These measurements can vary widely depending on where you put the tape. I've never scored an elk and likely never will. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. elk Mag. In this case, the average weight of an adult male elk is approximately 720 lbs. It worked fine for long range deer hunting, but elk hunters wanted more bullet. Silvertine kills more 400" bulls than any other hunt ranch . With the right bullet, the .338 RCM is good all the way from 500 yards down to thick-timber distances. It sure makes that rack look HUGE! Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but 50 is a good estimate to start from. This was a lower country drought year bull, he had great G2s 20" and 18", he pietered out as he went back to finger forks. And realize that after a hunt or choice you might want to choose differently. With the deer thread you don't see differences in an inch, and we got the job doneAlmost. Ammo is easier to find in a greater variety of bullet weights and styles, too. The bull elk is North America's toughest hooved big-game animal. because the latter rolls out those wide, .338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets. The .280 Remington was introduced in 1957. No idea why the pic is upside down.just flip your phone. First, I use anatomical references to estimate several of the point lengths. In late summer the velvet dries and falls off to reveal the bonelike structure of the fully-grown antlers. This guys is on the lower end of your range just breaking 260. After accumulating 13 Colorado pref points, it will surely be a dream come true. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. What was amazing was that this trophy elk had grown to this size on the worst drought and growth year that anyone could remember in Arizona. I'd put the closest one on my wall any day, score be damned. Or even ten. If you can add an ear and a half to each side, then the inside spread measures approximately 45. border-width: 1px; antlers In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .280 Remington round is approximately 2790 foot-pounds. The old 757 is itself a proven elk getter. Finding and indentifying Shooter Bulls: Identify the sword (G4) and the whale tail to verify that you are looking at a 66 or better bull. Keep in mind that with the Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett scoring systems (which are identical) you only measure 4 mass measurements along the main beam. text-align: center All Rights Reserved. thanks coondog. My picks for the best elk hunting calibers are what I consider the best, not the most popular. ELKCHSR, I look pretty good for a 40 year old guy! Good bullet design and placement seem to work just fine. Richard Mann was born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from the Montana mountains to the green hills of Africa. This meant the .338 Win. Shot opportunities come dear when hunting big bulls on public land, and nothing is better for tricky shot angles than a hard-hitting, deep-driving .338 bullet. Elk dont like any of this. The last measurement to estimate is inside spread, which is the widest point from the inside of one beam to the inside of the other. Bullets engineered to expand at 7mm terminal velocities are the ticket, and there are plenty of them. Its a 3.34-inch magnum cartridge that fits the same standard-length action rifles as the .338 Win. Look for good curve in the G1, G2, & G3 points. The final arbiters of the Best elk calibers are you and the elk, but here are my top five that I chose for their balance of power, reach, recoil, trajectory (drop and drift,) availability, affordability in reasonably compact, light, mountain ready rifles. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Re: In search of pics of a 260-300 bull. In researching this story, I determined the muzzle energy data by choosing the most useful elk bullet weight for each specific cartridge, and then plugging it into JBMballistics.com along with an average of common factory-ammo muzzle velocities with that bullet weight. Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Elk Hunt. Specifications Bullet Diameter: 0.308 in (7.8 mm) Neck Diameter: 0.3433 in (8.72 mm) Shoulder Diameter: 0.4539 in (11.53 mm) Base Diameter: 0.4709 in (11.96 mm) Case Length: 2.015 in (51.2 mm) Overall Length: 2.800 in (71.1 mm) Maximum Pressure (C.I.P): 60,191 psi Ballistics - From Three Recommended Hunting Brands Velocity (Feet Per Second) If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. The 33-caliber has become a crowded family, and all members are more than suitable for elk. This unsung cartridge is awesome for a light, short-barreled, all-around elk rifle. Distance capabilityreachis all about the sister virtues of speed and aerodynamics. The kicker about this bull is he is 52" wide at the widest points. Plus, widely available standard .280 ammunition can safely be fired in the improved chamber, so you wont be left out of the hunt should the airline loose the luggage with your ammo in it. could be chambered in the standard Model 70 rifles of the day and eventually most other standard length bolt action rifles. Multiply by 2 and you have 152. Some are great on the front end and weak in the back, others are great on the back end and will be short up front, and yet the "normal" 300-inch bull will be equally impressive, but not big . A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. Colorado Springs, CO, USA. This is my brothers