tonyinky
"I have used my SRH in 44 mag with 240 gr. XTP at 1500 fps to take deer with great results. The SRH has had a single action trigger job, barrel recrowned, forcing cone checked OK, wears 2-6X Bushnel, and groups 3" at 100 yds. I have been drawn for a cow elk tag and thinking about using the SRH. I always take "good" shots at game."
Sounds like you've got a good load there and have confidence in it. The 240 XTP load you have will work fine on elk. Just put the bullet(s) into the heart/lung area (not just the lungs) which is low between the front legs. The 240 XTP load you have will give you all the penetration and performance you need excluding the proverbial Texas heart shot. I have seen several cow elk killed with almost the same load, i.e. 240 XTP at 1400-1500 fps. All died quite quickly and none really required a second shot. One travel quite a ways - down to the bottom of thecanyon, hate it when that happens! Fortuneately there was a skid road down there to. I always swear I'll never shoot another elk on the downhill side of a road but it usually doesn't work out that way. Anyways, all shots were at 75 yards or less and into the heart/lung area. Can recall only one one recovered bullet which wen through both shoulders, was nicely expanded. I also have seen and killed several injured elk with .44 Magnums with barrels from 4" to 7 1/2" using other types of bullets from Super Vel HPs, PMC 180s, regular Remington SPs and hard cast Keith 250s or Lyman 275 gr GC bullets. Not really a whole lot of difference between them if the bullet is put into the heart/lung. Good luck hunting and let us know how you did.
Larry Gibson
