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.

El Loco, according to some people on Aldeer, there are some guns that kill animals "way deader" than other guns. I've always thought dead was dead, but apparently, I've been wrong.

So then I don’t need to worry about getting another rifle. Thanks for all the input.

I've said it before, but here it is, I met a 9 year old girl who killed a bull elk bigger than any I'll ever kill with a 55gr swift. Her brother was backing her up with a 7mag, but it wasn't needed.

However, if I'm gonna spend the money and time (the real money) to get in elk country with a tag, I'll be shooting a magnum caliber. Your approach may differ.

My mother had a stroke and is disabled. If you say that to my face you will be spitting teeth out. That’s not a threat just a promise.

I can live with either.

Back in the day I owned a few Roy's. The 340 ain't too bad in a Mark V.

I heard the .240 hits like Thor’s hammer on deer. I would imagine the same for the 340 and elk.

300 wby was another option. Like I said, only reason I was asking is because I own a 45-70 already and just wanted to make sure I’m not under powered there. That’s been the main bad things I’ve read is it wounding and not killing or just not able to get in range.

I didn't see the shot, but was sitting around the campfire that evening and heard the guide tell the story. He was quite impressed with the 340 Roy on elk.

Ooh. Ooh. He talking about yo mama. Ooh. Ooh.

I’ve shot one elk. It was with a .300 Mag.
I’d hunt em with anything 7mm-08 and up. I figure the good ol’ ‘06 would be good elk medicine.

I was shooting the 178 ELDx. Three shots in the boiler room and he only went about 30 yds

Bout any 7mm , Barnes TTSX bullet and plenty of gitty up.

Ive never hunted elk but I’ve seen it on tv. So that makes me an expert. I have seen videos of a .243 taking elk past 600 yards so I’m sure it will do the trick. I’ve also read 308 and 7-08 are great rounds for elk as well.

When I lived in Colorado most guys that I knew used 30-06 or 300 win mag or something in that range. Your 45-70 will do great if your ranges will be within 200 yds. It is a good excuse to get a new 300 winmag though.

Haha true. 30-06 was a thought as well. I guess I could borrow my dads 30-06 if needed.

It will be interesting to see what a 100gr bullet humming along at 3,500FPS does to a deer.
I don't plan on needing a tracking dog.

I was told by folks on here that you can't shoot a 100gr bullet that fast

Here's an 80gr slow poking along at an advertised 3,870FPS.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...lymer-tipped-spitzer-lead-free-box-of-20

My 257wbymag is pushing 100gr ttsx at 3680 fps. Most deer are dropping dead before you hear the muzzle blast

I had some 100g 25-06 handloads that we’re right at 3550. They just didn’t group as well as I wanted them to

I ain't a bullet guru but that's fast..if I ever get a deer to jump my shot I'm gonna save this post for future reference lol

117 grain Hornady SST at 3110 from my .25-06 absolutely stoned a mule deer at 328 yards. 250 lb buck, and he fell in his tracks.

I shoot a 7mm Wby accumark for elk, been pleased but would like a 338-06 one day just haven’t had time to build one and being a lefty it’s a little more difficult to run across one. If I ever find a left handed 30-06 accumark I will build one.

A .340 is big medicine for a bull elk. It's not that it will kill one any more dead than a .223... the difference is you can shoot one up the anus with a .340 and you still won't have to worry about which way it went. It will be laying withing sight of where it was hit as long as the shot is marginally good. That comes in handy if you paid $5k to shoot a nice bull. They don't always want to stand where you have a nice easy broadside shot. With some of these bigger guns you can just let it eat and not worry about it. That's the advantage. There are disadvantages too but in my mind that advantage is superior based on a limited window of opportunity and overall cost. I'm there with the mindset that I'm about to go circa 1988 Doe Days in Alabama on something. I'm not out there to take in the scenery and smell the grass... If I could get a Remington 742 in .35 Whelen and turn a pack of hounds loose in the timber I'd show those cowboys how this is really done. Y'all boys ever been on a dog hunt before? You'd better arm yourself.

But the reality is you can kill one with an arrow. With a good double lung you can kill one with about any deer rifle. .270 does fine. .308, 7-08, 30-06. No issues.

