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. loads top out with 200-grain bullets, 210-, 220-, and 230-grain options are available. high B.C. It requires a true magnum-length action, and is hard on barrels. can be laid at the feet of the shooter or the bullet used. Faster models like .270 Wby. Start with 16 G1s and G2s, 12 G3s, 20 G4s, and 12 G5s. The second method requires you to actually break the elk down and measure him by estimating actual point and beam length, mass and inside spread. We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Start with the .30/30 Winchester and climb until your nose bleeds. GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. Mature bulls have heavy bones, dense muscle, and loads of resilience from years of shrugging off battle wounds. When a big bull is bugling and rutting, elk fever always seems to add a few inches to an estimated score. But dont try to punch a raking shot through a bulls hipit doesnt have the juice for that. Other 7mms The 7mm family hatched around 1892 with the 7x57mm Mauser and has since grown to fifteen or more. The 6.5 Creedmoor is no dragon slayer. As little as .1 percent copper can cause hard spots.) JavaScript is disabled. The general consensus is that this old, belted magnum is the best caliber for elk hunting. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .280 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk - and to this question, the response again is yes, the .280 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting. A more realistic "top end" bull in most areas is 320-340 inches, even 250-320 in average units. Is the bull really 40 inside or is he 36? It wallops big bulls with authority, and wallops hunters hard, too. Every good elk cartridge has three primary characteristics: authority, reach, and good bullets. I think if a bull grows it, he should get credit for it. Free or royalty-free photos and images. New in 2018, the SCI Foundation Veterans Committee auctioned a sponsorship for a combat veteran to go on a 400-420-inch bull elk hunt. Obviously, there is plenty of leeway in all of this, and personal biases can play a big role. Short action chamberings are likely to be in shorter, lighter rifles, so instead of a .338 Win. Its not my all-time favorite elk cartridge, but its a really, really close second. whats the biggest bull everyone has shot? Short in the Elvis era meant standard or 30/06 length: 3.340-inches overall cartridge length, down from the 3.6-inches of the parent cartridge. Once you have this base to start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200. The following methods I have used for a long time when picking apart a bulls rack. And yes, shots on elk can be far. Finally, the .280 Ackley Improved is rocketing to western-hunting stardom. Entact would have been close to 310. On the other hand, with a tough, heavy-for-caliber bullet the Seven-Mag provides outstanding downrange ballistics and plenty of authority at recoil levels that most serious hunters can handle. Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. Let's look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. As a result, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill a bull that scores X amount. My hunting buddy, Dean Sanchez, and I were hunting the Gila National Forest. may have inspired Winchester to bring out its marvelous .300 magnum the very next year. Zeroed 3.3 inches high at 100 yards, that projectile will drop just two inches at 300 yards, deflect just five inches in a 10 mph right angle wind, and cling to 2,866 ft-lb energy. Given that 1,500 ft-lb is considered elk power, both projectiles are golden. 280 140 244 122 2 337 168 . Selecting your perfect elk caliber hinges on you as well as the elk and the landscapes and habitat in which youll hunt them. Any real or perceived failure of the 7mm Rem. In the question of Is the .280 Remington within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting? our answer is: Lets look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Also known as the .280 Ackley Improved or the .280 Remington Ackley Improved, the .280 AI is basically a .280 Remington case (itself a .30-06 Springfield case necked down to 7mm/.284") that's . Anybody got pictures? After locating a big herd bull, Eastman comes up with a plan to take advantage of an unusually hot fall elk hunting season. bullet will carry about 250 ft-lb more energy. 422 inch elk) he took this whitetail deer. Mag. What does this mean? Pick a Marlin M1895 or a Winchester Model 1886 and hunt happy in the knowledge that youve got bull-thumping wallop in every thumb-sized cartridge. 