Best Elk cartridge for Contender to 200yds.

[Ex-Cajun]

I live here in New Mexico where the Elk roam in the high desert mountains.  I'm looking to build a rifle for my contender so i can backpack into the high country and not have all the weight.  I plan on getting a barrel either re-chambered or built in 21" and somewhere around 30 cal.  I'd feel better if I could reach out to 200 yards and still have enough punch to do the job.  
Can you guys please give me some suggested cartridges I should consider?  If you need further info, please ask, I'll be happy to add to this thread.

Some details:

Altitude 8000-10000 ft
I DO handload
Contender frame (Armour Alloy early version that has been retrofited to fit newer barrels)
Don't mind custom wildcats.
Will be using a carbine buttstock and fore end.
Don't mind big recoil or load noise.  
Planned on using 165-180 grain ballistic tip

Thanks a lot in advance for your help with my project.
Travis

[SLAVAGE]

i too was thinking of going your way with the lite weight of the contender an so far i was thining of a folding stock to cut down weight even more an pack size,  an for about 200 yards ive heard lots of good reviews on the 309 jdj an the 375 jdj the 309 would be the .308 bore size your thinking of

[palgeno]

Don't forget the .338 JDJ---trajectory of the .309 with much (maybe more) punch like the .375 due to high sectional density of available bullets----Elk are a lot "thicker" than deer!!! :eek: pg

[Redhawk1]

I would have to go with the 375 jdj.  

[Robert]

I would do the 358 JDJ.  It is a little flatter shooting than the 375, and better bullet expansion.

[hutch]

The 375 JDJ is a factory rifle length already.

I do know for a fact that the 338 JDJ #2 with the Hornady 200 grain bullets will take an elk at 150 yards in the 14" length. The 21" length would only be better and 200 yards should be in the reach.

Hutch

[rickyp]

I would go with a 16-14 " barrel with folding stock in 375 JDJ.
This would give you a very light and small package to pack in and it will pack a very hard punch (at both ends)

If you feel you must stick with a 30 cal bullet then go with the 309JDJ it will put you in about the same class as a 308 winchester

[xphunter]

I have dropped all of my elk with 7mm & 30 cals.
A 7mm Super Bower or 30 Alaskan would be my choices.

[Ex-Cajun]

I apreciate everyone's input.  Looks like this question is like asking what's your favorite sports car!  I think if I were to average out everyone's opinion, it boils down to somewhere between a 7-30 improved to a 375 JDJ.  I'll have to mill this over and do some reding on the balistics side of things and make my descision from there.
Yes I know you can kill an Elk with anything from a 223 on up because it all boils down to shot placement.  I just want a little more room for error.  'Cause I don't claime to be perfect!  I think I'll study the energy's for these loads and where they will be at 200ish yards.
Thanks so much again.

Travis

[contender hunter]

Travis give the 375 JDJ a good hard look , its great!!!! also compare to the 309 JDJ its the same parent case the (444 marlin ) and more inline with the caliber and bullet weight you mentioned.

[Duffy]

I bought the 338-JDJ for elk in a 15" for my Encore. It will shoot a 225g bullet right around 2250 and a 180 at 2450 to give you an idea of performance. If you had a Encore frame and was looking at a 22-26" bbl I would opt for the 338/06 standard or the JDJ improved version. The improved will run right up there with a 338 mag while using a non belted 30-06 case and that's in a short bbl.

[xphunter]

Travis,
I didn't mean to imply that it was the two Bower Cartridges I mentioned that have downed all of my elk.  I was using XP's and stated that all of my elk have been downed using 7mm & 30 caliber.  My opinion then, in a Contender that the 7mm Super or 30 Alaskan would be my choices.  Of course, Don's 35 Super would also work well.
My son and daughter each took an elk this year also.  My son shot a cow with a 260 Rem and my daughter shot a 5x5 bull with the 260 Rem.  Both were 1-shot kills in the 75 - 80 yard range.  This was out of a 14 inch MOA Maximum.  To date I have never lost an elk that I have hit with one of specialty handguns.  Half of them have been one-shot kills, with most of the others being 2 and some 3 shots.  If a elk is still standing with any inclination of moving I will be sending another one downrange.  They can be a pretty tough critter at times, but they sure do taste good.

[xphunter]

BTW--Hope to meet you at the specialty handgun hunting seminar.

[Ex-Cajun]

Well after all the hoopla, I decided to go with the 309 JDJ/30 Alaskan.  I have an arrangement with Fred @ Bull berry's to build me a barrel.  He wouldn't and doesn't suggest going with the 30 cal or larger bullet for the contender frame.  So I'm having him build a 7-30 improved.  In his opinion it's the most I want to go with.  I didn't want to argue with the man so i decided to say yes to that.  And here's why:
My hunting buddys decided their odds of getting drawn for an Elk Archery tag were greater than gun so that's the way we went.  Were all pitching in for a guid for this hunt if we get pulled so our chances of arrowing a Bull will be improved dramatically.
  The other reason is that on Fred's website he has photos of some pretty large game taken with the 7-30 improved and it was pretty convincing.  My buddies and I also put in for the deer and antelope hunts for gun and I thing the 7-30 Imp. will be perfect for that, it would have been my choice of barrels anyway, so I'm glad I'm getting one.
Now I have over a year to find me a used 30-30 barrel in 21-23 inches and send it off to Don Bowers to make into the 30 Alaskan (using the 307 improved instead of the 444 Marlin parent case).  I'll put in for the Elk gun hunt next year and even if I have to go at it alone, I'll try for a monster!  I spoke to Marc Sheehan about this and he feels comfortable with it's ability's and pressure issues.
So whats wrong with having more than one hunting barrel??  Heheh, that's what I thought too! !
Thanks everyone for your input again and if you guys need any jewelry, I'm a professional jeweler of 23 years (Certified Master Jeweler) and I can make just about anything you can come up with.  I'll also trade jewelry for a 30-30 carbine barrel for a contender.  It's how I'm goanna have to finance my addiction...  Lemme know what you need for your wife/girlfriend (or both....).LOL

Travis

[SLAVAGE]

a  jeweled incrusted contender frame hmm lol

[xphunter]

Trvis,
Keep us updated on your projects, and especially on your hunts.