• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

10.5 lb rifle for elk hunting

I have a Remarms 700 in 7mm RM in a KRG Stock that's a10lbs 11 oz. I shoot 180gr ELDM's at 2800 fps with that setup. My Howa Super lite 7-08 is just over 6lbs with a Leupold 2.5-8x and when handloaded 162gr ELDM's at 2610 fps the recoil is about the same. I think a can with that Howa and I'd be around 7 lbs. For elk the Remarms should be good out to 700 yards and the Howa good out to 500 yards. But with a can I'd expect the Howa to recoil much less and weigh 3 lbs less.
 
dogz said:
I'm in awfully good shape for being 66 and there is Zero chance I'd use a 10 lb set up for an elk hunt. Unless it's a drive up to a blind kind of deal or a hay field hunt....but that's just me.

Keep in mind that I'm a very literal person so how does one who's 100% disabled get around? Not being a jerk but I just don't follow that one.
Click to expand...
Well, congrats on being 66 and being in that kind of shape. That would be nice.

It is 100% VA disabled. Am I in a wheelchair and eating my meal from a straw, no. Chronic headaches and pain. Titanium rod in neck. Both shoulders torn up and most of the discs in my back are bulging or herniated. Oh, and go to the doctors and they tell you, "We don't know what the cause is. It could be toxic exposure or, based on your field, radiation exposure. Here are some pills. Oh, and here are some pills to help with the side effects of those pills. Oh, and here are some very painful shots that may or may not work." Meanwhile, on a good day, you can function. On a bad day, you can hardly get out of bed.
 
Last edited:
xsn10s said:
I have a Remarms 700 in 7mm RM in a KRG Stock that's a10lbs 11 oz. I shoot 180gr ELDM's at 2800 fps with that setup. My Howa Super lite 7-08 is just over 6lbs with a Leupold 2.5-8x and when handloaded 162gr ELDM's at 2610 fps the recoil is about the same. I think a can with that Howa and I'd be around 7 lbs. For elk the Remarms should be good out to 700 yards and the Howa good out to 500 yards. But with a can I'd expect the Howa to recoil much less and weigh 3 lbs less.
Click to expand...
Good info. I think with my neck and shoulder issues, the extra 2 lbs will make the 280 much more pleasant to shoot. Plus, the chassis adjustability helps a lot.
 
memtb said:
It's heavier than I like but should be doable with your described condition if you're not covering a lot of ground!

I prefer to stay at or under 9.0 lbs if I'm doing quite a bit of walking…..especially with age starting to take it's toll! memtb
Click to expand...
The good thing about this hunt is it is set up for the least amount of physical exertion as possible. I think the most would be to make a stalk. If I am only carrying the rifle, it should be doable.
 
I also have a 308 that fully rigged is about 8 lbs. I can hunt with that as well, but I like the 280 giving a bit more punch and extended range, if needed. Thanks everyone for the inputs. I used to do backpack hunts in my younger days when all I did was archery. I almost feel like I am starting over trying to figure things out. I always appreciate people's experiences, when I don't have any of my own to lean on based on my current situation.
 
USAFRet said:
Good info. I think with my neck and shoulder issues, the extra 2 lbs will make the 280 much more pleasant to shoot. Plus, the chassis adjustability helps a lot.
Click to expand...
Eveyone's body is different. For my shoulder injuries the weight comes into play. So the recoil absorption of weight doesn't offset the pain increase of carrying a heavier weapon or trying to offhand shoot one. But everyone's pain due to range of motion is different so you gotta do what's best for you. All I can say is side by side the 7-08 is more pleasant to shoot.
 
xsn10s said:
Eveyone's body is different. For my shoulder injuries the weight comes into play. So the recoil absorption of weight doesn't offset the pain increase of carrying a heavier weapon or trying to offhand shoot one. But everyone's pain due to range of motion is different so you gotta do what's best for you. All I can say is side by side the 7-08 is more pleasant to shoot.
Click to expand...
Do you like the 7-08 for elk? I have a custom 7-08 and it is lightweight and pleasant to shoot.
 
USAFRet said:
Well, congrats on being 66 and being in that kind of shape. That would be nice.

It is 100% VA disabled. Am I in a wheelchair and eating my meal from a straw, no. Chronic headaches and pain. Titanium rod in neck. Both shoulders torn up and most of the discs in my back are bulging or herniated. Oh, and go to the doctors and they tell you, "We don't know what the cause is. It could be toxic exposure or, based on your field, radiation exposure. Here are some pills. Oh, and here are some pills to help with the side effects of those pills. Oh, and here are some very painful shots that or may not work." Meanwhile, on a good day, you can barely function. On a bad day, you can hardly get out of bed.
Click to expand...
Gotcha, makes sense. I've had 7 knee surgeries (2 replacements), a shoulder replacement as well a ear implant to regain some hearing. I get around well but have zero desire to tote a 10 lb rig anymore. I used to a lot but that wasn't much in the mountains and was mainly in the plains country for lopes, deer and yotes.

