There’s nothing quite like the rush of elk hunting. My first elk encounter at 19 changed my life forever. The stench of elk urine in the frosty October air, fresh tracks in the snow, and suddenly – a 4×5 bull standing just 30 yards away. My inexperienced hands jerked the trigger of my 7mm Remington Magnum, and somehow, that bull went down.
The following year, I returned with the same rifle and janky scope, taking nine shots at a bull before finally connecting. The problem wasn’t my caliber choice – the 7mm Rem. Mag. with 175-grain Remington Core-Lokt bullets is excellent for elk – but rather my lightweight rifle’s punishing recoil made me flinch with every shot.
Whether you’re a seasoned elk junkie or planning your once-in-a-lifetime hunt, choosing the best caliber for elk hunting shouldn’t be overwhelming. The right rifle and bullet combination is critical to your success, and the best elk hunting calibers balance stopping power with shootability. Let’s explore your options to help fill your freezer with tasty elk meat and maybe even hang a trophy on your wall.
Best Caliber for Elk Hunting
1. .300 Winchester Magnum
If you walk into a cowboy town out West in October and find it filled with hardcore elk hunters, you could ask the question, “What’s the best elk caliber of all time?” and get several different answers. However, several of those answers will be the same, and the agreed-upon caliber will likely be the .300 Winchester Magnum.
The things the elk masses like about the .300 Win. Mag. are many, but perhaps most of all, it’s a belted magnum. A belted magnum is a caliber with a belt of reinforcing metal around its base to provide additional strength and ensure proper head spacing when the cartridge is chambered in the rifle. Belted magnum cartridges are ideal for high-pressure loads designed to harvest big-game animals, like bull elk, at long distances.
Bull Elk are big, tough, heavy-boned critters, and the .300 Win. Mag., developed by Winchester Repeating Arms in 1963 for use in the Model 70 rifle, delivers a high muzzle velocity and remarkable kinetic energy. This combo ensures fast, efficient kills on big-bodied bulls weighing as much as 1,000 pounds at ranges close and far.
Top elk .300 Win. Mag bullets like Hornady’s 178 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter have a muzzle velocity of 2,960 fps (26-inch barrel) and hit with over 2,000 foot-pounds of energy at 400 yards. If zeroed at 200 yards, bullet drop is only 6.6 inches at 300 yards and 18.8 inches at 400 yards.
As velocity drops at a distance, the Heat Shield tip drives backward into the bullet to initiate expansion, giving elk hunters that much-coveted mushroom.
While Hornady’s 178 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter is an elk killer, there are many .300 Win. Mag. ammo that will get the job done. This is another reason elk hunters covet the caliber. Reloaders can get loads sizzling from the barrel over 3,000 fps, but factory loads also come in many bullet styles and grain weights and are readily available.
I just returned from an amazing African safari. In eight days of hunting, I harvested 10 big-game animals. Nine of those animals were taken with Browning’s X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber chambered in .300 Win. Mag. The bullet for this hunt was Winchester’s 190-grain Expedition Big Game AccuBond LR. I love a bonded bullet, and this load proved exceptional on this hunt. If it will put down an eland—Africa’s largest spiral-horned antelope at over 400 yards—it will destroy a big old bull elk. I am confident in this caliber, especially after toting across the big pond.
The Best Newbie Elk Caliber
2. 28 Nosler
Introduced in 2015 by Nosler, the .28 Nosler was primarily the result of the manufacturer’s fantastic success with the .26 Nosler.
The idea was to take a 7mm (.284 inch) cartridge and create a caliber capable of pushing a 160-grain bullet at speeds over 3,300 fps. Nosler was confident that a bullet with this weight and speed would shoot fast and flat and wreak havoc on large game like bull elk. Was Nolser right?
I respect many elk hunters, but no more than legendary hunter Scott Haugen and my good friend and hunting buddy Jason Weaver. What do both of these remarkable elk hunters have in common?
