Author Topic: Does anybody use a .257" on elk? (Read 8760 times)

Plainsman · « **on:** March 29, 2004, 06:05:59 PM »

Now that I'm in elk country, I'm wondering about the possibility of using my .25-06 on them if necessary. I've heard of a few guys taking elk with the .25-06, but not a lot.

So what's your experience with the .257" on elk?

Thanks!

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2004, 02:43:37 PM »

Plainsman -

Here in Colorado I have hunted elk for 20+ years. During that time I have seen more elk wounded with a .243 Win than any other cartridge. Whether the poor results were due to poor shooting , a poor choice of bullets, bullets that were well constructed but simply too light for elk-sized game, or whatever, I can only guess. During that same time period I have seen elk that were taken with a well-placed .243 Win without a problem.

The .257 bullets include some very good designs - in the 120g weight you have Speer Grand Slams, Nosler Partitions and Swift A-Frames. Just a step downat 115g you have the new Barnes TSX. Are these excellent bullets heavy enough for elk? Maybe. Depends on where you put them.

On other forums I have read posts by people who claim to have reliably killed elk with a .257 bullet, and I have no reason to doubt them. At the same time they hinted strongly that there are better choices, which I also believe.

As a long time 7mm Rem Mag hunter, I can attest to the reliability of a 160g Grand Slam. Success with the 7mm Rem Mag has led me to believe that a 150-160g bullet with a Sectional Density of .260 or better is a good minimum. The .257 falls considerably short in the weight department even with the heaviest bullets.

It has crossed my mind on more than one occasion to try my new .257 Roberts on elk this fall, but I keep coming back to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" -- my 7mm Rem Mag and .45-70 will probably go instead. If you have a .270 or 7mm or bigger, they would be a better choice in my opinion. If you don't, its an excellent reason to get a .300 or .338 Win Mag.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2004, 03:35:27 PM »

Plainsman,

I have taken five Elk with my .25-06. Tule Elk that is. I have no doubt that a well placed 120 gr. Partition for a .25-06 will kill an Elk but why take the chance on just wounding such a magnificent animal. There is a big difference between a Tule Elk and a Rocky Mountain Elk. To me the Rocky Mountain is one of the toughest animals in North America. I have taken a Rocky Mountain Elk with my .257 Weatherby Magnum using the same 120 Partition bullet but i would consider this to be a min. unless you have nothing esle. If you can't afford another rifle then I would go ahead and use the .25-06 with 120 gr. premium bullets and keep the shots under 250 yards. Lawdog

cggunner (ret) · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2004, 08:48:36 AM »

I had a great uncle who used a 257 Roberts for elk using 125 grain Barnes original bullets. I still have a box with 98 bullets remaining. As I recall they worked like lightning. As I didn't inherit the rifle and I don't have a 25 caliber rifle, anyone interested in them?

Lawdog · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2004, 09:36:51 AM »

cggunner,

YES, I most certainly would be interested in them. PM me or whatever to set arrangements. Lawdog

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2004, 10:09:07 AM »

I read a story in Outdoor life several years ago. A old guide was guideing a hunter who was after a trophy bull and nothing else. Well the guide and hunter were on horseback and spotted a 4x4 or 5x5 bull (can not remember which) the guide ask the hunter if he wanted that bull. The hunter said no, it is not big enough. So, the guide ask if the hunter minded if he shot it to fill his tag. The hunter said he did not mind. The shot was like 200 yards. The guide got of his horse took his old 250 savage out and preceded to walk over to a tree to get a rest. The hunter said, you had better use my 30-06 because that 250 savage just will not do the job on a elk. The guide said no he would use his rifle and was confident with it. At the shot the elk jumped and disapeared back into the timber. The hunter said I told you so, you just wounded it. The guide smiled and said lets ride over and get my elk. The hunter could not beleive it. The elk ran back into the timber like 50 or 75 yards and fell over. Perfect heart shot. Sorry to ramble but i really liked that story. Fact is if you take a good shot and have confidence in your rifle then use it.

BBF

lilabner · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2004, 09:14:27 AM »

The most effective deer/antelope rifle I've ever had was a Ruger 25-06. One shot and they'd drop in their tracks. I was using handloaded 115 gr. If I were forced to hunt elk with a 25-06 (or any .25) I would use 120 gr. premium bullets like Barnes. I would pass up shots at longer ranges or where the animal was quartering away from me. I would pass up shots at elk on the move. I would pass up shots late in the day because it would be impossible to pick up the trail until morning. Bull elk - the 6 and 7 point herd bulls we are all after - are very large and deserve better than to be shot at with underpowered rifles. I respect elk too much to hunt them with a .25. Give me a 30-06, 7mm mag or more powerful round. My .02 cents.

turfman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2004, 02:52:25 AM »

I've hunted elk in Colorado and New mexico with a 257bob.

