Got my first elk hunt this year - Help me pick a cartridge

[TMac]

It’s 6mm minimum I think.

Most I know of are, but if a western state put in a 6.5mm minimum, I’d like to know.

 

[Shotall]

Elk hunting, nice! Go big or go home, 338 Lapua, boom.

 

[Altitude sickness]

It also depends which unit in Colorado. High preference point? Low hunting pressure.

Low preference point? High hunting pressure

Private ranch or federal land. Some units are at high altitude and steep.

Most private ranch hunts are out of a vehicle of some kind.

If it’s a private ranch, vehicle hunt than a 11.5 pound rifle package will be ok.

If it’s a low preference point government land hunt and you have to walk a lot of miles possibly in snow to find elk then a 11.5 pound rifle will get old very quick.

 

[Bbturbo_]

180 grain factory TTSX smashed through this bulls heart. Would be a good choice but not one of his options he has.

I wouldn’t want to lug around a Lapua while elk hunting. Notice terrain in background.

30-06 with a mono bullet he listed will be perfect.

View attachment 609873

Gorgeous elk