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Author Topic: Which Elk load....  (Read 746 times)

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Offline mattparliament

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Which Elk load....
« on: April 01, 2006, 01:59:36 PM »
I took a hike today in some nice elk country until it started raining and I got to thinking, what should I use this coming fall???  Let's say I'll do my part and accuracy isn't an issue, here's the loads:

270 with a 150 gr premium bullet at 3000 fps - synthetic handi scoped
45-70 with 300 grainer at ~2500  32" BC barrel synthetic Scoped
or order  35 Whelen barrel and get a 200 grainer going about 2800 fps synthetic and scoped

distance will be anywhere from 50 to 250 yards

or just pick one and put the bullet in the right place!
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Offline sbhooper

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2006, 02:47:18 PM »
The Whelen wins the contest.  It will step on them pretty heavy no matter what the range.  Haul the .270 as a backup as they have killed tons of elk.
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Offline mt3030

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2006, 02:48:01 PM »
Matt:

I am a 45-70 and 35 caliber fan. Of those three you mentioned, I'd vote for the 35 Whelen/200gr. Myself, if I make it after elk this fall, I'll be carrying a 358 Winchester with Hornady 200 grainers.

Like you stated, put the right bullet in the right place.

Wally
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Offline Haywire Haywood

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2006, 02:52:57 PM »
If I were to use the 45-70 I'd opt for a heavier bullet.  I like more penetrating power than those 300s would offer.  JMO..

Ian
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Offline Mac11700

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2006, 07:48:15 PM »
I would go for the 270 and use a 150 grain Partition..or a 140 grain fail safe..Your talking 250 yards and under..I think either one of them should do the job....or order a 280 barrel instead of the short Whelen..and kick it up a notch with handloads..

Mac
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Offline DakotaElkSlayer

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2006, 01:48:17 PM »
Not a real choice...  Although the .270 and .45-70 will work for elk, the .35 Whelen is a real elk cartridge.

Jim
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Offline mitchell

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #6 on: April 03, 2006, 06:32:42 AM »
a hot loaded 45-70 will still shoot flat at 250 yards, but what happens when that bull of a life time comes out at 350 yards???? get a 270 or 280 (i'ld go with 280) and load it hot with a bonded bullet.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2006, 06:38:14 AM »
Quote from: mitchell
, but what happens when that bull of a life time comes out at 350 yards????


Get closer!! :grin:
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Offline mitchell

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #8 on: April 03, 2006, 06:48:34 AM »
wimp


its makes the story better when you put long range into it too.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2006, 07:03:59 AM »
Using hunting skills instead of shooting skills puts the hunt into hunting! :wink: If you wanta be a sniper, you need a lot more than just shooting skills, same goes for hunting!!!
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Offline mitchell

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2006, 07:06:46 AM »
fun sucker :P
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Offline Sourdough

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2006, 07:25:53 AM »
Personally, I'd opt for the .35 Whelen.  A trophy Elk is a big animal, takes a lot to put him down.  If not the .35 I'd take the 270, ranges can sometimes be far.  And sometimes there is no way to stalk closer.  Better to drop him with a well placed long shot than to come away with nothing but a memory.
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Offline Couger

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rare 350-yd shot?
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2006, 07:57:30 AM »
It easy to say "get closer" when you aren't there.  Tain't always possible!

My average big game shots have been 150-250 yards (mostly in Utah's mountain canyons), altho a couple have been out out to 400 yards (one particular pronghorn immediately comes to mind).  Sometimes it can't be helped!

If you're up to the task, your Whelen or a 150 grain .270 behind the shoulder will put 'em down.

I've taken 4 elk - two with the .270 Win, two with the .338 Win shooting 225-grn Partitions.  Nosler makes several great bullets for the .35 Whelen - if you're a reloader.
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Offline aulrich

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2006, 10:00:08 AM »
I think all three would work and work reasonably well, but my choise would be the 35 Whelen (not too much different than my 338 wm. Though the choise for the 35  seems to be light for caliber and might be constucted more as a deer bullet, unless it was something like a tsx.  With a 250 grainer @ 2400-2500 you should still be able to get 250 yards but you would be hitting with a stouter bullet.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Which Elk load....
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2006, 10:43:33 AM »
Quote from: mattparliament
I took a hike today in some nice elk country until it started raining and I got to thinking, what should I use this coming fall???  Let's say I'll do my part and accuracy isn't an issue, here's the loads:

270 with a 150 gr premium bullet at 3000 fps - synthetic handi scoped
45-70 with 300 grainer at ~2500  32" BC barrel synthetic Scoped
or order  35 Whelen barrel and get a 200 grainer going about 2800 fps synthetic and scoped

distance will be anywhere from 50 to 250 yards

or just pick one and put the bullet in the right place!


Matt,

Any of those will do fine, I've been huntin elk since I was 12 or so and I've killed em all with an '.06 or a .308, dunno how many total, but 14 since 1989 that I can recollect, all have been 250yds or less with most of em tween 100 and 150yds, a fella can pick his type of hunting environment to take advantage of his weapon of choice. I've hunted deer several years with a .50 cal flintlock and patched round balls during the modern rifle season just to add a little hunt to my hunting, knowing full well that I wouldn't be hunting any clear cuts or open areas by choice, anyone can kill at long range with some shooting practice, but choosing a weapon with limited range can make for higher quality hunt that adds some fine memories.  Just hunt those areas where shot opportunity is equal to your weapon. Even the 35 Whelen isn't considered a long range elk gun, for your 250yd limit, just pick the one you enjoy hunting with and can shoot good and hunt those areas that fit. :wink:

Tim
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Offline safetysheriff

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Which Elk load....
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2006, 11:49:01 AM »
.270 winchester with a proper bullet that is accurate out of YOUR rifle.

i'd go with a 130 gr' Hornady spire point, or a 140 gr' Hornady btsp, or a 150 gr' Hornady ---- as long as the rifle is very accurate with any of them.

Hornady sponsors this site in some degree --- and they make an excellent hunting bullet.

but that's just my opinion.

good hunting to you,

ss'
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Offline RemingtonMagnum

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Best Rifle for me
« Reply #16 on: April 03, 2006, 12:34:13 PM »
Get a 30-06 and it will never let you down. In fourty years mine has held strong and true.

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag
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