Favorite Elk Rifle

J

jims

Long Time Member
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I'm in the market for a new, long-range shooting elk rifle and was wondering which caliber you guys like and why? Also, any preference to Weatherby, Remington, Sako, Tika, TC Encore, etc. I have a 300 Weatherby in Remington action and have had nothing but problems with it the last few years. I've been considering 300 WSM, 300 Ultra, 7mm Weatherby Mag, etc.
 
Jims,

I don't rifle hunt, but I take my brother out rifle hunting quite a bit here in CO, and that 300 Ulta is amazing. You almost don't need a rangefinder. Just point and shoot! I've never looked at the ballistics of it, but I can tell you, that that thing shoots.
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-08 AT 11:08AM (MST)[p]I have a Sako 85 Finnlight in 300 WSM. It weights 2 ounces less than my winchester featherwieght 30-06. The recoil is very well managed with their recoil pad and stock design. The controlled round feeding action is so smoothest of any rifle I've ever owned. The action is also all stainless steel so no need to worry about rusting while in the field. The 300 ultra has slightly better ballistics, but I didn't want to carry the extra 1 1/2 pounds all day. The only thing I don't like is how much it and the opti-lock scope rings cost.
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-08 AT 04:49PM (MST)[p]Yeah buddy do I..... Sako TRG 42 chambered in 338 Lapua mag with a night force 6-22X56mm scope. Buy factory loaded ammo and u never have to worry about reloading period. The 250gr. scenar bullets will punch a 6 inch circle at 1250 yards and blow through two layers of 1/4" steel at that range as well. Anything shot under 1000 yards with that gun and the correct drop chart is a freakin chip shot. My second choice would be the weatherby Mark V in 338-378 wby mag. Only problem is that you have to hand load your bullets. It takes quite a bit of working but if you have the patience the .4" group at 100 yard bullets can be found. My last choice is my mcmillan tac 50 50BMG with the 750 gr hornady amax. Only problem here is the weight. So all in all I would absolutely 100% definitely go with the sako trg 42. That is hands down the baddest most awesome weapon in my arsenal. You will love it if you can find the coin for it.

ss
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-08 AT 04:57PM (MST)[p]In addition... For knockdown power and flat shooting the baddest is 338-378 wby mag, very closely followed by the 338 lapua mag, and way way behind in 3rd is the 300 ultra mag. I have all 3 and hand load all 3. That freaking 338-378 wby mag is a freakin beast. It'll knock anythings duck in the dirt. I would stay away from the 300 ultra mag and 338/378 however. They generate excessive amounts of barrell heat rather quickly. I won't get into follow up shot/accuracy jargain right now. In short, you can put 8 rounds down range with that sako trg 42 as fast as you want and they will all pound in well under 1 moa. You have to wait several minutes between shots in order to do this with the 300 umag or the 338-378 wby. Trust me. I have lots of experience and kills with all 3 and am telling you the trg 42 is an instrument to be worshiped.
 
If I was in the market for a new rifle ,I would take a close look at something in the 325 WSM . From what I hav read,this would be a great elk cal.
 
Stinky-
My back feels much better just thinking about it.....we'll not have to pack out as much meat next fall!! Lol






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I'm glad it's "your" back slammy. I plan on just being an observer!

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
Don't you go backing out on me now Pro, i hear your quite the "mule"!!

Don't beleive the stories about me bringing out both front quarters, and the head/antlers and cape from a 370 bull a few weeks ago....it was a lie ;-)

(I have been to the chiropractor twice since then and still aint right!!)







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I'm looking forward to seeing stinkystomper use this gun next fall. Almost as much as watching slammy pack out two quarters and the head/cape in one trip in that country! }>

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
Pro-
You'll find that i prefer hunting (killing) near a road....down hill of course.
Stinky can use that big old cannon ANYWHERE he wants too!! ;-)







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I have 8 years of experience shooting and handloading the .300 RUM using bullets from 125 to 200 grains, and what stinky says is BS. Also, if you need a .338-378 or a Lapua, much less a Fifty to hunt elk, you should stay home. I still say the .300 Ultra is THE best .30 caliber elk rifle when long range is a possibility. Accurate, hard hitting and affordable. mtmuley
 
So slam; You're packing out the front shoulders? Guess the 50's going through the back door. lol. that'll leave you with all the meat. Why don't you just agree to pack out the hindquarters so I can put one through the wheel house. WTF pro. Watching from afar???? I'm bringin a bull whip and chains. No pro, there not for me and slam to play with at night either.......
 
Some guys just like big guns, "overkill" is only for the guy standing on the sidelines watching.

Even to say a RUM is the best elk cartridge out there can be argued, there have been more elk tipped over with a standard 30-06 than all other calibers combined.

Why do i "need" a rifle that shoots 4200 fps for a varmint that sits still when i kill it??
A .223 would be "just fine".....but i like shooting my .204.

Personally i shoot Mark V Weatherby's in .300 wby magnum.
I shoot elk with it, and i shoot deer with it, and i will shoot antelope with it.
Overkill?? Some will say "yes", some will say "no".

If Stinkstomper wants to kill elk with super hot .33 caliber magnums...or even a .1/2" bore.....bring it on, dead is dead!!
If he brings a .270 on his Utah elk hunt.....i'll be nervous ;-)








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Hey mt muley. The 300 um is awesome. I never said it wasn't or I wouldn't own one myself. The 300 rum and 338/378 are both lighter than the trg 42 but only wuss's worry bout weight, lol. The 300 rum is easier to shoot w/o a muzzle brake but only in the heavier weight guns like the remington sendero, but then you will be pushing the trg 42 weight. I can take my trg 42 and put an elk on the ground 10 of 10 times at 1300 yards. I wouldn't do this with the 300 rum. At that distance the 300 RUM is not enough. 1000 yards or less with the 300 rum and you're fine. Guess it all depends on the shooters skills. weight vs recoil vs energy vs price?????? lots of choices....
 