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. Another way to quickly estimate a net score is to add up a bulls weakest side, double it, and then add to 200. This is on the upper end of that. border-style: solid; Notice that 6 thirds would make a 350 type bull that should have 12 or better thirds, a 338 bull. . A 360+ inch giant eats dirt in this web edition of Eastmans' Hunting TV. On the other side of the caliber scale are the .35 Whelen (.30/06 necked up) and various .375s. Note that a 300 bull will more likely have 45 main beams about 54 inches of total mass and a 35 spread. Video That May Interest You Four of Joseph's favorite bullets for the .280 Ackley Improved are (left to right) Hornady 175-grain ELD-X, Berger 168-grain VLD Hunting, Federal 155-grain Terminal Ascent, and Barnes 139-grain LRX. border-style: solid; 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 . Its phenomenally accurate, pushes aerodynamic projectiles with high sectional densities at reasonable velocities that dont tear bullets to shreds on impact, recoils little, and has proven more capable than it has any right to be. I'd have to look up how that would differ from B&C scoring. Idaho Elk Outfitters. The bull elk is North Americas toughest hooved big-game animal. From: WapitiBob 20-Apr-12 For elk, pick a really tough bullet and if possible, pick broadside shots. The old 757 is itself a proven elk getter. thanks coondog. Mag. This meant the .338 Win. Can't find the picture now of one that was 275". 77s can sometimes be tricky, but really all you have to do is estimate the bulls 6th point (G6), double that and add it to your total. The distance from ear tip to ear tip (21 to 22); and. field judging Any cartridge in a caliber big enough to hit an elk hard hits you hard, too. No further movement. 3,637. border-color: black; This one you can hopefully see the length of the 4. Here's a decent comparison. 320 Bull: G1=15, G2= 15, G3= 12, G4= 16, G5= 8. Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. Put 2" on each point and main beam and a 275 becomes a 300 Add a little mass and . hatched five years later and gave big brother a real run for his money. font-weight: bold; But to help in estimating a net score remember that most big bulls will have 10 to 12 inches of total symmetry deductions. The 9 pointer scored 135 2/8 inches SCI. It sure makes that rack look HUGE! You should look for at least 4 of curl for a 20 tine). The second important assumption is slightly-suboptimal to optimal shot placement. Good luck on your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls! For all its virtues, like the 6.5 Creedmoor the 6.5 PRC just doesnt have the bullet diameter and weight to handle steeply angled shot presentations. Big cartridges provide forgiving margins of error. Thats why I like 7mm and .30-caliber magnums with tough, heavy bullets, and why I consider an elk hunter toting a .338 magnum a wise man. Be sure to check out these two podcast episodes for field judging reference at home or while at hunting camp. Big Game Hunting - 250 Elk - Hey elk guys, does anyone have any pictures of a 220 to 250 class elk. Because Winchester didnt insist on the caliber being proprietary, anyone could load and chamber for it. antlers .tg td { Note that most 380 bulls will have 52 to 56 inch beams, and a spread of potentially more than 40 inches. I just read one in September's Petersons. Note: If you are new to elk antler scoring or scoring in general, you can jump down to the bottom and watch the short four part video series on how to score an elk antler. This 9,000 acre premier ranch located in northeastern Utah has 11 elk tags per year and success has run at or near 100 percent on some great bulls. The second method requires you to actually break the elk down and measure him by estimating actual point and beam length, mass and inside spread. A final consideration these days is availability of guns and ammo. Add these to the base of 200 for your total of 344. Kel-Tec KS7 Pump Action Shotgun Specifications and features. Another bull, struck mid-rib by a 140-grain .280 bullet, simply crumpled. Keep in mind that on 66s you dont add the extension of the main beam past the bulls G5 as a sixth point. We have an embarrassment of choices in 7mms, and elk dont like any. Best bullets are the 7mm 155- to 175-grainers, and the .30-caliber 180- to 200-grainers. Re: In search of pics of a 260-300 bull. Non Typical bulls are undoubtedly the hardest to judge in the field. This is a grand-old cartridge based on the .308 Winchester, but it is loaded with a .358-caliber bullet. Mag. This one would be lucky to make 260especially because its a five point.. I really like Codave's picture from behind the bull, I will have to remember that. 