.45-70 depending on the load is a real thumper. I've kilt one cow elk with a .45-70 and it broke both shoulders on it's way right out the other side. It went down like a sack of taters. That got impressive but you just gotta understand you need to get within 200 of one and that might mean you can see one but you can't shoot it. I would take the .45-70 and maybe borrow a 30-06. You are adequately armed.

That’s the problem at this point. I’m not sure which unit I will be in or how long of a shot I will likely have to take. If I need to take a shot across a canyon I may need something with more range. But I’m hoping to sneak within 200 yards of one. But I know that will be harder because they may be in bigger groups and not rutting.

Take the .06 and be done with it

All good points and excellent post. Reminded me of my last elk hunt. A buddy and I managed to get a couple of Tule cow tags in California. Mike was toting a .308 with some 150s or 165s and I had my 35 Whelen with 225s. Mike stalked,waited for the perfect broadside shot, and she still ran about 75 yards or so. The next day I shot mine quartering to me. Put the cross hairs on her front shoulder and that 35 caliber 225 grain bullet broke the shoulder and passed through both lungs. She may have taken a couple of steps. I've used that Whelen from the Attic to Africa, love that gun.

You are correct on your comments to someone who has no clue about what is being discussed and also what is needed to dispatch an elk. Of all we, my Son and I, have shot the .300 Win, Mag. has performed the best with both 180g store bought ammo and Son's hand loads of 168g. Average shot has been just north of 260 yards with longest made by John a measured 405 yards. Not a shot I would try but he shoot regular at steel targets out to 500 yards and knows his ability, gun. and ammo.

Hard to know, you might not get within 700 yards or elk or you may get within 78 yards. The former is more common based on historical data.

Groundhawg, I offerd to meet you on Broad St or Ft Rucker last month but no reciprocal agreement with you. I might be over soon depending on the damage we get from the storm. We can eat at the BBQ joint or eat Ice cream there on the corner and talk elk. There is a nice young fella at Willie J’s that is going in the Air Force soon, wish him well.

I have plenty a “clue” about Elk hunting in various of our western states. The 357 was in a hotel parking lot by the Grand Canyon one evening after Supper because the bull was acting up around people so I blew at him getting him to follow me and I dropped him. It was across the road from the IMAX. I’ve spent mucho time hunting elk whether with a weapon or camera. Heck, there are even at least three herds I’ve tracked down in Boxley Valley Arkansas.

You take your time and you can get within a “JohnnyLoco” appropriate distance. I stand by my opinion that longer ranges are for those without skill. I think its piss poor to hunt long range, over bait or green fields, use buckshot, or shooting houses, especially shooting houses with heaters. Moreover, teaching a kid that this is “hunting”.

I said I was staying outta the caliber debates.

Not sure if you have actually read the responses, but it’s not really a debate. Most of the comments were very constructive. All I was doing was looking for advice from people who may have more experience than me. I was voting for an early season bow hunt, but the guys I’m going with prefer a rifle hunt.

Sure I’ve read the responses, there ain’t no right or wrong answer. If you like to think outside the box and want a good deal on a hell-fer-stout rifle, let me show you something.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/53657/ruger_hkm77prcm_hawk_300_rug_cmp_mg

Price match $663

That’s a good looking rifle.

There ain’t any Federal Blue box for it right now but the Hornady ammo isn’t any more that a box of premium in any other caliber.

While I normally prefer boutique calibers, if I was personally buying a .30 caliber magnum, it would not be the .300 Ruger Compact Magnum.

.300 RCM has been out 10 years, still only has one ammo company loading for it, has only 5 options at midway between 150 and 178 grain bullets, and only Ruger is making rifles for it.

78 different loads available for the .300 Win Mag, from 150 to 220 grain.

.300 Win Mag will be here forever. If Ruger stops making the .300 RCM, them ammo will disappear. Have you tried to buy Remington 8mm Magnum ammunition lately?


The .300 RCM is an outstanding answer to a question nobody was asking.

This. Unless you roll your own ammo, stick with time proven cartridges. I get calls from people wanting me to load ammo for the unique gun they can't find ammo to shoot. Custom ammo ain't cheap.

Anything from a 243 and up and you will be good. Shot placement is key with any caliber. With that being said of the rifles that I own I’d take my 6.5 Creedmoor if shots were going to be less than 800yds. Anything past that and I’d tote my 26 Nosler.

