New rifle for elk. Help....

I am joining an existing group in Wyoming this fall for and 1 week elk hunt. I do not have a big game caliber rifle and am in the market. My question isnt about the brand/style rifle. But i want to hear your opinions on caliber. I have narrowed it down to either a 6.5 creedmoor, .308, .270, or 30-06. Keep in mind that i will use this rifle.for deer as well. My goal is clean and quick ethical kills, i know.follow up shots are possible with elk.

i like my .338 win mag or .300 win mag

From your list I would go with the 30/06.

All are more than capable of killing elk.

30-06 from your list
150's for deer and 165 -180 for Elk

In this order: 3006, 308, 270. I would take the 6.5 off the list and maybe replace it with a 7mm Rem.

X2 For elk a good bonded bullet (accubond) or the Partition will do the job on elk.

.270 or .30-06 would be my #1 and #2,

6.5 CM wouldn’t even make the list

What other calibers do you already have?

If I was going to pick one off that list specifically for elk i'd go with the 30-06.

As a general hunting rifle in texas that will do elk? Any of them will do the job. Make sure you can put the bullet in the right place and you will have a dead elk.

I would say a .270 has probably killed more elk through the years than all other calibers combined. With that being said, there are other calibers out there that are better than the ones on your list. .300 Win Mag, 7mm Mag, and the 30.06 would be my top three choices. I have killed elk with a 30.06 and 7mm mag. One dropped ( 30.06) and the other went 20 yards. ( 7mm mag). Both bulls. My buddy shot a nice bull with a 6.5 CM this year and it really sucked. The elk ran over 300 yards, over a ridge, didn't leave any blood, and was still alive and panting when they found him. If there wasn't snow they may not have recovered it at all. It was shot in the neck by the way. So yeah I agree with txtrophy85, the 6.5 CM should not even be on your list as an elk rifle.

Fixed it for you.

The 30-06 is thought to be 'ol Grandpa's gun and isn't looked at as much as a lot of the newer, tacticool rounds that are out there. 30-06 is an excellent choice, as is the 7 mag, 300WM, and many many others. The sky is the limit. Key thing, as others have stated, shot placement trumps all.

Thanks for the input yall. I currently dont have any big caliber rifles. Mainly been a bird hunter till now. I like the idea of the 30-06.

Whatever you can shoot accurately, bullet placement is by far the most important. If you can shoot the 6.5 creed more accurately than a 300 win then that is the better choice. Most people use too much gun and they can't shoot it accurately.

Nailed it. If you are a recoil-sensitive shooter an accurate, well-placed shot from a 6.5CM with a bonded bullet will get it done.

If you can handle a bit more recoil then the .30-06 would be my top choice. As mentioned above, the flexibiliy to go 150gr for TX and 180gr bonded for Elk is nice.

Just as important for elk, and usually the last things alot of hunters think about:
a) Get yourself in shape. Hard to make a well-placed shot when your chest is heaving from being out of breath.
b) Once you get this new rifle PRACTICE shooting it from actual hunting positions: Seated, prone, off your back pack, off a tree, etc. Very few bench tops in the mountains.

Make it a sticky. Well said

This right here....

Seen plenty elk taken with .260s, 6.5x47s, and the 6.5 CMs.

Much rather have a hunter show up with something they are comfortable with and can shoot well than some dragon slayer magnum they can’t. Seen it too many times....

If you can’t handle the recoil of a 30-06; for 1 shot, I would take up golf. Use the 30-06.

Spending the first 42 years of my life growing up in prime elk country, I have killed elk with:

.375 Ultra Mag
.338 Win. Mag
.300 Weatherby
.300 Win Mag
.30-'06
.270 Win
7mm-.08 and
.264 Win. Mag.

Didn't notice a difference in any of them. All the elk died. Use the one that you are comfortable with, chose a good bullet, and go hunting.

I killed two elk with a 270 WSM 130gr Barnes TTSX(handload) both never took a step.