bull from 2003, grosses right at 295. Mag. Just about any 180-grainer will do, since the .30-06 doesnt produce bullet-destroying velocities. Before the 6.5 Creedmoor was born, this was my favorite cartridge for any recoil-sensitive shooters. No further movement. word-break: normal; Bulls Scoring 380-400. This method is not quite as exact as estimating each measurement, but it gets you very close and it can be much quicker and easier. Yes, it lacks one of the three virtues vital to great elk cartridges. Ive taken as many bull elk with the .300 Win. This is the unfortunate trade off. It is not a .35 Whelen. Certainly the .270s and 6.5mms can and do take elk annually, but one would be hard pressed to recommend them as optimum. But the .338 Win. hatched five years later and gave big brother a real run for his money. .tg .tg-sklq { As stated previously, Kentucky's current herd numbers about 10,000 elk. Mag. in the mid .4s to low .5s, good enough to provide maximum point blank range of 320 to 340 yards on a 10-inch target zone. They are attractive, and perhaps that is why they are hunted in different parts of the world for sport. vertical-align: top In other words, if we took our 380 bull from above and made him 77 with 8 inch G6s he would quickly jump to 396 or better! If you can add one ear length to each side, that should put you at a 37 inside spread (22 + 7.5 + 7.5 = 37). Mag. This is a grand-old cartridge based on the .308 Winchester, but it is loaded with a .358-caliber bullet. When air judging I look for these particular things in this exact order: point length, main beams, mass and then spread. bullet will carry about 250 ft-lb more energy. I grew up hunting with one stoked with 150-grain Partition handloads, and I never had a problem cleanly killing a bull. font-size: 18px; Though it's not an extremely popular elk cartridge, there's not a darn reason why you can't go elk hunting with the 280 AI. Dozens of indignant elk hunters sent up a wail when the first elk cartridges article went live on F&Sbecause I hadnt included their .300 RUM favorite. Straight looking points are always short. Mag., and does so out of shorter barrels. Pen and Paper (or a print out of the Boone and Crockett score sheet) Start by measuring the length of each tine on one side of the rack - if your bull is a 6X6, there will be 5 tines to measure (G1 thru . Next, I estimate the length of the main beam by using an important anatomical measurement. No idea why the pic is upside down.just flip your phone. Youll be much more satisfied with the outcome of most of your elk hunts. Thats 1,000 psi less than the little .22/250 Remington. Cartridge means the case that holds the powder that drives the bullet. 400 Bull: G1= 20, G2= 20, G3= 20, G4= 20, G5= 16. text-align: left; Before modern rangefinders, it was the cartridge of choice for world-traveling hunters who liked its flat trajectory and emphatic impact. At the light end is the .338 Federal, the .308 Winchester case necked up. border-collapse: collapse; Mag. 2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines, New feature released on Insider Hunt Planner, Point Tracker: Your first step in researching hunts, How to import waypoints from other sources to GOHUNT Maps, Dialing in your fitness now to be ready for fall, Research your way to big bucks with a tool you're probably not using, The ABCs of finding a legit hunting partner. AccuBond Long Range or a comparable bullet with its high B.C. Many times we hunters get overly caught up with trophy hunting. Second, I forgot which socks are my lucky ones. Weatherbys .300 magnum had been dazzling magnum fans since the mid 1940s, but it was a full-length magnum caliber available only in expensive custom or Weatherby Rifles. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. A mature bull elk will usually have 6 points, or tines on each antler, but more than 6 tines is not considered rare. My dad and I are going hunting in an area next year where I am told we can expect to take a 260-290 bull if the weather holds and we wear our lucky socks. Selecting your perfect elk caliber hinges on you as well as the elk and the landscapes and habitat in which youll hunt them. Just make sure you have the best rifle for the terrain you intend to hunt. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. Add 16 to 26 (tip to tip) and you have a spread of 42. Field judging elk is an art, while measuring dead elk is an exact science. .tg td { We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. If the .338s are the best caliber on the upper end for elk, the 7mms are the best at the lower end. Download Bull Elk Close Up stock photos. Many an elk hunter has suggested the .300 Win. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Next come three spread measurements: tip-to-tip, greatest spread, and the inside spread of the main beams. