270 WSM?

[VT Sasquatch]

Do any if you guys shoot the 270 short magnum for elk? Forgetting ammo price and availability, would you take a 270 WSM over a .308 / .30-06 for elk?

[cohunter14]

I have not personally used a 270 WSM for elk, but I see no issue with it. Would I prefer it over a 30-06 or .308 on elk? Probably not just because you can load up heavier bullets in the .30 caliber options. Outside of that, the difference is pretty minimal.

[VT Sasquatch]

Thanks for the reply. I have a 308 and a 30-06 and I feel like they do pretty much the same thing. I am considering buying another rifle that would have a longer MPBR because I have difficulty estimating distances beyond about 150 or 200 yards. I am thinking long shots way be more likely for elk with the open meadows. I figure a Barnes TTSX or similar in 140-150 grains would do the job with a good shot. A 30-06 has an MPBR of 269 yards with a 180 grain bullet compared to 311 yards from a 270 WSM with a 150 grain. 300 WSM has even better MPBR. Are shots over 250 yards common in places like Colorado?

(Sorry for all of the questions but I am a novice)

[VT Sasquatch]

The more I think about it, the more I think a range finder may be more useful to me that a flatter shooting rifle. I'm thinking that I might just buy a decent range finder and make sure that I keep my shots within 250 yards.

[pointysticks]

how do you sight your rifle?

i set my 30.06 up for hitting 3" high at 100 yards.

(from my lame memory). this puts me 1.4" high at 200 and 4" low at 300. i see an elk in that range, i just put my cross hairs middle of the killzone. it worked for me on my elk. i did this because i figured emotionally, i would come unglued if i get to an elk. i would not have presence of mind to do any math.

[cohunter14]

Like Cliff said, just adjust your zero range to extend to 300 yards. I think you are spot on in getting a rangefinder instead. Then get to know your ballistics, which can be pretty easy. A 30-06 can take an elk at 400-500 yards if you can adjust for the bullet drop. To adjust for the drop, either know exactly how much it will drop in inches and be able to account for that (difficult method) or get a scope with turrets that you can dial.

And to answer your question, absolutely you can have a longer shot at elk in Colorado. You can also have a 30 yard shot, so it's good to be prepared for anything. I'm like Cliff in that I set my gun up so I can point and shoot out to 300 yards. Once I get beyond that, I dial my scope.

[cohunter14]

Assuming you were planning on spending $500+ on a new rifle, I would say take a look at a Leica CRF1000 rangefinder ($450) and then maybe check out Kenton Industries for some turrets (roughly $100 depending on what scope you have): http://kentonindustries.com/category/custom-turrets