Elk handguns?

what calibers would you consider to be adequate for elk, and what range? contender, encore?

how about the 375jdj? what's it's practical limit? is it's trajectory flat enough?

375jdj, or 338jdj?(contender)
300win mag,or 338win mag?(encore)

Kentucky has a growing elk herd, and a man just never knows what the future holds. would you feel comfortable with the 15" 7-08?

lot's of questions, sorry just lookin for ideas

7-08...hmm....
Super 14 in 35rem with 200gr bullets under 100 yards would work with ease.
oh man I want one of the new T/C encore in the 06 or 308win for deer/elk hunting

Kyode,
Any of the 308 based cases from 25 cal on up will do well within 200 yards or so, using the right bullet for the velocity range of that cartridge, and shot placement is good. Your 06 class and standard magnum class cartridges ditto, except you can lengthen your ranges and pick up speed.
Our group has used the 260 Remington, 6.5-284, 284 Win, 30-06, 7.82 Patriot, 338 WM, and the 454 Casuall for elk in SW Colorado.
Our main ones today are 7.82 Patriot, 300 WSM, 284 Win., and 6.5-284 (06 class and up).

Ernie

KYODE,
I have taken Elk with both a .45/70 and the .375JDJ, and both did a great job. The shot with the .45/70 was at 110 yards, using a solid point loaded by Garrett Cartridges, and the .375 JDJ hit the Elk at 160 yards. I spoke with JD prior to my last hunt and he didn't seem to think there would be a problem out to 200 yards, with good placement. The next time I go, I will carrying the 375 JDJ for sure.

Andy

thanks ernie, actually i'm kinnda wondering what it would take caliber wise for 250 yards, or a little more on elk. i guess my 15" 7-08 will work for less yardage. also, it'd be kinnda cool to have a really long range target shooter. heck, if i'd win the lottery or something(very doubtful ), i could shoot targets out yonder with ya, at the long range shoot.

how much trouble are belted cases in reloading?
i'm thinkin 300wmag, or 338wmag 17" handgun barrel set up with a rifle forend on a encore.

Kyode,
I would go with the 300 WM and not look back (A 17 inch 300WM will be on the coat-tails of my Patriot & that elk won't be able to tell the difference!). It is also a great LR vartridge. Choose your smith wisely and don't over work your brass and it should be no problems. You already have a headspace indicator so you shouldn't have any problems. Consult with the guys who are currently using them in Encores and visting with Mike Bellm or Mike Sirios wouldn't hurt either if you run into problems.
Ernie

i would expect you to plug one with the 30-30ai to start with.but a 300 or 338 mag. would be AWESOME!on ed's contenders site the other night i saw a 7mm mag "hunter"barrel it was 16"or 17",the price was reasonable.good luck jim257(i still can't beleive your going out behind the 30-30 ai's back and looking to cheat on her!she probably has no idea,doe's she?)

While I have never hunted Elk I may not be qualified to answer your question. At any rate I will provide my take on the subject.

First and foremost, regardless of caliber or cartridge the right bullet must be used, and that bullet must be put in the right place to be able to perform. I am not sure what the PERFECT bullet is, or even if it exists, but in my opinion the choosen bullet must expand fairly rapidly to create as much shock as possible, but yet have the integrety to hold together to penetrate.

There are many bullets that possess these qualities, and in my opinion the cartridge that propells the bullet to a desired velocity level only has a merit on the range on which the bullet will perform.

I have often read that the minumum inpact ENERGY for a Rifle Type Bullet to be effective on Elk Size Game is 1500 Foot Pounds. In the case of your 7mm-08 a 150gr. Nosler Partition would probably fill the bill. If you want to increase the range with that weight & type of bullet, go to a larger capacity cartridge to gain more velocity.

I am still researching the .284 Winchester in a Encore, and it in my opinion it may indeed be one of the better choices out there without going to a magnum class cartridge, but it will still have limitations.

LArry

Hey Kyode...how's about a .30 Gibbs?? It's a substanitally improved 30-06 with a short neck adn 35 degree shoulder. In a longer handgun barrel it would be sweet. I have one in a custom Mauser rifle that wings 165gr Hornady IL's at 3100+fps (25" barrel) with RL-22. At 400 yards it stays right around 3" groups which I consider excellent for a light barrled rifle. At that distance that HIL's also work great on deer...took a large doe two years ago at 445yds that entered behind the shoulder and exited at the base of the neck. Exit channel was just over 2"...she never moved. I was shooting from the prone position from a short Harris over a large field. There was a light mist and NO wind...perfect conditions for such a shot.

Anyhooo...I really fell in love with this round after being introduced to it by my 'smith.

hmmmm, don't know much about it dan. is it improved more than a 30-06AI? does it fire factory 30-06 ammo?

i'm leaning heavily to the 300 win mag. might be a lotta gun for me, but in a heavy 17" barrel it might not be unbearable. if i was to get into the 300mag, i may shoot factory ammo for a while, and aquire my brass over time. i had the thought of an OTT barrel chambered to some factory load. reckon accuracy, with one so chambered would be better than a standard factory barrel shooting factory ammo?
anyway, it's not an immediate emergency. may have to wait for the funds to magically appear.

yes larry, i consider you qualified. no experience necessary. just looking for good advice, and guidance. by golly, your good at it too!

any thoughts on ranges for elk with the 7-08/150gr partition, or 284win loads? i know, i can look up velocities, energy figures, etc(probably will), but it's still good discussion with friends.

jim257, yep my barrels do get a little jealous of each other sometimes, but if they wanna live here, they're gonna have to put up with me.

Kyode,
If you get yourself a LR rig you need to come shoot with us at the ITRC. This year will be the first with specialty handguns shooting against the rifles. Who Would Ff Thunk It?

Ernie

yeah, that would be great. i'd love to do that. i bet the old woman would like a trip west too. still lookin for my winning lottery ticket!