Help chosing an Elk Cartridge.

[sceeder]

I am looking to build a lightweight rifle for mountain hunting. Primary game will be Elk with a maximum range of 400 yards. I also plan to use the gun at the range and would like to keep the recoil low.

A short action cartridge would be nice but am willing to compromise on this. I don't currently reload but am willing to spend the time to learn. The option for factory ammo is desired.

I have been considering these cartridges, 308, 270WSM, 7mm-08, 6.5PRC for short actions. 30-06, 270, 280AI if I go with long action.

If I do reloading I would like to use a cartridge and bullet weight combination that allows for reduced recoil loads. I would plan to use the lighter loads for practicing at the range.

My cousins has been a outfitter in Montana for the last 30 years and has used nothing but a to 257 Roberts And has killed an elk every year for the last 30 years. Its light recoil and a pleasure to shoot and he shot elk at over 400 yds.

 

[CJS-6.5]

This is not entirely true... yes, the 6.5mm, 7mm, and .308" calibers have vast amounts of bullet options but the .277" caliber is not without options. Matrix offers two heavy (165gr/175gr), high BC options and Berger has their 170gr EOL. There are definitely options for the .277" caliber bullets out there, but you will need to reload for most of them.

Where can I buy them? I haven't found them for quite a while. Those were the ones I was talking about...

 

[35 Whelen]

That's the issue. Plenty of low end bullets available but much more limited than the others in high BC offerings and especially in High BC hunting bullet offerings.

Maybe I should have been clearer but we cover this pretty often here and I was assuming, apparently errantly you were aware of that.

Yes they are moving a little slow there for a lot of calibers. They seem to think they need to flood the market with a ton of cartridges that just duplicate one another, when better bullets for all calibers would be a much better option. For the 270 win. from what I have studied most of the bullets we have with a bc of up .400's to very low 500's in the 150gr. is about as good as it gets. I looked at doing a 270 win. with a faster twist for the berger 170gr. but with the amount of velocity losted the hornady 145 eld-x and the nosler 150gr ab long range are better choses.

 

[WildRose]

Yes they are moving a little slow there for a lot of calibers. They seem to think they need to flood the market with a ton of cartridges that just duplicate one another, when better bullets for all calibers would be a much better option. For the 270 win. from what I have studied most of the bullets we have with a bc of up .400's to very low 500's in the 150gr. is about as good as it gets. I looked at doing a 270 win. with a faster twist for the berger 170gr. but with the amount of velocity losted the hornady 145 eld-x and the nosler 150gr ab long range are better choses.

Not really, like anything else they are trying to make up their development costs as quickly as possible so they start with the most popular, usually either 7mm or 7.62 then 7mm. 6.5's then usually follow.

Volume = quick profits.

 

[wilkup]

Where can I buy them? I haven't found them for quite a while. Those were the ones I was talking about...

My local reloading shop had the 170gr Bergers in stock 2 weeks ago when I was last in. Matrix will make theirs on request, at least last time I spoke with the new owner a few months back.
Something else to consider is the need for a high BC option at all when 400 yards is supposedly maximum hunting distance. I'm planning to push the Hammer 117gr and 126gr Hunter offerings in my 270SS, both of which are fairly low on the BC scale, but will each maintain 1200+ ft/lbs out past 500 yards. I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on one of our big Roosevelt's with either of those bullets next year at that range. In fact, whichever shoots better is what I'll be hunting with next season and begin practicing with this spring.
Why bother with heavy, high BC bullets when the OP's max hunting range was set at 400 yards? For the range, it'll stay super sonic at least double that and paper/steel doesn't require energy to show good groups

 

[John Spadaro]

2500 miles? Wow? If you don't mind me asking where do you live?

Honolulu. I plan to practice long range in Montana and hunt Elk in Oregon

 

[wilkup]

Honolulu. I plan to practice long range in Montana and hunt Elk in Oregon

Excellent answer! Good luck

 

[CJS-6.5]

My local reloading shop had the 170gr Bergers in stock 2 weeks ago when I was last in. Matrix will make theirs on request, at least last time I spoke with the new owner a few months back.
Something else to consider is the need for a high BC option at all when 400 yards is supposedly maximum hunting distance. I'm planning to push the Hammer 117gr and 126gr Hunter offerings in my 270SS, both of which are fairly low on the BC scale, but will each maintain 1200+ ft/lbs out past 500 yards. Why bother with heavy, high BC bullets when the range only 400 yards?

Exactly. This is what I was trying to get at. Most people over equip. For me, if I really want to I can get within 30 yards of most big game...that is the thrill of the hunt. Not spotting an animal 1000 yards away and pot shotting.

 

[CJS-6.5]

And I wouldn't mind the name of the shop that has the Bergers. The Matrixs are pretty much dunno from what I can see. The previous owner wouldn't release the dies.

 

[CJS-6.5]

Honolulu. I plan to practice long range in Montana and hunt Elk in Oregon

Water makes a good backdrop. Buy some cheap bathtub ducks and have a blast. I actually initially shoot into a river long range to verify drop to save ammo.

 

[John Spadaro]

Water makes a good backdrop. Buy some cheap bathtub ducks and have a blast. I actually initially shoot into a river long range to verify drop to save ammo.

I don't think that would go over very well with the authorities. They might think I was trying to kill surfers. I would have to shoot from my boat, in which case I wouldn't hit anything.

 

[wilkup]

And I wouldn't mind the name of the shop that has the Bergers. The Matrixs are pretty much dunno from what I can see. The previous owner wouldn't release the dies.

Steve's got some pretty heavy hunting options over at Hammer too... 156gr and 168gr, both pushing some pretty high BCs and he's got the best guarantee in the business! You just have to reload.

 

[CJS-6.5]

Steve's got some pretty heavy hunting options over at Hammer too... 156gr and 168gr, both pushing some pretty high BCs and he's got the best guarantee in the business! You just have to reload.

I haven't heard of them...and I reload many cartridges so no problem.

 

[CJS-6.5]

I don't think that would go over very well with the authorities. They might think I was trying to kill surfers. I would have to shoot from my boat, in which case I wouldn't hit anything.

Hmmm...I had heard that there was a lot of unoccupied shore there...good having you here with us on the net at least...