Building a elk rifle

[Joe Bishop]

It's hard to beat a .338 caliber elk rifle, it flat out knocks them down even with a marginal liver shot. I use the 340wby a lot and have used the 338Edge all great elk killers.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

There's a Lane Precision rifle for sale on this forum that's a proven one hole shooter in 300 RUM. You will not build a better rifle.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

If you're looking for something new try the 6.8 Western. Low recoil and muzzle blast, lightweight rifle and hits at 500 yds with the same energy as a 300 WM. I shoot the 165 gr Nosler ABLR or alternately the 175 Sierra Game changer. I just don't personally use those big calibers for elk, but that's just me. I think a 6.5 PRC, or 7 PRC would be great as well.

 

[NotLongRange]

I have a 338 Ultra Mag and it definitely delivers killing power on elk. That said, if I could only have one big game rifle for everything (including elk), it would be the 300 Winchester Magnum.

Don't worry about elk killing power from a 300 Winchester Magnum…it has plenty.

 

[lancetkenyon]

If you're looking for something new try the 6.8 Western. Low recoil and muzzle blast, lightweight rifle and hits at 500 yds with the same energy as a 300 WM. I shoot the 165 gr Nosler ABLR or alternately the 175 Sierra Game changer,

You saying you are pushing a 175 TGK @ 3400+?

Because that is the only way you are matching a .300WM pushing a 215 Hyb @ 2930fps. Or a 230 Hyb @ 2850. Or a 200.20X Hyb @ 3050. All very attainable real-world speeds in a .300WM.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Id go 338 lapua or even better the improved version. Too much length restriction with the 338 rum. Unless you go to a 4" box

 

[lancetkenyon]

Id go 338 lapua or even better the improved version. Too much length restriction with the 338 rum. Unless you go to a 4" box

What about .338NM Imp?

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

You saying you are pushing a 175 TGK @ 3400+?

Because that is the only way you are matching a .300WM pushing a 215 Hyb @ 2930fps. Or a 230 Hyb @ 2850. Or a 200.20X Hyb @ 3050. All very attainable real-world speeds in a .300WM.

Nope the way you match the .300 WM energy at 500 yds is with a 165 gr NABLR is starting at 2950 with a ballistics coefficient of .660 and the bullet comparison is to the 180-gr bullet in the .300 Win Mag. Don't take my word for it because there is a lot of written stuff, ballistics comparison etc. on the 6.8 Western that outlines this. If you're a mind to, do some research on 6.8 Western.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

Lancetkenyon, here's one of the several articles citing the 6.8 vs .300 Win Mag performance at 500 yds--ballistics info about half the way through the article. Good article.

6.8 Western: Ultimate Guide To The New Cartridge From Winchester & Browning

Here's what you should know about the new 6.8 Western Cartridge Winchester and Browning introduced to the hunting community in 2021.

thebiggamehuntingblog.com

 

[Kimber7man]

thinking the OP is a bot....

 

[webitmuddy]

I should have noted i already have a 300wsm that i have used out to 420 yards on elk with no problems and have a 6.5 prc that i have used out to 260 yards and on a big bull elk that may have been pushing the calibers limits. Butvin saying all of this i would like to build a larger caliber rifle for long range target and hinting purpose that will take down a large bull elk or large moose.

 

[Farmerbrown32]

Big 338 of some flavor would be your answer then for sure. 338 lapua, norma or improved version of either. They are hammers.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Nope the way you match the .300 WM energy at 500 yds is with a 165 gr NABLR is starting at 2950 with a ballistics coefficient of .660 and the bullet comparison is to the 180-gr bullet in the .300 Win Mag. Don't take my word for it because there is a lot of written stuff, ballistics comparison etc. on the 6.8 Western that outlines this. If you're a mind to, do some research on 6.8 Western.

I am well aware of the 6.8 Western.
And I am EXTREMELY aware of a properly loaded .300WM. No use hobbling the .300WM to try and compare it to a lesser cartridge.

 

[sierracharlie338]

30 Nosler or 300WM with a long throat for the heavies would be my vote. Not as expensive as 338s to shoot (depending on what you buy) less recoil than the big 338s unless you are running them extra hard.