This is just me but I'd be all over working on finding a rifle that would be in the 8-9 pound range "all up" (sling, rounds, scoped).

Most importantly thanks for your dedication and service!
 
Here's some good threads on 7-08. My buddies have taken plenty of elk here in Oregon with 308 Win. I see no reason why a well placed shot with a 7-08 wouldn't work.

7mm-08 for elk?

Thanks, ssimo good post. (y) I have been fortunate to have success on game with the 280 Rem and 7mm STW with respect to the 7mm bore size. They have done a good job covering the bases with deer, elk and pronghorn brought to the table. Primarily for the elk woods, I hunt with a 35 Whelen...
rokslide.com rokslide.com

7mm-08 users, what are your loads for elk?

I’m more of a 140 partition guy but I’ve dipped my toe in the 120 ballistic tip water, and can’t complain. I think it’s too light to recommend for elk but not because it hasn’t worked for me. I’ve thought about going 160s in a lower drag format but 140s just hammer
rokslide.com rokslide.com
 
xsn10s said:
Here's some good threads on 7-08. My buddies have taken plenty of elk here in Oregon with 308 Win. I see no reason why a well placed shot with a 7-08 wouldn't work.

7mm-08 for elk?

Thanks, ssimo good post. (y) I have been fortunate to have success on game with the 280 Rem and 7mm STW with respect to the 7mm bore size. They have done a good job covering the bases with deer, elk and pronghorn brought to the table. Primarily for the elk woods, I hunt with a 35 Whelen...
rokslide.com rokslide.com

7mm-08 users, what are your loads for elk?

I’m more of a 140 partition guy but I’ve dipped my toe in the 120 ballistic tip water, and can’t complain. I think it’s too light to recommend for elk but not because it hasn’t worked for me. I’ve thought about going 160s in a lower drag format but 140s just hammer
rokslide.com rokslide.com
Click to expand...
Thanks boss. Much appreciated. While I don't have anything lined up perfectly, I want to have the rifle and loads ready to go.
 
USAFRet said:
Thanks boss. Much appreciated. While I don't have anything lined up perfectly, I want to have the rifle and loads ready to go.
Click to expand...
I'm just giving up options. I'm a vet so just trying to give a brother vet options. I've seen plenty of posts with smaller calibers/ cartridges. Heck a nurse near here has taken all of her elk with a 243 win (Eastern Oregon/ West Idaho). I was leaning towards a long range shot with a 7mm RM. But with recent shoulder injuries I got a 7-08. To me it was a compromise in recoil reduction, but still really effective on elk. It's about as small a cartridge I want to go for now.
 
dogz said:
I'm in awfully good shape for being 66 and there is Zero chance I'd use a 10 lb set up for an elk hunt. Unless it's a drive up to a blind kind of deal or a hay field hunt....but that's just me.

Keep in mind that I'm a very literal person so how does one who's 100% disabled get around? Not being a jerk but I just don't follow that one.
Click to expand...
I had an uncle who was 100% disabled, and as a paraplegic, he had a modified van for driving, a modified 3 wheeler and then 4 wheeler ATV for hunting and fishing, and even had a small, trained horse he rode for hunting. Often, he hunted with friends and always carried a radio (before cell phones became everywhere), but he also hunted by himself while carrying his radio with his wife and/or kids always close to the home base station. That man was a true inspiration.
 
USAFRet said:
I have a HOWA 1500 280AI in a Stocky's carbon stock. It is a nice setup, but not adjustable. I have neck and shoulder issues and need all the adjustability I can get. I ordered a chassis system for it. The current weight with scope is 8.5lbs. The change in stock will add an additional 2 lbs.

I am 100% disabled, so no backpack hunting. It would be a disabled hunt, but would be some stalking involved. I think this is a good weight, plus soaking up some additional recoil.

Anyone in that situation or who can empathize? Anyone with an elk or mule deer rifle in the same weight range? Is 10.5 lbs fairly good for a setup with some stalking, but no backpacking?
Click to expand...
Another vet here. I have a Browning A bolt titanium mountain rifle in 7WSM. Bare rifle is 5.5 pounds. The 7WSM is stiff but not unmanageable. I put a Burris Signature 3-12scope on it. Total weight 7.8 pounds. I know it would work well on elk.
 

Similar threads

G
Rifle scope for elk hunting
2 3
Replies
35
Views
37K
Colorado Cowboy
C
B
Backup rifle for elk hunt?
Replies
11
Views
4K
436
436
N
Bullet for elk hunting.
7 8 9
Replies
114
Views
15K
FEENIX
FEENIX
R
Boots for Elk Hunting?
2 3 4
Replies
53
Views
13K
jimss
J
H
Handgun for hunting elk ?
2
Replies
24
Views
11K
ATH
A

Recent Posts

Top