Watch out Elk

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
As I posted earlier on this site I drew a bull tag in Unit 69/84. So in getting ready I thought I had better get out to the range and make sure my rifle is still on target. I'm going to use my Winchester Mod. 70 SM in .338 Win. Mag. I haven't shot it in 7 years. I fired a total of 5 rounds at 100 yds. The first 3 were at the center bullseye using Winchester Supreme 200 gr. Ballistic Tips and the other 2 wre at the lower left bullseye using some Winchester Supreme 230 gr. Fail Safes. As you can see, both rounds have the same point of impact. What do you think? Am I ready, or what? :D

Target001.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Good Stuff , DZ.

That Mdl 70 is an excellent rifle. In one the the best elk calibers extant. And it holds zero after sitting in the gun safe for 7 years. AND, it shoots two different bullets, of different weights, to essentially the same POI.:10sign:

If it were my bull tag, I'd shoot the Fail Safes- a heavier, tougher bullet that might be needed should a shot be presented from a less than ideal angle on a big bull.

Good Luck!!

NB
 
NB, I've shot elk with both of the loads and really couldn't tell any difference. Heck, I've also shot elk with different loads from my .270 Win. and they killed them just as good as the .338 Win. Mag. I know what you are saying about the Fail Safes (no longer made my Winschester) but it does concern me that they don't open enough on some shots. I'm leaning toward the Ballistic Tips. If I put the bullet in the right place it really won't matter.
 
winchester21, thanks for posting the atlas but I really don't need it. I've been hunting this area since 1989 and have a friend whose ranch borders the national forest. Only hunted the area one time that I didn't make a kill.
 
Looks like them new boots got you all jacked up...don't be posting no more missed bullseye pics; we're not a bunch of slackers here!

Actually, good luck on your hunt. Nice round as well. I use a .300 Weatherby Mag so I feel your pain on every shot.

Jim
 
DZ looks like your ready 2" high a 100 yards is how I have my rifles sighted in at just above sea level. You might want to check/sight in at your hunting sight to see if altitude changes the poi. Best of luck on your hunt.

P.s Whats a guy have to do to get some backstap. LOL:rolleyes:
 
.338 win mag???

Why do you use .338 Win Mag? That gun is huge and is overkill for ANY animal in Colorado. I have hunted unit 84, very nice area, the cow I got was huge, better than any we have shot in unit 20. I practiced in the summer with my 30-06 and got pretty/stayed good. On the cow, she was at 175 yrds and gravity took affect instantly on a single boom. The shot was well placed, no heart to be found and lungs were chucks. Use a gun that leaves you with a shoulder. Shot placement is 100% key (see your target) not the size of the gun. I think you guys from out of state are mis-led on how tenacious an Elk is. They are just as delicate as a mature white tail. Would you use a .338 on a deer? :confused:
 
Cut me some slack guys, those bullets will be right in the Bullseye at about 225 yds. :) I can almost hold dead on out to 300 yds. I'm about 18" low at 400 and 39" at 500. Don't laugh I've killed two bulls at 450-500 yds. I don't advise shooting at those distances but it can be done. Amazing how flat that big ol' .338 shoots.
 
PBuster said:
Why do you use .338 Win Mag? That gun is huge and is overkill for ANY animal in Colorado. I have hunted unit 84, very nice area, the cow I got was huge, better than any we have shot in unit 20. I practiced in the summer with my 30-06 and got pretty/stayed good. On the cow, she was at 175 yrds and gravity took affect instantly on a single boom. The shot was well placed, no heart to be found and lungs were chucks. Use a gun that leaves you with a shoulder. Shot placement is 100% key (see your target) not the size of the gun. I think you guys from out of state are mis-led on how tenacious an Elk is. They are just as delicate as a mature white tail. Would you use a .338 on a deer? :confused:
Click to expand...

Why do I use it? Because I have it! Bought it for hunting deer and elk in Grizzly country and for that Alaskan hunt I've never made. Only notice the recoil on the bench. Never felt it in the field. Understand, this isn't my first trip to Colorado to hunt elk. I've been coming out there since '89 and have taken a lot of elk. I have also shot several elk with my .270 Win. using 150 gr. Nosler Partitions and 140 gr. AccuBonds. I realize the .338 is more gun than is needed, I just haven't used it in quite some time and thought I'd take it this year. So if you hear a big "BOOM" during the 4th rifle season up in the San Isabel Nat'l. Forest it just might be me. :D
 
If memory serves correctly the .270 Winchester, .375 H&H, and .338 Winchester, ( a short chambered version of the .375) are three of a very few calibers which tend to throw all weights of bullets to the same point of impact. A nice advantage when it comes to hitting at various distances.
 
Nosler partitions are my favorite.
.338? excellent elk caliber. Could use less but if it works, don't fix it.
My brother -in-law shoot a number of elk on the east slope with a .243. I don't recommend it, but can be done.

Good luck ZEEB and save me a couple cuts. Shoot a yearling cow!
 
Dakotazeb said:
Cut me some slack guys, those bullets will be right in the Bullseye at about 225 yds. :) I can almost hold dead on out to 300 yds. I'm about 18" low at 400 and 39" at 500. Don't laugh I've killed two bulls at 450-500 yds. I don't advise shooting at those distances but it can be done. Amazing how flat that big ol' .338 shoots.
Click to expand...
No laugh you are correct Sir.
 
I'm hunting the 3rd rifle season which is Nov. 5-13. I think I miss stated in an earlier post that I was going the 4th rifle season. I have the Ringneck Festival in Huron on Nov. 4th & 5th so I'll be driving out to Colorado on the 7th and should be up to the hunting area on the 8th in time for an afternoon hunt.
 
Zeb, 338 is a fine choice! Shoot whatever you shoot well and have confidence in!! I personally do not believe in the overkill theory. Good luck and have a safe trip and hunt!:cheers:
 
OK, that's what your rifle can do, but what about you?

Just to satisfy my own curiosity Zeb, did you shoot this group off a bench rest or were you standing, sitting, laying down or kneeling when you did this?
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking you or questioning you shooting ability but all too often people have a tendency to dial in their rifle on a bench rest and call it good. How many of us out there actually take the time to shoot from a more practical position before we get into the woods. I've walked many a mile in the forests of SW Colorado and never have I found a nice solid bench rest near a heard of animals. All of my shots have been from the positions mentioned above and I firmly believe that this is how a weapon should be dialed in.
I like your choice of caliber for elk hunting. My father-in-law shoots a .338 and it's always served him well. The one good thing about the .338 is that when he pulls the trigger, I always know where he is. Even if it's 2 ranges over.
Just my 2 cents but I firmly believe that "it's the bow and arrow and not the indian" when it comes to ethical hunting. As long as you are comfortable, well versed and well practiced with your weapon of choice then that's the right caliber for you. Granted, you don't want to use a .22 on an elk and common sense must take over at some point but if you can consistantly put a bullet in the kill zone with your rifle then your's is the best rifle to use.
Good luck Zeb. Shoot straight and I hope you drop your trophy this year.
 
sig, the groups were shot from a bench rest and sand bags. From this I know the rifle is on and going to do it's job as long as I do mine. I agree, not too many bench rests in the woods or out on the prairie. I don't do any other practicing with the .338 for two reasons. Recoil and cost of ammo. I've been shooting high power rifles for 40 years and feel pretty confident in my ability. Like I said in a previous post, I've shot a couple of bulls at ranges of 450-500 yds. Not the normal shot I want to take or recommend but the bulls were both standing broadside and I was able to be on a pretty solid rest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top