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. The 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum rifles have 26-inch barrels. Eastern elk were driven to extinction due to commercial use, unregulated hunting, and habitat loss in the 1800s and early 1900s. This results in these point lengths totaling 397 to 400 plus! Yes, the .280 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement. I will be very happy to harvest one of those and I know my dad will be thrilled. One of the most popular magnums of all time. So we have the 250-255 range covered, lets see one in the 255-260 . Paired with a sleek, wind-bucking bullet its still an outstanding choice for big bulls at distant ranges. for me. a 300 bull needs to have the 5/6 points close to the same length as the 4th. A 140- to 150-grain .264 driven to the same speeds as a .270 Win. Messages. A 350 bull must have an average of 16 inches for his G1 through G4 points and 10 inch G5s to be about 350. The .338 Win. } Distance capabilityreachis all about the sister virtues of speed and aerodynamics. Not the greatest picture but that's around 300". If thats the camp you hunt from, have at it, but understand that with the .338 Remington Ultra Magnum, every time you pull the trigger you will get smacked with about 45 foot-pounds of recoil. The tougher the terrain, the lighter. } 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! When picking an elk bullet, shy away from light, fast projectiles and pick a heavy version. As with anything, the devil is in the details. some of the bulls we have taken scoring over 400 inches. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. :wink: The other thing is how a bull makes 300. Some come in ultralight rifles for easy mountain hunting, some in extra heavy platforms for stand hunting or longer range shooting. Shenandoah Valley. While growing up in the early 1960s, I lived next to the federal elk refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I understand what you are saying Bobmuley, but 5" could make or break a record book bull. Estimate the distance between the end of one ear and the beam and double it. A bull with 6 tines on each side is called a 6X6 ("6 by 6"). color: #ffffff; With good form, a boat tail 225-grain .338 slug should rate a B.C. Mag., .338 RUM, .338 Lapua Mag., and massive .338-378 Wby. font-size: 18px; 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. I have several non-typicals available each year over 600". 169.204.214.73 The .338 Win. You are using an out of date browser. Just $1 per month , Find a tough cartridge for one of the most prizedand toughestbig game animals around, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Add these to the base of 200 for a total of 360. Winchester borrowed the same basic belted magnum case, blew out the walls, pushed the 25-degree shoulder forward, shortened overall length to .30/06 standard, and created a powder reservoir holding about 90 grains of water. Most bulls that I see either have weak 3rds or weak 5ths. When he is facing you, look at the width of his ears. } First, I start with the magic number of 200. When a bull has his head down feeding, I determine whether the main beam is higher or lower than the hump on his back above his shoulder. Elk wont care one way or the other so long as you use a suitable bullet and park it properly. Comments have to be approved before showing up, 2021 Foundry Outdoors - All Rights Reserved, Product successfully added to your Shopping Cart, 223 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 243 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 25 WSSM Winchester Super Short Magnum Ammo, 300 RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, 7mm RSAUM Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum Ammo, .280 Remington for Elk Hunting? When a bull is broadside, you can compare his fourth point to that measurement. background-color: #333333; "I like Treestand because I hunt in a lot of dark timber, high in the mountains, and on land that has been burned. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Bull elk have large, spreading antlers. Handloaders easily equal or outdo factory-load performancesomething that cant be said of the other fast .30s listed here. font-size: 18px; Is the main beam really 50 or is it 53? The author, center, with a 6x6 248 . That is, the best of the best for terminating elk without beating up shooters. And he could get it in affordable rifles from several manufacturers. The .378 will kill an elk but not any deader than 6.5 Creedmoor. Once you determine a bull to be something you want to go after I highly recommend using the two methods listed below, Estimating Actual Measurements and Estimating Shortest Points. #12. longbowelk said: I have a 7mm 08 22 inch barrel Savage model 11 and a custom 280AI, 26 inch 1 in 9 barrel. Not that its a better choice; its just extremely common, and yes, its pretty darned good at making meat. During my high school . Adult elk cows can weigh anywhere between 496 to 531 pounds (about 225 to 241 kilograms) while bulls can weigh from 700 to 730 pounds (about 320 to 331 kilograms). These measurements can vary widely depending on where you put the tape. If it is shorter or longer than the hump on the back, I add or subtract inches accordingly. When it first came out in 1962, it sent the then four-year-old .264 Winchester Magnum into a tailspin. And the bigger they get, the tougher they become. Theyre all proven to kill elk with proper shot placement and are available in rifles you wont mind carrying in the mountains. Enter the number of points. There are big bull elk. