Rifle Elk

[Kessler10]

I am heading back out to Montana in a few weeks to try and fill my bull tag. I was unsuccessful during archery, so going to dust off my rifle and try to fill the freezer. I am a non-resident of Montana so figured with how much I spent on the permit I should give it another go.

I have not used my rifle since I picked up a bow a few years back so need to sight her in. Any tips for sighting in my rifle for elk? Generally speaking I thought hitting 3 inches high at 100 yards would be a good rule of thumb. I would say 300 yards I am more than comfortable shooting, 400 yards probably being the max I would shoot with my .270 Short Mg and still be confident.

[Elkduds]

I thought hitting 3 inches high at 100 yards would be a good rule of thumb. I would say 300 yards I am more than comfortable shooting, 400 yards probably being the max I would shoot with my .270 Short Mg and still be confident.

Make sure you are on paper @ 25 or 50 b4 shooting expensive ammo @ 100. +3 @ 100 will work great, check online ballistic tables to see how low you'll be @ 300, 400. You may need to hold a little high @ 400. Using 150 gr? Good luck!

[Indian Summer]

Distances in the mountains can be deceiving. This is especially true when shooting up or downhill and even more so when shooting across a canyon where there's nothing but air between you and an elk. Bottom line: When gun hunting never leave home without a range finder.

Good luck Luke.

[swmoelk]

Ammunition websites have some decent tables and a few have calculators to show you where you'd be.
I'd guess 3"@100 would be -2 at 300 then -11" or so @ 400

[oldnovice]

Are you really sure you would shoot at an elk with 150gr at 400 yards? You would need to be a deadeye shot to be reasonably sure of a kill. That is a light bullet and doesn't carry a lot of energy at that range. I know there are people out there that have done it, so don't yell at me. Just being realistic.

[Elkduds]

Here are ballistic comparisons of bullet energy @ 400 yds, factory load velocities:

270 WSM 150 gr, 1660 ft/lb

7mm Rem mag 160 gr, 1800 ft/lb

30-06 180 gr, 1600 ft/lb

Source: Hornady Manual, 4th edition.

[Indian Summer]

Are you really sure you would shoot at an elk with 150gr at 400 yards? You would need to be a deadeye shot to be reasonably sure of a kill. That is a light bullet and doesn't carry a lot of energy at that range. I know there are people out there that have done it, so don't yell at me. Just being realistic.

On that note I would suggest getting the heaviest bullet you can for that caliber. Also, unless you have time to practice beyond 300 yards I would limit your range to that. Rifles are not magic wands.

[Indian Summer]

Here are ballistic comparisons of bullet energy @ 400 yds, factory load velocities:

270 WSM 150 gr, 1660 ft/lb

7mm Rem mag 160 gr, 1800 ft/lb

30-06 180 gr, 1600 ft/lb

Source: Hornady Manual, 4th edition.

.300 Remington Ultra Mag, 200 grain Nosler Accubond 4406 ft/lb. Git er dun! But you have to have the range finder and scope to use the tool properly.

To get an idea of what happens downrange.. that load is only pushing 2805 ft/lbs at 400 yards.

A 150 grainer in that caliber is producing 3964 ft/lbs at the muzzle and 2159 400 yards out.

[Elkduds]

Joe, how is your fall hunting?

BTW, 300 RUM 200 gr bullet only has 2000 ft/lb of energy left @ 400 yds

And shooter better be OK w considerable recoil to shoot it accurately, especially @ long range.

http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballis ... magbal.htm

[cohunter14]

Joe, how is your fall hunting?

BTW, 300 RUM 200 gr bullet only has 2000 ft/lb of energy left @ 400 yds

And shooter better be OK w considerable recoil to shoot it accurately, especially @ long range.

http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballis ... magbal.htm

That is with a Nosler Partition. An Accubond has a better ballistic coefficient, so will retain more energy. A lot also depends on what altitude you are shooting them at as well. If you plug in an Accubond at 3,025fps at 8,000 feet, it will retain 2,860 ft-lbs at 400 yards. At 4,000 feet, it retains just under 2,700 ft-lbs.

[Passin Thru]

Find an Elk first. Aim for the heart. Remember the 30 minute rule. My cousins hunt every year and they always talk about getting in a hurry and having to track a "dead" animal, lung shot and bleeding bad, yet getting up and running several times. I use a 270 WSM, Bolt action 24 in barrel and I won't reach farther than 400 yd. If he's at 440 you have a chance to sneak 5o yd.

[Kessler10]

thanks all for feedback.

After reading through some of the replies, I will admit not much experience hunting bull elk with my rifle, usually hunting with my bow. Which brings me to the point of why I am thankful for this forum. I learn. 150 gr is what I have sighted my rifle in with and what I will be shooting. So now I know a 400 yard shot would be pushing it with what I will be pushing, and in all honesty is not a range i probably would be comfortable with once I am in the mountains and have a bull in my crosshairs. 300 wil be my max.

Just went out last night and put 2 shots right on top of each other, 3 inches high at 100 yards. all set.

Sometimes takes a bit of reason to talk a guy down. Again, why i like this forum. good stuff. Thanks

[Indian Summer]

Bow hunters are the best gun hunters I would say. So if you see a bull at 400 yards I bet you can whittle that down to 300... or 150 if you try. Spot and stalk. Make sure you put that 150 grainer where you want it. No question it will do the job but elk are tough and hard to find when wounded so you wouldn't want to miss the mark. But... you're a bow hunter so you know that too Luke.

Good luck!