What's your best elk rifle setup?

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BANNOCK1877

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What's YOUR preferred elk rifle setup? Looking for quality and accuracy-- didn't find what I wanted in a Remington Mtn rifle LSS .270. Any reccomendations out there?

Looks like the Rem. Sendero is now off the market?

Looking for tighter groups and more punch--- methinks .30 caliber plus...
 
Browning Stainless Stalker in 300 Win. Mag. with Bausch and Lomg scope and 180 grain Scirocco bullets. A real elk hound
 
They still make the Sendero, every other year, there are a few in 300win that you can get sent to you from the company, I just got one 2 months ago.

Mine is a ruger77MKII in 7mm with 160gr nosler partitions, going to try the Accubonds on a Jan cow elk hunt.

Nate
 
No doubt that the 338 packs more punch that 300s. And is well worth it. And its plenty flat too. Can be downloaded or uploaded. Extremely accurate, very versatile. Recoil is very manageable. There is recoil but its not that sharp snap that I don't care for much. About perfect if you ask me.

I'll have a 7wsm in a light mountain gun at some point, but the serious elk rifle will be 338 for longer ranges and 50 beowulf for out to 100 or so yards in timber.

Can you tell I don't currently own a 338? Have shot plenty and have plenty of 300 mags-- 300s just are not quite there for the largest game, IMHO.

Jeff
 
Browning Stainless Stalker - .300 Winchester Magnum
Bushnell Elite 4200 - 2.5x10x50mm
Leupold Rings & Bases
Butler Creek sling
200 grain Nosler Accubond propelled by a healthy dose of H1000 for a muzzle velocity of 3038 fps. Shoots m.o.a all day long....if I do my part:D

Shoots flatter than a .338 and hits just as hard. Just give up a little frontal diameter.

If you have been shooting a .270 caliber at elk, this will seem like a quantum leap to you when you see how it works on elk.

Go .30 caliber magnum with good 180 - 200 grain bullets and never look back.

P.S.
Have also used the 180 grain Nosler Partition, 180 grain Swift Scirocco, 180 grain Hornady Boattail Spirepoint, 190 grain Hornady Boattail Spirepoint. All worked well, but my preference is the Accubond, Partition and Scirocco bullets.
 
I disagree that 300's are "not quite there for bigger game" That is what the caliber/loads are designed for. Certainly a .338 is a great elk gun, but not the only elk gun. I shot a bull at 381yds with 180grn TBBC out of my 300RUM and the bull took 15 steps. You could hypothetically shoot a bull with a 500 NITRO and have it run, but you loose the range. The 300's on paper are perfect for what you need to elk hunt these days, especially with the unlimited choices in loads. I guess to answer the question at hand, I love my Sako synthetic 300RUM with a 4-12 Swarovski TDS.I can shoot up to 500 yards at the range confidently.
 
My elk rifle is a Browning A-bolt SS 300win.mag W/ Vari-X 3X10 but I've shot more elk with the same set-up in 280 Rem. Because it's what i'd rather carry all day in the steep and nasty.
 
ny elk rifle is the same rifle you have in 30-06 topped with a 3.5-10x50 leupold, i shoot 180 federal fusion through it and get 1" or better. very very light rifle for packing up and down the hills yet i get good velocity and good groups with the short barrel. it is also very easy on the eyes (looks good)
Casey
 
I got a ruger m-77 300 win mag.with a leoupold vx-3 3-9 and love it.It shoots srraight and reliabe.I shoot remmington core lokt 180 grain for elk.
 
Here is what Alaskans have to say...
Over 1800 Alaskans surveyed for there cartridge pick for all Alaskan game.

alaska.jpg


Chef
"I Love Animals...They're Delicious!"
 
I shoot a .340 Weatherby with a Leupold 4.5-14x. I've taken bulls out to 430 yards comfortably and they go down quick. Hunting dark timber is hard with a 4.5x scope though. The caliber is a little much for your average sized elk but I am always looking for a Goliath bull. I've seen too many bulls get away with smaller calibers. I know, shot placement is everything but I wouldn't shoot at elk over 350 yards with a smaller caliber. The extra insurance can be worth it.
 