Their favorite elk rifle is the 28 Nosler. That should be all the proof you need. The shortened and necked-down .300 Rem. Ultra Mag. case allows for a large powder density, and the excellent ballistics provide better wind resistance at longer ranges. The wind is to be expected in the elk woods. When you shoot a caliber that pushes a heavier bullet at high speeds, the bullet cuts through the wind better, reducing the Kentucky windage factor and eliminating much guesswork.
When it comes to 28 Nosler ammo, you won’t find it at most box stores, and even most mom-and-pop gun shops have a difficult time keeping it in stock. I recommend reloading your 28 Nosler ammo or finding a factory load you like and buying it in bulk.
Weaver likes Nosler’s 160-grain AccuBond Trophy Grade. Loaded with Nosler AccuBond bullets, because the white polymer tip ensures accuracy and smooth chambering. The bullet’s boattail design provides a proper elk-killing weight retention platform. The bullet hits with 2,080 foot-pounds of energy at 500 yards and, if zeroed at 200 yards, drops 29.8 inches.
Best Elk Hunting Caliber for Open Country
3. 7mm Remington Magnum
As you’ve read, my first-ever bull elk was harvested with a 7mm Remington Magnum. My first three bulls fell to that rifle, and while I wouldn’t say I liked its recoil, the shoulder abuse was partly due to a poor gun make. Most elk-killing calibers can be shoulder-busters. However, improvements in rifle design—better recoil pads, brakes, etc.—make shooting high-powered calibers non-problematic.
A popular and versatile caliber, 7mm Rem. Mag. ammo comes in various bullet weights, typically between 140 and 175 grains. 7mm Rem. Mag. ammo is readily available, allowing elk-goers to choose the best option for their specific elk-hunting needs. A lighter bullet that still hits with a wallop is an excellent choice for a long, cross-canyon shot, while a heavier bullet is a solid go-to for those who hunt in deep, dark timber and want right-now knock-down power.
Introduced by the Remington Arms Company in 1962, the caliber is based on the highly coveted .375 H&H, which was necked down to accept a 7mm (.284 inch) bullet. The design choice allowed for an increased powder charge and increased velocity compared to existing 7mm cartridges.
From 1962 through the early 1980s, Remington’s Model 700 Rifle action in a 7mm Rem. Mag. was popular with elk enthusiasts. And, it’s still popular today. Tried-and-true wins in the elk woods, I promise. My favorite 7mm Rem. Mag. ammo is still Remington’s legendary freezer-filler: Core-Lokt. As mentioned, the 175-grain Core-Lokt was the only reason I could harvest my first three bulls. Other than the neck shot, my other two shots were terrible.
The Pointed Soft Point Core Lokt bullet hits like a ton of bricks, expands perfectly, as a soft-point bullet should, and causes massive trauma. Muzzle velocity is 2,860 fps, and the bullet boats a ballistic coefficient of .427. This is the type of bullet I want when 300-yard-and-in shots are likely.
Best Outlier Elk Caliber
4. .264 Winchester Magnum
I often tell people my buddy, who I’ve already written about in this article, is the best elk hunter you’ve never heard of. When Jason Weaver doesn’t have his long-range, custom-built 28 Nosler, he totes his .264 Winchester. It makes an excellent saddle gun, and twice, I’ve seen Weaver make one-shot kills on elk over 400 yards with this rifle.
The .264 Winchester Magnum was brought to life by Winchester Repeating Arms in 1959. This is another remarkable elk caliber that has withstood the test of time. Winchester wanted to expand its magnum cartridge offerings and build a rifle that would compete with and possibly trump the .270 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum.
A belted magnum, the .264 Win., was derived from the .375 H&H magnum. The caliber was necked down to accept a .264 (6.5mm) bullet. When Winchester offered the caliber in a well-priced Model 70 Westerner, elk hunters noticed.
Suppose you’re reloading, which if you’re interested in the .264 Win. Mag., you should be (factory ammo is difficult to find); it’s hard to beat a 140-grain Partition bullet. Long and thin, these .26 caliber bullets are fast, accurate, and hit hard. If you want to use the .264 Win. Mag. route but chamber factory ammo, go with Nosler’s Trophy Grade 130-grain AccuBond.
