Elk Rifle

H82bogey · Mar 29, 2016

If you were going to purchase a new elk rifle, what calibers would you be looking at or what one caliber would you choose? Taking into consideration, recoil, affective range, bullet size available etc. I'm interested to know what others have done. I have heard anything from 30-06, 7mm, 300 win mag, 300wsm, 338.

I'm not worried about what you use for a scope, that's another thread for a different time.

Why did you select the caliber you did?

Flatrock · Mar 29, 2016

Oh man, here we go. Nothing like a "what's the best caliber" thread to get 100 replies!

Pick any caliber between a .270 and .338 and a QUALITY bullet. I've got a .300

Account Deleted · Mar 29, 2016

When I thought I was moving to Idaho, I bought a Kimber 8400 in a .300WSM. Plenty of gun for elk and other big game and because its a WSM, the action is shorter, thus lighter. It is a dream to carry but it is unpleasant to shoot. Kicks like mule. While I don't regret the choice, if I were to do it all over again and knew I was moving to Idaho, I would have went lighter yet and gave up my affinity for wood stocks and got a Kimber Montana. But that's neither here nor there.

Wildyote · Mar 29, 2016

Remington 700 in a 300 win mag

CJR · Mar 29, 2016

My son drew an ND tag last year and we went with a 300WSM. I had a 270 that I seriously considered using, but as it was my son shooting, I didn't want any "less than perfect" shot to ruin his hunt. The .300WSM gave me the margin of error I was confident with. Even if he flubbed a shot, I was confident it would get the job done. Depending on your comfort level, anything .270 and up should be fine.

deleted_account · Mar 29, 2016

id pick a rifle that isnt going to suck carrying around the mountains first and foremost. Any of the calibers mentioned will work.

SDMF · Mar 29, 2016

I've personally watched 18 elk die. 4 during the TRNP thing, 14 on real hunting trips. I've seen them killed with: 257Wby, 270Win, 300Win, and 338Win. I personally killed one w/257Wby, 10 w/300Win. My 270Win hand loads accounted for 2 more by other folks. One via buddies 300Win and his own handloads, 4 via buddies 338Win and his own handholds. Throw in killing a moose with a 300Win and watching another die via 338Win.

In my non-scientific sample above, from 125-450yds, using a good bullet and getting it placed in the lungs matters far more than what chambering it came from. I continue to carry my 300Win.

jpv · Mar 29, 2016

Killed my ND elk in 2011 with a Ruger model 77 in 300wsm(kicks like a mule) shooting 180gr. Nosler accubonds and dropped him in his tracks. Only elk I have killed so take my lack of knowledge for what it's worth.

SeisMec · Mar 29, 2016

I have a .338 that I got from a gentleman out in MT. He had a gunsmith customize it with a muzzle break, better trigger group, better butt pad and a Nikon with BDC reticle. The same gunsmith worked up 2 different loads for it, 1 using the Barns TSX bullet and 1 using the Hornady GMX. Once it's dialed in you can but a half dollar over a 3 shot group @ 100 yards. Those rounds aren't cheap, even handloading these rounds is expensive but worth it for accuracy.

I should clarify that I can could almost put a half dollar over a 3 shot group off a bench rest, someone else has done a lot better than I and got that down to a quarter.

KDM · Mar 29, 2016

300 win mag took my bull down, no problem. Should I chase them again, it will be my 300 on my shoulder.

johnr · Mar 29, 2016

I have never hunted elk. My largest caliber is a .270, if I ever draw my elk tag, I will be picking up a .300 short mag.

Marksman · Mar 29, 2016

35 yr old howa in 300 win mag. Still shoots 3 shots and cover with a nickle.

duckman1302 · Mar 29, 2016

The 7mm and the 30 cal have a wide variety of bullet sizes to choose from. I personally have a 280 Ackley improved which runs right with the 7mm mag with less powder and recoil. All are very capable.

Walleye_Chaser · Mar 29, 2016

FishReaper · Mar 29, 2016

Just pick up a Marlin 1895 or a Henry H010 in 45/70. It will drop anything in North America.

Kentucky Windage · Mar 29, 2016

duckman1302 said:
The 7mm and the 30 cal have a wide variety of bullet sizes to choose from. I personally have a 280 Ackley improved which runs right with the 7mm mag with less powder and recoil. All are very capable.

Yep. Anything .284 or .308 bullet diameter gets my vote. I've only killed one elk (ND tag). It fell from a 7mm Rem Mag with a 168gr Berger VLD.

The possibilities are becoming more and more endless with today's projectiles on the market. It's impressive what the manufactures have released for "heavy for caliber" pills. 6.5mm projectile wouldn't scare me away from killing an elk, but I believe the 7mm and 7.62mm are a better fit

FishReaper · Mar 29, 2016

Kentucky Windage said:
Yep. Anything .284 or .308 bullet diameter gets my vote. I've only killed one elk (ND tag). It fell from a 7mm Rem Mag with a 168gr Berger VLD.

The possibilities are becoming more and more endless with today's projectiles on the market. It's impressive what the manufactures have released for "heavy for caliber" pills. 6.5mm projectile wouldn't scare me away from killing an elk, but I believe the 7mm and 7.62mm are a better fit

The wife and I where looking at going a guided elk hunt and the guide we where talking to said the 7-08 is a great elk killer

DirtyMike · Mar 29, 2016

I'll shoulder my 270wsm if I ever go elk hunting.

5575 · Mar 29, 2016

Myself I have lots of guns that I never use in all calibers. I use my STW to kill pretty much everything.
But with that being said it's hard to beat an old reliable .300 or .338 for Elk. And like one other guy said, get it in a rifle that don't suck to carry around. Great words of advice. But like my Alaskan guide buddy use to say, those big mag calibers don't mean shit if you can't shoot the thing. Can't argue with that!

Mr Nice · Mar 29, 2016

My 7 STW will be going with me to Wyoming this fall in search of Wapiti.

Elk Rifle

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