[nitestalker]

Locutus you need to get a "Sand" Elk tag some time in the Red Desert. That area West of Baggs and North of the Little Snake River.

[locutus]

I've hunted deer NE of Baggs, (south of Rawlins) in the canyon country, but never elk.

Might be worth a try.

[JimRau]

Originally Posted by Redneck420

I am thinking about going elk hunting but I cant decide on a caliber: 7.62x54r, 7.92x57, .300 wsm, or 50 cal. Ml.

What do you guys think?

Personal I have killed more elk with a 270 Win (with 140 Barnes or 150 Nosler Partitions) than any other caliber. BUT I would recommend a minimum of the 30-06 with at least 165 Nosler Partitions. I lasted hunted elk with my 35 Whelen (225 Barnes TXS at 2700 fps) but none of the great animals blessed me with their presents! My other 'elk' rifle is my 7 RM with 160 gr Nosler Partitions.
Choosing the 'right' bullet is just as important as choosing the right rifle.

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by JimRau

Personal I have killed more elk with a 270 Win (with 140 Barnes or 150 Nosler Partitions) than any other caliber. BUT I would recommend a minimum of the 30-06 with at least 165 Nosler Partitions. I lasted hunted elk with my 35 Whelen (225 Barnes TXS at 2700 fps) but none of the great animals blessed me with their presents! My other 'elk' rifle is my 7 RM with 160 gr Nosler Partitions.
Choosing the 'right' bullet is just as important as choosing the right rifle.

I do agree on almost every point. A .35 Whelen w/ a 225 at 2700 fps is about 100fps faster then max loads and 200fps more then average load. Still a great round. I use a .286gr Partition in 9.3x57 in the same way at 2100fps. More or less both are 200 yard thumpers.
As Far as the 8x57, it is as capible as the .30-06, even more so useing 200gr bullets. 180gr can easily be driven to 2700fps and well above, closer to 2800+ and 196..200gr to 2700fps. .308 w/ a 165gr is good to 300 yards, 8x57 or .30-06 400 yards w/ 160 or above. Barnes does tell you if you call that you can use partition loads that are within 5 grains safely, but start on the low side.

7.62x54r w/ a factory 203gr bullet will put a big hurt on Elk if you keep it within 300 yards.

I'm not a fan of the WSM cartridges. 7MM Rem mag is a good choice w/ 140 or 160gr barnes. I have more of these two bullets to reload then almost any other. Past 400 yards the 160gr wins.

BTW, When it comes to 8x57 or .30-06 the platform matters.