Best Elk Hunting Caliber for 300 yards+
5. .338 Winchester Magnum
No, it’s not actually overkill, but the .338 Win. Mag. is known more for use on cape buffalo, bison, and grizzly than it is for elk. Those who’ve never shouldered the .338 Win. Mag. often rave about its bad recoil. Oddly enough, unless the rifle you’re shouldering is junk, this round doesn’t beat up the shoulder too badly when considering length, width, and impact power. If you’re looking for an excellent elk gun that will take down dangerous game in other parts of the world, this caliber will serve you well.
Once again, when looking at this caliber, we must pay homage to the .375 H&H. The .338 Win. Mag. jumped on the scene in 1958 as a short magnum. A full 0.36 inches shorter than its parent cartridge, the .338 Win. Mag. could be chambered in an elk hunter’s favorite, the Winchester Model 70 rifle.
.338 Win. Mag. ammo is typically found in the 200 to 250-grain bullet range. The caliber promises remarkable penetration. The heavy-grain weight bullets will blow through dense bone, making high-shoulder shots a .338 Win. Mag. users favorite. Also, because the bullets hit with such extreme energy, shots can be taken at challenging angles.
A few years back, one of my elk hunting buddies told me he took his most giant bull, a 350-class 6×6, from 270 yards. The shot angle was severely downhill, and the bull was quartering hard to him. He’s told me multiple times a hard quartering-to-angle on elk; if the hunter is shooting an appropriate caliber and, more importantly, an appropriate bullet, is an ultra-deadly shot angle. My elk amigo noted the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip in his Federal Premium bullet blew through the point of the shoulder, hammered through ribs and organs, pushed through a soggy grass-filled gut, and was just under the skin on the opposite side. Impressive!
While the ammo mentioned above works wonderfully on elk, I recommend a higher BC bullet that will be more accurate at longer ranges. Push the grain weight to 225 grains, and experiment with the hotness of your load.
Best PRC Elk Caliber
6. 7mm PRC
I don’t think many will tar-and-feather me when I write that Hornady’s PRC line (6.5, 7, and 300) forever changed the face of accuracy. Many of you who read the “Best PRC” headline and don’t see the colon followed by “300 PRC “rolled your eyes. Hear me out, though.
Last fall, I shot three bull elk with all three PRC calibers. The 7mm PRC won my heart. Why?
Another fantastic Hornaday creation, the 7mm PRC is based on the .375 Ruger cartridge, necked down to accept 7mm bullets. The case length is 2.28 inches and is roughly 3.34 inches long. The bullet diameter is .284 (7mm), and the cartridge was designed to give hunters and competition shooters high velocities and maintain exceptional energy over long distances. The recoil is extremely manageable, especially if you purchase a quality rifle in this caliber.
Last fall, while hunting with the man who got me into hunting, I called a pair of bulls from dense cover at the bottom of a deep, gnarly canyon. My buddy and I were on the caprock above, and the bulls were closing the distance too fast to get down. My buddy is an elk-hunting nut, and at 66 years old, he knows his days of hardcore, public land, DIY backcountry elk hunting are numbered. His rifle/scope combo couldn’t make the 476-yard shot to the bottom of the canyon. I quickly got him prone and handed him my 7mm PRC. His shot was at an extreme downhill angle, and the bull was slightly quartering to him. The 155-grain Federal Terminal Ascent bullet smashed through the front shoulder, and the bull was down in seconds.
Due to the distance and the fact that the second bull was lovesick and couldn’t pinpoint where the shot came from, he ran back about 30 yards and stopped when I cow called. I traded places with my friend, settled the crosshairs, and turned the dial to 525 yards on my Leupold VX-5 HD scope. The bull was quartering away, and though the shot was a little further back than I wanted, the bullet blew through a stomach filled with heavy prairie grass and broke the opposite front shoulder.
Federal’s Terminal Ascent 7mm PRC 155 Grain leaves the muzzle at 3,100 fps, has an extremely high ballistic coefficient, and the exclusive Slipstream polymer tip initiates low-velocity expansion. At 500 yards, the round still hits with over 1,800 foot-pounds of energy.