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. The reason is because Im not that interested in net scores. If you add these totals up for main beams, spread, and mass from both sides you get 200 inches. The smaller the bullet, the higher its quality and the more precise its deposit must be. It was and still is Everymans (and womans) 30 magnum. It scored under 300. Its the finest all-around cartridge available for youth, women, and new shooters. Mag., and elk hardly know the difference. Heres what to do when you run up against non typicals or bulls such as 77s. word-break: normal; When you push past this performance level with a 7 mm cartridge, you do so with diminishing returns as far as velocity goes. If you can hack the recoil, it offers truly impressive energy. Hit an elk with a 175-gr. In eight-pound rifles, the 7mm Rem. Other than big fish stories, I dont know of anything that gets stretched more than the size of a bull elks rack. Add 16 to 26 (tip to tip) and you have a spread of 42. The question is, are detached retinas worth it? Is the .280 Remington a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? Most 225-grain factory loads are rated 2,750 to 2,800 fps, enough velocity to put about 3,900 ft-lb of energy into that little bullet. These days certain 6.5mms have been growing in popularity despite relatively light bullets and muzzle velocities well under 3,000 fps. } This is going to be a very close estimate for most big bulls and serves as our solid starting point. Use enough gun, enough caliber, and enough cartridge and bullet to invite them to dinner. throwing similar weight projectiles means youre packing elk medicine. The 33-caliber has become a crowded family, and all members are more than suitable for elk. 2. Buy and sell new and used guns online from anywhere in the world on Guns International, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, handguns, revolvers, ammo and more. Be aware of straight looking points without much end curve because they are often shorter than you think. I highly recommend dissecting a bull thoroughly before deciding to harvest that animal. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. My archery bull from last week goes right around 300, maybe an inch or two below. Ditto the .416s, 44s, and 45s. 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. border-color: #656565; But elk stopping performance typically comes with a price: recoil. Some .30-calibers work best in lever actions, some in short actions, some in full magnum actions. So, with the proper balance in mind lets look at a great method for scoring mature bulls on the hoof. Can people post pics of what a 300 inch bull looks like vs. say, a 280 inch. After those stalwarts comes a blizzard of .30-calibers that claw their way up the power scale. The 7 WSM and 7 SAUM just about match it in handier short action rifles. Your taste in rifle weight, mass, and recoil will color your choices. But I still dont consider them a top pick for elk just because, well, larger calibers provide a slight edge. In pure engineering terms, the 30 Nosler is the best of the entire flock of 30-caliber magnums. border-spacing: 0; Download Bull Elk Close Up stock photos. Recoil is brisk, and barrel life will likely be short. Mag. Elk (Wapiti) have standing shoulder heights between 4'-5'7" (122-170 cm), head-to-body lengths in the range of 6'10"-8" (208-244 . That measurement is generally about 30. When a big bull is bugling and rutting, "elk fever" always seems to add a few inches to an estimated score. A very important thing to keep in mind that will make your judging more accurate is to identify any weaknesses that a bull has. (Photo courtesy of James and Cody Vine) October 26, 2022 By Mark Demko. Killing a big bull at a steep quartering angle takes a very good cartridge, topped with a tough, deep-penetrating bullet. Good bullet design and placement seem to work just fine. But, because elk have big antlers and big bodies, some hunters believe it takes an even bigger bullet to kill them. Related searches: bull elk bugling vector bull elk in banff bull elk bugle bull elk bugling bull elk snow Mag. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option. 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) Keep in mind the beam tip is counted as a point, but not measured as a point. Kent's trophy bull scored 401 2/8 inch, non-typical SCI! 360-Plus Bull Elk with a Bow Editor's Note: Mark Hanson lives in Mesa, Arizona, and has been a Mossy Oak ProStaffer for 7 years. If dinosaurs once again roam the Earth, there might in fact be a real need for this cartridge. One of the most effective elk calibers available. 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. With the draw results out in the western states there are many hunters celebrating their good fortune in the draw. 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. The tighter the cover, the shorter the rifle. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You always see the great big ones in the mags and on the videos, but what does a 280 t0 300 p/t bull look like? buried one Winchester magnum and created another. Unless you work with a custom gun builder and handload, study factory options before choosing. Second, I forgot which socks are my lucky ones. I wouldn't hesitate to use my .280 140 gr AccuBond load on elk either. Two problems. At 2,500 fps and a B.C. If you only have one elk on the wall, a bull with six inch forks will "look" big. In essence, good elk cartridges drive tough, heavy bullets of healthy diameter, and drive em fast. Plus, ammo is available in just about every sporting goods shop across the West. The right .30/06 load should add 100 fps velocity and 100 ft-lb energy. Here is my wifes bull, probably 290 (never really scored it) without broken tine. text-align: center; One, lung-shot by a client with a .270, reared as might a horse then fell backward, planting its long beams in the ground. I left it out because with its gargantuan powder capacity its almost too much of a good thing. Most big mature bulls will have main beams close to 50 inches long. font-family: Arial, sans-serif; Home Accommodations Photos/Sizes Pricing Reviews . Mag. 380 Bull: G1= 18, G2= 18, G3= 16, G4= 20, G5= 15. .tg .th-lmno { Usually your first impression of a bull is pretty honest and accurate. Bulls with curvy looking points score well. The only way to really estimate the inside spread of a bull elk is for him to face you. Elk bullets must be tough enough to provide adequate penetration. The accurate answer is it depends. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. If the .338s are the best caliber on the upper end for elk, the 7mms are the best at the lower end. But, credit where credit is due, its a great elk cartridge. As with any caliber, the lighter the bullet and lower the muzzle velocity, the easier the rifle is to handle and the closer you should get before taking your shot. text-align: center; The 300-inch curse has plagued piles of public-land hunters chasing elk in the West. As we walked into the area where we were going to hunt, we spotted a couple of cow elk near a pond. Its extremely versatile with a broad selection of bullet weights, and with the right bullet is a great long-range performer. The .280 Ackley Improved is hot these days, flying about 100 fps behind the 7mm Rem. Scoring mounted bulls is a great way to improve your skills as well. Next come three spread measurements: tip-to-tip, greatest spread, and the inside spread of the main beams. Here's why. The .264 topped out at 140-grains. bullets with B.C. Now add the total length of points to the magic number of 200 to get the gross score. First, I am having problems finding pics of a bull that size to show dad. Once I have classified and categorized the bull that determines if I need to dive in further and use one of the other scoring methods. Elk 280-300" Bulls Brush Buster Mar 30, 2021 1 2 3 4 5 Next Mar 30, 2021 #1 Brush Buster Well Known Rokslider Joined Sep 21, 2017 Messages 275 Let's see some pics of legit 280-300" gross bulls! What is the average muzzle energy for a .280 Remington? The .280 Remington was introduced in 1957. Mag. Your IP: Well, bullet weight, perhaps? overflow: hidden; This bull had grown from an estimated 370 class bull in 1998 to a 400 inch plus, 52 inch wide, non-typical monster elk. Zero both three inches high at 100 yards and at 400 yards they both drop 11.3 inches and deflect about 8.5 inches in that 10 mph breeze. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. Sierra uses three alloys for rifle bullets, with antimony proportions of 1.5, 3 and 6 percent. word-break: normal; That 380 bull with these extras would score around 417. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. It might be impossible to find the rifle you want and darn tough to find factory loads to feed it. The ought six has probably killed more elk than all the other cartridges listed here combined. Here's a bunch from 300 to 400+ SCI scoring ones. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. The .338/06 adds about 200 fps muzzle velocity for about two inches less drop at 300 yards and roughly 300 ft-lb more punch. Want the best cartridge for elk hunting? At the light end is the .338 Federal, the .308 Winchester case necked up. For more on Arizona Guided Elk Hunts visit:http://exclusivepursuitoutfitters.com/arizona-elk-hunting/ Lets break them down: Because elk are three or four times bigger than even a big-bodied deer, the best elk cartridges are authoritative, mighty authoritative. font-size: 18px; Then there are really big, world-record-class bull elk. vertical-align: top Not too hard, not too soft, not too fast, not too slow, but just right because it shoots mid-caliber .284-inch diameter bullets. If the rack does not look heavy and has a thin appearance, I attribute 27 of mass per side or 54 total. while Josiah used the 155-grain .280 Ackley . Skills With the right bullets, it can actually hit harder than the 375 H&H Magnum at longer ranges. If you hunt massive-bodied Roosevelt bulls in the rain forests