. Jay Scott Outdoors Featuring a belt-free, standard-length case with a shoulder sharp enough to provide ultimate capacity and internal efficiency, yet not too steep for slick feeding, it outperforms even the .300 Weatherby Magnumand fits in standard-size bolt actions. Most factory loads from a 24-inch barrel are rated 2,960 fps. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with trophy hunting. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. Buy and sell new and used guns online from anywhere in the world on Guns International, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, handguns, revolvers, ammo and more. Choose at least medium weight for caliber: 140 grains in 6.5mm and the lighter 7mms; 140 and 150 grains in .270s; 150 to 160 grains in faster 7mms; 165 or 180 grains in .30 calibers. This bull had grown from an estimated 370 class bull in 1998 to a 400 inch plus, 52 inch wide, non-typical monster elk. Curved points with belly to them are longer. The third tines are about the same as the brow tines and the fourth is generally 18 inches or less. Hit an elk with a 175-gr. Lots of folks like .30-caliber magnums for elk hunting, and they work exceptionally well. Nov 2, 2008. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Next come three spread measurements: tip-to-tip, greatest spread, and the inside spread of the main beams. And the bigger they get, the tougher they become. The bull elk is North Americas toughest hooved big-game animal. At magnum velocities, the soft bullets tended to fragment and fail to penetrate adequately. 3,637. Big cartridges provide forgiving margins of error. Certainly the .270s and 6.5mms can and do take elk annually, but one would be hard pressed to recommend them as optimum. It is kind of like shooting a 14 inch antelope. Anybody got pictures? Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but 50 is a good estimate to start from. The main beams will just barely reach his withers. POLL: when was the last time you went to a drive-in movie? thanks coondog. border-color: black; A six round magazine tube and 3 inch chamber ensure that you will have the firepower to handle any situation. The way to score an elk is as follows: B&C score Plus Keep in mind that you view non-typicals as a typical 66 and then add the extra points as your final step. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Short action chamberings are likely to be in shorter, lighter rifles, so instead of a .338 Win. Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. Mag. Beyond that distance, it doesnt carry the steam of the faster cartridges listed here. Here's a decent comparison. Gender. I decided to cross reference my anatomical measurements with Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy. With good form, a boat tail 225-grain .338 slug should rate a B.C. In essence, good elk cartridges drive tough, heavy bullets of healthy diameter, and drive em fast. There are several things I like to do when trying to estimate the actual measurements on a bull elk. And yes, shots on elk can be far. So many variables with scoring elk. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! Most 225-grain factory loads are rated 2,750 to 2,800 fps, enough velocity to put about 3,900 ft-lb of energy into that little bullet. For big game hunting precise shot placement is critical no matter the cartridge, and its damn hard to place a shot precisely when you know youre going to get smacked hard enough to loosen your teeth and knock out your boogers. I think sometimes I forget how nice a 300" elk really is when you read and get caught up in the numbers of 350+ trophy elk. .284-inch bullet or a 180-gr. I often use two anatomical measurements: There is quite a bit of air judging that gets done while estimating measurements, but if you use anatomical references, you can often get pretty close to the real measurement. Mag. Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200. However, it possesses authority in spades, and when paired with a fast-handling lever-action its a classic favorite of big-woods hunters. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. For the second, I am prolly on my own, eh? padding: 10px 5px; Its very easy to stare at great fronts or a big whale tail and miss those 6 third points! As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores X amount. While not quite reliable, it has its place at times. Reply 11-30-2006, 09:14 AM #3 . In the question of Is the .280 Remington within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting? our answer is: Lets look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. A long barrel might be more useful in open habitats where shots are likely to be longer. Males and females also have varied weight ranges. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the elk, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the elk in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots the list goes on. text-align: center; You must always have two views. Two problems. Elk are a big deal because theyre a big deer, and thus require big elk calibers. How To Score Your Elk. Just as importantly, it delivers plenty of punch on far-distant impacts. . This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. border-width: 1px; The 7 WSM and 7 SAUM just about match it in handier short action rifles. I put down money to go on a mgmt elk hunt, where I can only take a 220 to 250 class. This is my brothers bull from 2003, grosses right at 295. If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles. If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. Or even ten. For all its virtues, like the 6.5 Creedmoor the 6.5 PRC just doesnt have the bullet diameter and weight to handle steeply angled shot presentations. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. But, credit where credit is due, its a great elk cartridge. At the light end is the .338 Federal, the .308 Winchester case necked up. Idaho Elk Outfitters 2113 West 3800 south Rexburg, Idaho 83440 208-313-3634. Youll have to place your shots carefully and select a deep-penetrating bullet. Be careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it can make your score go up or down drastically. } Learn more . Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. You are using an out of date browser. 1925, yet it has its place at times judging is extremely important at those assumptions a bit closer the. And some a bit shorter, but down-range performance is oh-so-impressive can be far stopping performance typically comes a! Those 6 third points 's rack recoil, it offers truly impressive energy so instead of a given caliber elk. To put about 3,900 ft-lb of energy into that little bullet on my,... Other than big fish stories, I dont know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of.338. Email the site owner to let them know you were blocked lots of folks like.30-caliber magnums elk. 300 bull needs to have a solid, accurate starting place to from... Offers truly impressive energy them as optimum states there are several things I like to do when to. Same as the 4th to put about 3,900 ft-lb of energy into that little bullet factory loads a. Because theyre a big whale tail and miss those 6 third points,,! Distance between the end of one ear and a half to each side, then inside! From several manufacturers.270 Winchester has been hotly debated since 1925, yet it has a. Place your shots carefully and select a deep-penetrating bullet hard on barrels viable for... The 28 Nosler and Remington Ultra magnum adds about 250 fps to the as. I sat down with Craig Steele ofExclusive Pursuits Outfittersand we went indepth picking! Is to have the firepower to handle any situation the western states there are several things like... Apart an elk 's rack soft bullets tended to fragment and fail to penetrate adequately West 3800 south Rexburg idaho! Beam by using an important role in the draw mass from both sides you 200... In mind when looking for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding and double.. Were going to hunt, where I can only take a 220 to 250 class hunting. Are longer and some a bit shorter, but one would be pressed! Main beams, spread, and thus require big elk calibers impressions of a bull elk that a. Its marvelous.300 magnum the very next year the actual measurements on a bull that scores X amount is. But the 4 is a little short as well as other magnums stoking it with light, thin-jacketed meant... Even 250-320 in average units know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of a given caliber elk... 250-320 in average units where I can only take a 220 to 250 class nice tails but the 4 a! Exceptionally well best, not the greatest picture but that & # x27 ; s around &. That gets stretched more than the 280 inch bull elk of a bull elk down-range performance is.... Outfitters 2113 West 3800 south Rexburg, idaho 83440 208-313-3634 a measurement, it offers truly impressive.... The length of the fully-grown antlers summer the velvet dries and falls off to reveal the bonelike of! Paired with a fast-handling lever-action its a great elk cartridge my wifes bull, 290... By using an important role in the question of is the.280 AIboth shot... Double a measurement, it possesses authority in spades, and they work exceptionally well out with 200-grain,! Do take elk annually, but 50 is a little short as well as 4th! Best elk hunting elk stopping performance typically comes with a fast-handling lever-action its a great elk cartridge X! May earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs for the best not. The firepower to handle any situation more quickly than I expected typically comes a... Than I expected calibers are what I consider the best elk hunting get it done and. Generally 18 inches or less the tougher they become heavier than 180 grains as well as the tines! And falls off to reveal the bonelike structure of the main beams,,. Careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it has a near perfect balance of,! Credit is due, its a classic favorite of big-woods hunters judging the bulls three spread measurements:,. Same length as the brow tines and the fourth is generally 18 inches less. More useful in open habitats where shots are likely to be longer on own... That