Those considering making the 7mm PRC their next elk rifle should know that because it’s a relatively new caliber, ammo can be hard to come by. I purchase my ammo directly from Federal and Hornady. I have tested my Browning X-Bolt Speed LR 7mm PRC with Hornady’s 175 gr ELD-X Precision Hunter, and it’s an ultra-accurate round. I’ve rattled steel out to 700 yards with it, and the 175-grain ELD-X bullet still posts a muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps.
Best Lever-Action Rifle Caliber for Elk Hunting
7. .45-70 Gov’t
Known as the .45-70 Government, this caliber was introduced by the U.S. Army in 1873 for use in the Springfield Model 1873. The bullet diameter is .458 inches, and the case length is 2.105 inches.
This is not your caliber if you’re looking for a long-range shooter. However, this caliber is an excellent go-to if you’re looking for a great saddle gun to cause massive trauma on bulls within 150 yards. The .45-70 Government is also ideal for those who chase bulls in thick timber and put a premium on getting within muzzleloader range.
Most .45-70 rifle builds allow for easy scope mounting and will showcase shorter barrels. The shorter barrel makes the rifle excellent for off-hand shooting. Short-barreled rifles are highly maneuverable, and while recoil can be an issue, especially when shooting a heavy-grain elk bullet, this caliber is an elk-killing kingpin.
Winchester’s Super-X ammo has been a fan-favorite since 1922, and if you’re looking for a great, heavy-grain round to pair with your .45-70 lever-action shooter, this ammo fits the bill. The 300-grain jacketed hollow point ensures explosive impact and consistent expansion. A straight-wall round, the bullet leaves the muzzle at a respectable 1,880 fps and zeroed at 100 yards; drop is a manageable 12.2 inches at 200 yards.
Read Also: Best Straight Walled Cartridges
Most Accurate Elk Caliber
8. .280 Ackley Improved
I can’t write a big-game caliber article without mentioning the .280 Ackley Improved. My good friend, fantastic elk hunter, and caliber fanatic, Aram von Benedikt turned me onto this caliber about five years ago. It is one of my favorite calibers for any big game. I’ve been asked several times why I love the .280 Ackley Improved. The answer is simple: The caliber is accurate, hits hard at close and far ranges, and is super fun to shoot. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that I’ve killed a handful of big bull elk with it.
A wildcat caliber brought to life by P.O Ackley, the .280 Ackley Improved is a modified version of the original .280 Remington. The change was altering the cartridge’s shoulder angle to 40 degrees to increase the case capacity. The modification allows for higher velocities and improved performance, especially accuracy and downrange energy retention. The sharper shoulder allows for a more consistent powder burn, which leads to exceptional downrange accuracy.
With Kimber’s Mountain Ascent chambered in .280 Ackley Improved in 2021, I took my largest bull ever. The shot angle was quartering away, and Federal’s Terminal Ascent .280 Ackley Improved 155-grain bullet hammered through nearside liver/lung and broke down the opposite front shoulder. The bull was 264 yards away and only made it another 10 yards after the shot.
I’ve mentioned Terminal Ascent bullets several times in this article because I’ve had remarkable success with them. I love the bullet’s high BC and the fact that you get match-grade accuracy in a long-range bonded hunting bullet. With this bullet chambered in .280 Ackley Improved, I feel the maximum range for an elk hunter should be 500 yards. At 500 yards, the .586 BC bullet travels around 2,180 fps and will hit with a tick over 1,600 foot-pound of energy.
If you’re looking for an uber-accurate caliber that will also work extremely well on mule deer, pronghorn, Dall sheep, mountain goat, whitetail deer, and many other species of North American big game, the .280 Ackley Improved is an excellent choice.
Best Elk Cartridge with Low Recoil
9. .270 Winchester
We realize this title could cause some controversy, which is fine. We could have easily slugged the .30-06 Springfield with this title. However, the fact remains, the .270 Win. has been and remains a trusted caliber for elk.
