4 Calibers Perfect for Elk Season

Going Elk Hunting? Check out these 4 Great Calibers for Elk Hunting

Before any hunting season opens up, you must select the right tool for the job. Individual calibers offer distinct features and advantages, which may or may not make each one ideal for a particular hunt. When choosing a caliber to take into the field, you should consider not just the size of the game but also your comfort level using the round and the distance of shot opportunities. Whether you know you want to use a .30-06 rifle or you have not settled on a favorite caliber, check out this list of four calibers fit for the task of taking elk.

The .270 WSM Is a Great First Game Rifle

The .270 Winchester has been around for nearly a century and gained immediate popularity upon its 1925 introduction as a top choice for big-game hunting. Like its predecessor, the .270 Winchester Short Magnum shoots relatively flat but offers a performance edge that cannot be denied. The .270 WSM can be housed in shorter actions—a factor conducive to increased accuracy. To be sure, there is more recoil with the WSM, but it is manageable and justified by the energy increase. This caliber is a solid choice for hunting elk on the plains or in the mountains.

Explore Listings for the .270 WS here.

A .30-06 Rifle Offers Dependable Capability

Renowned for its accuracy, the .30-06 can be used at long-range distances, with high-quality optics like Redfield scopes, to hit targets 1,000 yards out. This means it is more than capable of handling elk at less than half that distance. However, the .30-06 does not offer the wind resistance of some more modern calibers. Still, with the overwhelming majority of shot opportunities coming within 300 yards, this versatile caliber is perfect for elk. Expect a .30-06 rifle to kick. A proper stance should help handle the recoil, but you can use a stabilizer if necessary.

Explore Listings for the .30-06 here.

Related Articles: Getting Primed for the Hunt: Best Hunting Rifles

There Is a Reason for the Reputation of the 7mm Rem. Mag.

The impressive ballistics of the 7mm Rem. Mag. have made it wildly popular among big-game hunters in North America for over half a century. This caliber offers greater ranged performance than the .30-06 but comes with additional recoil and noise. A rifle chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag. would benefit from a muzzle brake. However, a brake will increase the noise. This caliber can be used for all big game from pronghorn to moose. It has earned its reputation and is a top choice for elk season.

Explore Listings for the 7mm Rem. Mag. here.

More Performance (But More Recoil) with the .300 Win. Mag. for your best Elk Season

Released in 1963, the .300 Winchester Magnum has become a mainstay among dedicated elk hunters. Several would-be successors are on the market, but the .300 Win. Mag. remains the most highly regarded. It shoots flat, offers greater energy, and while the recoil is significant, it is manageable, making Browning rifles like the BAR a practical choice. The variety of factory cartridge choices makes the .300 Win. Mag. a versatile caliber. Also, factory ammunition is widely available.

Explore Auctions and Buy Now Listings for the .300 Win. Mag. here

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