I wouln’t choose the RCM either but there are good deals in rifles and ammo will likely be around.

During the great ammo shortage I always saw 45/70 and RCM on the shelf

The ammo issue for 300RCM I understand but the solution is pretty simple.
Buy the rifle, purchase 5 boxes of ammo , purchase several bags of new brass.
Most people aren’t shooting a 300RCM a ton.

But yes I understand and appreciate being able to walk into Walmart to buy ammo.

Don't forget to buy all of the equipment you need to reload those bags of brass you buy. And study up on how to do it right without blowing up the gun or injuring people next to you at the range - namely me.

I saw a lot of people start loading their own during the ammo shortages and I know that many of them were clueless on how to do it.

A gas station by my house has a case of hornady 300rcm

If you go on the auction sight frequently, you can get it cheap enough. My friend got 2 cases at $14 per box, he is pretty happy with the setup. He also got his Ruger off Gunbroker for about $475

The 30-30 with powermax is garbage .. Thoughts ?

Thats easy. To arrive at such a conclusion can only mean you didn’t try it.

I got made fun of and heckled on here recently about gas stations selling ammo. When talking about it people acted like I had two heads.

Or maybe that I have and was underwhelmed.

Impossible

I want to know more about shooting a bull elk in the parking lot of a Motel 6 Super 8 with a .357 Magnum SCW because it was bothering people.

What was on the menu down at the jailhouse right afterwards?

Was this when you went undercover with the Hell's Angel's when you were 12 years old or when you were embedded with the Columbian cartels running winshield washer fluid across the boarder and selling chewing gum cigarettes out of the front of a Cushman Delivery Scooter?

Meh, I'll wait for the movie.

No jail time, many witnesses. The hotel had a bunch of native americans living behind it that work the place and the elk was cut up and gone in 15 minutes, dangdest thang I ever saw.

As to the “Cartel” and in “Columbia”, I think I have an old photo...

Columbia 1988

I promise he has a grand answer that will knock out socks off. He’s done more than all of us combined it seems.

Y’all remember that song by Brad Paisley about being an internet badass and living in his moms basement?

Before you even offer Johnny...I have no desire to meet you or get together.

Hope you faired the storm well brother

I wonder,Johnny have you ever surfed a 10-15ft swell at Pipeline?

I used to surf with my Samoan brothers, drink lots of beer, and play volleyball too. I’m not too swuft at the pipe.

The hardest thing to do in high seas is scale an oil platform from the water when you miss your landing.

Hope this helps

I like canned peaches too

Didn’t you say you were in the Airforce

338 Win mag works

PJ or Combat Controller?

Photo removed

A 30-06 still works

Yes, it works for all kinds of critters.

First time I shot a 338 mag I wasn't ready for the recoil. It bent the scope on my head. I mean BENT it. I bled like a stuck hog.

Dam son, maybe you need to stick with girly man guns from now on.

LOL... That was about 27 years ago and all I had shot up to that point was a 270. It rocked my world.

But the hardest kicking rifle I've ever shot was a hot loaded 45-70 pushing 400 grains.

If I was buying a dedicated Elk rifle,it would probably be 300 win mag,but I would use any legal caliber without reservations,as long as I kept the range reasonable.

You should shoot the 535gr 45-70 loads I have

I had some 500 grain cast loads that were just awful too. I feel your pain.

.45-70 loaded right is knocking on 40ft lbs or recoil energy. That's getting pretty stiff but the results speak for themselves.

It hurts on both ends. The difference is I can take it but whatever is out front don't stand a chance.

45-70 has a little slower recoil impulse so to me it’s a hard kicking rifle but not painful. Same with turkey loads 3.5” in my Mossberg 835.

We were testing some hot handloads in a Tikka Ultra Light .300WM. 168g at 3200 if I remember correctly. It was absolutely BRUTAL!

No where near as bad as my .300 ultra mag or .338wm. Of course both of them are ported and are collecting dust in the safe.

Never saw the first/other “invitation”, though not surprised, since I like to view posts that contain intelligent or informative comments I usually do not read a second post with your byline. Of course only a couple of decent places in Ozark to meet, eat, and great and Willie “J” is sure not on that list and do not eat ice cream. Anyway time has run out as moving to Baton Rouge on Tuesday so already busy and yesterday and today really set us back.

