Elk Caliber?

[ToKeepAndBear]

There are so many good choices for elk it can be a tough decision or a very easy one. With the OP specifying 800 yards, well that's a long poke for sure. But it could take many years of hunting to see one that far or that close.

I'm very comfortable with my 7Rem Mags as elk rifles. I also have a 300 RUM, which, IMO, is completely unnecessary for an elk under 500-700 yards. Please spend a lot of trigger time and learn how the ammo you choose does in the wind at ranges b/w 400-800 yards.

300WM is good choice.

Good advice for the OP. First round hits in wind become much more difficult past 500 yards. Do not think that a high velocity, high BC bullet will make up for a lack of experience.

My buddy and I shot last weekend in mountainous terrain over a valley at 550 and 670 yards with a 15mph wind that had frequent gusts to 30mph. He was shooting a 7mm Rem Mag with Berger 168 VLDs traveling at 2950fps and I was shooting a 260 Rem with 142SMKs at 2750fps. The 670 yard target was exponentially more difficult than the 550 yard target for both of us (targets 15x20in). (At 670 yards my 260 has wind drift of 40 inches in a full value 15mph wind and 80 inches with a 30 mph gust. You can imagine that hitting a 15 inch wide target can become a little tricky.)

If you shoot only when conditions are "good" or only in flat terrain then you will not know your true capabilities. Seek out those days that have some of the most challenging conditions. Also, try quickly hiking up hill with your rifle for 5 minutes before forcing yourself to get into position and take a shot within 30 seconds. This will elevate your heart rate and breathing and also more closely simulate real world conditions. Try firing an accurate second shot within 5 seconds in case an anchoring or correction shot is needed. Just cause you can shoot a 4-5 inch group, at 1000 yards at the range, when conditions are nice does not mean you can make the same shot in the field.

Good luck!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

First, you need to ask yourself if you want to go elk hunting or elk shooting. If you are hunting a shot past 300 yds is rare. Hunting means stalking close enough for a clean kill. Second, a man (or woman) with a good 30-06 bolt gun who can shoot it accurately with a good premium bullet is far more successful than a person with a 300 mag. (or bigger) who can't handle the recoil and shoot it accurately. There are a lot of factors in shooting game at long distance. The ones that do, never mention the wounded ones they did not find. Ask the locals and guides who find the dead elk that didn't survive the winter from that long shot.

Yes I do shoot a 300 win.mag but I shoot it a lot and can handle the recoil. I know too many who can't but still shoot one and would be better off with a 7mm mag. or 30-06 that they can handle the recoil and shoot accurately. Just a thought.gun)

Great first post there dude! That should get you in real good with the site owner and all the members on this LONGRANGEHUNTING website, LOL!!!

 

[texasmike]

You are correct, it was my mistake. I have been shooting long range rifle and handgun competition over 35 years. Sorry. I really did not realize the name of your group until after I posted the replay. Please accept my apoligy. We have different views regarding hunting. I respect yours.

 

[25 Otter]

This is "Cruncher". She's my 300 Ultra. This pic was snapped along a trail in unit 67 Colorado. I love this rifle. I shoot her well and she delivers the goods. 180gr Partitions over a stiff belt of RL22. No,it's not configured as a true long range rifle,but it's all I want to pack up and down Porcupine Gulch,lol. You see,the thing is,there is nothing wrong with toting an Ultra and only shooting 400 yards or less. Who can complain about 2 tons of muzzle energy when you slip up on an Elk in the aspens @ say 80yds or so. Not me. For me it's all about shooting the largest rifle you can handle accurately. I've hunted woodchuckes with Cruncher,and a 338 Win Mag as well. Now that's a little out there I admit. But,that's how I get my triger time. A friend and I have picked off a few with his 375 H&H as well. Gotta watch your backstop,but it does indeed kill them.
In a nut shell. You have to like your choice of rifles. Have confidence in it and your own abilities,and work within them. I'm a devote of the 25/06 round. If it was all I had,I'd darn sure go Elk hunting. I would have to limit my shots to an honest distance based on angle and any other factors. Choose the absolute best bullet that it shot well,and live within it's abilities. For me being on the mountain for a week is what it's all about. Food for the soul. I love it!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

25 Otter---I couldn't agree with you more on the 25-06. I love my Ruger M77 and I think the 25-06 may be the most underrated caliber out there. It packs a good punch with reloads and there is little to no recoil.

