I have a 45-70 that I was planning on using for elk next year. I know range will be limited to about 200 yards, but I’m seeing a lot of people saying not to use it at all. I’m seeing .300 win mag and a few others being mentioned. Just seeing what some of y’all think. Should I be fine with the 45-70 or am I going to need to look at something different?

.270 on up.
45-70 will def. kill an elk but you might want something flatter shooting.
IMO the 300 WM is ideal.

338 Winchester magnum is badazz elk medicine.

I don't know why anyone would think a 45-70 couldn't smash an elk ? But I understand it isn't a very flat shooter.

I believe the 338 is big elk medicine as well.

45/70 will work fine if inside 200 er so yards.

My choice would be a 300 mag and 180gr Nosler Partitions. Has worked well for me in the past.

I feel like getting within 200 wouldn’t be too hard, but then we will be going well after the rut and after pressure has already been applied on public land. So I’m wondering if I need something with more range because they may be more wary.

If I were writing laws, it would be mandatory to be within 100 yards. Anything farther is for suckers, chumps, and people without skills.

I’ll stay outta the caliber debate but I did harvest one with a 357.

Just depends on where you are hunting and how you are hunting. If you are hunting dark timber the .45-70 might be what I would want. If I was riding around in a pickup truck shooting off the hood then that changes.

Like we have mentioned here... I don't typically have any trouble getting within a couple hundred yards of whatever I'm shooting at. But - maybe I'm a better hunter that those that think they need 500+ yard capability in everything they do. The places where that really comes in is having to shoot across a canyon or something. But consider these things are out on the plains roaming around like an Antelope Just like a whitetail the big ones are hiding out somewhere in the timber usually... that's my experience.

Would really help to have been in the same area you are hunting so you would know. If you go back you will know the next time around.

You are an idiot. If you can't bring anything of value to the discussion then just don't post. This crap gets old.

As far as caliber goes I think anything north of 150g and 2600fps will get the job done. I would be more particular about the about bullet type vs actual caliber. Use something you can shoot well in a variety of different positions.

If I draw next year, I’m toting my 7-08 with 140 grain Partitions.

Some friends and myself are talking about the 2nd or 3rd otc Colorado rifle season.

I want to take one with my 257wby. 120gr partition should do well.

I want my next rifle to be a weatherby mark 5 257 magnum.

Since you drew first blood, your momma is an idiot. I decide what I write, not you.

Well to avoid our latest killer of all things yes your .45/70 will work but fast .30's are more versatile.

I wasn't looking for a 257 but happened into one. Haven't shot it yet but something will die this season from it.
Something like 4 other Aldeer members have owned it before.

I've shot two elk, one with a 7mm wby and the other with a 35 whelen. Both worked, as I'm sure your 45-70 will. The few guys that I've know that are serious elk hunters tend to lean towards a 338. One guy uses a 340 wby.

Killed my bull with a 308 last year. Carrying that finnlight up and down those hills was best part.

I'm probably not and won't ever be serious elk hunter material but if I was shooting a 340wby, I would want a muzzle brake and ear plugs.

The debate has been going on every since folks started exercising supremacism of “humanely” -vs- just plain “dead”.

If an arrow will kill an Elk, the caliber debate is just to hear one’s self talk.