Korth Group Outdoor Education, Top Five Popular Elk Hunting Cartridges
With cooler temperatures setting in, it can only mean one thing… the elk rut is going to start kicking off and our pursuit for the majestic animal will begin. It is hard to argue that elk are some of the toughest of the ungulate species in North America. They exhibit properties that give them a very unique will to survive, whether it is from the elements, predators, themselves, or hunters. It is important to recognize that it is our responsibility as hunters to ensure that whatever it is we are hunting it is dispatched quickly and ethically. There are many factors that go into this conversation but one branch on this topic tree is definitely the caliber and cartridge that will provide the right amount of authority to harvest one of these amazing animals.
Like many topics in the hunting world, this one is very subjective, and everyone has their own opinions and stories to back up their choice. Many will say that one should only hunt elk with magnum cartridges, others will say that it is not the cartridge but the bullet choice that is most important, and some will say that any cartridge will do (within reason) if the shot is placed in the right spot at the right distance… These are all great points but for the sake of this edition of Korth Group Outdoor Education, we are going to outline some of the five top elk hunting cartridges that is backed by a mixture of popular demand, opinion, and experience; however, we know that everyone has their preferred “tool for the job”.
300 WINCHESTER MAGNUM
I don’t think you could have a conversation about hunting elk with a rifle that doesn’t include the mention of the 300 Win Mag cartridge. Originally designed in 1963 by Winchester Repeating Arms, this cartridge has been a fan favorite for medium to large bodied North American game for over half a century now. It was built off the 375 H&H Magnum as the parent case and allowed hunters to shoot a wide range of bullet weights (150Gr up to 200+ Gr) effectively with a considerable amount of speed and stopping power. Because of the wide range of bullet weights, it made it very popular for a variety of different game, but heavier bullets like 180 grains and up, are better suited for elk, especially larger bulls. Depending on the bullet weight being used, velocities range from approximately 2800 fps all the way up to 3300 fps. Even though it is a dated cartridge, the 300 Winchester Magnum will always hold a spot as a favorite among elk hunters.
7MM REMINGTON MAGNUM
Similar to the 300 Win Mag, the 7mm Remington Magnum has been around for a long time and has been responsible for filling many freezers with elk meat. This cartridge was made available commercially in 1962 by Remington, the same year that Remington released the 700 action. Again, like the 300 Win Mag, the 7mm Rem Mag utilizes the 375 H&H Magnum as its parent case. It was designed to surpass the 30-06 Springfield by having better ballistics and higher muzzle velocities due to lighter projectiles being propelled with its magnum design. The 284 caliber bullets that it houses, back then, tended to have better ballistic coefficients and higher sectional densities than comparable projectile weights in 30 caliber. As a result, the 7mm Rem Mag arguably had better aerodynamic properties and could penetrate deeper. With that comes a bit lighter recoil when compared to some larger magnum 30 and 33 caliber cartridges. This is another classic cartridge that will always have a place in the elk cartridge hall of fame.
338 WINCHESTER MAGNUM
If you hunted elk back in the 70’s and 80’s chances are you or someone you knew was using a 338 Winchester Magnum. It was developed by Winchester Repeating Arms back in 1958 as a .33 caliber, belted, rimless, bottlenecked cartridge. There seems to be a bit of a trend here as the 338 Win Mag also utilizes the 375 H&H Magnum cartridge as the parent case with some slight modifications – shortened to 2.50”, blown out, and necked down to .338 caliber. This cartridge really caught the attention of brown bear hunters due to its heavy projectiles and intense stopping power however, elk hunters grew fond of this cartridge due to the fact that it was fantastic for taking down large elk but also to combat any angry bears one may encounter in the backcountry when in the pursuit of elk. I guess you could call it a “jack of all trades” cartridge that has helped elk hunters for decades.
300 PRC
We have covered a few traditional cartridges that have shaped North American elk hunting for years but there is always room for a couple new kids on the block – one of them being the 300 PRC. Invented by Hornady in 2018, the 300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) was built around the 375 Ruger as it’s parent case. Its modern properties make it a 30 Cal magnum cartridge for the 21st century. The 300 PRC was specifically designed to house long, high ballistic coefficient, heavy for caliber bullets, that deliver exceptional accuracy with peak aerodynamic performance. Projectile weights range anywhere from 180 grains up to 220+ grains, providing big stopping power on larger bodied animals like elk and being a heavy hitter with extended range capabilities!
7MM PRC
I guess you could say that the 7mm PRC is the little brother to the 300 PRC but by no means does it need any help when it comes to holding it’s own in the fight… The 7mm PRC was released by Hornady in 2022 and has grown to be one of the most popular all-round North American big game hunting calibers, capable of taking everything from deer and antelope up to big elk, moose, bears, and bison. The 7mm PRC is a magnum length 284 caliber cartridge, and like the 300 PRC, has the abilities to house long, heavy for caliber, high ballistic coefficient bullets for excellent extended range performance. The 7mm PRC is capable of pushing a 175 Gr projectile out of the muzzle at 3000 fps, similar to what a 7mm Rem Mag pushes a 162 Gr projectile at. One big advantage over the 300 PRC is the fact that it exhibits almost 30% less recoil which serves a purpose when tracking shots and managing a lighter weight rifle. Due to the growing popularity of extended range engagements on backcountry animals like elk, the 7mm PRC has really accelerate the interest of the modern day elk hunter.
Being a highly subjective topic, I think we covered a few solid elk hunting cartridges, both traditional and modern. Choosing the right cartridge for elk hunting is as much an art as it is a science. Whether you’re drawn to the time-tested performance of the 300 Winchester Magnum or excited by the modern capabilities of the 300 and 7mm PRC, the key is to find a cartridge that matches your hunting style, the terrain, and the size of the game. Ultimately, ethical hunting demands precision, responsibility, and a respect for the animals, the land, and yourself as a hunter. As you head into the field, may your choice of cartridge serve you well, ensuring a successful and humane hunt.
