Thread: 270 in a 20in barrel or 308 in 18in barrel

A big bull Elk is twice the animal a Red stag is, that's why Americans prefer 300 and 338 magnums to hunt them. Not 243s like Holden used.

Originally Posted by Shearer

A big bull Elk is twice the animal a Red stag is, that's why Americans prefer 300 and 338 magnums to hunt them. Not 243s like Holden used.

correct,but its vitals are still bigger...and Holden ,being a culler was more likely to be shooting mostly hinds,so he was correct.....and somehow I dont think the man was a barrel stretcher as such.... one thing is for sure ,he could shoot.
there are 3-4 hunter/culler authors who used the .243 more of less exclusively and they were all fans off 100grn loads and shoulder shooting..... they killed far more animals than I will likely ever see,so I fail to see reason to doubt thier experience.

Originally Posted by Shearer

A big bull Elk is twice the animal a Red stag is, that's why Americans prefer 300 and 338 magnums to hunt them. Not 243s like Holden used.

@Shearer I have been thinking about why Elk are easier to knock over than Reds. When I cut up an Elk bull it is easy cutting not like a Red stag that is gristle and tough muscle. A slaughter and cooking trial was done in ChCh with female Elk / Waps ages from 1yr to 9yrs. The 9yr cow elk was as tender as the 1yr. Elk are easier to penetrate than Reds and have less connective tissue, it seems that they are more susceptible to shock.