Long Range Elk Gun, What caliber you would choose?

[BVold]

I've been a longtime lurker on this site, but never posted.
I've been thinking about putting together a new rifle that would function as gun that would have enough go to anchor an elk out to 1000 yards.
Pretend that components are not impossible to find, which would you choose?
To use as a guideline some things to think about would be not an overwhelming about of recoil from a 9-11lb gun with a brake, 1500 ft/lbs out to 1000 yards, and either 7mm or 30 cal.

On paper I have yet to see something that can beat what a 28 Nosler or 7 RBH with 195 Berger going around 3175-3250(depending on which of the 2 you use).

 

[adam32+P]

7mm RUM, 300 RUM or really a 338 RUM would be the best 1,000 yard elk rifle that's not a wildcat.

 

[jpd676]

I would say a 300 WM or 300 PRC would be about right. I have one of each as well as a 300 RUM. I've killed most of my elk with my 300WM and a 208 gr bullet.

 

[motrapper]

300 WM With a 3.85 box and never look back

 

[340Wby-4-everything]

300Win 300Wby 300prc 30-378

 

[duckhunter175]

338rum, 270gr ELDX @ 2860 = nearly 2100ft/lbs at 1000yd which betters the 7/195 combo by 10% at 1k. And nearly 400lbs more at 400y. Wind drift is nearly identical. It only gives up elevation to the 7mm.

 

[WildRose]

I've been a longtime lurker on this site, but never posted.
I've been thinking about putting together a new rifle that would function as gun that would have enough go to anchor an elk out to 1000 yards.
Pretend that components are not impossible to find, which would you choose?
To use as a guideline some things to think about would be not an overwhelming about of recoil from a 9-11lb gun with a brake, 1500 ft/lbs out to 1000 yards, and either 7mm or 30 cal.

On paper I have yet to see something that can beat what a 28 Nosler or 7 RBH with 195 Berger going around 3175-3250(depending on which of the 2 you use).

I'll limit myself here to the 30's for practicality sake.

300wm
300wsm
300PRC
300wby
30-378wby
300RUM

You can certainly kill an elk at that range with a perfect shot from a lot of the 6.5 and 7mm's that are available and many would step on up to the .338's and .375's but all things considered I see no need to go larger or smaller than the 30 caliber magnums.

 

[bsnyder]

338 edge. 300 rum.

 

[motrapper]

300 WM

 

[Jcook02]

300 RUM is my choice. I'm having a hard time putting this rifle down, from coyote's to elk, so I'm a touch bias. I love my 7's for long range deer, but the RUM just hits animals a little different at those extended ranges.

 

[matt_3479]

30 cal as well. Currently running 300 Norma mag but love the win mag as well

 

[lancetkenyon]

You have to run a 28 Nosler REALLY hot, even with a 28" barrel, to get 3175+ with a 195. SAAMI chambers will be really hard pressed to get you there, so plan on a custom throated reamer and custom barrel. I have loaded for 40+ different 28 Noslers, so I know the cartridge limitations. RL33 or N570 will be close. Brass and barrel life will suck. But would definitely do the trick. I run my 28 Nosler at 3084fps, and where I elk hunt (7000'+ & 30°F), it is a 1300 yard elk round. So 3175 just torches a barrel and brass for no reason. Back it down to 3050, save brass and barrel life by double, and 1000k is easily doable. Even at 5000' and 30°, it still maintains 1800fps & 1500ft/lbs to 1100 yds. 7RUM would get you closer to the 3200fps mark and be a bit easier on brass.

.300WM pushing a 215 @ 2975fps maintains your minimum to 1050yds at 5000' & 30° too. So anything more than that is gravy.

 

[rcs33]

I've been a longtime lurker on this site, but never posted.
I've been thinking about putting together a new rifle that would function as gun that would have enough go to anchor an elk out to 1000 yards.
Pretend that components are not impossible to find, which would you choose?
To use as a guideline some things to think about would be not an overwhelming about of recoil from a 9-11lb gun with a brake, 1500 ft/lbs out to 1000 yards, and either 7mm or 30 cal.

On paper I have yet to see something that can beat what a 28 Nosler or 7 RBH with 195 Berger going around 3175-3250(depending on which of the 2 you use).

340 WTHBY

 

[josip89]

I think 300 norma mag but I will wait someone to say I am wrong and 6.5 creed is more than enough.