.25-06 and Elk

bob_catslayer

bob_catslayer

New member
I'm thinking about doing my first Elk hunt this year and I was wondering if my .25-06 would be enough for a bull elk? I'd be using my own load of Hornady 117gr InterLock BTSP and it's traveling around 2900fps at the muzzle. What do you guys think?
 
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It will work if the shot is good but still not my first choice of caliber for elk size game. But if it's all you have then make the best of it.
 
If you just want to see what it does use Partitions or something similar I used Nosler BT's on 2 elk and decided not to do that again. the last 4 pt bull at about 90 yds took 5 in the lungs with a grapefruit size pattern. I couldn't even tell I was hitting it or not. No kidding. It walked off and when I followed it I found it dead but still never again. The total penetration didn't hit the ribcage on the opposite side and that was up high. Maybe 10 inches of penetration. I was all jazzed up about the 25-06 and had to try it, I did and found it lacking. I was using the 100 gr Bt. It's a great deer sized animal gun but not for elk IMO.
 
My son will be shooting hs 25/06 to fill his cow tag this year with 120 gr partitions. I agree that the caliber is on the small side, but it will do the job given reasonable range and using premium bullets. I completely abhor the common notion that a magnum round should be used for elk. A lot of elk were killed in grandpa's day with old 30-30's and the ever popular 30/06. Know the limits of the round, and have a good hunt.
 
I recommend something with a bit more bullet weight for bull elk, but if all you have is the .25-06, shoot stout heavy bullet and limit your range to about 200 yards or so. Then make a good shot into the vitals and you should come out okay. If you've got a rifle with a bit more punch, like a .30-06 or .308, I'd definitely lean towards sending more lead down range. I've killed one bull elk and a number of cows with a muzzleloader shooting 250 grain bullets and never felt undergunned.
 
I know it's not the ideal caliber but it's all I've got. I know long shots are out of the question so I know patience on my part is going to be key.
 
Originally Posted By: bob_catslayerI know it's not the ideal caliber but it's all I've got. I know long shots are out of the question so I know patience on my part is going to be key.

Load up some 120 grain Nosler Partitions and let 'er rip then! Go shoot a bull elk and post up your pictures.
 
I think the 120'S are good advice.. Just realize a guy may hit and elk with a smaller caliber and have them move off even though they are quite dead..
A guy must always keep in mind when you shoot if the animal doesn't drop close by you can have one heck of mess on your hands getting it out.. The last few evenings we have seen elk each day about sunset.. But by the time the stalk could be made, the shot fired, the elk secured, and dressed, it would be quite late.. If it ran any distance and could not be located, then the result in this weather is a lost(spoiled) elk. So we haven't fired a shot..
 
It's not the 3 grains I'd worry about, but the relatively light construction of the Interlock. I used to load those in my wife's Bob, but decided after seeing one come apart on an oryx that they're just not tough enough for game larger and heavier than deer. For big, heavy-boned bull elk, I'd like to have a more robust bullet to ensure good penetration. You want a bullet that will stay together and get through thick hide, solid muscle, and heavy bone to the vitals to do the important work. Ideally, you want an exit wound to facilitate blood loss and help create a good blood trail to speed recovery. Based on my experience, Interlocks are not what you need. The Partition, or other 115 to 120 grain premium bullet, is more likely to provide the performance needed to (more) reliably reach the vitals of a big bull elk and put him down.
 
Originally Posted By: DesertRamOriginally Posted By: bob_catslayerI know it's not the ideal caliber but it's all I've got. I know long shots are out of the question so I know patience on my part is going to be key.

Load up some 120 grain Nosler Partitions and let 'er rip then! Go shoot a bull elk and post up your pictures.

This^^^^^^^

Put it in the vitals and you will have a dead elk, no problem.
 
neck shot?
high shoulder?


the chest is the biggest target. lungs, heart, liver will all put an animal down quick. aim for the center of the chest and even 6 inches off in any direction is still a quick kill.


a caliber already marginal, with a shot to heavy muscle and bone "upper shoulder" is a recipe for a wounded animal or long track with a follow up shot. head and neck shots when placed perfectly work perfectly. but i have found more than one animal staggering around a week after the season with the lower jaw blown off.
 
Originally Posted By: EJ ReichenbachTry some 110 accubond s, I shot a cow elk with the 100gr BTs and I will never do that again.

110 Accubond's are an excellent choice. I was with a guy this year that took an 1800lb bison with a 257 Weatherby shooting the Accubond. It completely penetrated the chest cavity through the heart and stopped on the opposing side hide. Bullet held together very well!
 
115 Ballistic Tip Hunting vs 110 Accubond?

the 115 BT has a BC of .453
the 110 Accu has a BC of .418

I'm new to big game hunting but wouldn't you get better results out of the 115 BT?
 
Originally Posted By: bob_catslayer115 Ballistic Tip Hunting vs 110 Accubond?

the 115 BT has a BC of .453
the 110 Accu has a BC of .418

I'm new to big game hunting but wouldn't you get better results out of the 115 BT?

BC doesn't matter if the bullet isn't constructed well enough to stay together through tough hide and bone. And with a 25-06 shooting at elk, I'm guessing any shot would probably be under 200yds. In that case .040 split on BC or even .200 split on BC really means squat.
 


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