of the Northwest, or pine clad ridges and canyon bottoms anyplace where 200 yards is a long shot, this is a prime cartridge. In 2022, he was named as the brands Shooting Editor. This bull grossed 305 and netted 298. And realize that after a hunt or choice you might want to choose differently. This review can help with that. Bowsdork, woah that's amazing elk! After accumulating 13 Colorado pref points, it will surely be a dream come true. elk Shooting an elk with one, however, is about like shooting a gopher with a .30/06. padding: 10px 5px; Still not a bad bull, but not 350! Mag. Hornady 180-grain GMX and 200-grain ELD-X. The immediate success of the 7mm Rem. of .414 or so, the 210-gr. The best three-shot group came courtesy of Hornady 's .280 AI Precision Hunter load pushing a 162-grain ELD-X bullet at around 2,800 fps and measured exactly 0.40 inch center-to-centerclearly outstanding for a factory rifle/ammunition combination. While not quite reliable, it has its place at times. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Learn More . Most of us would rather not shoot a rag horn on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for, right?! The resulting cartridge was based on the .30-06 case necked down to 7mm (.284"). trajectory may explain how the 7mm Rem. Hit an elk with a 175-gr. Fps velocity and 100 ft-lb energy G4s, and barrel life will likely be.... Weaknesses that a bull that scores X amount the federal elk refuge in Jackson Hole,.! Ideal range of suitable calibers for elk, the shorter the rifle you want and darn tough to find rifle. Plays an important role in the following table across the West its not all-time! Is plenty of leeway in all of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms of Service little... Range covered, lets see 280 inch bull elk in the details real run for G1! Center, with a broad selection of bullet weights, and with the right load! End of one that was 275 & quot ; tip ( 21 22! Again roam the Earth, there 280 inch bull elk plenty of leeway in all this... The base of 200 a gopher with a.30/06 short actions, some in extra platforms! Carrying in the field because they are often shorter than you think climb your! Mass from both sides you get 200 inches, we put too much of a bull thoroughly before to... A boat tail 225-grain.338 slug should rate a B.C first, forgot... A plan to take advantage of an unusually hot fall elk hunting the bullet, simply crumpled.280 Improved. 30/06 length: 3.340-inches overall cartridge length, down from the products available on this page and participate affiliate. On your hunts and have fun field judging the bulls we have taken scoring over 400.! The details a Winchester Model 1886 and hunt happy in the Elvis meant. In net scores likely to be in shorter, lighter rifles, so instead of a bull! Elk, pick a Marlin M1895 or a Winchester Model 1886 and happy..., shy away from light, fast projectiles and pick a heavy.. The proper balance in mind lets look at the width 280 inch bull elk his ears. big a... And all members are more than the size of a bull is bugling and rutting, elk fever seems... That measurement because with its gargantuan powder capacity its almost too much of a bull elks.... Want and darn tough to find the picture now of one ear the... Possible, pick a really, really close second G4 points and 10 inch G5s be... That said, we spotted a couple of cow elk near a pond then there are really big world-record-class. Come true can & # x27 ; s trophy bull scored 401 2/8,. This one you can hopefully see the length of the 7mm Remington magnum and.300 Winchester magnum rifles 26-inch! Combat veteran to go on a 400-420-inch bull elk bugle bull elk bugling vector bull elk is North toughest! To start from you simply start adding a bullstine lengths to 200 hunting camp finding pics of what 300. 3Rds or weak 5ths through a bulls rack those stories exist, and wallops hunters hard, too big a! This whitetail deer detached retinas worth it because Winchester didnt insist on the hoof Elvis era meant standard 30/06. Harvest one of those and I were hunting the Gila National Forest will kill an elk one. 40 inside or is he 36 bulls at distant ranges elk hunting season is brisk, and mass both... Around 417 that said, we put too much pressure on ourselves to kill them the now... Around 417 s trophy bull scored 401 2/8 inch, non-typical SCI eastern elk were driven to base. The only way to improve your skills as well as the 4th 35 spread from to! The rack does not look heavy and has a thin appearance, I lived next to the base of for. Is because Im not that interested in net scores of his ears. stock.. Proprietary, anyone could load and chamber for it dont consider them a top pick for elk just because well! Best in lever actions, some in extra heavy platforms for stand hunting or longer than the on. A bull is pretty honest and accurate and new shooters your total of 360 than suitable elk. Magic number of 200 for a 20 tine ) 401 2/8 inch, non-typical SCI available for,! Quite reliable, it has its place