Would you take the shot?

[jaycocreek]

Let's say these are 225 yards away.You have only your Levergun,and can only shoot one.Which one and why?

[dla]

First off, given what appears to be tall grass in the picture, and the lack of alarm, assuming the wind was in my favor I would be tempted to leave my gun in the scabbard and crawl like a snake through the grass until I was within 100yds. It's a lot of fun.

Besides, if you do spook them you can always start running

At 225yds, without binoculars, I can't tell the difference between the 4pt on the left and the 5pt on the right, so I would take the 4pt on left as he is presenting the biggest vital area. Now comes the hard part: I don't carry shooting sticks, so I have to sit down to pull off a clean shot at that distance. If I sit down, I may be too low in the grass for a clean sight picture. So I might pass (back to slithering on my belly to get closer).

I don't care to wound something and eventually chase it down and kill it. I guess I'm just not a meat hunter anymore. So I wouldn't put a .458" hole in one with a "chance" offhand shot. Also, I wouldn't take the 5pt on the right at that distance because at best I will get only one lung - been there, done that and I'm not going to do that again.

Unless you are on miles of flat, coverless land, usually you can follow Elk into cover and decrease the shooting distance considerably. But that almost always makes for a longer pack job.

I like the hunt. If I want meat I'll get it at WinCo. If I just want to kill something then I'll run over the neighbor's cat. I like the hunt.

Here in Oregon every year are the lead-slinging bozo's armed with their magna-blasters who wound Elk and give up the chase. And they do it usually at less than 100yds. It is such an eye opener to some folks when they make a poor shoot on a Roosevelt with a .338WMag, and the Elk has the audacity to just walk away. It's not like the movies - some Bambis don't fall down and die just because we make a loud noise.  :wink:

[Jerry Lester]

My thoughts aren't a lot different than DLAs. Like him, I'd be more inclined to belly crawl till I was at least under 100 yards from them.

A lot of factors that could be critical to a clean kill are not shown in the picture. Also, you didn't mention what caliber, or whether it's with open sights, or a scope.

Since you're basically asking us to pick though, I'll set up a possible situation where I'd take the shot.

First, because it "is" an elk, and therefore requires a good bit of thump to bring him down cleanly, I wouldn't be using my 1894C 357 LOL! I'd feel perfectly comfortable though with a 45-70, 444, or other comparable caliber with the proper load at that range. I also wouldn't be scoped, because I hate scopes on lever actions.

I'd look for a rest, like a tree, or something to steady my rifle. If none were available(and stalking was out), I'd settle into my sitting position with my elbows locked into my knees. Then I'd wait, as neither of those bulls are presenting an actual "clear" shot. Both of them have fairly heavy grass blades in front of their vitals, and the grass appears to be a few yards away from the elk, which is even worse about causing the bullet to veer way off course.

As for taking the shot with the animals positioned as they are, either is deadly in my book.

My preference is the quartering towards me shot on the right. With that shot, I'd put the bullet where it would just chip the front of the shoulder blade, and plow through the front of the left lung, the heart, and the back of his right lung.

With the turning broadside shot, I'd drill him right through the shoulder, back into the vitals.

The elk on the right would likely drop in his tracks as the bullet busted the off shoulder. He's standing with most of his weight on that shoulder, and his head is also gonna weigh that side down being turned the way it is. He'll also likely try to run the direction his head is pointing at the shot, which will help the other factors even more.

The other elk will likely run a ways before he falls. The shot would bust the facing shoulder, but like the other one, he's standing with more weight on the off shoulder. The way his body is turned, he'll easily recover from the initial shock of the bullet hitting him, and then run a good ways on three leggs, even with the vitals destroyed.

My observations are only made by comparing what a whitetail would do under the same circumstances. Maybe elk react differently, but that's my thoughts on the picture anyhow.

[papajohn428]

Some very insightful answers, guys, and I didn't even pose the question!
Personally, I'm with dla on most of it, except for the neighbor's cat thing.  I happen to like cats, especially slow-roasted over an open fire.  Then I kill 'em, skin 'em, and eat 'em!   :lol:   (Just kidding, I couldn't resist.)
I agree with the stalking part, my rifle would not be scoped, so I'd be trying to get a LOT closer, like fifty feet.  Then I'd take the one on the right, for the same reasons.  Then I'd be looking for some help to pack him out!
PJ

[Coyote Hunter]

jayco -

As you know (but others may not), my levergun is a scoped 22" Marlin and my elk load is a North Fork bonded 350g FP with a muzzle velocity of 2183fps.  Its sighted for Maximum Point Blank Range for a 6" target, which equates to -3" at 203 yards.  At 225 yards it is down a fraction over 6".  Also, my normal practice range is 200 yards and I play at 300 yards on occasion.

That said, and with the assumption that getting closer or waiting is not an option, heck yes, I would take the shot.  My choice would be the elk on the right, and point of aim would be high on fur (about 1/4 of the way down from the top), just ahead of the near shoulder.  That should drop the bullet into the vital heart/lung area.  Although it might be a bit high to hit the heart, it should take out the lungs and hopefully break the far side running gear.  

Ideally, however, I would prefer to wait.  They are close to the water and the last thing I would want them to do is to expire in the middle of it.  Its not clear from the picture, but they may be standing in water or mud where they are.  I waited over 4 hours for the right shot once, and that was through sun, sleet, and snow.  (I got a 6x5 bull for my effort.)  Waiting here looks like apiece of cake!

[VTDW]

Great question.  Great thought processes and replies from all.  I have never shot my 444S past 154 yds. so I definitely would not take the shot.

Dave :-)

[Chuck White]

I think I'd try the one on the right!

I'd go for the pocket, tight in front of the left shoulder!
This shot should take out the heart (or major arteries there to) and the right lung, and exit through the ribs on the right!

I'd use my 444 Marlin with a 265 grainer!  
I would want a little more practice with it than what I've had, but I think it would work!

[jaycocreek]

I personally would not take the shot if the only rifle I had was my un-scoped 45-70.But if it was scoped or I had my .300,not being a rack hunter but a meat hunter,I would take the broadside shot(the one on the left) as soon as I could get set.Meat is meat and I have seen to many hit the road in a heart beat and lose a shot from waiting when a shot is already present.Had one I was waiting for(the larger of three) disappear so quick just from a Coyote hollering out of the blue,I swore I would never make that mistake again if a shot at any bull was present.

Just my opinion.Jayco.

[Nanook 450]

They are already looking at you . . .  you ain't crawling any closer - with little or no crosswind, and a given the range is exactly as described, confirmed with a range finder - would most definately take that shot.  The water back drop and a possible richochet is a concern.

[marlinman93]

Assuming there's nothing I can do to get closer, and that there's a good backstop behind the two elk, I would still take the shot. I'd also agree with some others that I would have to have a scoped lever action at that range. Preferably my .45-70, or my .38-55 rifles.
 I'd go for the one on the left, as it presents the best target at the extended range.