The reason I choose 338 over the smaller magnums is the damage caused to the animals. I have seen animals killed with a 7mm, 300 mags and smaller calibers. I want at least a 225 gr bullet, but I prefer a 250 gr Grand Slam for Elk and Deer and a 300 gr Barnes for bears.
If you shoot an Elk or deer at 300 yards with a 160-180 gr bullet moving out over 3000 feet a second, it's like a grenade hitting the animal. I would rather have the sledge hammer effect that penetrates the animal, hits it like a locomotive with as little damage to the meat as possible.
They are all fine killing rounds, it's just my preference from what I have seen with my own eyes.
 
Every Elk I have seen shot was shot with a Ruger stainless m77 300 win and all of them stopped in their tracks, some of them it didn't kill them right away but none of them could move more than a couple feet with out falling back down. I shot my first (and only) elk(6X6) with a 300 winny with a 180 grain winchester factory load at about 175 yards he dropped in his tracks didn't move at all until we got about 50 yards from him then tried jumping up and could only move a couple feet before he dropped again, I shot him while he was facing me and slightly quarting away, the bullet went in hit his shoulder totally shattering it and kept going back lodging in his back hip, one more shot to his neck and he was done, this year I moved to a Ruger m77 338 win, I have done reloads using 225 grain Hornandy SST's with 68.5 grains of IMR 4831, the groups these things shoot are insane, I have yet to shoot anything besides a jack rabbit at about 250 yards when I was out shooting this last weekend weekend. I would highly recommend the 300 win or the 338 win mag.
 
I second that. I shoot a Remington 700 in.300 RUM with 180grn Noslers or Swift Sciroccos. Plenty of punch for elk and I would have no problem hunting grizzly with it. Have shot two elk, a mule deer and two black bear with these combinations and they are deadly.
 
Hey thanks guys--- I appreciate your input.

It's good to know what's out in the field, --and esp. what's working... This was a good tool to sort the sales hype.

The guys with blood on their knives are the ones to talk to.
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-09-05 AT 09:05AM (MST)[p]I use a 7mm weatherby mag 160 gr ballistic tip handloads.

7mm weatherby

100 yard +2.5

300 yards -.5

400 yards -9.5

500 yards -24

338 win

400 yds -20

500yds -44


300 UM

400 yds -20

500yds -42


30-06

400 yds -26

500yds -54


Your mileage may vary depending on bullet weight etc etc

I personaly dont like to shoot more than 300 yards.

sometimes if your across a canyon or following up on a wounded

Bull and you have to shoot 400 or little more its nice to hit
it.

If I had to, and I never have .. but if a bull is 500 yards away I know that aiming about the body height (top of back to belly) above the top of the back should connect..

However my limitations due to my severe case of Bull fever .. 300 yds is about right , with all my moving and heavy breathing I should hit within 6 inches of where I am trying to hit.

Not to say that if your a more steady shot than me and shoot a lot you cant hit a Bull with a 30-06 300 or 338 at 450 yards but 3 or 4 feet plus is a lot of drop to compensate for.

and it seems when you ask people how much their rifle drops at 350 - 500 most people , (the ones in this forum excluded, cuz were more dedicated than others..) people just dont know
 
Elk_Nuts, I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone used the new 325 WSM or heard much about it?

MO
 
stupid internet.. link wont work, because the internet is run by Al gore.. if your interested type in link or go to remington.com

If anyone finds a better chart please post it.. ty OS~
 
My father in law lives in Wyo. He has shot over 40 Elk in his lifetime and 85% were taken with a .270, the others were taken with the old 30-06. Thirty calibers are made for Elk. I shot my bull 3 years ago with my 30-06 using 165 grain Winchester powerpoints and he took 3 steps and dropped dead. 7mm's are great also. My cousin shot his first bull with a .250 when hes was 12 years old, the bull went 30 yds and died. Why do people abuse themselves with huge guns when they don't need to???


Donnie
 
30-06 in a model 70, straight 6 leupold. about as exciting as vanilla icecream- but its simple, nothing fancy, just good elk medicine.
 
model 70, still one of the best rifles made..

I have been looking for one in 270 that I can afford
 
I use Rem 300 ultra mag sendero stainless and fluted toped with a leupold 6.5x20 power with target turrets and mil dot reticle. I use 165g bullets but 180's are good as well. Did the trick on my bull at 430 yards this year. sendero may be off the market, but I purchased mine through gunbroker and I still see a few going through there. May pay a little more now, but there worth it.
 
