Just wandering...in Argentina there is a law that estipulates the minimum caliber for red stags or any other big game hunt.
A 6,5 mm bullet no less than 140 grains.
LG

Don't think so. There ought to be, I think. With a 6.5 or, better yet, 7mm as the starting calibre. That said, a 7mm Rem Mag with a 160gr partition is the smallest calibre round I've used on Elk. A 30-06 with a 200gr grand slam is a good performer.

Wyoming stipulates rifle caliber of .23 or greater for big game hunting...is not specific to elk.

Lorenzo here in my home state of Montana theres is no caliber restriction. You can use any thing you like on them.

Pesonally while I understand the thought process behind a restriction I do not believe they will do any.

I still believe the most important thing is ability and discipline and of course shot placement. This to me is the key to quick and humane kills on any critter.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Here in Colorado the Regs. state that the centerfire rifle must be .24 cal (6mm) or larger with a min. bullet weight of 85gr. and have an impact energy of at least 1,000 ft./lbs @ 100yds.
Elk Country

No minimum caliber for elk here in Alabama.

In Idaho, no rimfires, and the only caliber restriction is on muzzleloaders. I suppose if you wanted to hunt elk with a 410, you could.... FWIW, Dutch.

In Kansas, legal calibers for deer hunting must be greater than .23" (5.8 mm) and greater than .25" (6.3 mm) for elk. No energy minimums are specified.

For all practical purposes, the legal minimum deer caliber is .243/6 mm, and the legal minimum elk caliber is .260/6.5 mm.

Here in Oregon it states that you must use a minimum of .24 or larger for Elk and .22 or larger for Deer in Centerfire Rifles. Also has Minimums on bows and muzzle loaders.

[ 02-12-2003, 02:11: Message edited by: firedog ]

I believe in Oklahoma their is a minimum of .270 or bigger. Of course Oklahoma only has a minimum Elk season, refuges and some private land adjoining refuges.

New Mexico requires .24 or larger for Big Game with a rifle.

WA State it's .24
Fuzz

Like Trapdoor said the minimum here in Wyoming is .23. Ethicly I think the minimum should be .270 Win.

Sorry, these guys are right. I forgot about a "minimum cartridge" for the general hunting of big game.

German hunting law requires a minimum caliber of 6,5 mms and an energy of 2000 Joule at 100 metres, for all cloven-hoof game.

Exception for roe deer and for seal: a minimum energy of 1000 Joule at 100 metres.

The law is widely accepted, but criticized as being overbroad for chamois and for small (id est still striped) boars (piglets).

Regards,
Carcano

Alaska, it is no rimfire except for swimming caribou in certain management units. New Mexico it is .24 or larger for elk and oryx, and stipulates a centerfire for all other big game.

I believe in Texas it is any centerfire of .22 cal or better; that allowing a .22 hornet for deer.

Here in B.C. Canada, the only restrictions are: No rimfires for anything but grouse , squirrels, rabbits and similar small game. For big game it must be a centerfire, no caliber indicated. However, for our Bison hunts, the caliber must be 7mm or larger, with bullets weighing 175 grains or heavier. Also must retain 2000 joules of energy at 100 meters. Our neighbor to the east, Alberta, specifies that big game must be taken with calibers over .23. So the 6mm's are the minimum. Whoever stated that ethically, the 270 should be minimum for elk obviously forgot about the 264 Winchester Magnum, which is more effective on elk than the 270 is. Regards, Eagleye.

For those comments about caliber choice questioning a persons ethics.

As much as I hate to admit it, I shot far more elk with a 25-06 than I have with my 30-06. I'm just more comfortable shooting it.

Because I do shoot a smaller caliber, I do use premium bullets, and almost always have one shot kills. Even out to 300 yards.

I've always worried about the 120grn partion doing the job, so this year I broke the stock on my 25 so I replaced it with a 270 WSM, in an effort to add a few grains of lead to my bullet choice.

Bottom line - shot placement is everything.

[ 02-17-2003, 09:12: Message edited by: Painted Horse ]

Not all NM big game requires a .24 caliber or larger, only elk, oryx and bighorn sheep. Deer, antelope, Barbary sheep, bear, and others have only a "centerfire" designation.

In Iceland we only have Reindeer. The limit is 6mm and 100grains producing 1300 lbs/ft at 200 meters.