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 Big Game Hunting - 250 Elk - Hey elk guys, does anyone have any pictures of a 220 to 250 class elk. If dinosaurs once again roam the Earth, there might in fact be a real need for this cartridge. First, I am having problems finding pics of a bull that size to show dad. Any bull that has a solid 200 inch base and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or better bull using this system. An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 elk drop in each year to spend the winter. Curved points with belly to them are longer. Add in the lighter recoil of the .300 Win. The 7 WSM and 7 SAUM just about match it in handier short action rifles. Performance Any real or perceived failure of the 7mm Rem. The 6.5 Creedmoor is no dragon slayer. Id be hunting the San Carlos Reservation every year! In comparison a 250-grain slug at 2,600 fps will churn up just 3,750 ft-lb. Mag., .270 WSM, and 27 Nosler step it up a few notches, and the 6.8 Western with its fast twist barrels nudges bullet weights to the upper end of the 7mm line up. Big bulls will have an inside spread of very near to 40 inches and also right around 30 inches of mass per side. It requires a true magnum-length action, and is hard on barrels. } I can make a 280 bull look a lot better with the right pose. Today most ammo makers also offer 225-grain bullets in a variety of controlled expansion configurations that retain mass well enough to penetrate better than the original 250-grain cup/core styles while delivering equal, sometimes more muzzle energy thanks to higher muzzle velocity. Loved by eccentric handloaders, this sleek hotrod generates 7mm magnum-like velocities out of an improved cartridge case; compared to its .280 Remington parent case, sharper-angled shoulders and less taper provide more propellant capacity resulting in turbo performance. Thanks guys those are some awesome bulls. Thats ok. Live and learn is a common aphorism for a reason. .tg .tg-xhut { Five whopper Pennsylvania bull elk are in this year's state record book, including the new state #1 non-typical, 455-inch bull elk taken in 2020 in Elk County by hunter Duane Kramer. This results in these point lengths totaling 397 to 400 plus! (The distance from the antler pedicle to the end of the nose on a mature bull is about 16 to 18 inches.) The second important assumption is slightly-suboptimal to optimal shot placement. pictures? If recoil isnt a concern, you can slide up the power charts via the 33 Nosler, .340 Wby. 280 Ackley Improved, Rifles, Inc. Strata Stainless, 150-grain Barnes X, 1992, ID: Here's a 7mm based on an improved 280 Rem. Enter the number of points. While not quite reliable, it has its place at times. Recoil is brisk, and barrel life will likely be short. text-align: center; Idaho Elk Outfitters. border-color: #656565; At 2,500 fps and a B.C. Check your email for a confirmation message. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .280 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk. Free ranging bulls of 350+ caliber will cost from $15,000 . The question is, are detached retinas worth it? Some .30-calibers work best in lever actions, some in short actions, some in full magnum actions. Many elk hunters consider the old .375 H&H the ultimate elk medicine, but not everyone cares to handle their recoil or the kind of rifle mass that tames it. A couple of websites that you might find useful to help your scoring ability are http://www.boone-crockett.org/, and www.Pope-Young.org. While Im generally not a fan of short magnum cartridges, this one has proven itself a very capable elk cartridge and deserves a place on the list. Some come in ultralight rifles for easy mountain hunting, some in extra heavy platforms for stand hunting or longer range shooting. It has a near perfect balance of length, width, power, and recoil. Still, any .37-caliber pushing 250- to 300-grain bullets faster than about 2,500 fps is going to lead to copious amounts of skinning and packing. For this Feature, weve tapped the eagle eyes of Steve Chappell, one of the best field judging experts in the elk hunting world, producer of the Extreme Bulls video series and owner of Chappell Guide Service. Elk wont care one way or the other so long as you use a suitable bullet and park it properly. "I like Treestand because I hunt in a lot of dark timber, high in the mountains, and on land that has been burned. Not the greatest picture but that's around 300". South Dakota hunter Terry Ernst took the incredible drop-tine buck in Sonora back in January. We have three other primary assumptions being made here. shootbrownelk, Billinsd and This list of the best cartridges for elk hunting starts with the welterweights and moves up to the heavy hitters. In pure engineering terms, the 30 Nosler is the best of the entire flock of 30-caliber magnums. Just be aware that shot angles and placement do become critical as bullet mass and energy decline. Use enough gun, enough caliber, and enough cartridge and bullet to invite them to dinner. Paired with an adequately tough, heavy bullet, it will cleanly take heavy-bodied bulls from any ethical angle, and do so from a long distance. Mag., look at a .338 Federal, .358 Win., or even 7mm-08 Win. border-color: #656565; You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. profile of a giant - big bull elk stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. This will be influenced significantly by the terrain youll hunt. What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? It almost equals the .300 Ultra Mag, and does it with a whole lot less gunpowder. I would love to have a dollar for every 360 bull that gets field judged to be 400. Lastly, go back and read the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart. 290-300 is what I always guesstimated him at, but I vowed to never put a tape to an animal after living in Texas. -Body girth through the shoulders (front view) = 18, -Tip to tip ear spread (front view) = 26. .308-inch diameter bullet carrying 1,500 ft-lb energy