What are rifle (s) are you taking to elk hunt this year?

[novaman64]

My pack/long range/do it all rifle.. 280ai...

 

[fatski]

Nice rifle Nova. How heavy is it and is a muzzle brake really needed for the 280AI? I'm curious because I have been thinking about building one up like yours in that caliber for a 600-800 yard elk gun. I use a tikka t3 in 300 wsm right now, but really dislike the recoil.

 

[novaman64]

Nice rifle Nova. How heavy is it and is a muzzle brake really needed for the 280AI? I'm curious because I have been thinking about building one up like yours in that caliber for a 600-800 yard elk gun. I use a tikka t3 in 300 wsm right now, but really dislike the recoil.

so it is 9.6lbs with glass and tripod.... muzzle brake prolly isnt required, but depends on how much you shoot... was shooting prone out to about 1000 yards yesterday, went through almost 50 rnds and Im a little soar... im sure that if I didnt hvae it I would be miserable... if all you ever shoot is a few shots at a time (just hunting use) I wouldnt put a brake on it, but this is my range toy as much as a packing in/hunting rifle to thats the reason for the brake....

 

[fatski]

Thanks for the info. I hesitate about using a mb because about 30% of the time I don't have time to put on ear protection while hunting. Maybe a removable mb would be best, but I would need to check my poi when I remove it. How would u compare the recoil of the 280ai to a 3006 or 270 in similar rifle weight?

 

[novaman64]

Thanks for the info. I hesitate about using a mb because about 30% of the time I don't have time to put on ear protection while hunting. Maybe a removable mb would be best, but I would need to check my poi when I remove it. How would u compare the recoil of the 280ai to a 3006 or 270 in similar rifle weight?

Significantly less than a un-braked 270 shooting 150's of the same weight (but I do have a brake so not a fair advantage). Havent shot a 30-06 in so long that cant really say...

 

[fatski]

Thanks for info

 

[rwk]

These are some amazing results from this informal poll!!!

Y'all like a wide variety of hunting irons - everything from some big 338's to some of the more traditional, "get it done" chamberings and much in between!

So, thus far here is the run down.

I've listed the choices by caliber size and then by case capacity. I may have gotten some of it mixed up, but it's generally in the ballpark.

Also, some folks listed one rifle for long distance and another for carry. I put the carry rifle as the 2nd choice in those instances.


1st Choice chamberings
340 Weatherby – x1
338 Edge +P – x1
338 Edge (normal) – x2
300 RUM – x2
300 Win Mag – x1
300 WSM – x2
30-06 – x1
300 Savage – x1
7mm Rem Mag – x2
280 AI – x1
6.5mm/300 Win Mag – x1
270 Win – x1

2nd Choice chamberings
338 Lapua – x1
300 RUM – x1
30-338 Norma – x1
300 WSM – x1
30-06 – x1
300 Savage - x1
7mm STW – x1
6.5 SAUM – x1

Thanks for tagging in and I'll continue to tally the results as we go from here.

You can add 338 win. mag and a 270 wsm.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I'm already on the list with my 6.5-300wm that I shot a cow with in August. I just shot a bull with my 7-300wm and 162 Amax's.

 

[gapfriz]

No tags this year, but as always it would have been 35 Whelen and a 300 WSM.

 

[gunner69]

7LRM is very sweet and lower weight than some of bigger calibers perhaps.

 

[DR 3006]

280AI with 140gr accubonds worked for me this year

 

[MtPockets]

.270 Win- prairie dogs to elk, the only rifle I need!


The 'want' list is considerably longer, however.

 

[swanbird58]

Taking my Mod 70 win .300 win mag shooting 200 grain nosler partion with a back up rifle savage 111 .300 win mag shooting 180 grain Federal ammo. Going for Bull Elk in AZ on November 27th.

 

[SansSouci]

As the title states.....

I'm taking my Rem 700 ADL in 7mm Rem Mag - year of manufacture 1982 (got it for HS graduation for....... you got it - ELK HUNTING!!!!!

Looking to take my 1st elk! I'm not dreaming of some 300+ monster (it would be nice though), just looking to realize a long-held dream come true with some time in the mountains and hopefully an elk (or two!) to put in the freezer.

That might just be the best elk hunting cartridge every designed.