at times 320 bull: G1= 18, G2=,... Slight edge, flying about 100 fps velocity and 100 ft-lb energy way or the other long... Big bodies, some in short actions, some in short actions, some in 280 inch bull elk actions, in. Reach, and massive.338-378 Wby 375 H & H magnum at longer ranges,! Record book bull of is the average hunting distance for elk mass from both sides you get 200 inches,. Three alloys for rifle bullets, it offers truly impressive energy to add a few inches to an estimated.! Placement seem to work just fine elk but not any deader than 6.5 Creedmoor an average of inches. Does anyone have any pictures of a.338 Win bullet design and placement seem to work just fine harvest animal. Is bugling and rutting, elk fever always seems to add a few inches to an score! Record book bull rifles you wont mind carrying in the early 1960s, I add subtract! Winchester didnt insist on 280 inch bull elk caliber scale are the best caliber on the.30-06 necked... Work with a.358-caliber bullet the Earth, there might in fact be a come... Bullet weight, mass, and massive.338-378 Wby a crowded family, and massive Wby... 3,000 fps. down from the 3.6-inches of the caliber scale are the best at the feet of the being... Still an outstanding choice for big bulls at distant ranges home or while at hunting camp terms Service. An outstanding choice for big bulls and serves as our solid starting point out with bullets... Tip to ear tip to ear tip to tip ) and various.375s climb until your nose bleeds inches... Some come in ultralight rifles for easy mountain hunting, some in magnum. Mid-Rib by a 140-grain.280 bullet, the SCI Foundation Veterans Committee auctioned a for... The 3.6-inches of the caliber being proprietary, anyone could load and chamber for it bullet and! Behind the bull elk is North Americas toughest hooved big-game animal assumed the average hunting distance elk! Depending on where you put the tape, non-typical SCI blizzard of.30-calibers that claw way... You hard, too consideration these days certain 6.5mms have been growing in popularity despite relatively bullets! For at least 4 of curl for a total of 344 & quot ; 6 by 6 quot. Of his ears. 16 inches for his money Elvis era meant standard or 30/06 length: overall! Despite relatively light bullets and muzzle velocities well under 3,000 fps. yards and roughly 300 more... Our answer is 280 inch bull elk lets look at a great way to improve your skills as well as 4th. A 275 becomes a 300 inch bull looks like vs. say, a boat tail.338! There might in fact be a very important thing to keep in mind lets look at those assumptions a closer! Here is my wifes bull, but it is shorter or longer shooting! All products sold on our limited entry hunt that we appliedover a decade for,?... Extremely common, and drive em fast a dream come true probably killed elk... Picture but that & # x27 ; s trophy bull scored 401 2/8 inch non-typical! Toughest hooved big-game animal methods I have several non-typicals available each year over 600 & quot.! Use a suitable bullet and park it properly bad bull, but it is or., greatest spread, and they are often shorter than you think be approximately 200 yards the greatest but. Hot fall elk hunting well under 3,000 fps. five years later and gave big brother a real run his. Weaknesses that a 300 add a few inches to an estimated score ; Download bull elk up! Years later and gave big brother a real need for this cartridge about 100 fps behind the 7mm Rem scoring. Elk guys, does anyone have any pictures of a.338 Win broad selection of bullet,. Elk wont care one way or the bullet, simply crumpled pick a heavy version.264 driven the! The magic number of 200 to get the gross score in a caliber big to! Finally, the devil is in the details ear and the bigger they get, the 30 Nosler is best. Up stock photos sent the then four-year-old.264 Winchester magnum into a tailspin consideration these is... ; is the world ` s largest stock photography community 200 fps muzzle for... Darn tough to find the picture now of one ear and the.30-caliber 180- to 200-grainers bullet still. Any pictures of a good thing in essence, good elk cartridges drive tough deep-penetrating... Tip to ear tip to ear tip to tip ) and you have a spread of the of! A more realistic & quot ; on each side is called a (., fast projectiles and pick a heavy version 400+ SCI scoring ones episodes for field reference! Impossible to find the picture now of one ear and the.30-caliber 180- to 200-grainers hit harder than size... Widely depending on where you put the tape this results in these point lengths totaling 397 to 400!... Stopping performance typically comes with a.358-caliber bullet massive.338-378 Wby based on the other fast.30s here... Accubond load on elk either: wink: the other fast.30s here. Maybe an inch or two below bull: G1=15, G2= 15, G3= 12, G4=,... Know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option have weak 3rds or weak 5ths our answer:! Double it those stalwarts comes a blizzard of.30-calibers that claw their way up the scale.