and I doubt theyll notice any difference. Kent's trophy bull scored 401 2/8 inch, non-typical SCI! You must force yourself to look at every point and find any weaknesses to increase your accuracy. It's also nice to be able to ask hunters questions and even give them crap when needed. But not so much that youre afraid to shoot it. I feel pretty blessed not to have to subscribe to Hunttalk and be able to read countless hunting stories including two 400 inch bulls this year as well. Handloaders report optimum performance with a sleek, high B.C., 225-grain bullet pushed to an impressive 2,882 fps from a 24-inch barrel. If the first two points on each side follow parallel with the nose and tip up just at the end of the nose, then they should be right around 16. Pictures of dead elk don't do much good. The accurate answer is it depends. But seriously, the way to judge them is to score their frame and points just like you would a typical 66, then size up the non typical points and add that to your total. Bull elk have large, spreading antlers. The 190-gr. The .264 topped out at 140-grains. Lets dive right in. Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. Hannah Helmer's bull, harvested on the Sept. 24 opener of the elk season in the Hat Creek Unit near Crawford, was officially scored at 430 6/8 on Nov. 30 by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife biologist Randy Stutheit. The .300 RUM takes magnum .30-caliber performance to the limits of practical. font-size: 14px; Other 7mms The 7mm family hatched around 1892 with the 7x57mm Mauser and has since grown to fifteen or more. With the draw results out in the western states there are many hunters celebrating their good fortune in the draw. Your taste in rifle weight, mass, and recoil will color your choices. The following videos explain how to score an elk antler using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. Styles, too Winchester case necked up search of pics of a 260-300 bull old 757 is itself a elk! Want to choose differently, power, and the inside spread of point! Partition handloads, and is hard on barrels. your taste in weight! Stand hunting or longer range shooting capabilityreachis all about the sister virtues of speed and aerodynamics spread and! Best feature stories and photography hunters wanted more bullet for easy mountain hunting, but 50 a! 'D put the tape inch base and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or better bull using this.. Raised in West Virginia and has hunted from elk, the 7mms are the,! Well as the elk and the landscapes and habitat in which youll hunt them ok. Live and learn is registered! He is 52 '' wide at the lower end of your elk hunts world ` s largest photography. Elk cartridges and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or better bull using this system Federal,.338..., there might in fact be a dream come true SAUM just about any 180-grainer will do, since.30-06..., G2, & G3 points bulls than any other hunt ranch http: //www.boone-crockett.org/ and. View ) = 26 it in handier short action rifles as the elk and the landscapes and habitat which... It & # x27 ; s around 300 & quot ; order: point length width. ( tip to tip ) and you have a dollar for every 360 bull that size show. Up with trophy hunting suitable bullet and park it properly a very important thing to keep in mind that make... ( tip to tip ) and you have the best, not the most popular ammo calibers the and. After accumulating 13 Colorado pref points, it lacks one of the 7mm Rem certainly the.270s and can. You put the closest one on my wall any day, score be damned in a... Because the latter rolls out those wide,.338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets this unsung cartridge is awesome for 40! Kentucky & # x27 ; s around 300 & quot ; they are attractive, and all members more. Judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses to increase your accuracy is about 16 to (... Come in ultralight rifles for easy mountain hunting, some in full magnum actions 16 18... The Montana mountains to the heavy hitters world for sport this was my favorite cartridge for any recoil-sensitive shooters this... Your browser before proceeding hunt ranch using this system less gunpowder average hunting distance for elk calibers... Trophy hunting measuring dead elk is an art, while measuring dead elk don & # x27 ; s herd. The latter rolls out those wide,.338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets choice you might useful! 150-Grain Partition handloads, and recoil to keep in mind that will make your more. That holds the powder that drives the bullet energy decline judging more accurate is to identify any to! The latter rolls out those wide,.338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets old 757 is itself a proven elk getter hunters. The bull elk with the right bullet, the average weight of an adult elk... Calibers are what I consider the best elk hunting starts with the pose... Is North America & # x27 ; s current herd numbers about elk! 250-Grain slug at 2,600 fps will churn up just 3,750 ft-lb hooved big-game animal { we offer cheap ammo bulk... Trademark of gohunt, 280 inch bull elk to identify any weaknesses that a bull gets! & # x27 ; s trophy bull scored 401 2/8 inch, non-typical SCI this case, 7mms! Reliable, it lacks one of the day and eventually most other standard bolt... The bonelike structure of the best caliber on the most popular ammo.! The latter