Best Elk Cartridges! Really?

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Produced by: @red11media

Welcome to the RSO Podcast! In this episode, I read an article I wrote about an amazing pronghorn hunt I went on in Colorado.

Links:

Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Produced by: @red11media

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[matthewgrice]

Grew up using my fathers 2 guns. A 30-30 model 94 and 16 ga wingmaster. When I purchased my first gun I went with the .300 win mag. My father always talked of going to Wyoming and hunting elk with an old friend of his. So I picked something he could use in Wyoming. Unfortunately his friend died of a heart attack (while elk hunting, high elevation), and he gave up on the idea. We live in Michigan and there is a very limited elk hunt here. Lottery only. After my father retired he luckily drew a tag and had his chance to hunt elk. He used my .300 win mag and dropped a 6x6 with one shot. It didn't even take one step from where it stood when he shot. He no longer hunts because of his health, but he did get to realize his dream of hunting elk (albeit not in Wyoming.
Thanks for your videos. Very informative.

[DaveL]

.30/06 for of situations a hunter is going to encounter in the woods in US and Canada. The .30/06 with 180 grain Accubond will drop just about any size elk there is at less than 500 yards. Extremely good round.

[MathiasNygrd]

I think the .308 Win is the most common moose-cartridge up here in Finland. Close second is the 30-06 and they will both put down a moose within the normal range of 100m.

[jamesblount]

Ron. I grew up poor and I still am. All I ever wanted to do was travel the world and hunt. I never knew I had to focus on writing to make that dream come true. I always struggle with journalism in highschool. I have never had the opportunity to harvest an animal at much more than 200 yards. I spent my life savings for my one and only elk hunt in Wyoming. My grandpa's old 30-06 didn't have any problem putting down an elk. The 180 bullets passed completely through the elk at 225 yards. I am sure there are better options for elk but it's all I had.

[anthonygraeber]

My 7mm Rem Mags have never failed me since 1978. From my first elk hunt till now, I've loved 7 Mag. One shot- one elk.

[josh]

What's amazing to me is the sheer number of videos and articles that host these arguments over and over again. Even more amazing is the fanfare they bring in as people argue and contest which is actually the best, as if there is the one and only. Truly, I am amazed. It's like dogs fence fighting while the gate is wide open.

[ronlowney]

🤠 You know Ron, I spent the first half of my hunting career trying to prove my Grandfather's wrong about their 270 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield with my Big Magnums - and the second half proving them right, by finally taking their advice! 😉 P.S.They Were Right and I Was Wrong! 🤑 Here's to you Gramps! 🍻

[angus]

65 years old. Hunted elk on our ranch for 50 years. First rifle was a .303 lee enfield, paid $30 for it, killed elk. Bought a .270 Remington 7600 that killed a lot of big bulls with nosler partitions. Last bull killed was a .243 heart shot with my coyote sniper rifle while predator hunting during elk season. It’s not what you shoot, it’s how you shoot it.

[TheRedRocket]

I bagged my first elk 42 years ago using a Remington model 700 ADL in .30-06 (with the 180 grain bullet). A few years later, I took one with my old Winchester model 71 in .348 Winchester. My current favorite is the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .450 Marlin. As my eyes grow older, those longer shots are no longer in the cards. I have found that good bullet placement and good bullet construction are key. The best rifle and cartridge is whatever works best for you. Just don't go "under gunned", as my Dad used to say.

[januszkumala]

I am from Poland. Our red deer are similar to your wapiti. The characteristics of hunting in Europe are different to those in North America. Me and my father use 30-06 for red deer. 30-06 is very versatile. The 9.3x62 is a great caliber and it's fun to shoot.

[gl]

Ron, I thought this was one of your best posts ever. Your discussions included lots of factors like recoil, importance of bullet choice and accuracy. Enjoyed this one immensely. Also the fact that though there are lots of new cartridges out there, your best are all tried, true, and classics.

[ralphlivingston]

Ron! such a dizzying array of cartridges! I'm reminded of the fact that in the seventeen hundreds, When Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton went over the mountain into Kentucky, the land was bountiful with game, including Elk and Bison. It didn't take long for the settlers to eradicate the Elk and bison using their Pennsylvania longrifles. Later, as the settlements moved across the Mississippi River black powder cartridges almost completed the extinction. Yes, hunting conditions have changed, but the animals are the same. The fact remains that even a fifty caliber roundball with a .068 BC will take big game. I've done it. I've also taken game with a Sharps rifle with a black powder 40-70 cartridge. That said, your comment on bullet placement is the deciding factor of success.

[bubbacole]

The best Cartridge is the gun you have confidence in, that you hunt with. For me, its my Winchester Model 70 in 7MM Rem Mag. I purchased it in 1979, I've hunted all over the U.S., Canada and Alaska. I won't hunt with any other gun. It's my confidence gun. It's topped with a Leupold VX-1 in 3 X 9. Another Great Video Ron! Keep them coming!!

[jeffreybean]

Never gone Elk hunting but if I get to go I'll use my 30-06... Good video Ron 👍

[jakepiemme]

280 ackley improved is the sweet spot! 7mm mag performance, almost with recoil like the 270, 30 06 range. Fast approaching 50 with lymes disease so my joint don't like the magnum experience anymore. That 280 fills the spot perfectly

[FredHenry]

I love General Chuck Yeager! I read his autobiography twice in high school. He lived an extraordinary life. He is known for his breaking the sound barrier in the X-1, but he flew from WW2 all the way past Vietnam. I met him at an air show along with Bud Anderson. It was one of the highlights of my youth.

[stevewaterhouse]

Lots of respect For Jim Zumbo he wrote for years with outdoor life, loved his writing style !

[EdAb]

Elk hunting legend Randy Newberg is often asked, 'what caliber do I need to kill an elk.' To which he responds,
'Probably the caliber you already have.' This from an elk hunting master, who primarily uses the 308 Winchester and 7mm-08.

[charlesperry]

Of the rifles I own, I would choose 30-06, 300 Win Mag, and 375 H&H Mag. I would probably choose 30-06 first just because I have hunted with that rifle for 25 years. I know that rifle. I know where it will hit. It is my go to rifle.

[vinceevans]

I started elk hunting with a used JC Higgins - Swedish Mauser action - 30/06. Purchased it in 1967 for $125.00 and they threw in a box of ammo. Used it for years until I replaced it with a 300 win mag. That win mag started to get heavier each year. I searched the back of my gun cabinet and found the old JC Higgins 30/06. I had a .338 Douglas barrel installed and after some trigger and stock work, I have a super accurate 338/06 elk rifle. A 210gr Barnes bullet takes them down every time.