I've never lost an elk with it. I load a 120grn hornady interlock over some rl19. I've never shot one over 150yds though; and if I did I don't think I'd be undergunned, I just won't do it. I will tell you that the others I usually hunt with carry .30 and up. I just feel comfortable with my rifle.

Pick a caliber sensibly, know its limiitations, and follow them...

BTW the guide we've used for over 20yrs, used to use a .243. I don't think you are allowed to use anything smaller than .25 caliber anymore; so he now uses a 257bob.

turfman

Big Paulie · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2004, 09:51:01 AM »

Sorry guys, but I think that the 25-06 creates a very large risk of wounding an Elk and there is simply no humane reason for trying it. If it is the only rifle that you have, and you can't afford to buy one in a larger caliber, then please walk across the street, or down the street, or around the corner, and borrow a 30-06 from a friendor neighbor. Heck, in Montana, I'll be there is one in every broom closet.

Big Paulie

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2004, 06:25:43 AM »

A few years ago there was an article in Bugle Magazine entitled "Is 25 Enough? It was written by renoun gun and shooting writer Wayne VanZwoll (spelling).
Bottom line (in this most conservative publication) was YES if it is a 257 Weatherby or 25/06 Remington.
I am a 25 cal fan but still was surprised to see this caliber endorsed in Bugle.
Would I use my 25/06 Browning on elk? In a heartbeat with premium bullets. Best of luck. POW

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2004, 03:44:46 AM »

After re-reading my post above, I realized I never arrived at the point I was trying to make regarding the .243Win and .257 Roberts, which is simply this:

If a .243 Win is considered adequate, a .257 Roberts is even more so.

But, IMHO, a .243Win is not a good choice.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2004, 05:48:35 AM »

You folks need to talk to Ray Atkinson over on AR. His father was probably the guide in the story above and only moved up to the .250 Savage when the .25-35 became illegal for elk.

It's the nut behind the butt, not the hole in the end.

MtJerry · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2004, 08:08:32 AM »

Plainsman

Come see me! We can get you a GOOD .270 or 30.06 for less than $200.00.

You do know what I'm talking about don't you? :-)

dukkillr · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2004, 11:34:14 AM »

Why push the limits? Certainly it is possible to kill and elk with a .243, .257, or 25-06, but what's the point? You could kill one with a .222, 22-250, .223, .22LR, or anything else if you shot them in the back of the head. The point is that being, "good enough" isn't the issue, you don't want to be "good enough". It's unfair to the animal, and inho, irresponsible. Use and elk caliber for elk, rather than push the limits on smaller bullets designed for smaller game.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2004, 05:58:17 AM »

I'm with dukkillr.
As soon as you start asking questions like "Geez do I have enough gun?......I 'spose I could knock it down at 2:15pm on an overcast day if the wind is a southly at about 5 knots and the humidity is around 52%" then you should be going up a cal or 2.
Elk aren't small. You're not popping squirrels. I put 2 .25 cal Hornady 120gr HPs into a feral goat at about 20 yards and it didn't flinch. It then took 2 .300 Win Mag rounds from my mate's Sako and a .223 at zero range through the head to kill it. It's an extreme example but don't raise the odds on game if you don't have to.
If your asking if you have enough gun you usually don't.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2004, 11:27:57 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter

After re-reading my post above, I realized I never arrived at the point I was trying to make regarding the .243Win and .257 Roberts, which is simply this:

If a .243 Win is considered adequate, a .257 Roberts is even more so.

But, IMHO, a .243Win is not a good choice.

Gregory · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2004, 02:52:07 PM »

Quote from: kombi1976

If your asking if you have enough gun you usually don't.

I like this quote.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2004, 06:32:09 PM »

According to the good folks at Barnes Bullet Co,...they don't think it's to small a diameter of bullet to hunt elk...so ifI ever get the chance to...I think I'll try my 257 Weatherby Mag loaded with 115grain XFB at 3300fps...

Mac

kombi1976 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2004, 05:34:37 PM »

A .257 Weatherby is one thing but I'd think seriously before I pulled out any other "quarter inch" rifle to hunt elk, even a .25-06. The Weatherby allows you to launch heavy bullets at high MV but the rest, especially a Roberts, really isn't suitable. The only other round is a .257 WSM(a .270WSM necked down).

saltydog · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2007, 02:32:22 AM »

Roy Weatherby used a 257 on most of the game animals in N America and Africa - must have something going for it in the habds of an expert shot. A 416 Rigby ain't worth crap if you can't shoot straight.

northern hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2007, 05:17:05 PM »

I guess a elk might be tougher then a 1100 lbs moose,but the 25 cal will shure put them down if you put the bullet were it belongs.I have used alot of 25's for hunting it is my favorite caliber.257 Weatherby,100 gr xlc. longest shot on a moose-427 yards with a range finder.257 stw moose and bear 110 Nosler Accubond.under 100 yards,2506,115gr triple shock x bullet just over 200 yards .6 moose have fallen to my 25's...
My uncle has a 25-303 EPPS IMP,witch equals a 257 roberts AI.and he has shot over 30 moose with this rifle useing a 115 gr,Nosler or 120 gr. Nosler Partition.
If you shoot the rifle well and can put the bullet were it belongs then the animal is yours.
Happy hunting with your 25 cal.

