Does anybody have any experience using a shotgun for Rocky Mountain Elk? I hunt in the High Desert of Eastern Oregon and was considering using my 12ga. with a rifled slugger barrel. Any shot I take would be 100 yards or less and I have never hunted big game with a shotgun before. I know it'll work for deer, but I'm worried there may not be enough knock down power for an elk. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
2007-09-20 19:15:44 · 8 answers · asked by Big Cheese 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Believe me, there's enough power to kill anything on North America and most of the world with the right shotgun slug.
The right slug is going to outperform many centerfire rifles on elk (considering people use the wrong type of bullets or reload bullets only hearsay and reviews --- only to end up with too much or no penetration).
Inside 100 yards, the right shotgun slug can not be beaten.
Outside 100 yards...you're limited based on your trajectory...
And hunting the desert, I can see a longer shot presenting itself. If you don't have a centerfire, you might consider the shotgun --- depends on your needs and budget.
2007-09-21 03:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by curtism1234 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why in the world would you want to hunt Elk with a 12 gauge Slug Gun and not a high powered rifle? I've killed several and looking back I probably would have lost a few of the Elk all together had I attempted the same shots with a slug or sabot, instead of my 7mm Rem Mag. The majority of Elk I have been exposed to, were ranging Elk and the average shot was 175-250 yards away. Like you I just don't think the knock down power would be there. I guess I just don't want to take those kinds of risks with a large Elk. Id rather depend on a rifle I'm comfortable with and can make a clean kill shot.
2007-09-20 23:53:10 · answer #2 · answered by JD 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A 12 gauge slug especially fired out of a rifled barrel will have ample knock down power at a hundred yards. I'd worry beyond that especially if I were shooting at Elk. Is there any reason why you're not hunting with a conventional big game rifle?
H
2007-09-20 23:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 12 gauge has ample knock down and penitration. However most shots at elk, especially trophy elk are several hundred yards away. At 100 yards a slug will drop 4-6 inches. Any distance over that and only kentucky windage will work.
2007-09-20 19:21:18 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That should work just fine. Be sure to zero and practice on paper targets first. When shooting at an elk, pick your shot so as to not hit branches or brush in between you and the elk. Also, make sure your ammo matches the gun.
2007-09-20 19:34:33 · answer #5 · answered by Savo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if one can kill a bull elk with a bow
at less than 50 yds. then I dont see
why it cant happen with a slug gun.
Just have it zeroed in and be
comfortable from the yardage you
are shooting from
2007-09-20 21:56:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will work fine for the purpose you will be using it for.*
2007-09-21 01:25:31 · answer #7 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
what you need is an automatic machine gun or a grenade launcher.
2007-09-20 19:20:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