30-06 Springfield Elk?

Question

I know this is an adequate caliber for elk, but was wondering if anyone has experience or opinions for a good load. I am buying a light gun(6lbs.) and was also considering a 308 win or 270, but I think the'06 handles the heavier bullets better. What do you recommend? Thanks everyone.

Answer 1

.270 Winchester (130 grain)
Muzzle Velocity 3060 FPS
Foot pounds of energy at
100 yards (2225)
200 yards (1818)
300 yards (1472)
400 yards (1180)

.30-06 Springfield (150 grain)
Muzzle Velocity 2910 FPS
Foot pounds of energy at
100 yards (2281)
200 yards (1827)
300 yards (1445)
400 yards (1131)

Not much of a difference in my opinion. Ones just as good as the other, so you choose

.308 Winchester (180 grain)
Muzzle Velocity 2960 FPS
Foot pounds of energy at
100 yards (3011)
200 yards (2578)
300 yards (2196)
400 yards (1859)
It takes about 1500 foot pounds of energy to kill a Elk humanly

Answer 2

One could examine either (A) the ballistics printed on charts, or (B) use some method of determining a cartrdige's "true" capabilities by employing the Taylor Ballistic Formula (sometime referred to as the Taylor Knockout Formula). In truth, you have to look at a lot of factors. The ballisitcs on a chart give you raw data, while the Taylor Formula explains why a standard velocity .45-70 with its mere 1,590 foot pounds is superior to say a 6.5 X 55 mm for killing a deer, for instance--even though the 6.5 X 55 mm has at least a good 500 foot pound advantage over the .45-70. That might be true, but would a .45-70 be accurate enough at 200 yards or more? A 6.5 X 55 mm would be more accurate at that distance, and thus might be the beter choice for a long range shot. To answer your question usinfg the above analogy--the .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum--with its 2,500-plus foot pounds of kinetic enery--lobbing a 400 grain projectile at a grizzly bear would turn its lights out pretty quick-----AT CLOSE RANGE. But such a weapon would clearly be outclassed by a .30-06 if the shot were around 100 yards away. First, the huge magnum bullet would lose a greater percentage of its velocity over 100 yards than a .30-06 would, and thus lose agreater percentage of its kinetic energy as well. Second, it would be easier to place a good accurate shot at 100 yards with a .30-06 than it would with a .500 Smith and Wesson magnum--even with a scope mounted on it. The .30-06 would be much more accurate. Not to mention that the .30-06 has more knockdown power than the .500 S & W Magnum at any range.

Answer 3

Buy the '06. There is more versatility in this caliber than the .308 since you have more powder capacity for bullets over a weight of 165 grains. You can use this '06 on Moose too using 200 to 220 grain bullets. More factory loads are available for this caliber as well. Handload the NRA recommended load of 57.0 grains of IMR 4350 and the 180 grain Nosler Partition or Accubond and go harvest your Elk man!

Answer 4

Either the .308 or the .30-06 with a 180gr. bullet is fine for elk. I know many use the 165gr. which shoots flatter, retains energy best of all .30-cal. bullets, and is probably the most inherently accurate, but I still feel like the 180gr. is more of a bone-crusher when needed. The '06 will propel them a wee bit further along than the .308 but the difference may not be worth the increased recoil of the long-action calibre, especially if you are looking for a light-weight rifle.

Answer 5

I have shot alot of Colorado elk with my Remington 700 BDL. in 30-06. It has a 4x16 Redfield scope. I use hand loaded 165 gr. nosler balistic tips, at 2800 fps. I have been starting to use 165gr. Winchester silver tips and also 165gr. Win. failsafe bullets and haven't missed one yet. I have also just for kicks, shot against the snipers at the local gun range.they are amazed at how accurate this "out of the box" rifle is. I clean it after every third shot when practicing.
With this cal. of rifle, you can shoot a bullet up to 200 gr. down to 110 gr. if you want to.
The other calibers are fine, it's really up to you in what you want to shoot.

Answer 6

they will all work but I would go with the 06 because its more versatile, I do have friends that go west for elk and use their .270 rifles that they use for whitetail here just with a heavier load and they seem to be able to get elk. Go with what ever you like.remember contrary to what all the sales experts try to get you to buy the old timers shot and killed elk and everything else at one time with 30-30 lever actions and open sights.

Answer 7

A .308 with 180 grainers is sufficient for Elk - it'll do just as well as any .30'06 load.

It comes down to whether you want a long action or short action gun.

Answer 8

I prefer the30-06, and use 180 or 220 grain bullets.(

Answer 9

i would recommend a 30-06 because they are more powerful and have a better range and take down mark.