Not ever one could be a hunt “master”.

But we can all be great master baiters

Nope it’s illegal in most Western states. Even “food plots” are illegal in CO

Thanks again for the info. Leaning to 30-06 now. Its always been a successful rifle. And also, thanks for the getting in shape info. Ive been making a workout plan for the trip. 9months (ish) to get in altitude shape! Wish me luck.

Probably not a bad choice. 45 years ago or so when I was buying my first high power, my mentor told me”if you’re only going to buy one high power, the 3006 is a great choice. There are so many different bullet weight options that the 06 has available, it is one of the most versatile calibers out there and can handle about any kind of game.” The only flaw in that theory is that if you love big game hunting, more rifles will follow over the years.

Of the calibers given the 30-06 would be my choice with the 270 coming after, other calibers listed don't make the cut. Would like to have seen you throw in a 300 or 7mm caliber magnum on your list.

Think you missed the joke. Read the sentence aloud a few times in a row.

Oh I got the joke hence the wink

I grew up in CO and have personally killed 25 elk. Of the rifles on your list I would suggest the 30-06. But I will also quickly state that my personal favorite is the 7mm Rem Mag.

Good news. Got lucky and found a .300 weatherby magnum in the inlaws safe. Didnt know they had it. Guess that will do the trick pretty well with a bonded bullet. Any suggestion on grain?

What every it shoots best or sighted in with

If it has a break don’t shoot it with out ear plugs

Funny you mention Grandpa's because he's the first thing I think of when I hear 30-06....he killed several bear, moose, elk, caribou, and whitetail (gasp) and all he ever used was a 30-06. Seemed to do the job just fine.

If you can shoot it accurately, that 300 Weatherby is about a good as it gets for elk.

Load a 140 gr bonded bullet in that .270 and take it.
Have you ever shot a 300 Weatherby mag ?
I would take the best mountain rifle of the group, you'll be walking and carrying it .
Dropped my last shiras moose with my 270wsm and 140 gr bonded bullet, the .270 Win. has taken many elk as has the 30-06.
That Weatherby will be hard to find ammo for and it will be expensive. Bet it weighs a ton also, if not it will kick like a mule.
Whom ever you're hunting with will prefer you have a rifle you're familiar with and can shoot well.

I've never used anything larger than 300wsm on any of my elk and it's a pile of them also. 7 mag would also be a good caliber as state by others.

What part of Wyoming and is it guided?

If one can shoot the 300 WBY well, it is a fantastic elk caliber. For a reloader it can be extremely versatile as it can be loaded to 308 performance levels or it's full magnum potential. There are custom ammo manufactures that could do the same for you as well.

I have only killed one elk with the 300 Wby but it is certainly up to the task.

It is a "guided hunt". I use the term somewhat loosely from what ive been told. But base camp is at 8400ft. Horses are used for long range movement. But leg work is a necessity. I feel certain i can shoot the rifle accurately if it is a good weapon, which it seems to be. The owner of the rifle used to be a hardcore hunter. And i used to own a .300 win mag ruger that shot tight groups.... although it got old in a hurry.

Another concern of mine is grizzly protection. The group has seen several grizzly the last few trips. Yes the guide carries a pistol for bear, but i dont trust my security to anyone other than myself. Considering a 454 casul, a 460 smith or the cheaper optionof the 12 gauge with a tac stock.... thoughts?

Excellent post!!! Like has been said, the bullet composition and placement are main factors. Here is another reason in my mind to shoot a 30-06 and that is the fact that nearly every Mom & Pop store, if they have ammo will have 30-06 ammo and that can be a big factor in case you have left your ammo back home a 1000 miles away.

Bear spray first and foremost, then take whatever you can shoot fast and accurately. Keep it very handy, not in your pack, thigh holsters work well .
Mainly needed after an elk is down or in camp.
Sounds like you'll be in NW Wyoming, healthy number of bears and you may see some. Lots of folks have bear encounters without firing a shot, just be bear aware.