Elk Rifle

[Beck]

Thinking about putting together an elk rifle. Looking for suggestions on rifle, scope and caliber - anything smaller than 7mm need not apply

 

[samson7x]

My elk mountain gun is a seekins element in 6.5prc although they make it in larger calibers. Topped it off with a nightforce 2-10 and ultra 5 suppressor. Goal was lightest most durable setup I could get and I've been very pleased with it.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve got several “elk appropriate” rifles in the safe to choose from depending on the hunting conditions..

My primary/go-to/current favorite however is a Christensen Mesa Titanium in 300 PRC that’s topped with a Zeiss V4 conquest 3-15x optic..

Lightweight, so it’s not a problem hauling it up and down hill at elevation.. super accurate (the Christensen sub MOA guarantee is real..), and in a caliber that has plenty of horsepower for elk sized game at any distance I could envision ever taking a shot on one..

On the other end of the elk spectrum for me is a kimber Adirondack in 308… topped with a swaro z3 3-10x optic…

The Adirondack is crazy lightweight (under 6lbs loaded with the optic) and super compact… and also laser beam accurate with the Barnes 168gr ttsx hand loads I’ve built for it…

I consider it a 250 yard gun with the short barrel, compact stock, etc.. and if hunting elk that’s about as far as I’m comfortable flinging those 168gr bullets at the velocity they’re loaded to (dropping speed pretty fast out of the 16” barrel after they cross 250).. but if hunting more in timber and closer confines it’s about as perfect of a “mountain” rifle as I’ve ever seen..

 

[slam8031]

My current set up is a Christensen Arms in 7 mag with a trijicon scope. It weighs 5.5 pounds without the scope and ammo. (Approximate). A 7 ounce suppressor from silencer central and total weight is still under 8 lbs. I carried it one handed while stalking Mule deer in west Texas last week with Gizmo. Light and light recoil with good balance. I would have ventured into the 7 prc or 30 PRC but were unavailable when I was searching in left hand models.

 

[dchamp]

My go to rifle is a 8mm Rem Mag. It’s better than any .30 cal, in my opinion, under 600yds and is almost as good as a 340Wby. In fact I would have a 340Wby if I didn't already have a 8mm Rem Mag. The only downside with a 8mm Rem mag is, it is pretty much a hand loader's cartridge. But man it packs a punch.

 

[WyoBull]

My “go to” elk rifle is a Remington [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] SS in [emoji[emoji6]]mm RUM. My load for it is a Barnes [emoji6] gr LRX.
It is topped with a Leupold [emoji6].[emoji6]-[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] with the Leupold dot reticle and CDS dial customized for that load.

 

[dogcat1]

I have hunted them and taken them with a .280 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 H&H. All work! My elk hunting buddy has taken 20 or more with a .270 Win.

 

[Goat416]

Having spent considerable time hunting elk in the western U.S., I've found that, much like hunting in Africa, there are many cartridges that can get the job done. From my experience, it's important to be ready for shots up to at least 500 yards. I prefer sticking with 30-caliber cartridges such as the 300 PRC, 300 RUM, or 300 WSM, all of which offer the power and accuracy needed for the job. A high-quality scope in the 3-18x range is a solid choice, providing versatility for both close and long-range shots. Most elk hunts occur in rugged terrain, a lightweight rifle like a Christensen Arms model is ideal, as you will most likely be carrying it over long distances.

Ultimately, the key to success is preparation. Practicing regularly and being ready for the shots you're most likely to encounter will give you the best chance of success.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I personally like and use a 338 WM. My most recent hunt, I used the outfitter's Best of the West 300 PRC. Very impressive shooting system and caliber!

 

[franzfmdavis]

- Cooper of Montana (now Arkansas) with Proof Research barrel
- 30 Nosler (similar but superior to 300WM)
- Schmidt & Bender PMII Illuminated 3-12x50 P4FL Mil reticle

 

[Ontario Hunter]

30-06 worked fine for me. Not a gun that will shoot into the next zipcode ... but that's just shooting at elk, not hunting them.

 

[375Ruger416]

I have a Gunwerks Nexus in 300 PRC topped with a Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18 with the Gunwerks reticle in FFP. It is going on an elk hunt with me in October. Currently, I am shooting Barnes 208 gr LRX at 2815 fps. It worked great on my plains game hunt in Namibia in September.

