Elk vs .338 win. mag.

[J. J. Kelly]

Been trying for an Elk  since 1993, finally got a nice big one in South Dakota, big 7 by 6.
It took 2 hits with 250 gr. hornady (2650 fps.) from .338 WM at 160 yards. First saw him at 330 yards,
he was in the open giving perfect side shot, the guide did not want me to shoot, so we went
down a dry creek bed and came up at 160 yards but now he was blocked by trees. First shot
angled from rear ribs through lungs into collar bone and the Elk went head first into the ground.
He then started to get back up, second shot entered about same area but got double lungs and
hit front left shoulder. Second shot kept him down, we later found that none of the bullets exited.
The reason I took the .338 WM was that I really thought I would have to make a long shot. I
was planning on using my 9.3x62m/m.  Since this shot was 160 yards just wondering what the 9.3
would have done.

[dukkillr]

How hard is it to draw an elk tag in SD?  I didn't know they even had elk there?  Congrats on the big bull, I love chasing elk. 

[Drilling Man]

  Since this shot was 160 yards just wondering what the 9.3 would have done.

  It would have killed him just as dead as the .338 did...

  BTW, i never liked those 250 Hornadys, i always figured they were on the soft side for tougher animals...

  DM

[J. J. Kelly]

Dukkillr
Went to  Wilder Elk ranch in Timberlake, S.D.
No tag, didn't need a license, no hassels.

Dillingman,
I thought the Hornady bullet would have come
out the other side, but the elk was big, hit rib going in,
traveled across the body, and hit bone on the other side.
What was left of the bullet was in one piece.
Makes you think when some people say .338 wm is too
much gun.

[dukkillr]

Been trying for an Elk  since 1993, finally got a nice big one in South Dakota, big 7 by 6.

Have you been trying since 1993 to kill a high-fenced bull?  I'd have given up long before you did if that's the case.

[Redhawk1]

Been trying for an Elk  since 1993, finally got a nice big one in South Dakota, big 7 by 6.
It took 2 hits with 250 gr. hornady (2650 fps.) from .338 WM at 160 yards. First saw him at 330 yards,
he was in the open giving perfect side shot, the guide did not want me to shoot, so we went
down a dry creek bed and came up at 160 yards but now he was blocked by trees. First shot
angled from rear ribs through lungs into collar bone and the Elk went head first into the ground.
He then started to get back up, second shot entered about same area but got double lungs and
hit front left shoulder. Second shot kept him down, we later found that none of the bullets exited.
The reason I took the .338 WM was that I really thought I would have to make a long shot. I
was planning on using my 9.3x62m/m.  Since this shot was 160 yards just wondering what the 9.3
would have done.

I don't  think it is the 338 but more the bullet. I am glad you got your Elk though. 
Just remember all animals react differently to being shot, the go into survival mode, the only way to kill them dead on the spot is to hit there central nervous system.
Some times them big guys require a second shot, even with a 338. I don't think your outcome would of been much different with the  9.3x62mm

[Thebear_78]

I shot my bull at 280 yards with my 9.3x62 scout rifle two years ago.  I did a steller job.  You just can't fault those heavy 9.3 bullets.

[J. J. Kelly]

Dukkillr
The Wilder elk ranch is over 8,ooo acres, spot and stalk hunt, you didn't see any fences.
93', 94', and 97' hunted in Colorado the White River National forest, 20 below with wind,
camped in a tent; did the real hard hunts. 97' ended up in the hospital. I'm going to
retire soon and always looking for new friends to go hunting with, maybe you could show
me where to hunt. You just call me if you want 305-715-5047.

Thebear 78
I'm going to use the 9.3 on the next hunt, I read read your previous post on that caliber
and you put out good info on load data, thanks.

[Coyote Hunter]

You did well to keep shooting until it stayed down.  I've seen elk lost when the hunter didn't think that was necessary.

[jro45]

I've seen elk shot with a 300 Win Mag. on the outdoor channel. I don't think it is the size of the bullet that matters. You know Bigger is better. I'm not saying a less than a 30 caliber would kill an ELK. What matters is where the bullet enters the Elk.