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New Member from Michigan - planning for my first "long" range hunt

Rotten said:
Welcome from Utah. Here is my suggestion on hunting elk
Out west. You don't need to spend 10,000 dollars unless you plan on a guided hunt.
As far as rifle goes the same rifle you use to hunt deer with is going to work on elk.
Spend your money on points or purchase a landowner tag and work on cardio, running, hiking up hill ECT. Most of my shots at elk are inside 400 yards and my bull elk this year was inside 200 yards standing shot so practice in every position you can not just prone with a bipod. You can spend a lot of money on equipment that in the end really isn't necessary if you already hunt and are comfortable in the woods you probably already have the equipment and skill to hunt elk. Just remember that once you get one on the ground you have to deal with a 600lb + animal and that's where the real work starts. Have a really good pack and game bags to hang meat out over night and think situations over before you get in over your head. As Clint Eastwood said a man has got to know his limitations.
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I appreciate the encouraging words, however, we're in a straightwall cartridge state, so I don't think my Howa 350 legend with a 16" barrel would be very effective on Elk. Most guys here don't even try to take deer at 200 yards with it. If we could at least use 308 here, I'd probably just take that with me for an elk hunt.

Completely following you on the other items. We've been running regularly and I'm in half decent shape. Up hill will be the next step to add to the mix.
 
jamie eaton said:
His info says Detroit . Im 15 miles north of Lansing , My daughter lives in Macomb . Only elk hunt I've done was Colorado otc with guide . $10000 is spot on (2019) . I still cross my fingers every year and apply here in Michigan . Welcome to LRH and enjoy !
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I'm in north Macomb as well, next exit over from the Selfridge base.
 
That working out stuff is overrated. I run down my driveway once before I go to 9000 feet and up from that point. Lol
Never have had the time to really get into it.
Make sure to hydrate. Liquid iv in your water bottles helps.
As stated don't sweat the long range stuff to bad as a need. I go every year and it's shocking how the same is true for most as it is here. Most guys can't hit anything at any distance. 2 years in a row I have seen "hunting" parties empty every rifle the groups carried on a herd of elk only to see one or at most two injured. 300-400 yards shots and they are just winging it.
Buy a decent rifle with a good brake. Practice with it and the rest will fall into place. Tell your guide if you get one what distance you know you are good to and then say I am pretty confident at whatever that next range is. I've found that helps them know. And just be honest. No sense telling telling them 600 yards when it's 400.
 
AleksanderSuave said:
I appreciate the encouraging words, however, we're in a straightwall cartridge state, so I don't think my Howa 350 legend with a 16" barrel would be very effective on Elk. Most guys here don't even try to take deer at 200 yards with it. If we could at least use 308 here, I'd probably just take that with me for an elk hunt.

Completely following you on the other items. We've been running regularly and I'm in half decent shape. Up hill will be the next step to add to the mix.
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I didn't know MI. Was a straight wall only state.
Regardless of that fact I'm sure you can practice with any rifle cartridge you like and a .308 sure won't be a horrible choice. I'm pretty sure a lot of elk have fallen to the 30-30 and 38-55 wcf. It wouldn't be my 1st choice but would use it if I had to. Having a cartridge that has enough energy out to 500 yards is something I'd feel better having. Their is always the chance to find elk across a canyon that you just can't get any closer. If you go down hill you can't see them if you go up the hill they are on they will be long gone before you even see them. My favorite rifle is a Kimber 8400 weight is 7 lbs with a 3.5x12-42 scope.
As far as physical fitness goes the better shape your in the less the higher altitude will slow you down and your mental toughness is only as strong as your body. I'm not nearly as good of shape now as I was 20 years ago. I just go a little slower and don't look down into really steep canyons anymore. Like my dad said when I was younger " don't look down there, your going to b
 
Rotten said:
I didn't know MI. Was a straight wall only state.
Regardless of that fact I'm sure you can practice with any rifle cartridge you like and a .308 sure won't be a horrible choice. I'm pretty sure a lot of elk have fallen to the 30-30 and 38-55 wcf. It wouldn't be my 1st choice but would use it if I had to. Having a cartridge that has enough energy out to 500 yards is something I'd feel better having. Their is always the chance to find elk across a canyon that you just can't get any closer. If you go down hill you can't see them if you go up the hill they are on they will be long gone before you even see them. My favorite rifle is a Kimber 8400 weight is 7 lbs with a 3.5x12-42 scope.
As far as physical fitness goes the better shape your in the less the higher altitude will slow you down and your mental toughness is only as strong as your body. I'm not nearly as good of shape now as I was 20 years ago. I just go a little slower and don't look down into really steep canyons anymore. Like my dad said when I was younger " don't look down there, your going to b
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I'm with you on that. I shoot my current 6.5 (28" heavy barrel in an MPA chassis") at my club's 500-600 yard event pretty regularly. Almost every weekend during warm weather when it's hosted, and in the fall as much as possible. I've shot my 6 arc gasser at that distance as well as my 22 bolt action to 385 yards. I'm pretty religious about practicing, which is what has me hesitant to consider calibers like 6.5 prc…the barrel life, specifically.
 
No one else said it so I will Michigan is NOT a straight wall cartridge state ! These cartridges are used in southern Michigan ( a line across the state at M57 ) . They are used during deer season , you can shoot a coyote with any cartridge of your choosing . I typically use my 7 wsm for deer in Montcalm and Isabella counties .
 
Adding on to what others have said, don't get caught up in all the gear hype. A decent rifle and decent scope from .277 to .30 caliber will do the trick. Get it to shoot under MOA and practice from field positions out to 500 yards and get in good physical condition you will cover 95% of your needs.

If you want to spend $5K or more on a rifle and scope combo plus another $2k or more on range finding binoculars that is great but it is not necessary.
 
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jamie eaton said:
No one else said it so I will Michigan is NOT a straight wall cartridge state ! These cartridges are used in southern Michigan ( a line across the state at M57 ) . They are used during deer season , you can shoot a coyote with any cartridge of your choosing . I typically use my 7 wsm for deer in Montcalm and Isabella counties .
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I think this guy is a scammer , the OP I mean . something is off , IMO.
 
AleksanderSuave said:
Hey all,
New here from Michigan. This is my second season deer hunting, got into shooting bolt actions about 4 years ago now, and even more time spent with ARs and handguns previously.

Looking to get started on the information and possibly the equipment I need for an Elk hunt. Would love to do this next year. Looking forward to learning from all of you!
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Get on Eurooptic and order a Seekins PH2 in 300 PRC or 300WM. It will be good for anything you want to hunt. Think they're on sale also, $1700 or so. Another $1500 for a decent scope. You're ready to go.
 
CRJR45 said:
I think this guy is a scammer , the OP I mean . something is off , IMO.
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I havent tried to buy or sell anything off anyone, so not sure what you're getting at...just trying to get advice on a future hunting trip and a rifle build.

You're welcome to google my username, Im active on snipershide, rokslide, accurateshooter, michigan gun owners, michigan sportsman, arfcom etc and use the same exact username on every single one of those forums, along with reddit.
 

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