I have been on several elk hunts in New Mexico, the last three cow hunts up by Raton I used the 45-70., Depending on your guide and where you are hunting, plus how much have they been hunted will factor in. I preferred the 45-70 with a 405 gr bullet, we never had to do any tracking.

 

If you are asking for caliber advice I would say go with the 45 70, even though, I know a 30 30 will take down an Elk. I have never hunted Elk, though, I have hunted Nilgai antelope. And they can get pretty large. If this was my first Elk hunt and it was going to cost me a significant amount, I would opt for a 30 06 or a 7 mag of which I own both calibers. Which what I typically use when I go on a Nilgai hunt. Why, because I can shoot farther with those calibers. Good luck on your Elk hunt.

 

Elk compared to a deer! Defiantly go 45/70!

 

Could the .30 do the job in the proper hands? For sure. Would the .45 be the better choice, assuming a shooter equally-skilled? Absolutely.

 

Assuming good bullet placement it is the 45-70 that will be best. The 30-30 trajectory is better, but the bullet is much lighter, and you want excellent penetration. I've killed many deer with a 45-70 and all with one shot properly placed. My last elk went down with a .338 Winchester Magnum. A lot of seasoned elk hunters will say 30-30 might be marginal, but a huge number have been taken with a 30-30. Is that a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 and not a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag?

Good luck on what might be a great hunt. Let us know how it goes, especially if you use a Marlin.

 

For years a family member of mine filled his freezer frequently with cow elk meat, using his 30-30 Winchester 94. He did have a pretty sweet setup where he always got short range shots under 100 yards, often under 50 yards. According to him none ever ran far, none ever got away.

In recent years I've taken two cow elk. Delicious! One shot was at about 340 yards. The other at 405 yards in a stiff crosswind. I wasn't trying to do long-range hunting, I simply ran out of cover at those distances and could approach no closer without being seen by the animals. Cow elk tend to hang out in herds. Many eyes, ears and noses are attempting to detect any threat.

I used a bolt action 30-06 with a Leupold 6x zeroed at 200 yards for both hunts. I've got a lot of experience with that rifle and knew what my holdover would be at each range. Stretching it to 405 yards is the farthest I've ever taken big game with my 30-06. Knew I could do it, but it made me pause and make sure I did everything right.

My 30-30 and 45-70 rifles are dear to me, but I wouldn't take either of them for my elk hunts. Too much open country, too much chance for a long shot.

Now - if your cow elk hunt is being held someplace where a modest range shot opportunity is likely... Go for it! I'd take the one you shoot best. Use a good bullet intended for big game and place it well.

Take really good care of the meat, it's delicious! I've got an elk steak marinating in the fridge right now.

Best of luck! Guy

 

I would favor the 45-70 if hunting in brush or heavy treed.

If hunting in open country then use something else.

 

re: 30-30 vs 45-70

I have a COW ELK hunt coming up in December in new Mexico

ask your outfitter for an opinion
..

 

re: 30-30 vs 45-70

ask your outfitter for an opinion
..

That is a great idea, and I meant to mention it as well. The outfitter should be able to give you an idea of how far you'll need to be able to shoot well.

Regards, Guy

 

I've hesitated replying here because I've never killed anything larger than a coyote with a 30-30. However, I've used lots more cartridges (25) to kill big game. If I use the kills I've had with a .300 Sav and .308 as comparisons, I'd go 45-70 without a doubt.

I've killed lots of big game with the .444, 45-70 and .450. The .450 is a hammer, but so are the .444 and 45-70.

Call it upping your odds, but I suggest that the big bore is the way to go.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

 

Go big. No such thing as overkill. If ever I head west it’ll be between my .30-06 or my .458” cartridges, win mag, gov’t, or Marlin. I enjoy the .30-30 but I see no reason to leave any doubt when it ain’t necessary

 

If those two rifles are your only choices, definitely go with the 45-70. The trajectories are similar between the 45-70 and the 30-30, but the 45-70 will do far more damage. I'm not familiar with the terrain you'll be hunting, but I would think something with a longer reach/flatter trajectory would be a good option. I know people who hunt elk with a 30-30, and many more who use a 30-06. I carried a 30-06 for several years, and then upgraded to a Ruger All Weather M77 in 338 WinMag. I have ditched the infamous canoe paddle stock for a Hogue. As mentioned, no such thing as overkill. Plus, you'll be less likely to have to pass up a shot because of the distance.

 

I appreciate all the feed back! Gonna talk to the outfitter but I'm glad I asked. Way more comfortable with the marlin 45-7. Heading to range!

 

Elk are tough to bring down, and the .30-30 in a lever action rifle is limited to lighter bullets that can cycle through the action. I'd never consider it a better choice for elk over a .45-70 myself. In fact having killed elk and seen how they reacted to various hits, I would never even consider a .30-30 myself.

 

Short range, 50-80 yards, either will work. Of the two options you offer, and if you don't want to track all day, .45-70. If 100+ (maybe 150-ish), .45-70 loaded with a soft point in the 300gr range outta do it. You can also reach out with a 400-ish gr projectile, but the velocity needed to get there and do the job is gonna be felt more on your end. If you are good with that, have at it. If I were in your situation, and I needed binoculars to see what I was about to shoot at, I'd wait for a closer shot, and/or change my locations to keep things at 100 yds, or less. Above all else, enjoy your hunt.