I would go for any quality rifle in a 7 or 30 caliber magnum. I like Leupold VX-5 or 6HD scopes with the Firefox, windplex, or TMOA reticle. The new Swarovski Z5+ 3.5-18 4W illuminated reticle looks like a great scope too and is a reasonable price for a Swarovski.

My previous primary hunting rifle was a Fierce 7 RM topped with a VX6 3-18. It has dropped everything including bull moose with 160 gr TSX.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

View attachment 661901- Cooper of Montana (now Arkansas) with Proof Research barrel
- 30 Nosler (similar but superior to 300WM)
- Schmidt & Bender PMII Illuminated 3-12x50 P4FL Mil reticle

You forgot to list the model name/number of the Rolex!

 

[375Ruger416]

Oh, I would look at 280AI if you want a lightweight rifle.

 

[franzfmdavis]

You forgot to list the model name/number of the Rolex!

Ha! Explorer II Polar dial.

 

[WyoBull]

My “go to” elk rifle is a Remington [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] SS in [emoji[emoji6]]mm RUM. My load for it is a Barnes [emoji6] gr LRX.
It is topped with a Leupold [emoji6].[emoji6]-[emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] with the Leupold dot reticle and CDS dial customized for that load.

Does anyone know what is causing these emojis to come up on a lot of my posts?

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I’m sure the 35 Whelen is all you need for anything the walks this planet, just ask Bob, he knows.

 

[375Ruger416]

https://weatherby.com/rifles/model-307/. I’d consider the Alpine CT in 7 PRC, Leupold VX-5HD 3-15, try Federal Terminal Ascent 170 gr.

Same cartridge Tikka or Ruger American Gen 2 depending on budget. Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10 or 4.5-14.

I have a Ruger American Rimfire 17 hmr that shoots bug holes and have had good luck with Tikkas. The action is a bit rough on the Ruger, but it is ridiculously accurate.

Ok, I’m done spending your money for today lol.

 

[RedTag]

Pre-‘64 Winchester M70 action, barreled .35 Whelen (24”), Boyd’s laminate stock and Leupold 6x scope, would be nearly perfect in my opinion. Now let’s talk bullets.

 

[buffybr]

I shot my first elk almost 60 years ago when I was in college, and I used a borrowed .30-40 Krag with iron sights. As that was only my second hunting trip, I didn't know much about hunting, and I started shooting at him when he was so far away that the front sight bead completely covered him up. Luckily there was snow on the ground, very few other hunters around, and after a very long chase I finally got him.

The next year I decided that I needed my own rifle so I asked a couple of the locals that I worked with and had grown up elk hunting, what caliber rifle I should get. They both said to get a .30-06 or .270 Win, so I got a .30-06 with a Tasco then later a Weaver 3-9x40 scope. Except for a 3 year stint in the Army, my .30-06 kept my freezer full of elk meat for the next 10 years.

Then, just because I liked the looks of the cartridge case, I had my .30-06 rechambered to .30 Gibbs. That rifle shooting 180 gr Nosler Partitions, put another 20 some elk into my freezers, most with one shot kills, and none shot much over 250 yards.

Over the years I've also shot elk with my 7mm Rem mag, a 10 yd spot and stalk shot with an arrow, and one of my best 6x6 bulls with a 117 gr Sierra GameKing bullet from my .257 Ackley.

My favorite elk rifle now is my .300 Weatherby Vanguard shooting 180 gr Barnes TTSX bullets. I now have a Leupold VX 3i 4.5-14x40 CDS scope on it. I've used that rifle on multiple African hunts, and on hunts in New Zealand, Azerbaijan, and Canada. I see no reason for me to ever change to different elk rifle than my 7mm RM or my .300 Wby.

If I was just starting elk hunting, I see nothing wrong with a .30-06, 7mm RM, .300 Win, or the new 7 PRC or 30 PRC cartridges. I currently have 3 Weatherby Vanguard rifles that will consistantly hit the 9" steel gong we have at 430 yards at our range. I also have Leupold scopes on most of my rifles, and I sepecially like their VX 3i 4.5-14x40 CDS model, and maybe the one with the lighted center dot.

My best "trophy" bull elk in my younger days with my .30 Gibbs and an 180 gr Nosler Partition bulet.