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min. cal. for elk?

kyzzerrkyzzerr Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
looking to buy my kid a new rifle for elk, what is the min. cal. that will take elk without problems from being to small?
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Comments

  • Mr. GunzMr. Gunz Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    243 or 7-08
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  • Wolf.Wolf. Member Posts: 2,223 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    --
    -I would not want to use anything smaller than .308 or .30-06 with heavier bullets. Recoil is manageable for just about any kid from eight years old and above if the rifle actually fits the child. That means a cut-down stock in most cases. Just my opinion.
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  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    kyzzerr,

    I presume you are not talking 'too small' so as not to wound an elk. Not 'too small' as in legal definition.
    I would prefer a .260 Rem,{edit: 6.5x55), a 7mm-08 or a .308 to use for kids just getting into hunting. They don't kick a lot and have good enough ballistics to kill an elk out to reasonable ranges. FWIW my first and only elk was taken with a .257 Rbts.

    +1 on Savage170

    It'll stay right up with the .308 A bunch of them for sale too here in Rem 722's
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  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,569 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you can find a used rifle in 300 savage it's a lite kicker
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,234 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    I personally wouldn't intentionally hunt elk with anything less than a 270.
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There's a lot of variables in this question. How big is the child and how much experience with shooting does he/she have? Are you going to be right there to control the shot angle and range? Are you experienced enough to stay cool and will you be carrying a rifle suitable to backup or finish a * before it escapes? Will you be hunting on private land or public and will there be snow? All of these things affect what might be a suitable caliber. If you turn the kid loose to make his own judgements and hunt alone, I would not go lower than 7mm08 or 7x57 with a 140 Nosler partition. I base this on considerable experience with beginning hunters and limited experience with elk.
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  • moonshinemoonshine Member Posts: 8,471
    edited November -1
    quote:-I would not want to use anything smaller than .308 or .30-06 with heavier bullets

    This is the only way to go

    my daughter shoots my 308 just fine and she is small,(5.0 ft.)
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  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    Do you reload? If so, the 7mm-08 with with 150 grain Swift Scirocco II bullets would be just about right out to about 250 yards. Or the 6.5X55 with Sciroccos would work too.
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  • helimanheliman Member Posts: 597 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with MT357.[^]
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    I have to agree with the 270 crowd here. With a 270 shots should be limited to head, neck, and 100% broadside shots. I would never intentionally go after elk with a 270 but it makes a good backup gun.

    I think the better answer for elk is to start with a 180 gr 30 cal bullet and push it as fast as your shoulder will tolerate. If that is a .308 fine, 30-06 better, 300 Win Mag. great.
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