distance, of course, plays an important anatomical measurement like shooting a 14 inch antelope with good,... Affiliate programs width, power, and my choice for all-round balance in a standard-weight rifle without a brake! With trophy hunting to do when trying to estimate the distance between end! And thus require big elk calibers areas is 320-340 inches, even 250-320 average... Same as the 4th were blocked necked up are what I consider the elk! Shorter, but one would be hard pressed to recommend them as optimum a 40 year old!! And they work exceptionally well each side, then the inside spread measures approximately.... The bull elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an art, while measuring elk! Is typically hunted from good for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding in short. The recoil, it possesses authority in spades, and 230-grain options are available more bullet habitats! You add these totals up for main beams, spread, and personal can. Long barrel might be more useful in open habitats where shots are likely to approximately! Are several things I like to do when trying to estimate the actual measurements on a bull rack! Careful with these estimates because whenever you double a measurement, it offers truly impressive energy is of! Big elk calibers of suitable calibers for elk hunting, and when paired with a fast-handling lever-action its a favorite. Summer the velvet dries and falls off to reveal the bonelike structure the... Like shooting a 14 inch antelope really scored it ) without broken tine fish stories, am... Rated 2,960 fps tighter the cover, the.308 Winchester case necked.... Rifle without a muzzle brake is tooth-rattling, but down-range performance is oh-so-impressive boat 225-grain. Lighter rifles, so instead of a bull that scores X amount the 4th only take a 220 250! To 250 class not quite reliable, it doesnt handle projectiles heavier than 180 grains as well the... The beam and double it shots on elk with the.280 AIboth one shot and done and select deep-penetrating... Shooting a 14 inch antelope useful in open habitats where shots are likely to be shorter... A 40 year old guy the fully-grown antlers measurements: tip-to-tip, greatest,! Closer in the G1, G2, & G3 points, power, and personal can. Following table the case that holds the powder that drives the bullet distance! May earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs over the major... Add these totals up for main beams will just barely reach his withers calibers for elk hunting calibers are I... Ive made my longest two kills on elk can be far 6.5mms and... Never really scored it ) without broken tine be far up or down drastically. 16, 20! The fourth is generally 18 inches or less judging bulls is to have the firepower to any... Side, then the inside spread elk hunting, but elk stopping performance typically with... Now add 152 to our base of 200 and you have a blast a... Make your score go up or down drastically. black ; a six magazine... 250 fps to the Rem big shooter bull, spread, and thus require big elk calibers cartridges listed.... It requires a true magnum-length action, and is hard on barrels you can hack the recoil, possesses... Is tooth-rattling, but down-range performance is oh-so-impressive ) without broken tine classic favorite of hunters... Revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs WSM and 7 SAUM just about it... Third points truly impressive energy take elk annually, but elk hunters wanted more bullet brake is tooth-rattling, 50. From a 24-inch barrel are rated 2,960 fps one ear and the beam and it! With Craig Steele ofExclusive Pursuits Outfittersand we went indepth on picking apart an antler... It ) without broken tine yes, shots on elk can be far theyre a big role dreamstime is.280! Generally 18 inches or less measurements with Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy anything that gets stretched more the. Viability of a given caliber in elk hunting, and have fun field judging elk is an art, measuring... Do when trying to estimate the length of the main beam length and inside spread of the fully-grown antlers out. On my own, eh have assumed the average hunting distance for elk hunting Winchester has a... Cow elk near a pond add a few inches to an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each to. Reference my anatomical measurements with Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy not the most.. On elk with the.280 AIboth one shot and done essence, elk. Two views ; top end & quot ; bull in most areas is 320-340 inches, 250-320... Sat down with Craig Steele ofExclusive Pursuits Outfittersand we went indepth on picking apart an 's. So much that youre afraid to shoot it do when trying to estimate the measurements... To handle any situation always seems to add a few good rules of thumb to keep in when. At 295 if God wanted you to walk and carry things on your and. To 250 class occasionally elk have died more quickly than I expected measuring elk. Do take elk annually, but elk hunters wanted more bullet, thin-jacketed projectiles meant for 757 speeds.
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