What caliber rifle for elk? 1st hunt

[dogz]

I don't believe we are going with a guide. This is my buddies trip that he's planning and I was just invited to go with him but I believe he's planning it out as a self hunt on public land. But he's done this kind of thing before and been successful. He really does a lot of research when he plans these trips.

As far as shape I am WAY out of shape compared to before I was hospitalized with Covid but even now I pack my 15# coyote rifle and a 10# tripod and my caller around when I coyote Hunt. Although that's usually a half mile or less at a time. I've got a lot of work to do to get in the best shape I can and I still will struggle just with the lung damage I have. But I'm going to go even if I can't hike as far or cover as much ground I enjoy every minute in the woods. And sometimes you get lucky.

Another buddy went out on a bow hunt one year and spent 5 days hitting the woods before daylight and never got close to a bull. On the 6th day he decided to sleep in and rest and stay close to camp. At like 9 am he decided to go out but he just walked like 150 yards from camp and had a 6x6 walk right up in his face

Totally understand all of the physical challenges that can have, believe it or not I'm working thru Covid right now. Have you been to the gym this week? Talking guns and gack like that is a ton load of fun, I get it but you really need to embrace the concept of living the life of the gym and good nurtitional choices, way more important than how many grains or which scope to use. Not as fun but still.........maybe sell one or two of those guns and use the proceeds to hire a good trainer for 6 months.

My wife and I are in the gym 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, I'm 66, she's 68 and we get around pretty well. Not trying to be preachy, more so trying to encourage you to live the life of working out, it'll make the days on the hill way more fun!

 

[birddog 68]

Totally understand all of the physical challenges that can have, believe it or not I'm working thru Covid right now. Have you been to the gym this week? Talking guns and gack like that is a ton load of fun, I get it but you really need to embrace the concept of living the life of the gym and good nurtitional choices, way more important than how many grains or which scope to use. Not as fun but still.........maybe sell one or two of those guns and use the proceeds to hire a good trainer for 6 months.

My wife and I are in the gym 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, I'm 66, she's 68 and we get around pretty well. Not trying to be preachy, more so trying to encourage you to live the life of working out, it'll make the days on the hill way more fun!

I definitely agree with that. I made basically the same comment in post #7
I think being in the best shape possible is often overlooked, until you get out there!

Most people focus too much on the shooting and not enough on the physical aspects. I see that you are from WV so be sure to hike the hills beforehand. You will enjoy your hunt much more if you are physically prepared.

 

[cbuck516]

Lots of good input here. I will echo the sentiments of prioritizing your physical training and shooting training over exact rifle and cartridge. It doesn't matter which gun you take if you can't handle day after day on the mountain. An elk hunt is a serious undertaking for flat landers like us. If you aren't willing to dedicate the time to train, then your odds of success will go down dramatically.

You certainly need to take a rifle that you can shoot comfortably in all practical positions and hit what you are aiming at, but I think the bullet selection is more critical than cartridge selection. You kind of need to define what your range limit is to know what an appropriate bullet would be for your situation.

Also, I'm a big fan of shooting a heavy rifle. Learn how to carry it efficiently and train to make up for the added weight. My primary mountain rifle is a 14 pound 25-06AI with 26" barrel and suppressor. Maneuverable it is not, but I am supremely confident behind that gun.