Is a 220 grain .30-06 bullet to much for bull elk?
- Thread starter dhershberger
- Start date
Old Hunter
Banned
Elkoholic307
Banned
The kind that includes driving very heavy, large diameter bullets into elk at high velocities no matter what angle they're standing at and not having to worry about them running away.
Old Hunter
Banned
That's why they make big magnums. Nothing wrong with that choice.
I prefer closer shots in the vitals. My elk this year was with a muzzleloader and a round ball. Many with a 30-30 over the years. A few with a 30-06, and i'm using a .270 from now on. I still hunt timber, so the .270 is really overkill, but I like the gun. I use peep sights on it for a bit more of a challenge. I've never lost an animal in 60 years of hunting, but I do have to pass up a lot of shots. I don't mind. I consider it part of hunting.
I didn't mean to sound like I was busting your chops. I was just curious.
I prefer closer shots in the vitals. My elk this year was with a muzzleloader and a round ball. Many with a 30-30 over the years. A few with a 30-06, and i'm using a .270 from now on. I still hunt timber, so the .270 is really overkill, but I like the gun. I use peep sights on it for a bit more of a challenge. I've never lost an animal in 60 years of hunting, but I do have to pass up a lot of shots. I don't mind. I consider it part of hunting.
I didn't mean to sound like I was busting your chops. I was just curious.
Elkoholic307
Banned
Old Hunter
Banned
Not the easiest thing for me either. My dad drove it into me in the 50's, and it stuck. I still struggle with it, but I can say i've never taken a risky shot.. I guess dad did a good job.
trkytrack2
Active Member
I would have to guess that your friend "thought" he double lunged that cow. I highly doubt it.
Elkoholic307
Banned
There was a total of 5 guys hunting together and they all told the same story at different times. I don't see a reason why they would lie.
Was it actually double-lunged? Possibly. Could it have been a bullet failure? Possibly.
I didn't gut it, they did. So, I really don't know but I can see it happening. An elk's will to survive may be stronger than a 270 in some circumstances.
Was it actually double-lunged? Possibly. Could it have been a bullet failure? Possibly.
I didn't gut it, they did. So, I really don't know but I can see it happening. An elk's will to survive may be stronger than a 270 in some circumstances.
Wapiti slayer .270
New Member
Never had an issue with a .270win nor the 150 gr. Partition. This one didn't go far and had pass through breaking the offside shoulder at a tad over 220 yards.
I use both the .300WM and the .270win for elk. At this point I see no appreciable difference in "killing power". I use that term loosely as it is always subjective to each of us.
To the OP, I think the idea of running the 180 or 165 in the 06 is very sound advice. Especially running premiums. However, dad has a couple dozen elk under the belt with plain old Core Lokts. So I tend not to dismiss the C&C style bullets. I also killed a bull with Win Power Points at over 300 yards and have a perfectly mushroomed bullet I found under the offside skin. Can't ask for more than that. 180 gr. out of a .300WM.
Old Hunter
Banned
Really nice bull. Congrats.
Funny angle to his front leg. Is that the shoulder that broke?
In my early years I killed a few elk with a 30-30 170gr core-lokt. I'm sure it's still getting the job done for some.
Funny angle to his front leg. Is that the shoulder that broke?
In my early years I killed a few elk with a 30-30 170gr core-lokt. I'm sure it's still getting the job done for some.
Wapiti slayer .270
New Member
Pete,
Thank you much sir!! 19 years of trying and frustration finally paid off! lol
Yep, it is the shoulder that broke. Camera angle don't show it well, but he fell on an incline into a dried up creek bed. Was somewhat of a pain to get moved around to field dress and it took 3 of us 6 hours to get him back to the truck. This was in 07, 1st rifle season, not far from where you call home. Love Buena Vista and the valley's scenery!
As to the .30-30, we still take one along every year with the same 170 gr. bullets you mention. Dad killed a few elk with it over the years while beating the timber.
Thank you much sir!! 19 years of trying and frustration finally paid off! lol
Yep, it is the shoulder that broke. Camera angle don't show it well, but he fell on an incline into a dried up creek bed. Was somewhat of a pain to get moved around to field dress and it took 3 of us 6 hours to get him back to the truck. This was in 07, 1st rifle season, not far from where you call home. Love Buena Vista and the valley's scenery!
As to the .30-30, we still take one along every year with the same 170 gr. bullets you mention. Dad killed a few elk with it over the years while beating the timber.
Old Hunter
Banned
How well I know what you mean about moving a bull. Those guys are huge. In my old age, and my stubbornness to always hunt alone. I've had to change to hunting cows. I just can't deal with a bull anymore. I'll let you youngsters have them. 
Wapiti slayer .270
New Member
Pete,
Lol. Understood, but its not exactly a picnic for us youngin's either! As my dad says, the fun stops when the elk drops. Then its work!
Lol. Understood, but its not exactly a picnic for us youngin's either! As my dad says, the fun stops when the elk drops. Then its work!