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Author Topic: Elk with .357 max?  (Read 1004 times)

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Offline MF

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Elk with .357 max?
« on: July 17, 2003, 12:15:56 PM »
Do you guys think that a Contender with a 14" .357 max loaded with IMR4227 and a Hornady 180 SSPB would be sufficient to bring down a bull elk? I've killed wild pigs(150#) with this load and at 50 yards they were pass thrus in the heart/lung area.
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Offline Thomas Krupinski

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2003, 01:51:54 PM »
I think it could do it, but it is a bit lighter than what I would want to use.  If I could ever draw a general firearm tag I would consider having one of my .44 Magnum barrels rechambered to .444 Marlin for that purpose.
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Offline Ken55

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357 Max on Elk
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2003, 07:15:24 AM »
MF: I think you need to look at the 357 Max muzzle energy at YOUR maximum distance of accuracy.  Lets say at 200 yds you can consistantly group your shots, then you need to know what the 357 muzzle energy is at that range.  I agree with what Thomas said about the 444 & would also suggest the 45/70 which is definitely an elk sledgehammer.  Ken  8)
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Offline MF

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.357 max for elk
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2003, 08:43:16 AM »
I think a 200 yard shot with the max on an elk would be stretching it a bit. I could hit it but I would have more confidence with the killing power at 100 yards or less.
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Offline Graycg

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2003, 09:46:31 AM »
I've killed deer and pigs with the max and can't think of a better round for a pistol for those animals.  Never killed an Elk before, but if you're talking 4-500 pounds, I think you can do it cleanly, much bigger than that...I'd probably be looking into a 358 JDJ or the like.  And I'm a big max fan...just don't believe in pushing it when it comes to game animals.

Just my opinion, again, never killed an elk.

graycg
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Offline Big Gun

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2003, 11:39:44 AM »
I have not done this, but I believe the 357 Max would be ok for Elk out to 150 yds or so - after this bullet performance would be my concern due to the relatively low velocity.  Many of the heavy weight 35 cal bullets were made to open at higher velocities - 350 Rem mag, 35 Whelen.
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Offline MF

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2003, 12:35:19 PM »
Ends up I got drawn for a muzzloader only hunt so I've got time to work on this or maybe I'll just have to get a new jdj?! 8) Thanks for the responses. Mike
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Offline rickyp

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2003, 12:56:07 PM »
then what you need to get is a VVGW or bullberry 209x50 barrel for your elk.
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Offline MF

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.357 max for elk
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2003, 03:34:43 PM »
Rickyp,

Funny you should say that!  I just walked in the door after a visit to my favorite gunshop! Picked up an Encore 209x50 (rifle configuration :oops: ) stainless with a synthetic stock. Hmmm, I wonder how many barrels I'm gonna end up with???? :)
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Offline Sixgun

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2003, 04:28:50 AM »
I have a 10" 357 max barrel and have considered this same question.  I think If I did it it would be with a heavy cast bullet and I would limit my shots to under 100 yards.  

This is the way that I would probably approach this problem..  I hunt elk with a 338 win mag.  I don't like to track them too far.  Usually when I have to track them very far, it ends up being a long, long day.  They run down into some hole and die then you spend a week getting them out.  Most of the time it is too steap to get the horses into and if it is that steap, it means there is lots of work to do.  Sometimes it would be easier to invite your friends and family over, start a fire, and give them all a fork.  

I have been in this situation several times, usually when some guy I'm hunting with thinks a 270 is an elk rifle.  I'm not knocking a 270 but the guys that use them on elk seem to think they have a flat shooting rifle that will really reach out and touch anything.  Jack O'Conner really screwed up alot of guys thinking on this one.  

Anyway, when you kill an elk, you want to kill it dead.  You want it to die before it goes down into a big deep hole with deadfalls everywhere.  Whenever you kill and elk, even if it is on flat ground, you have got your work cut out for you and all of your hunting buddys.  They are big.

I carry my 338 mag in my saddle scabbard but I usually carry a 44 mag Ruger SBH with a 5.5 in barrel on my hip.  If I jump something close, I can get into action really fast with the revolver.  I have never killed an elk this way but have with deer several times.  Anyway, I have thought about useing the 357 max in the same manner.  I never have, I've just considered it.  I am sure the 357 max would do just as good and would be up to the challange.  I would carry the Contender in a holster attached to my saddle horn instead of on my belt.

Sixgun
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You can only hit the target if the barrel is pointed in the right direction when the bullet leaves the barrel.

Offline TopGun

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357Max
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2003, 02:47:01 PM »
It could never be said better than Sixgun. I killed one with a 14" 35 Remington, 200 Horandy spire point and a stiff load of H322. This was way back in 1988 and Mileks writings were my bible, sort of! Anyway, I hit the 4x5 broadside at 150 yards. The bullet went in left ribs, broke 2, destroyed both lungs and penetrated to the hide in the off shoulder. I know this cuz I had to skin and quarter the Elk, in the deadfalls in the middle of a mountain side. He traveled over 300 yrds, leaving a blood trail like a butcher shop massacre. The only way to get him out was up. If you ever carried an Elk quarter, you know up isn't the best way to go. I fulfilled my dream of hunting with a Milek caliber. Now I use my big JDJ's, .444 or 45-70. I don't like them to go too far! All in all, the old Remington did a great job. I was impressed with teh performance, but not enough to use it for Elk again.  I'd be fearful now, cuz I know I'd really have to be careful in choosing the right shot. Elk don't always give that. If you're not afraid of passing on a Elk over 100+ a little, track it a little farther, go for it. It was first of 4 with a TC Contender. 358JDJ, 375JDJ's work much better.
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Offline kciH

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2003, 08:37:39 PM »
MF,
get a 209x45 barrel and use the same bullet in a sabot.
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Offline 38-40

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Elk with .357 max?
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2003, 11:38:31 PM »
I have killed several Montana elk and have used nothing lighter than a 30-06.  The 357 max. which is one of the barrels I own, will kill an elk.  Depending on shot placment it will die in an hour, a day, or a week.  I like to respect the animals I hunt and I certainly wouldn't want to die like that.  Also, Lyman's reloading book has a table of bullet energys calculated for different velocity and bullet weights.  Muzzle loader energys are light when compared to even the 44 magnum.
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