handi rifle for elk?

[handyman06]

hello everyone! im planning my fist elk hunt for Colorado in 2007 and i need a little help. ive been told on another forum that my 25/06 probably isnt ideal for elk. so right now im leaning toward getting a barrel for the handi rifle in 35 wheelen, by far the least expensive route i can think of, but im open to suggestions. any experience or advice especially those related to caliber or wisdom for the first time elk hunter are greatly appreciated. thanks in advance!`

[quickdtoo]

I haven't killed any elk with a Handi....yet, but I have killed a lot with a .308Win, the .35Whelen would be an excellent choice, as would the .30-06. The .25-06 would work with good shot placement and good bullets, I'm sure they have taken their fair share of elk, mine loves the 115gr Federal Nosler partitions, I can't imagine an elk surviving a shot broadside thru the lungs just behind the shoulder to avoid all that great meat, I've had lots of practice with that shot and it works excellent, little lost meat and eat right up to the hole!! Fred took his moose last year with his .257 Roberts Ultra, if it will take a moose cleanly, an elk is dead meat too...by an experienced rifleman, of course!

But what better reason to get another barrel!!!

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,96538.0.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=160091

[cwlongshot]

Like Quick said, it will work but generally reguarded as absolute smallest.

 It will also depend of where yoiu are hunting. Elk in the timber will be easly dispatched with middle to upper-end eastern whitetail cartridges. As the rangers are short. The 45-70 with big bullets would be my first choice. But in the open spaces thats where things change ALOT. Simply put, the bones are bigger, the hides thicker and the ranges longer. None of these things are the 25-06's forte...but If you had to I would recomend the heavest bullet, controled expantion design, keep the ranges short 100yrds or so and stay away from big bones.

 Your 25-06 will certainly put elk in your freezer, but I think you are making a better choice getting the Whelen. I would find a load around a geeo 225gr bullet and practice at at least 200 yrds. Hopefully you can find a good one with in 250.

Good luck and TAKE LOTS A PICTURES!!!

 I am jealous!!!

 CW

[aulrich]

In my minds eye the 35 Whelen probably the best best bet and partner to your 25-06 but the 26" 280 is yet another option. One day I was out on a cow elk hunt a buddy took 5 shots to anchor his with a 25-06 (but he did not have the best bullets either so it should have been less). I got one that day too it was the first time I did not feel completely over gunned with my 338 wm, an elk is a big animal.

[handyman06]

well be hunting colorado in the lower elevations,should be mostly timber, but i think ill go with the wheelen for the extra confidence in longer range and raking shots should they be necessary, now ive just got part with my handi rifle for god knows how long to have the barrel fitted. its gonna be hard to ship it out! thanks for all the replies.

[quickdtoo]

It wouldn't hurt to call and ask em if they have the .35W in stock, they run out of barrels often enough that I wouldn't want to be stuck with no frame during hunting season!! Toll free number in the FAQ.

Tim

[handyman06]

good idea quick!

[safetysheriff]

it isn't the rifle, in most instances, that should be questioned when hunting an animal like elk.   it is the cartridge.   in other words, if a rifle has a 'decent' length of barrel to get 'decent' velocity/accuracy out of the proper cartridge/bullet combination, then the rifle is proper.     if the rifle can't get the needed velocity or accuracy out of a proper cartridge/bullet then it is, obviously, not the rifle to choose.

in other words, i'd not go after elk with an 18" barrel'd rifle if there is ANY chance that my cartridge and bullet can't get the job done on a long shot.    why handicap yourself if the elk is 350 yards away on what is often the trip of a lifetime for many hunters?   if you live in the elks' backyard it may not matter, however, because there's always a chance at 'some' elk tomorrow.

on the chance of making a long shot on a rare hunt after a magnificent elk, i'd use a Handi with the proper bullet/cartridge.    a .270 or larger cartridge with a .22" barrel would be my recommendation; with a .30-06 in High Energy or Light Magnum variants being a good idea i'd think.   

ss'