Elk Caliber


Guest TerryH

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My wife is thinking of trying an elk hunt. She is 5 feet and 1 inch tall, and weighs 105 pounds. So she isn't a very big person. What caliber would you recommend for taking an elk, but won't dislocate her shoulder.

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Re: Elk Caliber

I think the .270 or .30-06 would be a good caliber for her. The recoil is not severe at all with those calibers. Also look into the new WSM calibers, I bought the .300 short mag last year, and my brother bought a .270 Win in the same gun (Browning BLR) and I cannot tell ANY difference in the recoil between the two guns. And the .300 short mag has the same power as the .300 win mag. I also have the .300 win mag in a Remington 700, that thing kicks pretty hard. So if you want the power of a Magnum caliber in a short action with A LOT less recoil, check out the new WSM's. If you just want to stick with the smaller calibers, the .270 Win or .30-06 would do the trick!

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Re: Elk Caliber

I would suggest a .308 Winchester or 30-06 with a muzzlebrake if the recoil is too much for her. I would not recommend the managed recoil loads as I feel their bullets are too light. Even guns shooting full power loads will not "dislocate her shoulder". It will move her around, but she will not get as much pain as a big guy does. The lighter weight person just gets moved. The heavier person absorbs the punch.

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Guest Phaseolus (BeanMan)

Re: Elk Caliber

.308 or 30-06 shooting 165 grain partitions would be my choice. the Lighter bullets will have somewhat less recoil than the 180gr loads most people shoot at elk. Elk are tough critters and I wouldn't want to shoot at one with the managed recoil loads unless it was very close and you were positve the bullet whould be in the right spot. Many people take elk with .270's as well don't go any lighter.

Beanman

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Guest lilcrackshot

Re: Elk Caliber

308. It is about as powerfull as the 30.06 and in a lightweight short-action package. Very little recoil on those things. A Remington 700 in 308 would be about perfect in my book.

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Guest lilcrackshot

Re: Elk Caliber

[ QUOTE ]

I shoot a 30-06 with 180grain it

has a kick about like a 20ga.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. When people talk about the big recoil of the .06 I just don't get. I'm 13 and I shoot one of the Remington pump carbines.

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Re: Elk Caliber

A .308 with a well designed stock & good recoil pad will whack any elk that walks and will not beat the shooter too horribly.........even with 180gr. factory loads.

Look at the Weatherby Vanguard Youth Compact. It's designed specifically for smaller framed folk. My 12 year old daughter shoots one of these and it shoots very well. If she can handle the recoil, I'm sure most anyone else can, too. wink.gif

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Re: Elk Caliber

[ QUOTE ]

A .308 with a well designed stock & good recoil pad will whack any elk that walks and will not beat the shooter too horribly.........even with 180gr. factory loads. Have to agree on this one. I'd definitely look into good quality recoil pads even if you have to go aftermarket or have the stock trimmed. You want her to feel comfortable with her gun especially when practicing with it, which I assume she will. If she isn't getting whacked every time she pulls the trigger she will be much more accurate in the field.

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