 

[rryun]

I think i have narrowed it down to a 7mag. my uncle says alot of people use a 270 in that particular area of woods but i still want something slightly bigger. Does any one know of a good scope to top it off with?? have a monarch but wanting something alittle better ?? around or under a grand with the turrent bullet drop dials that are true to returning to zero....dont need them but would be slick. what are some recomendations for this setup (prefer a bdc reticle). Thanks!

 

[25 Otter]

Leupold || VX-3 4.5-14x40mm Long Range

 

[handirifle]

rryun

Howdy, my first post here. Been reading the site a bit to get a feel for the folks on it, and have not been disappointed. I was reading your whole thread, and noticed one of your concerns about the Savage, was bolt lift.

Go to savageshooters.com, good folks over there as well. There is a gunsmith that posts there, and is a site sponsor, that does what he calls timing and truing the action. Not sure what he does, but I have heard it really smooths out the bolt lift, and the whole action. I THINK it's Fredd at Savage Shooters Supply (SSS), but am not positive. I have never had him do any work on mine, so I cannot speak from personal experience, but I can't recall ever reading a bad post about him.

Good luck on your choice. I went with 30-06, but my personal limit will be about 400. To me that IS long range. I really do admire those folks that can consistantly take game at extreme ranges, but I do not have the time, money, or expertise to try big game at those ranges.

Don't mean I can't learn a lot about shootin at 400yds from the folks that shoot at 800 though.

 

[browtinehunter]

.358 Shooting Times Alaskan !gun)

 

[gamehawker]

What does everyone think about a 7mm STW for an Elk Caliber?

 

[Black67]

gamehawker, I think the 7mm STW would be great for elk. Just make sure that you have a good bullet for it. It has the power and speed that is needed to long range, maybe not 800 yards for me, but more than most others.

For bullets I would be looking in the 150 to 160 range. Good bullet build, Nosler Partition, Accubond, E Tip, Barnes, Swift, something along those lines.

I noticed that Barnes now has a 168 gr Long Range bullet in 7mm. I wonder how well that would be in the STW for Elk. I have read that the 168gr Berger VLD hunting bullets can be good, I am just not sold on them yet.

If your rifle is heavy, that might be a bit of a down fall for it. But, if you are looking at longer distances, the weight will not matter.

 

[jakes10mm]

For me being on the mountain for a week is what it's all about. Food for the soul. I love it!

Absolutely my shared love affair with hunting. Of course, filling the freezer becomes a necessity when I'm traveling halfway across the nation and spending hard earned $$$ for Elk steaks.

My local deer hunting comrades and I are working on our first Elk hunting trip. I, too, was deciding on a new rifle with a bit more range. My PA deer rifles are more suited for up close and personal (35Rem, 358win, 45-70). My buddies are packing their 30-06's. I opted for 300WM, just to provide a bit more energy and range if needed. I have a Winchester 70 Laredo LRH in 300WM that would fit the bill, except I'm not real excited about packing a 10#+ rifle into the mountains. I found a Remington 700 BDL/Fluted Barrel at Cabelas which saves me about 2-3#; heading out today for some chrono testing with RL22 powder.

Our selected outfitter is not a mag proponent. They stress capability with the rifle over pushing lots of "undirected" energy. Good philosophy, but I'm not ready to use a 243Win with 85gr bullet (minimum requirement for Elk in CO). I used the Big Game Info Ballistic Calculator to compare cartridges.

 

[silvertip-co]

338/378 Wby.

 

[mrbigtexan]

there is an excellent article on the 7mm rem mag in the recent shooting times. it gives alot of comparisons with other articles. i recommend it to read. plus, i am a little biased towards a 7mm of any kind. i have 3, 7mm mauser, 7mm saum, 7mm rem mag.