Hey there slam... I've seriously been thinking about buying that 20mm vulcan cannon from anzio iron works. That would be freakin cool to shoot somethin with a 3300 grain bullet traveling at 3300fps. Whata you think??? cooooooooooooooooooooollllllllll!
check out the gun
http://anzioironworks.com/
 
I am now scared out of my mind! What am I getting myself into?

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.
 
No I think the most humane weapon would be a tank then we know for sure it will be dead. Sorry but that is just ridiculous.

JR
 
And why did you pack the whole thing out if at least half of it was trashed? One thing about those cannons, you only have to pack out half of your game! LOL>......
And in order to have a wall mount, you need to make a rear entry shot!
 
I don't mount my barbary sheep. So there was no need to find a cape. Believe it or not but that is the only animal ever shot with that gun that did that. entrance and exit holes on the rest were hard to find. You have to peel the cape and look for the 1/2" entry and 1/2" exit hole. All those Utube videos are a complete lie. As far as rediculous.... U bet. I am completely rediculous myself. If i could by a tank I wouldn't. It is illegal to drive off-road and to hunt from a vehicle. DUH!
 
Being the mere mortal that I am, I guess I'll stick to my old Savage 110, 30-06. Not considered a long range gun I suppose, but then if I can't get within my effective range, I've no business pulling the trigger...

All the more power to those with the desire, skill, and $$$ to carry and shoot the big guns.
 
I have a 7MM lever action. It is the best gun I have ever shot. knocks them down right away without a hole the size of a basketball. Shoots right on at 400 yards.
 
What the heck. Are you implying I have skill???? I have none what-so-ever! How dare you insult me. I HAVE to shoot a 50. My stalking skills suck. I can only get to within a mile before everything starts leaving the country. Oh wait..... thats my reputation preceding me even in the field. Poor little critters feel me coming from miles around and flee for their lives!
 
>I have a 7MM lever action.
>It is the best gun
>I have ever shot. knocks
>them down right away without
>a hole the size of
>a basketball. Shoots right on
>at 400 yards.


So you must be like 12" high @100!
 
+100 abomb

lmfao. That's freakin hilarious. Holy crap... that's funny right there I don't care who ya are.
 
What about the 30-378wby!!! I have just started to shoot one and wow is it a great gun. My buddy has the 300RUM and he says that this shoots a lot better. Just my 2 cents
 
I shoot a 338 rem ultra 250 gr. custom leupold reticle one shot kills on elk all day .Loaned it to a hunter i guided on the pauvaunt 548 yd one shot kill.
 
338 umag. That's one gun I don't have but all the equations I worked on it are promising. That gun will definitely do. As far as the 30-378?? I stayed away from that becuase all the hype that followed the 220 swift immediately followed by mass barrell replacements. Come to find out a few years later the barell replacements aren't necessary if you stay under 3900 fps. Oh well. It is balistically the same as the 300 RUM. Both are very good guns, but the 30-378 is just a much much flatter shooting gun. That thing has freakin wicked velocities. That 338 RUM is definitely a power house. I believe I would be very happy with it. Just my two cents. I'm no expert on the subject, but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night.
 
i have to vote for 7mm since i got mine it has become my favorite rifle
Good Luck and Great Memories
 
Stinky,
Barbary sheep should never be mounted period. Least of all in public.
My vote here is a Matthews DXT shooting Gold Tips with a Slick Trick at business end. Muzzle velocity: 285 fps. Hold 93" high @100 yds, 212'@600 yds. Does the trick everytime and you should see the hole it punches in those Utah toads! I find it works best under 25 yds, but then again, my name isn't Stinky....
 
I'm sure I can find you DXT and 7mm guys some mortar launchers to use on those animals. I think a mortar has a little flatter trajectory.
SS
 
I didn't realize that you had to be able to shoot over 1000 yards to hunt elk. Not to make this a long range disscussion, but is it still considered hunting if you are shooting from over 1/2 mile away? Really, can't you get a bit closer? It's not like they will hear you coming and you could still be 800 yards away.
I really like long range shooting, I think its a lot of fun, but most guys don't want to shoot over 500 yards, so I guess that means that the 300 RUM is good enough...

CSO

It's all about the good times...
 
Dead is dead is right on. 300WM up to a 338RUM. What ever your shoulder can handle. If you can shoot bigger than it's always better IMO.
 
I shoot the Remmington 7mm SA Ultra Mag. I love this gun, and I've always been a fan of the 7mm. Great fast gun, plenty of knock down power.

I've killed plenty of animals with this rifle, I'd recommend it to anyone.
 
stinky, if you were wondering how the barrels hold up on the 30-378, mine has around 2000 rds thru it. it is slippin some, but not enuff to bother me yet. i shoot 180's at 3450 now, but have cooked 165's and 150's at varmint gun speeds in the past. i just dont over heat her and keep it clean about every 15-20 rds.the krieger barrel that comes on the accumark cant be improved on imo.
 
Although I don't use it as much any more, I'm a lefty and the gun is RH. W/ some recent work it still drives tacks. My old Remington 721 30-06. Best shooting gun I've ever owned.

PS new one is a LH 30-06. Shoots well.
 
Remington 700 XCR chambered in a 300 WM. I'm driving 180 grain accubonds at about 3200 fps. I topped it off with a leupold VXIII and had leuopld build a BDC dial for it. It is a tack driver and I won't even get into the long range capabilities this rig has.

Mike
 
We do some pretty long range shooting here in Wyoming with the 7mm stw and the 300 ultra mag- both very effective!!
 

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