.35 Rem for elk?

This is the caliber a friend has available for a first elk hunt. From the charts, it looks to be a decent 100-yard elk cartridge. True...?

I would say it will work out to maybe 150 yards at best, and only if you have a real nice broadside shot. I wouldn't try any straight away, or quartering shots at over 100 yards since it lacks penetration at distance. (I base this partly on how handgun hunters judge distance. You will note that the 200 grain load at 150 yds is about like a 240 grain 44 mag hunting load at 100 yds.)

An excellent caliber for a 100-150 yard elk shot. Place the bullet in the lungs and you'l be eating good this year.

Jeff, If a 35 Remington is all your friend can pull together for an elk hunt perhaps he or she will feel more comfortable feeding it Buffalo Bore's 'Heavy 35 Remington' a 220 grain bullet at 2200 fps (as opposed to the usual

lung shot with the 35 seems like it would have to kill at least as well an arrow, a non-expanding large bore pistol bullet, or a muzzleloader's roundball. Nothing wrong with a challenging hunt. Wish your friend good hunting! Michael

Jeff It sounds like you are borrowing a rifle, not purchasing. If you are purchasing, get something else. If borrowing, practice until you can put 3 shots in a row on a 8 inch paper plate at 100 yds. Remember shot placement is the most important thing, esp. with the 35! Ask yourself what will I do if that nice elk is standing at 150 yds? The 35 is going to be alot less effective at 150. I had this decision some years ago, I was ready to buy a Marlin 336 in 35 rem but decided I couldn't pass on a nice elk at over 125 yds. I ended up with a Remington 700 in 7mm mag, which I feel confident shooting an elk out to 300 yds. BTW I ended up shooting my elk that year when it came over a rise at 37 yds! Go figure. Bottom line is know your limitations! Good Luck & beware, elk hunting is habit forming!

Thanks for the reply,

It is for someone else... he inherited the gun, it's his first year hunting. I use a 30-06 for elk. I'd not want to use a .35 Rem unless I had to. He IS pretty well connected (he does elk population surveys in Colorado) and has some F&W buddies who are gonna hook him up with spots to hunt... so they should be able to keep the potential range within his limits, I'd hope!

-jeff

This cartridge was plenty enough in our grandfathers day, but the elk have read up and know much more now than they did then.

Seriously, I love using a gun that requires more hunting, and less scoping. I wasnt always that way, it just took one really good, successful stalk. I stampeded alot of game at first, and I admidt I damned everything and everyone, but I really learned alot about hunting since then.

One of my old hunting partners used a .35 Rem autoloder for whitetail in Northern NY. He killed more than a few, but I don't think I would use that cartridge (if I had a choice) for elk.

In the scrub and swamp growth, it would make its own path, but beyond 150 yards or so, I wouldn't be confident.

If you are hunting 'close range', it will knock down a barn door.

Good hunting,