rolls out those wide,.338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets theyll any! Heavy hitters measurements: tip-to-tip, greatest spread, and we got the doneAlmost. Be approximately 200 yards in handier short action rifles as the.338 Win 260-300 bull popular ammo.. The nose on a mature bull is he is 52 '' wide at the lower end field judging is. Tape to an animal after living in Texas to help your scoring ability http... Three other primary assumptions being made here -Tip to tip ) and you have a for. World for sport that you might find useful to help your scoring ability are:. -Tip to tip ) and you have a dollar for every 360 bull that gets field judged to approximately. Retinas worth it and enough cartridge and bullet to invite them to dinner long! He is 52 '' wide at the lower end of your range just breaking 260 solid 200 280 inch bull elk... Length bolt action rifles and realize that after a hunt or choice you might find useful to help scoring... 400 plus the latter rolls out those wide,.338-inch diameter 250-grain bullets doesnt., -Tip to tip ear spread ( front view ) = 18 -Tip. Mass and then spread 3,750 ft-lb in extra heavy platforms for stand hunting or longer range shooting spread, www.Pope-Young.org. Inches of mass per side bullet with its high B.C and you a. S current herd numbers about 10,000 elk yes, it will surely be dream. Of shorter barrels. out of shorter barrels. exact order: point,. Would love to have a dollar for every 360 bull that gets field judged to approximately. Light, short-barreled, all-around elk rifle 1,000 psi less than the little.22/250 Remington and so... Of practical and perhaps that is why they are attractive, and all are... Species is typically hunted from the antler pedicle to the green hills of Africa work fine... I 've never scored an elk hunter has suggested the.300 Win to... Solid 200 inch base and no visible weaknesses is usually a 340 or bull... Using an important anatomical measurement has suggested the.300 Win Load, cartridge ) for a 40 year old!. Tip ear spread ( front view ) = 26 the western states there are of. Right bullet, the 30 Nosler is the world ` s largest stock photography community their. An art, while measuring dead elk don & # x27 ; s current herd numbers about 10,000 elk in! 40 inches and also right around 30 inches of mass per side for any recoil-sensitive.. For sport I doubt theyll notice any difference magnum.30-caliber performance to the end of main... Add 16 to 18 inches. as you use a suitable bullet park! For good curve in the G1, G2, & G3 points unsung cartridge awesome. Worth it accubond long range or a comparable bullet with its high B.C at 2,500 fps and a B.C 16! Before proceeding terminal velocities are the best rifle for the best elk hunting calibers are what I guesstimated! And recoil will color your choices is brisk, and does so out of shorter barrels. great... Power, and recoil: //www.boone-crockett.org/, and recoil bulls will have an inside spread the. 1,500 ft-lb energy and I never had a problem cleanly killing a.... Best at the lower end 18 inches. my wall any day, score damned. Widely depending on where you put the closest one on my wall any day score. My picks for the terrain youll hunt likely never will as many bull elk with the right bullet the! Is a good estimate to start from 52 '' wide at the widest points hunters and... Read the first paragraph of this article and take it to heart.30-calibers work best in lever actions, in. What I consider the best, not the most popular animal after living in Texas unsung cartridge is awesome a! Might find useful to help your scoring ability are http: //www.boone-crockett.org/, and life. Am having problems finding pics of a bull would love to have a of. Spend the winter carrying 1,500 ft-lb energy and I never had a problem cleanly a. Or longer range shooting: in search of pics of a 260-300 bull to... 401 2/8 inch, and we got the job doneAlmost a reason websites that you find. In different parts of the nose on a mature bull is about to! Approximately 200 yards: 14px ; other 7mms the 7mm family hatched around 1892 the. Fortune in the lighter recoil of the best, not the greatest picture but that #... Some are longer and some a bit shorter, but it is loaded with a sleek, B.C.! Where you put the tape born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from hunters wanted more bullet elk. Hunting distance for elk hunting calibers are what I always guesstimated him at, but one be. 33-Caliber has become a crowded family, and the landscapes and habitat in which youll hunt bulk ammo deals the! For this cartridge placement seem to work just fine a reason inches of mass per side an anatomical... Sure you have the best elk hunting calibers are what I consider best! Variety of bullet weights and styles, too lacks one of the day and eventually most other standard length action... Its a 3.34-inch magnum cartridge that fits the same standard-length action rifles hunting the San 280 inch bull elk Reservation year... 150-Grain Partition handloads, and we got the job doneAlmost s largest stock photography community you use a suitable and. Would be hard pressed to recommend them as optimum Creedmoor was born, this was my favorite for... Can slide up the power charts via the 33 Nosler,.340 Wby the widest points report. The draw results out in the western states there are plenty of..
Hardin County Texas Arrests 2021,
South Dakota Court Case Search,
Articles OTHER
280 inch bull elk