Whitetail, Muley & Elk Hunt...Rifle Recommendations

Elkinator_Jay · Jun 19, 2017

Hi my name is Jay, I am looking for a great all around rifle for Whitetail, Muley & Elk hunting. I'd like the ammo to be consistent and not crazy expensive.

My goal is to hunt in Colorado or Montana in 2018 for Muleys & Elk. I'm planning things out each week. I currently have an .308 savage. I'm open to opinions.

I will be purchasing an Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 FFP in MOA.

I appreciate any and all feed back. Also, would like to get some ideas and good sources for packing out.

Cahunter805 · Jun 19, 2017

7mm Rem Mag or 30-06 is what I'd be looking at. Ammo is cheap and readily available for both.

dillon · Jun 19, 2017

+1 on 7mm and 30-06. I shoot a Tikka T3 lite chambered in 7mm Rem Mag.

springvilleshooter · Jun 19, 2017

What's wrong with your 308 Savage? Nearly perfect option for deer and elk.-------SS

kalielkslayer · Jun 19, 2017

I can't argue with the 7mm rem mag but I want to throw the
300 win mag out there as better than the others for a guy that wants one gun for everything.

And I don't even own one. I shoot deer/antelope with either a .280 rem Or 7mm rem mag. But for elk I use a .338 win mag.

I think the 300 win mag is a great compromise for everything.

The cost of ammo is a minor consideration when you factor in tag prices, gas, camping gear, hunting gear, etc. IMO.

N_Corey · Jun 19, 2017

Another vote for 7 mag or 300 win mag. The difference between the two comes down to what weight bullet you want to shoot. If you're going 180's or lighter I'd go 7 mag.

Millsworks · Jun 19, 2017

The 308 will perform great out to 400 yrds. on most game with good 150gr. bullets.
If you want to shoot farther and hit hard, then the 7mm mag. or my favorite the 300 win. mag. are the only choices.
I think that if you can handle the recoil, the 300 is more versatile, easy to find good factory ammo, and hits extra hard past 600 yrds. with 200gr. ammo.
I also feel that the Vortex line of optics give all the features you need for a great price.
Wouldn't want anything less than a 16 power optic on a long range hunting magnum.
I shoot an old Winchester model 70 featherweight chambered in the 300 win. mag. topped with a Vortex Viper pst in 4x16x44 with a ballistic reticle.
It is truly an amazing combo for me and carried with a good range finder that reads well out to at least 800yrds. is a force to be reckoned with.

Elkinator_Jay · Jun 20, 2017

Nothing wrong with the .308 Savage SpringvillesShooter, I want to have the most successful hunt and I am compiling the best options together. I'll be hunting whitetail this fall in Missouri & Kansas and will be preparing for my muley & elk hunt next year in Montana.

I'm learning all I can. I'll be getting the Athlon Ares BTR FFP 4.5-27X50 MOA as soon as it's available in mid July. It's super affordable for the hd glass and zero stop. Any other optics recommendations? Looking forward to getting that scope on my .308 or 7mm rem mag.

Elkinator_Jay · Jun 21, 2017

I can go either way on this one, the 7mm rem mag or the .338 win mag. would be great choices.

I understand the consideration of the other costs associated with my hunt, but a great reminder.

Thanks Kalielkslayer!
- Jay

Joe2Kool · Jun 22, 2017

I was in the same spot 10+ years ago and went with the 7Mag. I now own both the 7 and a 300 Win Mag. If I had it to do over again, I'd go with the 300. I am tempted to trade my 7 Mag for something like a 308 for eastern woods whitetails, but I can't because it is a tack driver!

Homer · Jun 22, 2017

....the scope is overkill

joesikora · Jun 29, 2017

30-06 for sure as said above. a great overall gun . Combine it with Nosler Partion 180 gr for elk

Good luck

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora

MuddyBoots · Jun 29, 2017

I agree with other posters that there isn't anything wrong with the .308 you have now. If I was you I'd pick up this VORTEX RAZOR HD LH 3-15X42MM RIFLESCOPE https://www.camofire.com/index.php/Deals/1 for $720. Then take the money you would've spent on a gun and go hunting. I shoot a .308 and love it. I own a 338 RUM, 270 Win, 30-06, and find myself reaching for my 308 every hunt. I've taken deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, and goat with mine. Hell, even used it when I was hunting for grizzly.

MuddyBoots · Jun 29, 2017

Just saw Camerland has the rifle scope I just mentioned for $650!

Elkinator_Jay · Jun 30, 2017

I agree with one of the other guys too, the 4.5-27X50 is too much scope for the rifle. I'll check into the Vtx Razor HD, at the same time I'm eyeing the Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15X50 rifle scope just below the 4.5-27X50...I've seen some really good reviews on it and it's out

[http://athlonoptics.com/product-category/riflescopes/]

I like the 50MM objective for more light enhancement on the lens especially when I get into lower light conditions.

MuddyBoots, I'll definitely take your advice on sticking with the .308 Savage for my hunt. I agree, I'll just save the money for the hunt and supplies and focus on other areas.

I can't thank you all enough for your feed back!

Any thoughts on what you use on packing out an elk? Any tips, tricks or tools would be appreciated!!!

- Jay

MuddyBoots · Jun 30, 2017

Just remember, packing out an elk is a marathon, not a sprint. It's an all day ordeal best case scenario. When solo, I'll skin and quarter my elk then hang it in a nearby tree. I have a Mystery Ranch pack that'll carry more weight than anyone in their right mind would care to. It takes me three trips to get an entire elk out. Mind you I'm doing it with the bone still in since I feel like it minimizes meat waste and reduces making a mess of it. Seems like they always pick the least ideal spot to die in. Best of luck this fall!

1911 · Jun 30, 2017

>Hi my name is Jay, I
>am looking for a great
>all around rifle for Whitetail,
>Muley & Elk hunting. I'd
>like the ammo to be
>consistent and not crazy expensive.
>
>
>My goal is to hunt in
>Colorado or Montana in 2018
>for Muleys & Elk. I'm
>planning things out each week.
>I currently have an .308
>savage. I'm open to opinions.
>
>
>I will be purchasing an Athlon
>Ares BTR 4.5-27X50 FFP in
>MOA.
>
>I appreciate any and all feed
>back. Also, would like to
>get some ideas and good
>sources for packing out.

Unless you want another rifle, the .308 Savsge will already foot the bill.

Elkinator_Jay · Jul 6, 2017

Ok, so I am going to stick with my .308 Savage rifle per all of your feedback.

I am going to move forward and pull the trigger on the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27X50, I know Athlon Optics is fairly new to the market in the last couple of years but I'm sold on their reviews and Lifetime warranty and the Ares BTR has got everything I want for well under a grand! Zero Stop, HD Glass and the lifetime warranty... I can pick it up for $849!

[http://athlonoptics.com/product-category/riflescopes/]

I'm sooo looking forward to hunting whitetails in KS & MO this year! Next year I'm applying for at least two elk tags (Colorado & Montana) in hopes of getting at least one.

Thanks for your feed back gentlemen!