My hunting mentor mentioned earlier in this article, has over 80 elk kills with a .270 Winchester. While his furthest shot was, as he says, “about 400 yards,” most of his elk kills came inside 200 yards. Like many .270 Winchester lovers, my elk amigo appreciated the caliber’s high velocity, pinpoint accuracy, bullet availability, and reduced recoil compared to other elk-killing calibers.
When hunting elk, your maximum range should be 450 yards unless you’re ultra-familiar with your rifle and can hit the exact hair you’re aiming at. It’s important to know that most modern-day .270 Win. rifles feature a 1:10 rifling twist rate to 150-grain bullets. While a 150-grain bullet isn’t necessarily light for elk, it doesn’t hit with as much energy as a heavier-grain bullet at longer distances. Beyond 250 yards, I recommend a center lung shot rather than trying to go high-shoulder.
Brought to life by Winchester Repeating Arms in 1925 and derived from the .30-.03 Springfield Win., the .270 Win. case was necked down to accept a .277-inch bullet. Oddly, the .270 Win. didn’t go gangbusters out of the gate. It wasn’t until popular outdoor writer Jack O’Connor started putting his stamp of approval on the caliber in the late 1920s and early 1930s that it grew in popularity.
Winchester’s Super-X Power Point in 150-Grain and Remington’s Core-Lokt 150 Grain are excellent Soft Point bullet options and work fantastic on elk. However, if you’re looking to go a little lighter bullet that promises maximum precision, Nosler’s 130GR Partition Trophy Grade is a solid choice. Loaded with a 130-grain Spitzer Partition Bullet, muzzle velocity is 3,500 fps, and if zeroed at 100 yards, drop at 300 yards is a mere 11 inches. While dial-to-the-yard turrets are ideal, I know a lot of elk hunters who’ve mastered the feel of their .270 Win. on shots inside of 400 yards and know their exact holdovers.
Best Short-Action Mountain Hunting Elk Caliber
10. Browning 6.8 Western
Designed specifically for western hunters by the masterminds at Browning, the 6.8 Western is one of my all-time favorite calibers. Relatively new, it is widely accepted, and while I’ve had excellent success with Browning’s 175-grain Long Range Hunter Pros, many ammo manufacturers now offer 6.8 Western ammo.
What I love about the Long Range Pro Hunters is the 175-grain Sierra Tipped Gameking bullets. On a recent trip to Africa, I watched this bullet cause devastating, one-shot kills on six species of African big game, including sable and roan antelope. While many of the bullets passed through the game, I found four, including one I sent into a 375-yard gemsbok, just under the hide on the animals’ opposite side. All bullets were perfectly mushroomed. Expansion was controlled, and energy loss was minimal.
My good friend and big-game hunting legend Scott Haugen was so impressed with the caliber and bullet he ordered a new Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR chambered in 6.8 Western and a case of 175-grain Long Range Pro Hunters.
The 6.8 Western’s impressive features include its perfect blend of long-range accuracy, felt recoil, and terminal ballistics. It is based on the popular .270 Winchester Short Magnum case. However, the case length was reduced to accommodate heavier, high-BC bullets while still fitting into a short action to ensure rapid cycling. Most bullets range in weight between 165 and 175 grains.
Since 2021, this caliber has become extremely popular with the elk hunting crowd. It has long-range capability and excellent knock-down power.
30-30 For Elk
11. .30-30 Winchester
The .30-30 Winchester wasn’t designed for long-range performance. Its traditional flat or round-nose bullets limit its effective range to about 150 yards maximum for ethical elk hunting. At this range, bullet energy and velocity remain sufficient for clean kills with proper shot placement.
Modern ammunition options have improved the .30-30’s capabilities. Hornady’s LeverEvolution with FTX bullets extends the effective range slightly while maintaining terminal performance. Buffalo Bore’s heavy 190-grain load pushes the envelope further, delivering impressive energy for the cartridge class.
