Many of us don't have the privilege of having majestic bull elk right in our own backyards. This means that elk hunting requires extensive planning and a significant financial commitment. Not only are elk tags costly, but there's also no guarantee that you'll be granted a tag for your preferred hunting area each season. Pursuing bull elk is a challenging endeavor, so it would be unwise to rely on a subpar cartridge for what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
While there are numerous options on the market suitable for elk hunting, I have carefully selected my top choices. When I find myself aiming at a magnificent Boone and Crockett bull, I want to have one of these reliable cartridges loaded in the chamber of my hunting rifle. These cartridges represent the pinnacle of elk hunting ammunition available to modern hunters.
6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 Creedmoor has earned widespread acclaim from both target shooters and hunters, solidifying its position as the top-selling cartridge worldwide. It enjoys an unwavering devotion from its fan base. However, when it comes to taking down sizable bull elk, the 6.5 Creedmoor is often regarded as a lighter contender. To ensure effectiveness, it is crucial to choose ammunition featuring a deep-penetrating, heavy-for-caliber bullet with controlled expansion, such as the Nosler Partition. Careful shot placement is equally important. Attempting to penetrate an elk's thick shoulder blade with one of these slender bullets can have severe consequences—it simply lacks the required power. It is advisable to wait for a good broadside opportunity, allowing the bullet to effortlessly traverse the vital areas. The 6.5mm bullet leaves little margin for error. Fortunately, the exceptional accuracy of the 6.5 Creedmoor simplifies shot placement, offering a seamless experience. It is no surprise that this cartridge is the preferred choice among elite long-range competitors. Notably, the 6.5 Creedmoor boasts significantly less recoil compared to the other cartridges on our list. This attribute makes it a wise selection for youth, women, and novice elk hunters.
Barnes Precision Match 6.5 Creedmoor
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.270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester, alongside the .30-06, stands as one of the oldest hunting cartridges on this compilation. However, its enduring popularity remains unmatched. If you frequently engage in elk hunting discussions, it's highly likely that you know someone who staunchly advocates for this cartridge.
Thanks to its long-standing reputation and widespread usage, finding ammunition for the .270 Win is a breeze, whether at a local sporting goods store or through online retailers. Furthermore, there exists a vast array of hunting rifles chambered in this caliber, offering options ranging from traditional lever actions to Browning BAR semi-automatic rifles.
Equipped with the appropriate bullet, the .270 Winchester holds the potential to bring down any bull traversing the North American terrain. Similar to the 6.5mm cartridges, opt for loads featuring bullets designed for weight retention and deep penetration.
The .270 propels 130- to 150-grain bullets at velocities surpassing 3100 fps, delivering over 2900 foot-pounds of energy. While it maintains its speed and energy remarkably well, it is advisable to limit your shots to within 400 yards for optimal results.
Sierra GameChanger .270 Winchester
Sierra GameChanger .270 Winchester
7mm Remington Mag
The first 7mm Rem Mag cartridges made their debut in the 1960s. Since then, elk hunters have fallen head over heels for the "seven mag" due to its high-velocity performance and excellent ballistic trajectory. However, during its early years, the cartridge gained a reputation for causing wounds, primarily because the 7mm bullets available at the time were ill-suited for handling the Rem Mag's blistering velocities. Fortunately, modern advancements in ammunition technology have addressed the initial concerns surrounding this cartridge. Present-day 7mm Rem Mag loads feature heavyweight bullets with robust jackets, ensuring they retain their integrity upon impact. Instead of fragmenting, these bullets retain their weight, allowing for deep and penetrating performance. When selecting ammunition, opt for loads with heavy controlled expansion bullets (such as the highly recommended Hornady SST bullets) designed specifically for the Rem Mag's velocity. It is advisable to avoid traditional soft points or lightweight bullets intended for whitetail deer. Despite being a magnum cartridge, the 7mm Rem Mag offers tolerable recoil while surpassing the performance of the venerable .30-06 Springfield. For instance, a 162-grain polymer-tipped projectile propelled by the 7mm Rem Mag achieves a muzzle velocity of 3030 fps. Even at a distance of 500 yards, the 7mm Rem Mag maintains a velocity of 2219 fps and carries 1772 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. These numbers provide ample energy to bring down elk, all while exhibiting an 8 ½-inch drop at the same distance compared to comparable .30-06 loads.
PPU 7mm Remington Mag
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30-06 Springfield
While the debate surrounding the best caliber for elk hunting continues, the .30-caliber has long held a prominent position. It's no surprise, then, that multiple .30-caliber rifle cartridges have made their way onto our list. When it comes to elk hunting (and deer hunting, for that matter), the .30-06 Springfield stands out as perhaps the most popular .30-caliber cartridge. In fact, it has likely filled more elk tags throughout history than any other rifle cartridge. It's entirely plausible that the "aught six" has taken down more elk than all the other cartridges on this list combined. The enduring success of the .30-06 can be attributed to its sustained popularity. Originally developed for military use, many soldiers returning from European war fronts after both World Wars developed a fondness for their service rifles and the cartridges they fired. Naturally, they reached for the same cartridge and rifle combinations when venturing into the woods to hunt. The same qualities that made the "aught six" effective on the battlefield also render it a formidable big game cartridge. The .30-06 consistently delivers accuracy and lethal terminal performance. Although it may not possess the eye-catching ballistics of popular magnum cartridges, the .30-06 exhibits ample power to bring down elk within a 300-yard range. A skilled marksman can even extend its effective range further. For optimal performance, load your elk rifle with heavy 180-grain bullets, which offer improved sectional density, a higher ballistic coefficient, and enhanced long-range capabilities. Moreover, advancements in modern ammunition have significantly enhanced terminal performance beyond what our predecessors experienced with their .30-06 elk rifles. While soft points were the bullets of choice in the past, modern bonded projectiles like the Nosler AccuBond or Hornady SST provide superior accuracy, deeper penetration, and reduced meat damage.
Sierra 30-06 Springfield
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.308 Winchester
The .308 Winchester stands as another favored hunting cartridge that frequently entices elk to grace the dinner table. While its design is officially based on the .300 Savage, the .308 Win is essentially a shortened version of the .30-06 cartridge. It shares the same head and body diameters as the .30-06, but with a slightly shorter case length, earning it the affectionate nickname of the "thirty not six." With reduced case capacity, the .308 moves at a slower velocity compared to the .30-06. However, elk seldom notice the difference. The .308 still possesses ample energy to bring down large bulls at distances up to 400 yards, given careful shot placement. To maximize downrange energy retention, opt for loads featuring high-ballistic-coefficient spire point profiles. While the .308 may lack the sheer power of certain other .30-caliber cartridges, it boasts several advantages. .308 Winchester rifles are lightweight, compact, exhibit low recoil, and are easy to handle. Due to its widespread popularity, there is a plethora of options available in both ammunition and rifle choices for elk hunters to select from.
308 Winchester: PMC/Vairog/Aguila/Saltech Swiss Range
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