Hate to hear a young man is thinking about joining the Air Force. Suggest to most folks that if they want to wear a blue uniform that they become a postal employee. However we Army folks do appreciated using their planes to move us from place to place in a hurry so a job can be completed.

Boxley Valley Arkansas is really a pretty spot as is most of northern Arkansas being there during the time the elk are rutting can allow you to get some great pictures. And the small town of Ponca is quite charming with so many family-operated farms situated on either side of the road that parallels the river, Highway 43, I think, but has been a while.

I've owned a 340 wby, several 338 wins, one 35 whelen, a 350 rem mag, and three or four 375 H&Hs. Didn't shoot it that much, but in a Weatherby Mark 5 it was kinda heavy and don't recall the 340 being that bad. Never thought any of the 338s were hard to shoot. But, as hard as I tried, and after several 100 of rounds, I just could get comfortable behind any of the three-seven-fives, as they say across the pond. Shot the last one so much I started developing a flinch. Finally sold it and went back to my whelen.

the handloads pulse are like a 3 1/2 inch turkey load , but much worse. You can load a Marlin up to modern day pressures in the 45-70 and make it a little 458 win mag carbine. I'm telling you it's a bad dude.

I have never shot a 45-70 , but I can imagine the recoil is substantial, a good bit more than a 338 WM loaded with 225 gr bullets. The two hardest kicking guns I have are a 300 Weatherby and a custom made 35 Whelen AI. The Whelen is a custom gun with a beautiful stock and a steel butt plate and it just plain hurts to shoot at the range. I can only attribute this felt recoil to the stock shape. I have a 300 win mag built by the same man and it also has a steel butt plate but is not uncomfortable at all to shoot. The stock is very slender and a different shape and fits me very well. I love that gun and would use it more except I can be a little rough on my gun stocks in the woods.

Also have a 375 H&H magnum that is not too bad to shoot. Its an old interarms Mark X and the recoil pad is hard rubber, but the recoil is not sharp and there is a lot more muzzle jump. I notice the recoil in my cheek with this gun more than any other.

In the end yea they hurt but what goes on out front with make you a believer. I enjoy the fast stuff myself I'm a speed demon.... but for effectiveness downrange I've always thought the 35 calibers like the Whelen to be some of the most effective I've ever used. They seem to have the right blend of bullet weight and speed to really put some energy downrange. Once you cross over 3k lbs of muzzle energy with a relatively heavy bullet you start getting into some real power on target. They just hit hard and you don't have to worry with all this bullet blowing up or not expanding or getting a passthrough, etc. nonsense That's all out the window. The guns kick but my .358 which is another favorite of mine does not kick bad at all with a 200 grain anyone should be able to handle it I'm going to guess it has 20ft lbs of recoil which is about like a 30-06.

Elmer Keith said it best... "I like one-shot kills where possible and prefer to do all my hunting before I shoot."

#metoo

On armslist someone has a ruger american 30-06 listed for $250. That's a good deal on a good gun that would be great for an elk hunt.

It doesn't matter if you have a gun capable of shooting over 300 yards if you don't practice with it before you go.....

^^^^ This ^^^^. Pratice in a lot of different conditions also. Especially with the 45/70. I’ve shot mine out to 300 yards and it isn’t a big deal until the wind gets involved, 24’’ drift with a 10mph cross wind makes for a difficult shot(at least for me) It amazes me the amount of people who don’t practice their shooting. My BIL is the worst I’ve ever seen, he literally doesn’t touch his rifle until the week before season. He will shoot one 3 shot group and go hunt. Then he goes out and tries to shoot 400yds in a bean field. I don’t know that he has ever hit a deer outside of 100yds. Terrible shot!

My dad's the same way except he's missed one deer in almost 60 years and that one was a maybe

My pick is the .280 Ackley. It plain kills.

Stay away those Ackley or Rigby caliber designations, once you start using them you have to smoke a pipe and wear Orvis type clothing.

I have two Ackley improved cartridge guns, and I also have a 7X57, aka the 275 Rigby.

I wear Carhartt and dip Copenhagen.

Very good suggestion . 7mm with plenty of gitty up.

Its good to be eccentric but grounded.