A .30-30 paired with a quality lever-action rifle like the Marlin 336 or Winchester Model 94 creates a lightweight, fast-handling package that’s ideal for hunting in thick timber where elk shots often present at close range. The mild recoil allows for quick follow-up shots if needed.
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Elk Hunting Rifle
I appreciate that rifle manufacturers have beefed up their lines and offer various rifle styles in plenty of elk-killing calibers. When choosing my elk hunting rifle, I first consider my elk hunting style.
Horseback: Many elk hunters, including me, hunt from horses. Horses are fantastic for elk hunting. Some of you may not own a horse or aspire to go on a horseback elk hunt, but the outfitter you book with may use horses, so keep that in mind. I prefer a light, short, maneuverable bolt-action rifle that rides well in a scabbard when using horses.
Sit-and-Wait: One of my good hunting buddies is a sit-and-wait elk hunter. He uses his vehicle, UTV, and legs to access vantage points overlooking areas where he expects elk to be. His goal is to shoot elk within 800 yards of his location. For this reason, he opts for a heavier, longer-barrel rifle that allows for bipod attachment.
Spot-and-Stalk: My favorite way to hunt elk is to glass them from a distance and use the wind and terrain to slip within 250 yards. I love getting close to game. I recommend a lightweight, maneuverable rifle for elk hunters who are constantly on the move. I look for makes with synthetic stocks, barrel lengths between 22 and 24 inches, synthetic stock, and a fluted bolt, barrel, or both. You don’t want your rifle to weigh you down.
When choosing the right elk rifle for you, consider where and how you hunt.
How to Choose the Best Caliber for Elk Hunting
While I focus more on bullets than I do on a specific caliber, I recommend going bigger than smaller when it comes to elk. As mentioned, elk are big and tough. A sage nine or 10-year-old bull elk has survived so much, and he doesn’t have an ounce of quit in him. For this reason, if elk are your primary focus, go with a 7mm Rem. Mag. over a .270 Win., and a .300 Win. Mag. over a .30-06 Springfield.
As with choosing an elk rifle, you should also consider the terrain in which you hunt. You want to select an excellent long-range caliber if you know shots will be longer. If you know 90 percent of your shots will come in deep, dark timber, you can opt for a straight-wall caliber like the 45-70 Gov’t.
Choosing the Best Round for Elk Hunting
The bullet you choose matters more than your caliber when hunting elk. Sure, the caliber gets all the attention, but the best round for elk hunting combines the right bullet construction with enough weight to get the job done. Elk are tough animals – they’re muscle machines with heavy bones that demand bullets capable of deep penetration while creating deadly wound channels.
Bonded bullets work amazingly well on elk. These rounds have the lead core chemically stuck to the copper jacket, so they don’t fall apart on impact. They expand consistently and keep most of their weight. I’ve personally had great success with Nosler AccuBonds – they’ve dropped elk where they stood on multiple occasions.
You’ve got plenty of other solid options too. Federal’s Terminal Ascent combines match-grade accuracy with devastating damage. Sierra-Tipped Gamekings give reliable expansion thanks to their polymer tips, and Barnes TTSX all-copper bullets punch through thick hide and bone like nobody’s business.
For those long shots across canyons, Hornady’s ELD-X bullets maintain speed at distance while still opening up reliably when they hit. If you’re hunting somewhere that doesn’t allow lead, solid copper bullets from Barnes or Hornady’s CX line will serve you just as well.
When picking bullet weight, go heavy for your caliber. Shooting a 6.5mm? Skip the 120-grain and grab 140-grain or heavier bullets. For 7mm cartridges, stick with 150 to 175-grain options. And if you’ve got a .30 caliber, anything from 165 to 200 grains will deliver the energy you need for clean kills.
Your hunting scenario should dictate bullet construction too. Hard, bonded bullets shine at close range where velocity is high. If you’re planning shots at longer distances, softer bullets with thinner jackets might perform better since they’ll hit with less speed. The best round for elk hunting matches your rifle and the conditions you’ll actually face in elk country – not what some internet expert claims is “the ultimate elk slayer.
FAQs on Elk Hunting
How much should I spend on an elk rifle?
