Adult elk are hard to take down. Their bones and muscles are dense, good at taking a shot and walking away. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear of a hunter downing an elk and finding that it has a scar from an earlier gunshot wound it survived.
That’s what makes picking the right gun and the right ammunition in Olathe, KS so important. Below are suggestions for some of the best cartridges for some of the most popular elk hunting rifles:
- 270 Winchester: With the correct ammunition, this gun can easily and cleanly kill a bull, and it has far less recoil than similar cartridges, meaning that, if you’re affected by recoil, you’ll shoot more accurately at longer distances with this cartridge. Try the Swift 150-grain A-Frame.
- 6.5 Creedmore: This is many hunters’ favorite gun, but we put it just a little lower on the list because it actually requires more accuracy than other cartridges here, because it packs less punch. An inaccurate shot might mean your elk keeps on walking. Try the Hornady 143-grain ELD-X.
- 7mm Remington Magnum: Kind of an obvious choice. The 7mm Remington Magnum is ubiquitous because it’s developed a reputation for being a strong shot that can still take down an elk even if the shooter’s a bit less accurate. They’re just that powerful. Try the Federal 160-grain TBT.
- .30-06 Springfield: The .30-06 isn’t the best choice for hunting elk, but because it’s the most common rifle out there, you can bet it’s taken down its share of elk over the years. Again, you’ll need a bit more accuracy with this shot, because the .30-06 doesn’t pack enough velocity to take down an elk without a vital shot. Try the Barnes 175-grain LRX.
- .300 Winchester Magnum: This is a monster cartridge, capable of putting down an elk even with just a wounding shot. The recoil is extreme, however. Try the Nosler 200-grain AccuBond.
- .300 Weatherby Magnum: Packs a punch at extreme ranges, and so well designed you rarely need to account for wind, even on longer shots. Try the Barnes 180-grain TSX.
- .338 RCM: The .338 RCM is perhaps the lightest gun on this list. Despite the .338’s smaller size, with the correct ammunition, such as the Hornady 200-grain SST, you can shoot accurately up to 500 yards.
- .280 Ackley Improved: The Ackley is a hand loader that shoots at extreme velocities. These rifles are extremely accurate at long distances. We’ve heard of plenty of people downing elk with just one shot from the .280. The Hornady 175-grain ELD-X and the Nosler 160-grain AccuBond cartridges are both standout .280 cartridges.
If you’re looking for ammunition in Olathe, KS for your elk rifle, or for a new elk rifle altogether, come in and see us today at Harrison Street Pawn. We have a great selection, and we accept trade-ins! Our staff is also extremely knowledgeable about guns, especially rifles, and we share your passion for hunting and high quality, powerful and reliable guns.