re: Best rifle for elk hunting

quote:

---

The 7 mag. ends up wounding a lot of big game animals and here is why……………the typical 140gr. bullet is doing around 3200 fps at the muzzle, so if you fail to choose a tough controlled expansion bullet design, the softer bullets tend to over-expand or rupture and not penetrate deeply enough

---

I have only had the opportunity to hunt elk one time on a Wyoming cow license.
Remington 700 factory 7MM mag. 140gr Remington Core-lock @436 yards broadside. (Rifle zeroed at 325 yards)
Bullet penetrated behind right front elbow, took 2 ribs (1 in & 1 out), 2 lungs, and stopped just under the hide on the far side having spent all of it's energy.
She trotted about 20 steps, paused, and dropped.
I'm satisfied that is is quite adequate for the purpose.
Later that fall I took my best all time whitetail buck here on the farm at 500+ yards, but it wasn't a perfect shot as he was running quartering away. He went about 80 yards before he laid down.