I second that one Oldshed. I would love to get my hands on the classic, I don't care what caliber it is. Did they make a modle 70 in .243??
 
I took my second bull here in WY using my 30.06 from a Browning A-bolt medallion. Hit him twice, first shot at about 100 yards, second shot at 110 and he went no further. A lot of guys who have hunted elk here for a long time prefer the 300 or the 338 for elk. I just don't prefer the recoil and like my 06.
43738727120fcc42.jpg
 
.300 R.U.M, leupold 4x12 scope, 180 grn. partition loaded with 93 grns. of IMR7828. I have killed 3 elk with it and the furthest shot was 353 yrds. I love the gun, Its awsome and thats my .02
 
.338 Browning Stainless with 3x9 Luepold. I used the 210 grain Noslers but have now switched to 225 grain Barnes XLC's. Shoot what you can best handle. Its way better that the shot count and be in the vitalist of vitals. I sight in with a sleeping bag between the butt and my shoulder. I don't feel recoil when its shootin time. I concentrate on squeezing and I love their reaction. In NM we call it "oucho".
 
My personal elk rig is a Model 70 Super Grade .338. It has a Leupold Vari-XIII 2.5-8x in Talley mounts. I had it bedded, cut the barrel to 24", and had the trigger adjusted to a crisp 3.5#. I load 225 gr. North Forks ahead of 72.0 gr. of RL-19.

Jeff
 
It seems to me that there are a few Browning fans here. Glad to see I'm not alone. This year I bought a A-bolt Medallion in .270 just for deer.
My elk gun? A Browning A-Bolt Medallion in .300 Win Mag topped with a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-10x and shooting Fedral Premiums.
 
Weatherby Fibermark Stainless 300 wby mag/zeiss 4.5x14x44 conquest...180 gr. Nosler Partitions.
 
Mine is a custom 7lb rifle with scope. its a .340Wby on a Rem 700 action. With a 4-12x50 Swarovski scope that will soon be switched to a Leupold VX3 LR. I shoot 225gr Barnes x Trip shocks at 3100fps.
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-14-05 AT 11:28PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Nov-14-05 AT 11:19?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON Nov-14-05 AT 11:04?PM (MST)

One of my favorites is my custom 9.3Dakota with a Swarovski 3x10 in Talley rings. Another is my .35 Griffin & Howe Imp. with A VXIII 4.5x14 in Talley rings. I tried to post pics but couldn't get it to work.
 
I have 7mm shooting 150 Nosler BT with 62 grains of 4350. I killed my bull at 405 yards and he didnt know what hit him.

whatever you choose remember, it is better to have a bigger bullet going slower with a higher ballistic coefficency, than a smaller faster bullet with a lower ballistic coefficiency. Drops of the bullet doesnt mean much if you buy a scope with windage and elevation nobs and develop a dope chart out to 500 yards+.
 
For the past15 years i've been shooting a .300 Win Mag. I now shoot a Browning Steel Stalker in .300 WinMag. with Nosler Accu-Bond 180 gr bullets. Been very successful. Shot a bull this yr using this load. Dropped in his tracks. Looking fwd to getting a new Simmons Master Scope for next year. Been using the same ol
3x9 Redfield for a long time. It doesn't seem to hold it's zero from yr to yr. But gets the job done very adequately. Maybe I'm a perfectionist? All the above doesn't compare with the game I've killed with a 30:06 Springfield 03-A3 sporterized. It has never lost it's zero in 30 yrs, and It's my alternate or for anyone else in my party's extra.
 
OK...I've looked through this old post and figured I'd add my 02. I've been shooting a 8mm Rem Mag for about 13 years. I've killed about 8 elk with a rifle a few more with bow. The one's with the 8mm usually took a few steps and got hit a few more times before falling. Only 1 that was troting by did a complete head over with the 8mm. I did take out a spike with my .280 that appeared to have the ground pulled out from beneath him (TBBC). I truley believe it is not only cal choice, but good bullet selection as well. I'm liking the looks of the new .325, but I have yet to shoot at a bull over 100yrds, but the day will come when the big boy is at 300-400 hopefully I have the right gun. Or maybe the hunt left in me to get within 100yrds, but the time might not be there. Most hunter's would take the shot reguardless of what they are packing. I say get that cal that you are willing to take on every hunt, every animal pursued and shoot it often. I, like most of you still look for which one it is though.