UMD · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2007, 09:40:54 AM »

Nice cartridge - I shoot a BLR in .257, but you don't have much room for error with it when shooting elk. A big hole bleeds a helluvalot better than a small hole.

lgm270 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2011, 02:16:12 PM »

Quote from: kombi1976 on August 14, 2004, 05:58:17 AM

I'm with dukkillr.
As soon as you start asking questions like "Geez do I have enough gun?......I 'spose I could knock it down at 2:15pm on an overcast day if the wind is a southly at about 5 knots and the humidity is around 52%" then you should be going up a cal or 2.
Elk aren't small. You're not popping squirrels. I put 2 .25 cal Hornady 120gr HPs into a feral goat at about 20 yards and it didn't flinch. It then took 2 .300 Win Mag rounds from my mate's Sako and a .223 at zero range through the head to kill it. It's an extreme example but don't raise the odds on game if you don't have to.
If your asking if you have enough gun you usually don't.

Very well said. I agree that if you have to ask, you don't have enough.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2011, 04:19:46 PM »

Id hunt with complete confidence using a 2506 as long as your not going to be shooting past 300 yards. I watched two cow buffalo dumped in there tracks by a guy with one a few years back and if youve evern hunted buffalo youd know that dead in there tracks doesnt happen often. There not bullet proof.

nomosendero · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2011, 05:11:38 PM »

Wow, a 2004 thread!!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** October 06, 2011, 01:46:55 AM »

never noticed that

Ranch13 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 06, 2011, 05:38:52 AM »

Looks like one of those threads that just never dies and springs up about once a year

Anyway to get to the heart of the matter, anybody that thinks any of the 25's won't work and work well on elk, is just flat wrong.
Look up what gunwriters from days gone by, such as Milek, Bowman and others who actually used the 250 and the 257 roberts have to say about their effectiveness.
The 25-06 was wildly popular in elk country in it's many wildcat forms before Remington tamed it.
The 257 wby gives up precious little to one of THE classic elk guns the 270.
I've used the 250 and 25-06 and have witnessed both the 257's on elk and they all work just fine.

MZ5 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2011, 10:56:58 AM »

Yeah, I love seeing the old threads pop back up and folks continue along just as if there had been no interruption.

Still, every time someone thinks they don't have enough cartridge, I always want to say:
Well, if you're just going to gut-shot the animal, or if you're just going to hit the ham, then you might want to think about carrying a grenade launcher, 'cause gut-shot with a .284" vs. gut-shot with a .257" makes no difference.

I usually don't, though.

dukkillr · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2011, 12:30:44 PM »

Several years ago in Colorado I was part of miles-long tracking job that resulted when a guy made a bad shot and hit a bull in the front leg. We jumped the bull several times, sometimes a few hundred yards away.

So the question is this: If you're part of that tracking team and you see that bull hobble out into the open at 350 yards facing straight away would you rather have a 300WM (my elk gun) with a tough, fast, 180gr bullet or a .257 roberts with 120?

See the problem is not that you can't kill plenty of elk with a smaller caliber, it's that the world does not always work out perfectly in the field. When you need to put the crosshairs over the back hip at 350 yards and hope you break a bone or carry through a couple of feet of animal to get to lungs, you want a gun designed to kill elk, not one that works well, "as long as you pick your shots carefully."

If a .257 or 25-06 is all you have, fine. Hunting is always better than not hunting. But there are better choices, and most people have one...

Ranch13 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 06, 2011, 02:07:10 PM »

Quote from: dukkillr on October 06, 2011, 12:30:44 PM

Several years ago in Colorado I was part of miles-long tracking job that resulted when a guy made a bad shot and hit a bull in the front leg. We jumped the bull several times, sometimes a few hundred yards away.

Ok so somebody made a bad shot, happens once in awhile, and it seems to happen more with the guns that tend to lead to a flinching shooter.
At 350 yds, you haven't got much of a shot at anything, and jammin another bullet into an elks hams isn't going to help much.
Having killed near to 50 elk and seen well over an another 100 killed, the only time caliber ever really makes a difference is when the shooter can truly handle the cartridge.

Short and sweet a shooter that can shoot a 257 or similar well will kill more elk cleanly than a shooter with a 300 that can't shoot the thing without yanking the trigger as they close their eyes and try to run from the rifle.