johnf Posted May 15, 2005 Report Share Posted May 15, 2005 Would a 30-30 work for elk if shooting less than 100 yards? I'm not planning on going out with it. It's been kinda' slow on here latly and I was just wandering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 15, 2005 Report Share Posted May 15, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? i'm sure a well placed shot from a .30-30 would bring down an elk no problem! one of the guys i hunt with used to hunt moose with a .32 Win Special.... basically the same as a .30-30. if you are confident with a .30-30 elk hunting, go for it! its all in the shooter's confidence in themselves and their firearm, and their ability to shoot good shots at the required range. you could use a .300 Win Mag, and make a poorly placed shot and end may not killing it. but a well placed shot to the vitals from a .30-30 would bring it down no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Lots of elk have been killed with a 30-30 for sure. I would opt for something a little bigger, but a 30-30 will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Guys, these responces really suprise me. I was expecting to get laughed at. Most folk in AR say anything less than a 30-06 for elk is not enough, and most say 7MM mag or 300 win. for elk. Glad to know I don't have to get a new gun if I get one of the 18 tags here in the natural state. So how would a 243 or 35-06 do? Those are my 3 primary deer guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Don't worry, we would not laugh at you here. At least not much. While the 30-30 Win will kill an elk, it would not be my choice. In the proper hands, a .22 lr will kill a deer as dead as any magnum will but that does make it a good choice for deer hunting. The 35-06 is a great elk cartridge. Its called the 35 Whelen. But, I think you meant the 25-06. Again, it would probably do the job with good quality heavy bullets, but there are much better choices out there. I would not think of using the .243 Win for elk. I would put the 30-30 over both of them for elk, even though they both have more energy. There is more to it than energy. Bullet mass and sectional density are pretty low in the smaller calibers. While the elk is not an armor plated beast, it is rather large and the chest is wide. Proper penetration is vital to a quick death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Yup, a heavier bullet should be used to punch through the vitals. As AJ stated, you still might have to take out a rib or two, and elk have some fine ribs LOL too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? 30-30 for elk?-------no sir not in my book. Neither is the 35 Remington, 243 or the 25-06. I think the line is drawn at the 270 Winchester. A 30/06 with 180 grain bullets is mucher better IMO. As far as a broad side shot-----elk are where you fine them-----usally in the dark timber. You will see a rump patch or horzinal line----then they move. Shots are every angle you can think of---Use enough gun if your going after ours greatest game animal. You'll also catch them out at first light in the open parks & meadows-----then your shot will be anywhere from 100 to 300 yards----hardly 30-30 range. Get yourself a 30/06-----shoot 180 grain bullets----get good glass 3x9 VX-II Leupold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? My uncle lives in Colorado and he hunts with a 25-06. He is a true mountain man and can make shots of 500 yards look like my groups at 100 yards. Anyway I was really surprised when I asked him what he hunted them with and he told me that. He said he only used 140 Grain bullets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest andymansavage Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? I wouldn't hunt elk with a 30-30, and it's plain stupid to use a .243 . The 25-06 would do with a premium bullet. I was on a few elk hunts last year and one cow took SIX shots behind the shoulder within 100yds from a .300wby mag before going down. none of the slugs exited the elk and all were well placed with a 180 gr premium bullet. These are tough animals! I carry a 30-06 on elk hunts with a 180gr bullet. As for the "you can kill an elk with..." argument, why risk wounding suck a majestic animal only to lose it? I also have friends who hunt elk with a .50 cal single shot, that's a little much for me. The .270 is a good place to start. GET MORE GUN. Andy All that being said, this bull was killed with a 30-30. (in 1943 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? [ QUOTE ] ...he hunts with a 25-06.....He said he only used 140 Grain bullets. [/ QUOTE ] Who makes 140 gr .25 caliber bullets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] ...he hunts with a 25-06.....He said he only used 140 Grain bullets. [/ QUOTE ] Who makes 140 gr .25 caliber bullets? [/ QUOTE ] the largest I can find in factory is 120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phaseolus (BeanMan) Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? I've seen a couple of Cow Elk go down quickly and cleanly with a 30-30. Both were less than 50 yards. Obviously it is not the rifle of choice but used within it's and the shooters ability it can be done. I'd have to agree with Colorado Bob, go with a 270 or better. Beanman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] ...he hunts with a 25-06.....He said he only used 140 Grain bullets. [/ QUOTE ] Who makes 140 gr .25 caliber bullets? [/ QUOTE ] I was wandering that myself. I found out today that my father in law has a 308. How's tht for an elk gun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? John--the .308 would be a great elk gun! the ballistics for the .308 and the .30-06 are similar, the .30-06 has a few hundred feet per second, and a few hundred more foot pounds of energy, not a HUGE difference though. a .308 with 180gr bullets would work great for elk IMO. I'd still be going bigger if you can, i'd be taking either my .300 Win Mag, or my .300 WSM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? The 308 will work just fine. I would use 180 grain bullets. I've killed elk with plain jane "Core-lokts" Hornady 'Interlock" & Winchester "Power-Points". All have been 180 grains RN or SP. Some swear by the Nolser Partition used in the Federal Premium Line of ammo. It's a good choice. What kind of scope on the gun ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? There is not a scope on it. If I'm drawn for a tag, I will more than likely put one of my Nikon Prostaff 3-9X 40's on it. Shots in Arkansas are rarely over 150 yards, so that scope should be more than enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? john, good advice in here. If you do use a 30-30, get the heaviest bullet available and I would do my best to get within 100 yards on it. I hope you draw a tag bud Let us know !! too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lilcrackshot Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Let's take a time capsule back 100 years to the elk woods in lets say Colorado. About any hunter of that day was carrying a 30-30 lever action and they worked just fine. They were considered a hot, fast cartridge back then and countless bears, moose, caribou, deer, coyotes, antelope, and about anything else have fallen at the hands of a hunter with the old 30-30. It's not held in such high esteem today but it will still do the job without a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MizzouHunter6 Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? Just depends on the shooter. Some say a 30-06 or .270 is the minimum , but I've heard of countless occassions when those calibers were used on whitetails , and more than one shot was needed. A 30-30 would do just fine for elk in the hands of an accurate shooter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 Re: 30-30 for elk? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] ...he hunts with a 25-06.....He said he only used 140 Grain bullets. [/ QUOTE ] Who makes 140 gr .25 caliber bullets? [/ QUOTE ] Dunno but I will find out for you. He hunts everything from Bear to Elk. Must be nice to live up there. He is 27 miles from town down a dirt road. the largest I can find in factory is 120 [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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