Being from and hunting only in Texas my whole like, the largest caliber rifle I own is a 270. It's looking good that I'll finally get to travel north this year and go on my first elk hunt. Is a 270 enough gun for elk or should I consider acquiring a larger caliber weapon? Not that having to get another gun is a bad thing .

Thanks
MDH

The .270 is certainly enough for elk, just ask the thousands of hunters around the Pacific Northwest who use them every year.

Good luck on your hunt.

Joel Slate
Slate & Associates, LLC
www.slatesafaris.com

7mm Rem Mag Page www.slatesafaris.com/7mm.htm

A 270 will work fine. I have killed a lot of elk over the years, several of them with a 270 and my wife has also killed a few with a 270. We have never had any problems. Shot placement is more critical with a 270 than a larger calibur and you have to limit the range a little more than with a bigger gun. Use a heavy bullet and place your shot well and you will not have any problems. If you just cannot live without another gun, one of the flavors of 338 is just about the ideal elk gun.

MDH1053;
As long as you can do your part the .270 Win will do it's part.

The 270 works best on elk using 150 grain bullets and placing your shot carefully. I'm surprised you haven't gotten more replies to this---some may propound that a 338 Win is the bare minimum---but the 270 will do just fine. I always take a backup rifle in case something unfortunate happens. Take whatever you shoot the best!

Good Hunting,

Shot placement is critical with any caliber - I lost a fine bull one year because I hit it in the paunch with a 210 NP in a 338 WM - went down at the shot - 200 yds - but I knew by the way it went down I hit it too far back - waited a few minutes then went after it in the timber - it got up and walked over the ridge - all I could could see was trees and I shot a few of them until no more ammo - very frustrating day - hunted for two days and could not find him. I have now worked up a load with a 160 NP semi spitz in my 270 = 2850 fps - it has the BC of a 25 cal 120 gr bullet (.435) - so it will carry well - hit hard - and deliver maximum energy - should be fine elk medicine.

Elk are quite tough. Don't expect to bowl them over with anything. I wouldn't be afraid to use a 270 though if it was all I had.

In truth, I'd prefer a 338WM, but I'd not be afraid to use a 150gr 270. In the right conditions, I'd use an even lighter gun, but let's not start that up again.

Hell yes! But overated as far as I am concerned!

With a good 150gr (Swift, NP, etc.) bullet I would say it is a minimum. I have to hunt in elk country as a nonres. I only get a week or so to hunt so I am not willing to wait for the perfect shot that I think is needed when hunting w/ the .270 class carts. I have toted a .280 on occasion, but my choice leans to .30-06/180gr & up for big bull elk. There is a big difference in size btwn. bulls vs cows & spikes. You'll be hooked after you knock down your 1st bull elk.
I like riflemans load soggestion for the .270.

[ 04-25-2003, 04:35: Message edited by: fredj338 ]