Ewilt
 
I'll tell you it is hard to beat the .340 weatherby with 200 grain bullets. This will smoke the .338 mag. I personally don't own one but I have seen what it can do. With a muzzle brake it is the utlimate elk gun. Of course I am partial to weatherby stuff. .338 mag @ 500 yds= 1500 lbs of energy
.340 mag @ 500 yds= 2040 lbs of energy
both 210 gr. partition
thats about 30% more energy at 500 yds.
my 2 cents.
 
>I'll tell you it is hard
>to beat the .340 weatherby
>with 200 grain bullets.
>This will smoke the .338
>mag. I personally don't
>own one but I have
>seen what it can do.
> With a muzzle brake
>it is the utlimate elk
>gun. Of course I
>am partial to weatherby stuff.
> .338 mag @ 500
>yds= 1500 lbs of energy
>
>
>
>
> .340 mag @
>500 yds= 2040 lbs of
>energy
>
>
>
> both 210 gr.
>partition
>
>
>
> thats about 30%
>more energy at 500 yds.
>
>my 2 cents.



8.59 Lazzeroni Titan @500 yds=3000 lb feet!!! OWNED!!!!
 
>.50 BMG
>735 gr.
>3 billion pounds @ 500 yds.
>
>WAZZZZZZZZUPPPP




"TEH NUKZORZ!!!!!!" THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Dec-29-05 AT 12:33PM (MST)[p]My father has killed more elk than anyone else in our family with what I consider to be to light of a caliber: 264 Win Mag with 140 gr. partition bullets. His brother is second in the rankings with a .270 win.

If I can draw a Wyoming Elk tag this year, I'll see how my .300 win mag sighted through a Redfield 2-7 throwing 180 gr. FailSafes will perform.
 
I think that Alaska poll answered the question. If I was in Alaska hunting just about anything except maybe sheep, and that is heavy on the maybe, I'd be carrying a cartridge big enough to knock down the biggest animal that lives in that neck of the woods. For most of Alaska I'd want the 375H&H with 300gr or bigger bullets.
For the rest of America the 338 and 30's are plenty of gun. I've got a BAR in .338 and love it. Haven't knocked anything over with it yet so I can't report on that. Had a bolt action .338 before that and can say that a buddy and I put 3 rounds of 210gr Nosler's in a big mulie in CO a few years ago and he still ran over 100 yards. And the first shot absolutely blew his heart apart! And then my shot knocked him down again and still he got up and ran some more. Big bullet no guarantee. But it has to help.
Thick woods, bears and cats make me choose something that has a big bullet and a better chance of stopping trouble.
What else? I like stainless and synthetic. Can't get it in the BAR and will send it in for a teflon or cerakote before next season.
I'd be happy with my Winchester Model 88 in 308 but I just keep grabbing that BAR in .338 when its time to lace up the boots and go.
My advice is to get something you like and shoot it enough to get good with it. Don't want to be thinking when you should be shooting. Good luck!
 
.338 Win Mag in a BAR with a 4x12 Var II Leopold fine duplex. I shoot 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw Federals. Have recovered 2 slugs from one shot kills and the bullet retention weight was over 95% on both of them. That rifle has 13 notches on it as of this year-11 bulls and 2 cows. I love it almost as much as my wife.
 
Model 70 Classic Featherweight in .300WSM topped with a 3X9 Burris has served me well for elk. Potent medicene with few bulls going farther than 30 yards. 180 grain nosler partitions really perform. Weight is appropriate for the caliber so recoil is mild.
 
SHORTMAG, I SHOOT THE .300 WSM WITH THE 180 GR. NOSLER PARTITIONS ALSO/ IN A T-3. THAT IS ONE AWESOME COMBINATION, HITS HARD/ SHOOTS FLAT OUT TO 500 YARDS. I HAVE BEEN OVERLY IMPRESSED WITH MY GROUPS ALSO, ITS HERE TO STAY. YD.
 
Longun Mike,

Gee, you surprised me as I figured you would have said a 50BMG and only one shot kills at 800 yards. LOL

Just kidding you BUT do you really have "notches" on that stock??