While this is entirely up to you, I always recommend rifles like Browning’s X-Bolt and X-Bolt 2 Speed rifles to elk hunters. Remington Model 700 platforms, Kimber’s Hunter and Mountain Ascent, Winchester’s XPR, and Savage’s 110 Family are all excellent choices. Of course, you can never go wrong with custom-made rifles; however, you’ll need to get your checkbook out. You can get into an excellent elk rifle for under $1,100, and yes, you can go cheaper. The problem with lesser elk rifles is often weight, recoil, and overall functionality. Take my old-school 7mm Rem. Mag. It got the job done, but I hated shooting it. It rocked my shoulder every time I pulled the trigger, which meant I was never as accurate with that rifle as I should have been.
What is the best bullet grain weight to use on elk?
I spoke to an accomplished elk hunter recently who told me he killed an inside 100-yard Centennial State bull with a single, well-placed shot with a 130-grain bullet fired from his 6.5 PRC. While I don’t consider the 6.5 PRC the best elk caliber on the planet, bullet performance, in many ways, trumps caliber. A few of my favorite elk bullets include Berger’s Hybrid, Remington’s Core-Lokt, Barnes TSX, Hornady’s MonoFlex, and Nosler’s Partition. The more you read and learn about bullets and understand how specific bullets perform from the time they leave the barrel through impact, the more informed decisions you can make.
What is the best caliber for elk?
We gave the 300 Win. Mag. a “Best Overall” award, and if you go with it, you get a superior elk killer and an excellent crossover rifle. However, all of the calibers mentioned in this article, and several that weren’t, are remarkable for elk.
Should I shoot a PRC for elk?
Why not? PRC stands for Precision Rifle Cartridge. I’ve extensively tested each caliber, and while I don’t slug the 6.5 PRC an “elk caliber”,” it is a flat, fast, and ultra-accurate shooter. I do like the caliber for youth shooters or small-framed hunters. My Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro Tungsten barely moved my shoulder thanks to the 130-grain ammo, Inflex Recoil Pad, and Hawg muzzle brake. Plus, I killed a 300-yard-plus bull with it. It’s all about bullet choice and placement, remember?
If I had to pick three elk calibers for the rest of my days, they would be the 7mm PRC, 300 PRC, and .300 Win. Mag. in that order.
Why is felt-recoil talked about so much?
Shoot an unfriendly rifle—one that shocks the shoulder and body—and you’ll never want to shoot it again. Part of becoming a consistent elk hunter is being able to execute during the moment of truth. Shot execution can only be mastered by spending a lot of time behind the trigger. And not only on a bench with your rifle in a vise and a pad on your shoulder. Proper practice should include shooting from sticks, shooting off-hand, shooting prone from a backpack, etc. If you don’t like to shoot your rifle because of recoil, you won’t want to practice with it, and you’ll develop a flinch. Always pick a rifle and caliber that promises manageable recoil.
Final Thoughts on Selecting an Elk Caliber
Elk hunting gets romanticized—and rightfully so. Watch a mud-stained bull stride through golden aspens just once, and you’ll be hooked for life. The beauty masks the brutality though. Few pursuits test your physical and mental limits like a DIY public-land elk hunt. Your muscles will scream, your lungs will burn, and your mind will beg you to quit at least a dozen times. That’s just part of what makes elk hunting special.
All that suffering makes shot opportunity sacred. When you finally earn that moment—after days of climbing mountains and calling until your throat’s raw—you need absolute confidence in your setup. The best caliber for elk hunting isn’t necessarily the biggest or most powerful; it’s the one you can shoot accurately when your heart’s pounding out of your chest and your lungs are on fire.
What caliber to hunt elk with comes down to personal preference and capability. A perfectly placed shot from a .270 will outperform a poorly placed shot from a .300 magnum every time. Pick something you can shoot well, load it with premium bullets designed for big game, and practice until that rifle becomes an extension of yourself.
Because when that bull finally steps out at the right moment—after all your preparation, sweat, and determination—nothing should stand between you and filling your freezer except your own ability to execute the shot.
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