Elk Caliber?

[MudRunner2005]

If I was going elk hunting next month, there would be 2 rifles in my case...Both of which I have owned for years... And those would be, my Sendero SF 7mm STW pushing Berger 180 Hybrids over 3K, and my custom 700 (sendero SF clone) .300 Ackley pushing Berger 215 Hybrids over 3K. Both are just as capable at any distances I have shot them to, and both will put the smack down on whatever I point them at.

Despite ballistics being proven to be ****-near identical, the 7mm vs. .30 caliber debate will continue to rage on. I like both, I own both, I shoot both...I think good shot placement is more important than the 0.024" in diameter difference between the two.

Just my $0.02... Take it for whatever you feel it's worth.

 

[corsair4360]

If I was going elk hunting next month, there would be 2 rifles in my case...Both of which I have owned for years... And those would be, my Sendero SF 7mm STW pushing Berger 180 Hybrids over 3K, and my custom 700 (sendero SF clone) .300 Ackley pushing Berger 215 Hybrids over 3K. Both are just as capable at any distances I have shot them to, and both will put the smack down on whatever I point them at.

Despite ballistics being proven to be ****-near identical, the 7mm vs. .30 caliber debate will continue to rage on. I like both, I own both, I shoot both...I think good shot placement is more important than the 0.024" in diameter difference between the two.

Just my $0.02... Take it for whatever you feel it's worth.

Shot placement is the key... always

 

[LongBomber]

Could be? But most of the commercially available load data starts to drops off at 2700fps MV. Which calculates to 1416 ftlbs energy at 400 yards & 1249 ftlbs energy at 500 yards.

The problem with comparing cartridges is that once out at 600ish yards the bullet makes more difference than what launched it. Take my 6.5cm vs my 26nos. 143eldx at 2803fps vs the 127lrx leaving at 3493. Run that out to a grand and see who wins, and at what point it takes over.

Personally if buy a rifle just for elk it would start with a 3, likely two 3's and an 8. And if into longer ranges hope the rifle shoots well with the highest bc bullet constructed for hunting.

 

[Wyo220]

I think the fun part is to read everyones ideas. At some point it becomes blondes vs brunettes. The neat thing is that we have so many choices to accomplish the task at hand. With the intention of an ethical kill it really does become opinion. I still maintain .308 or bigger.

 

[drtony]

This has been a gold mine for experience and advice. I want to thank you all for your time and input.

I ended up going with the X bolt pro long range in 300 win mag. I really liked the 28 Nosler, but don't have the ability to reload that yet and can't justify the expense of ammo over the 300 or 7mm. The 28 Nosler will live in my safe one day though. I went with 300wm over 7mm mag mainly because my dad already has 300 WM loading equipment. The pro LR checked all my boxes (all stainless action and barrel, short bolt throw, heavy(ish) barrel, free floated) also came with the bonus of cerakote finish, muzzle break, and carbon fiber stock!

I will also get a 6.5 CM in the near future. It'll be nice to have both and fun to shoot.

 

[WildRose]

This has been a gold mine for experience and advice. I want to thank you all for your time and input.

I ended up going with the X bolt pro long range in 300 win mag. I really liked the 28 Nosler, but don't have the ability to reload that yet and can't justify the expense of ammo over the 300 or 7mm. The 28 Nosler will live in my safe one day though. I went with 300wm over 7mm mag mainly because my dad already has 300 WM loading equipment. The pro LR checked all my boxes (all stainless action and barrel, short bolt throw, heavy(ish) barrel, free floated) also came with the bonus of cerakote finish, muzzle break, and carbon fiber stock!

I will also get a 6.5 CM in the near future. It'll be nice to have both and fun to shoot.

Bed it, get a trigger job done on it, and you should be good to go.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Bed it, get a trigger job done on it, and you should be good to go.

Brownings should be bedded and floated from the factory... At least, the A-Bolt & A-Bolt II rifles used to be.

And definitely agree... Put a Timney trigger in it.

 

[drtony]

Bed it, get a trigger job done on it, and you should be good to go.

The browning website says it's glass bedded (not sure exactly what that means though). The trigger, I have read might be a good idea. How difficult is that? Timmney, TriggerTech, Jewell?

 

[WildRose]

The browning website says it's glass bedded (not sure exactly what that means though). The trigger, I have read might be a good idea. How difficult is that? Timmney, TriggerTech, Jewell?

Tony I've found that I can get most of my triggers light and clean enough on my own with a few hours work without having to go the aftermarket route.

I do it by filing off obvious burrs and blemishes then just drown them in lapping compound and work the snot out of them for hours till things smooth up.

My Remington and Winchester triggers are adjustable and when necessary I have shorted springs or replaced them to lower the wight.

I don't know enough about a Browning to give you very good advice. My only recent experience was with two that were factory tuned and I thought they were crap.

There are quite a few Browning guys here that can point you in the right direction.

 

[esshup]

If it's an A-bolt I or II, you can buy a trigger spring kit that will work well. Put the lighter spring in it and see how you like it. That's the least expensive route for trigger work unless you are comfortable doing the work on it yourself like was posted above.

The Browning A-Bolt III or A-Bolt 3 has a completely different trigger and only one company makes a spring for it, and nobody that I know of makes a trigger for it. Even the scope base is different than the Gen 1 and 2 A-Bolts.

 

[Hoppsing55]

I wasnt arguing that the 6.5 creed is enough for elk. I personally wouldnt do it when I've got bigger weapons. Just clearing up that 2600 fps was alittle on the light side.

Hey Creed, did not take it as an argument. Both of us presenting the facts and our opinions. Learning experience for me.

 

[257Tony]

The gun will come factory bedded. Try out the mcarbo trigger spring before dropping money on a replacement trigger. $13 well spent.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If it's an A-bolt I or II, you can buy a trigger spring kit that will work well. Put the lighter spring in it and see how you like it. That's the least expensive route for trigger work unless you are comfortable doing the work on it yourself like was posted above.

The Browning A-Bolt III or A-Bolt 3 has a completely different trigger and only one company makes a spring for it, and nobody that I know of makes a trigger for it. Even the scope base is different than the Gen 1 and 2 A-Bolts.

That's because the A-Bolt III is a cheap budget rifle compared to the AB and AB-II rifles. They turned the AB-III into their budget line. Think of it like a Scion versus a Lexus... They're all built by Toyota, but one is really nice and refined, and the other is cheap and ******.

 

[Gregger]

Something that wasn't mentioned and i know it's not sexy anymore is a long barreled 30-06. Say a 26 or 28in barrel to maximize velocity, loaded with a tough 180 or 190gr bullet would get it done. You could load that for mice to moose, its a very versatile cartridge.