These were once classic calibers for this work. I'm thinking a .312 225-grain slug at 2100 fps out of the old Enfield should drive straight and true on an elk at iron sight range. Anyone have first-hand experience with either of these?

Bill from over in Grants Pass, I have carried a 30.40 Krag loaded with a 220 grain roundnose but so far it has not connected with any hide in the field.

However that combo was a classic Elk load in the 1920s and beyond for a long time.

Nothing has changed on the Elk's end and I am sure you are aware of just keeping the range in a sane prospective.

If you connect with it let us know about it.

Good luck
What area do you hunt out of? I am normally up west of Crater Lake, in the Dog Prairie or Skookum Prairie areas.
Be cool to run into you out there.

Cheers and good shooting
seafire

I once loaded some .303 ammo with Nosler Partition 200-grain .308" bullets for a friend. He shot them in a Jungle Carbine @ 2100 FPS and got 1" groups! He killed deer and elk both with this load.

Seafire: I have hunted that Skookum Prairie area for deer -- and have seen elk. I have hunted in the lodgepole north of Diamond Lake, and near Hole in the Ground. I don't like the lodgepole just because of all the damned fools in full camo with synthetic Weatherbys and itchy trigger fingers. I am much more of a traditionalist, and value my hide, too. So I always wear lots of orange.
Think I will be hunting with my BSA No. 1 Mk. III sporter. I make my own 225-grain .312 softpoints.
It would indeed be a hoot to run into you, but if I don't, I wish you all the luck in the world. Cleanly taking an elk with a .303 or .30-40 earns a lot of points for class in my book.

Have used a 30/40 with success a few time on deer. Nothing wrong with it . Less powerful then a 308. The 303 is simular. A friend has one that works on deer as well as moose. Either would work well within a reasonable range.

Hey Bill,

I have hunted in PA for more than 40 years and the .303 has taken more than a few of our small white tail.

I have never had the opportunity to shoot an elk but the effect the .303 has on a deer leads me to believe that, with proper shot placement the beast will go down just as dead as if you'd have hit it with a .338.

Most people don't realize that the .303 has taken every game animal in the world. Although, not ideal for many animals, the .303 is an adequate elk rifle, as long as the range isn't too far. Within 200 yards and a broad side shot, a good 200 gr. bullet will penetrate to the heart. You won't need anything more.

Good Shooting,

Smoker

eldeguello,

Actually I am shooting a Ruger #3 but don't handload. Hunt the woods and I cann't see 100 yards so the factory loads do fine.

Also shoot a Browning Low Wall in 260 Rem; faster and more bloodshot meat but the gun is so nice to carry. No one seems to be complaining about a 7x57 being used for elk. On the light side for unreasonable shoots but so is the 338; a big gun doesn't makeup for poor shot placement.



VELOCITY (ft/sec)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300

Remington Express 2660 2435 2221 2018
140 PSP CL 7x57

Remington Express 2430 2213 2007 1813
180 PSP CL 30/40k

Remington ExpressC 2460 2124 1817 1542
180 SP CL 303Brit


ENERGY (ft-lbs)
Cartridge Type Bullet Muzzle 100 200 300

Remington Express 2199 1843 1533 1266
140 PSP CL 7x57

Remington Express 2360 1957 1610 1314
180 PSP CL 30/40k

Remington Express 2418 1803 1319 950
180 SP CL 303 Brit

These are some of the numbers compairing the 30/40 & 303 to a 7x57 none of these are a runaway from the others. Each would do a fair job within 200 yards for me. If you want more gun that certainly is not unreasonable. Was shooting a 35 Whelen last year. I think the larger/heavier bullet at a slower speed will do the trick without beating up the game.

And a fine thank you to our friends at Remington for the numbers.

The No. 3 is a fine rifle! In addition to enabling much improved performance vs the old Krags, they are quite accurate! here's one of my "light" loads using a .30/30 bullet. My No. 3 also shoots cast bullets about this well.

Here's a discussion of the .30-30 Win. use on elk. IF the .30-30 with the common 170 gr. Rem CoreLokt is the ticket for these fellows then I'd think you'd have no problem with the .30-40.

Wish we had elk around here....