 

I started hunting deer and elk with my great grandfathers Winchester 30-30. They kill elk. I’ve spent lots of time in AK. Many of those villages up north worship the 30-30. They use it for every 4 legged critter they have. NOW, I would prefer the 45-70 because I don’t want to go track my animal hundreds of yards..

Also depends on terrain and distance you will be expecting.

 

Hey new to this form, I've been on multiple forms but this is the first time I decided to ask.
I have a COW ELK hunt coming up in December in new Mexico and have been back and forth between a Winchester 94ae (20 inch barrel) and chambered in 30-30 or Marlin 1894 chambered in 45-70 (26 inch barrel). I have owned the Marlin for some years and just picked up the Winchester 94ae. Form what I understand bullet placement will be key for both guns. This will be my first elk, so I figured I'd ask someone with more experience.

Welcome aboard. There's a Youtube video about 22 min.+ long called "Lever Action 30-30 Elk Hunt" which might help you decide whats best for you. Because Both your current choices in both calibers with proper shot placement/projectile choice can get the job done with enough practice. Provided you do your part for a clean/ethical hunt.

Wishing you the best of luck getting your Wapiti.

Old Creek

 

I had a general elk tag and an extra cow tag in my pocket a few years ago. I had my son with me (9 at the time) and I was walking a ridgeline waiting to kick up a mule deer doe. Well, a herd of about 10 elk came out of nowhere and all I had was my Marlin 336 30/30 full of 170 grain Sierras and 32 grains of W748. The elk were probably 120-140 yards away and I shot twice. Got two elk and no drama. One locked out and tipped over after about 30 seconds the other walked about 15 yards and crashed. First one was broad side and the second one was almost chest on facing me. That 30/30 gained a lot of respect from me that day. Now had I known I was going to be running into elk and had a choice……I would have brought my 300 win mag! lol

 

I hunt moose with my 45-70. But it's in thick country so all shots are well under 100 yards where we hunt. For the few marshes where a much longer shot would present, I use my 30-06.

Never had a moose go more than 20 yards after being hit with the 45-70 (shooting 300 gr JHPs usually). And moosies are way bigger than elk.

I do have a buddy that brings his 30-30 lever.....he's dropped calf moose with it, but it typically took more than one shot. But that might be due to lack of accuracy on the part of the shooter. LOL (he has iron sights....I have a scout scope or a red dot on my Marlin 45-70). I'm sure his gun would take down a cow or bull....if the bullet was well placed.

I'll stick with my 45-70 on the bigger animals....and if I run into a big black bear, would rather have the bigger punch of the 45-70 in my hands.

YMMV

 

If those are your 2 choices I would recommend that you use the rifle you shoot the best-most accurately, both calibers have taken plenty of elk as long as you watch your distance and use an appropriate bullet, a 170gr 30-30 round will take elk nicely with less than half the recoil of a 45-70. Remember the 30-30 was the king of the woods and killing everything from hogs to moose before other calibers came to try and kill them better.

 

I have shot at least a dozen elk with the 45-70, more with many other calibers - .308, 358, 8x57, 300 Win Mag, 300 Savage AND 32 Special. For elk, AT ANY RANGE I will always pick a 45-70, or a .308, or a .300 Savage over a .30-30. On elk, a broadside rib shot might work under 100 yards, but the 45-70 will work out to 250 or better without needing that true 'Archery Broadside' like needed by a 30-30 on elk. Antelope, deer sure take a 30-30, I often use the .32 Special on them. Over kill is way under rated, mostly by guys with 30-30's.

 

I have never had a problem with getting my elk with my 45-70. Love this caliber..

 

Hey new to this form, I've been on multiple forms but this is the first time I decided to ask.
I have a COW ELK hunt coming up in December in new Mexico and have been back and forth between a Winchester 94ae (20 inch barrel) and chambered in 30-30 or Marlin 1894 chambered in 45-70 (26 inch barrel). I have owned the Marlin for some years and just picked up the Winchester 94ae. Form what I understand bullet placement will be key for both guns. This will be my first elk, so I figured I'd ask someone with more experience.

I hunt a lot of elk and your hunting environment will be a factor. How open is the area where you are hunting? My area is heavily timbered so the vast majority of shots are under 100 yards. If I was hunting in a place where I was often in spots where 200-300 yards were not uncommon, I would take my 300 win mag because it shoots a lot flatter in long distance shooting.

The 30-30 is a great cartridge, but I would prefer a 45-70 for elk.

 

Both the 30-30 and 45-70 are solid choices for elk hunting, but each has its strengths. The 30-30 is great for closer range due to its flatter trajectory and lighter recoil, which might make it easier to place your shots accurately. On the other hand, the 45-70 packs more punch and can be very effective if you anticipate longer shots or need more stopping power.

 

I would zero that 30-30 at 200 yards with 170 grain Nosler Partitions and go fill a tag.

 

I have killed three elk, all moderately sized bulls, in my entire life. My Marlin .30-30 dispatched them without any fuss using standard 170 grain factory loads. Two were around 60 yards, the other about 140. Also got a few moose (bulls, have never knowingly shot girls of any species) and several black bears over the years, never felt undergunned with a .30-30. Those critters were all taken 30-50 years ago, perhaps animals have started wearing kevlar since then. Nowadays I am just a one buck a year deer hunter, almost exclusively using traditional muzzleloaders.

 

Great post-thank you.