Big bore handgun for elk. Have you tried it?

[Dogfish]

Howdy,

In my slug post I had mentioned that I got a cow tag (sorry BOE) for a firearms restriction unit. I will be hunting primarily with my slug gun, but I borrowed a friends .454 Casull this summer and have been practicing with it a lot. I can get the 300 grain corbon JSPs to group a steady 3" at 50 yards. I can get a 3" group offhand at 25 yards. So the pistol and shooter are accurate enough for the job.

I am considering using the pistol for close still shots of about 40 yards on in, and the slug gun for shots on moving elk, or shots of 40 yards or more.

Last year I was within 40 yards of the elk on every day, just no branched antlered bulls, during the regular season. Getting close wasn't an issue, finding a legal one was. I ended up getting a cow at 25 yards with my .54 cal on New Years Day in the same area I drew tag for this year.

Any suggestions or comments? I want to try the pistol, as it will be more of a challenge than a muzzle loader.

Thanks in advance.

Andy

[Sockeye]

Andy: I say go for it. I've got a 44 mag that I sometimes carry around. It depends on the area. Haven't shot anything with it yet but it sure is nice not lugging that heavy rifle around. With lots of practice you should get fairly accurate with it. The 454 casull will be my next handgun!

[Osprey]

I didn't realize that on this side of the big river we could hunt Elk with a shotgun or pistol.
IMHO I say It's not a good idea,I'm not questioning you're shooting ability,I just don't beleive in wounding any animal,at close range these hand guns are lethal....but that Elk is one Tuff Critter.....Os

[ 09-21-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

[Dogfish]

The regs for elk changed last year, where we can now use slugs and handguns.

The key to success on any method is shot placement. I have been practing, and providing I keep my shots in close range, I have few reservations shooting a handgun with more K/E than a .30-30.

I do appreciate the input. The pistol will not be my primary weapon, but I will pack it in a shoulder holster, along with the slug gun. Follow up shots would also be quicker than with a muzzle loader on both.

Andy

[Fish Hunter]

I read once that 1500 ft-lbs, at the maximum range you intend to shoot, should be the minimum when choosing a rifle . Would this combo you speak of do it? The solid point bullets your suggesting sound like a good idea. As you know, shot placement is everything on elk. They are so much tougher than deer. Good luck on your elk hunt.

[HOGTIDE]

Our Elk crew primarily uses .300 &.338 mags. I am NOT a master hunter. But according to them, and from my own 15 years of experience, big Roosevelt Bulls take a LOT of killin'...even with good shots. I know they aren't armored vehicles, but the wet timber of Western Oregon rarely provides you with an excellent shot on a true branch bull. They are an adreniline juiced creature that can go for miles with a mediocre hit. I say hit 'em with all you can effectively shoot.

If I showed up opening day with a 30-30. I probably would be asked to stay back and guard the coffee and donuts at the rig.

[Dogfish]

Hi FH,

A 300 grain bullet has 1750 ft-lbs of energy at 50 yards from the .454 Casull. It meets your criteria. Thanks for the encouragement!

Hi HT,

The .30-30 has 1300 ft-lbs, and a .30-06 has 2100 ft-lbs of energy at 50 yards, both with a 150 grain bullet. It splits the difference between the two. A .308 Win has about 1800 ft-lbs, FYI.

My primary weapon will be a 12 ga shooting 1.25 oz. slugs (550 grain slug) at 1900 fps. This gives me 3500 ft-lbs at 50 yards, which is more than a .300 win mag, 2655 ft-lbs, at the same range. The .338 win mag has ONLY 3100 ft-lbs at the same range.

My hunting area is dairyland riverbottom, with lots of open pasture and hedgerows. It is primarily an ambush hunt, as the elk move from field to field. I wouldn't attempt a dark timber hunt with a handcannon, but a close range hunt, you betcha.

Best of luck to the both of you. Andy

[ 09-22-2001: Message edited by: Dogfish ]

[HOGTIDE]

An Apology: I just read my own post and it seemed very closeminded/arrogant. Its just how I've been 'schooled' when it comes to chasin' Elk.

I am sure a skilled hunter, aware of his limitations, could be very effective with the appropriate weapon of his choice.

Enjoy Your Hunt...it should be customized to meet your own personal level of challenge and sport!

John

[HOGTIDE]

Just checked out some ballistics tables.(Remington Factory, Rather Moderate Stuff) My .300 Weatherby Mag in 190 Gr.PSPBT
@50 yd.s - 3722 ft.# of energy
@100yd.s - 3378 ft.# of energy
@200yd.s - 2936 ft.# of energy
@500yd.s - 1878 ft.# of energy

[Dogfish]

Yeah, I think you have enough gun. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I have only hunted elk one year with modern rifle, last year. The funny thing is that I was in the cows every day, my buddy even had a cow tag, but I just couldn't find a darned branched antlered bull. (Closest was 7 yards away from a 1x2 spike that I kept on trying to put a third point on for about 3 minutes, we had a good staredown as I was downwind and he couldn't figure out what I was.) The part that gets even funnier is that when I finally find some legal elk, I have to use a muzzle loader to take it, even though I had a modern rifle tag. Go figure?

Andy