Elk with 375 Winchester?

[freddogs]

Would the 375 Winchester make a good Elk round in a contender? What does everyone use for elk hunting in a handgun?

[Mikey]

freddogs:  by all accounts the 375 Winchester, from either a Contender or Model 94, should be more than adequate for Elk if you're not stretching the distance too far.  Lots of folks speak very highly of that round.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Lloyd Smale]

withnessed a 600lb red stag shot with one three times the first two bullets went into the chest and the stag just kept eating. Acted like it hadnt even been shot. The third shot agian behind the shoulders made him raise his head and then he proceded to walk away about 40 yards where he fell over dead. Same sized stag shot with a 50 alaskan pitched over sideways at the first shot. These are big animals. Though a .375 will kill about anything if put in the right spot I think after what i saw id opt for a bigger gun. By the way the .375 was a super 14 contendor.

[HHI #4694]

I think it would be fairly decent out to 100-150 yards. Have you considered having her punched out to 375 JDJ?

[MS Hitman]

I know at one point JD wouldn't even discuss recahmering to a .375 JDJ.  Maybe things have changed, don't know.  One of the HHI members took a Kudu with one recently.  Like most calibers, careful consideration of which bullet is to be used and not over extending the round should be your guide.

[340wby]

one thing you should keep firmly in mind is that most bullets in .375 caliber are designed not for the 375 winchester but for the 375 H&H velocity range. I suspect this had a great deal to do with

Lloyd Smale,s example

"withnessed a 600lb red stag shot with one three times the first two bullets went into the chest and the stag just kept eating. Acted like it hadnt even been shot"

now Ive used a 375 winchester and a 375 super mag revolver, both the cartridge,s have plenty of power to kill any game PROVIDED your shot placement is good and you choose a bullet designed for the impact velocity youll see! Id also want to limit ranges to about 130 yards max to keep velocities reasonable.
I had good results with the 235 grain SPEER bullets, these expand slowly but relieably
http://www.gunaccessories.com/Speer/2471.gif
most others (especially the 270-300 grain weights)work like solids with minimal expansion, just remember that CORRECT SHOT PLACEMENT IS CRITICAL, aim for the arteries above the heart, and try NOT to hit heavy bone on the entrance point,allowing the bullet to hit the OFF SIDE leg  AFTER destroying the hearts major arteries is a plus but not mandatory