Brian
 
LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-05 AT 05:06PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-05 AT 04:58 PM (MST)

I have used the same rifle for the past 20 years.It's a weatherby mark 5 26" barrel in 7mm weatherby mag.It wore a redfield illuminator w.f. 3x9 for 18 years and 2 years ago my wife purchased
a 4.5x14 leupold vari-x 3 for my b-day.I've harvested 9 elk and have never had to shoot an elk twice with this rifle.I shoot 150 gr. swift scirocco handloads and I'm getting a bit over 3300fps.
at the muzzle.The largest bull I've harvested was a beautiful 6x6 that grossed around 345.I'm very happy with this set-up.Moderate recoil with great accuracy and long range performance.
 
I've got a Sako 75 in a 300 RUM, topped off with a Zeiss 6.5-20x50. This was the first year I've had it and it took care of my cow elk at just under 400 yds. Worked pretty good i thought.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-04-06 AT 02:49PM (MST)[p]ditto what eweikum338 said, but add the following handload:

225 grain spire points and 70 grains of IMR 4350.

this season's result (he is a freak but i love him anyway) :):

myclubbull2.jpg


one shot at 225 yards.
 
This is one of the rifle I use when in elk Country.

300 Win Mag in a Pre-64 Win Factory unit , VX111 leo scope loaded with 180 gr Nosler partitions 3050 f/s.
I have only taken one bull elk and two deer with this loading.
I consider the bullet/trajectory/energy to be ideal for any hunting situation in Alberta.

300-win-2.JPG
 
I use a Weatherby Mark V in 300 WM with a Leupold vari-x III 3.5X10 50MM scope and 180 grain bullets. Contrary to some peoples beliefs, i have had EXCELLENT performance with Nosler Balistic Tips. I have taken and seen quite a few elk taken with this bullet and they just don't get back up.
 
Just got one this fall, Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter III. Used it on whitetails here in Wisconsin, and planning a trip out west next year. Shot 200 grain accubonds through 3 deer that left a 50 centpiece size exit hole. Less meat damage than my '06 and none of the 3 moved a step after being hit. Rifle shoots tight groups with little more recoil than my '06 and in the field it shot beautifully. Can't wait to use it on the larger game out west. Going by the ballistics charts it is faster than .300 win mag and hits harder than the .338 win mag. All this in a short action made it a no-brainer for my choice.
 
Winchester Model 70 Classic Sporter III in .325 WSM topped with Bushnell Elite 3200 3x9.
 
Rifles inc. lightwieght 70 .300 Win Mag with 3x10 Swarovski A line scope, 180 Barnes TSX handloads. only 7lbs field ready and gives 3/4" groups, works for me.
 
Mine is a German Weatherby made by JP Sauer for Weatherby and in .300 Weatherby Mag. and nothing but Weatherby 180gr Nosler Partitions. Had this rifle built for me back in 1967 and got it in 1968, back then took 9-10 months to get one. Just realized that this rifle is almost 38 years old. It now has a Zeiss Scope on it.

Brian
 
Wow that 300 mag is pretty popular. How much do they kick? I'm thinking of a new toy in .270 wsm. I've shot the same gun for almost 25 years that's killed a few elk. It's a 30.06 with a 4x Leupold & never had any problems taking an elk.
 
.284/7mm Partition at 3050fps muzzle velocity...just make it do that speed and it freaking kills....i dont know why but it will out kill just about any round going....
 
You've heard it enough, 338! I like the 210 Barnes boattail, 76.8 grains RL 22 for about 3000 fps. The 5 bulls I've killed with it have taken less than 10 steps total. The 15 or so cows I've killed with it have averaged about 20 yards. I always hit the shoulder on bulls which drops them in their tracks.I lung shoot the cows. The reason for the 338 is you ever have to take a Texas heart shot, the 338 will get you there.
 
My best set up is Browning A-bolt 7mm, Bushnell Elite 4200 4X16 Scope. It has been good for me.
 
I bought a Winchester 300 WSM this past fall, topped it with a 3x9 Nikon Buckmaster. 180 grain Nosler Partition. Two elk with one shot apiece. Both did not take a step after the shot. I am impressed with the accuracy.
 
Used to be: 300 WBY Accumark w/Leupold 3-9x40 Vari-x II shooting 180 grain sierra gamekings loaded by Federal. Ammo has gotten so expensive for this rifle I now have a newer favorite.

New best elk rifle setup: 7mm WSM topped w/ 3-9 x40 Nikon Buckmaster shooting 160 grain ACCUBONDS (best bullet out there right now IMO) loaded by Federal. Proven combo on 4 bull elk so far.
 

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