What caliber do you use for elk?

[Wingmaster]

This year has me second guessing my choice.

Over the years I have killed elk with a .270, a 6.5X55 in a modern rifle, a 30-06 and a .308.

This year I had a cow tag and I shot my elk with my ,308. In years past I have used the same gun with the same loads and every time the elk never went more than about 20-30 yards and fell over dead. This year was different. I shot from about 250 yards. I made a good shot to the heart and lung area. She kinda humped up but didn't run. I shot again. Another good shot to the heart and lung area and she walked about 20 yards and lied down. I thought ok she'll drop her head in a few seconds. well, about 5 minutes later she still had her head up. she was laying with her hind quarters towards me and I was worried I'd shoot her in the quarters if I tried for a neck shot so I tried to crawl up closer to get within 150 or so yards and take a neck shot. When I got almost close enough to take the shot she got up again. I got into position and put one more round into the heart and lung area. This time she went down hard.

I thought she was dead so I walked towards her. When I got about 25 yards away she got up again and started to run. This time I was able to shoot her in the neck. She finally went down and was done.

I have never had anything like that happen before. It's not uncommon to take a second shot if they "hump up" but I've never had an elk take that many good shots and keep going.

Do you think a .308 is a bad choice for elk? What caliber do you use? What do you think is the minimum for elk?

Thanks for any opinions you might have to keep this from happening again.

 

[PRAIRIEDOGGER]

.308 will do the job just fine. I have been using my 6.5 for years. I also maintain that shot placement TRUMPS, size of bullet. Accuracy is king. It's not popular, but I shoot most of my animals in the neck. They don't go anywhere.

 

[Wingmaster]

Thanks for the reply PRAIRIEDOGGER. I agree 100% about shot placement. I feel comfortable saying that all 3 shots were in the heart and lung area. Is there such a thing as really tough elk?

I have also shot several elk with my 6.5X55. My loads chrono at just over 2900 fps. They all have went down within a few yards. 20 yards at most.

Looking back to this elk, I should have went for a neck shot on the first shot. It was only 250 yards and I was laying prone with a bipod. The elk was standing broadside with a perfect opportunity for a neck shot.

 

[CoachChris]

.308 caliber for bulls and .264 if I am only hunting for a cow

 

[Wingmaster]

Thanks CoachChris.

I have had good luck in the past doing the same thing. I'm starting to think this was a really tough elk.