Is a 30-06 enough gun for elk?

Question

I have been wanting to buy a new deer rifle. I own a 30-30 and would like to get something different. I have considered a 7mm mag but I am concerned about the kick since I never shot one. I thought a 30-06 would be the next alternative for deer and elk, I hope.

I think maybe a 7mm may be to much gun for the deer we have in my home state. These deer are so thin they only have one side to them.

What do you think would be the best all around gun for deer and elk?

Answer 1

According to outdoor life mag. and the Arkansas Hunting guidebook it is.

the state of Arkansas requires no smaller than a 20 gauge shotgun with rifled slugs.

Answer 2

The bottom line is this; you need to ask yourself these questions:

How far will you be shooting?
How much money do you plan on spending?

These are the facts: The 7 Mag has better ballistics than the 30-06 in EVERY load. The 7 Mag is flatter shooting, has fast velocities and has more knockdown power.

If your longest shots are only 200 yards...then an 06 is all you need. If you plan on taking the rifle to Arizona or New Mexico for a 400+ Bull, then by all means, you need the 7 Rem Mag. I have a 7 Rem Mag and it kicks like a baby. All you need is a good recoil pad and you wont feel a thing. Don't let these pansies tell you that a 7 Mag is overkill. If anything, it's more humane. Because when a 30-06 is running out of gas at 300 yards...the 7 Mag keeps going out past 600 and still has more than enough knockdown power for that massive bull you've always wanted.

I hope this helps. Take care and God Bless.

Answer 3

Well, it is a long stretch from deer to elk, so two totally different calibers are needed. The 7mm is only a little bit overkill in my opinion. I have killed two deer with my grandpa's Winchester Model 70 7mm Mag, and it seems it does excessive damage, and the deer are not that big where I hunt either. But some people swear by it for elk, and it is a pretty decent caliber for elk. Kick can get vicious, but still quite controlable, and I am 14. As far as the 30-06 goes, some people consider the .270 and the 30-06 to be the bare minimum for elk. It is very hard to pick a caliber that kills very tiny deer, as well as huge elk. My advice to you is to keep the 30-30 for deer, and look into a .300 Win. Mag. for elk, for it is a very popular choice in the elk hunting adventure. Best of luck to you on your future hunts!

Answer 4

As a Hunter who has taken Elk in Manitoba and British Columbia (Canada) I can tell you without question that the 30-06 will do a fine job on either Elk or Deer. The 30-06 is going to put them down, but at the same time you will lose some meat on a skinny Whitetail. I use the 7mm Winchester Magnum and to be honest there isn't going to be much difference in the " felt recoil" between the two. The caliber is secondary to your ability to make a good shot with good shot placement. Thats the key with these two animals and most other American big game.. You should to try and find a friend or someone who owns one of each and go out to the range and experience shooting it for yourself. Then you but based on that! Again, either one will work nicely, it's just a matter of what you feel comfortable with and shoot the most accurately. Lots of good bullet weights to choose from in either caliber...Good Luck!

Answer 5

My father got an Elk in Colorado witha 30-06. He bought a 7mm mag now for elk hunting, but the 0-06 cartridge will work just fine.
I opted for 338 winchester mag, cause i got a heck of a deal on a Ruger M77 Mark 2. Otherwise I think I would have choose 30-06.

Answer 6

The best all around any North American big game animal caliber is... THE 30-06. Easily the most versatile and widely used cartridge used by rifle hunters without question. All you need to do is upsize or downsize the bullet's grains for what animal you are hunting. Like 125-150 for deer and antelope to 200+ for elk and bears. I think you would be extremely satisfied with the 30-06.

Answer 7

Practical experience and a hundred year history for the 30-06 proves that it is perfect for elk, deer, moose, bear; anything on the north american continent. You can also afford to buy surplus ammo so you can plink and have off season fun to keep your shooting skills up. The two calibers on planet earth that will be around for another century are the 30-06 and 8 mm Mauser; they are the yardstick by which all others are measured.

Answer 8

Hell yes!!! It is the best big game cartridge around. It is the "old reliable" of the bunch. There are tons of other calibers out there but the 06 sounds like exactly what you are looking for if the 7mm kicks too much. You may want to check out the 270 WSM too though. It is really a neat smaller cartridge but I am not entirley positve it would do enough damage on a big bear or massive bull elk.

Answer 9

You bet. Even your .30-30 will take down an elk. A good caliber/s for deer and elk are calibers like the .308, .30-30, and .30-06, and .30 caliber can just about take any kind of game in North America, so you're in good shape.

Answer 10

The 30-06 is a superb elk rifle, in fact, it is enough gun for any game that walks North America

Answer 11

the .30/06 is the most versatile caliber in North America. you can shoot the 150 grain bullets at coyotes and other varmints live my uncle does. or you can shoot the 180 grain bullets at whitetail, antelope, boar, mule deer, or black bear. load up some 200 or 220 grains and you are ready to take on elk and moose from within 200 yards. get the .30/06 and you will never need another rifle for hunting in North America again.

live in western PA, and damn proud of it <((((><