What caliber rifle for elk? 1st hunt

[dogz]

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (and that you remember why we celebrate it), Matthew please give us some insight to the hunt that your planning.

*State
*On your own, or guided
*Private or Public
*How many points you have for the state you're planning on hunting in
*How far you practice to on a regular basis now
*Most importantly what kind of shape you're in
*Etc

You have several good rifle/optics options. Personally I'd lean towards one of the lighter ones as long as you can shoot it well to any range that you're planning on shooting to.

Look for advice from those who've been hunting elk, killing elk, packing elk for a long darn time. There is a few fellas on this thread who've been doing it for a long time! Once again, this is only my opinion but once a fella has been in on the killing of over 100 head of elk you get some pretty good ideas as to what works

IMO the absolute biggest thing that will contribute to your success is being in shape followed by the obvious being in elk country. All the gun gack, bullet gack etc in the world won't help if you're not where they're at and if you're not in good enough shape to get to the buggers and to get them out once they're on the turf.

Get in great shape, have your boots and optics(Bins) ready to roll and then get in a bit better shape! You're elk hunt should be the hunt of your dreams but if you and your boots aren't in shape then it's going to suck and that will haunt you......

 

[HRM Johnny]

You do not need to go out and buy another gun. On the other hand, any excuse to buy a new rifle is a good excuse to buy a new rifle.. But, only if you were going to practice with it.

 

[spladi]

So I'm planning to go on my first elk hunt (first hunt out west period) next year and I'm stuck deciding what caliber to use. So I'll rattle off some of my guns that I am considering taking and maybe you elk guys can help me decide. I don't really know what is needed to efficiently bring one down or what ranges I'll most likely need to shoot. So which ones of these rifles will be sufficient or should I just be looking at buying a 7Rem mag or 300WM? I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of walking which is why I included rifle weights

6.5-284 with a 6.5-20x50 scope. Shooting 140 grain Nosler ballistic tips. This rifle is extremely accurate and I'm confident with it to shoot to 800 yards. Weighs 10lbs 9oz
View attachment 628403

308 Winchester shooting 168 grain Amax. 5-20x50 scope. This gun is pretty darn accurate but I don't have as much trigger time on it so I'll say I'm confident with it to 500 yards.
View attachment 628404

The next rifle I'm considering is much lighter weight so it'd definitely be easier packing at 7lbs 12oz. It's a 30-06 with 20" barrel and 4-12x40 scope and shooting 125 grain Nosler ballistic tips right now but I can work up a heavier load for it if I need to. I'm only confident with this rifle to about 300 yards because I set it up with light bullets for 100 yard deer shots.
View attachment 628408

Next is another light weight rifle at 7lbs 8 oz. 7mm-08 with 139 grain SST bullets. This gun is decently accurate and prints submoa groups. It only has a 3-9x40 with no dialable turrets so I'd be stuck with just holding over. However I do have a 6.5-20x44 scope here that I could easily throw on it and dial for distance with some practice and load work. No pic but it's basically the same rifle as the 30-06.

Thanks for any input here.

Aw go ahead and get a 7 Rem. Mag.......you know you would love one.

 

[wyogeargeek]

You are good to go. Use the one you're most comfortable with.

 

[antleredacres]

Aw go ahead and get a 7 Rem. Mag.......you know you would love one.

My vote is for the 6.5x284. You listed many good reasons to use it. As far as bullets I use a Swift Scirocoo II 130 grain in my 6.5x284 And I'm sure it will work stellar on any elk within reasonable range.

 

[HRM Johnny]

If you were thinking about taking spladi's
advice, you should consider a 7mm STW. … just a thought.

 

[Longrangers]

So I'm planning to go on my first elk hunt (first hunt out west period) next year and I'm stuck deciding what caliber to use. So I'll rattle off some of my guns that I am considering taking and maybe you elk guys can help me decide. I don't really know what is needed to efficiently bring one down or what ranges I'll most likely need to shoot. So which ones of these rifles will be sufficient or should I just be looking at buying a 7Rem mag or 300WM? I'm sure we'll be doing a lot of walking which is why I included rifle weights

6.5-284 with a 6.5-20x50 scope. Shooting 140 grain Nosler ballistic tips. This rifle is extremely accurate and I'm confident with it to shoot to 800 yards. Weighs 10lbs 9oz
View attachment 628403

308 Winchester shooting 168 grain Amax. 5-20x50 scope. This gun is pretty darn accurate but I don't have as much trigger time on it so I'll say I'm confident with it to 500 yards.
View attachment 628404

The next rifle I'm considering is much lighter weight so it'd definitely be easier packing at 7lbs 12oz. It's a 30-06 with 20" barrel and 4-12x40 scope and shooting 125 grain Nosler ballistic tips right now but I can work up a heavier load for it if I need to. I'm only confident with this rifle to about 300 yards because I set it up with light bullets for 100 yard deer shots.
View attachment 628408

Next is another light weight rifle at 7lbs 8 oz. 7mm-08 with 139 grain SST bullets. This gun is decently accurate and prints submoa groups. It only has a 3-9x40 with no dialable turrets so I'd be stuck with just holding over. However I do have a 6.5-20x44 scope here that I could easily throw on it and dial for distance with some practice and load work. No pic but it's basically the same rifle as the 30-06.

Thanks for any input here.

Shoot what you can shoot well and have a good bullet. Know your limitations as well with your cartridge . Some bulls can soak it up.

 

[Greatgrandad]

All of those will and have worked, but some of your bullet choices may be a little lacking for my liking if some close range shots present. Pick the ones (I like to take at least two on long trips) you shoot the best, and be prepared for shots from archery range to as far as you can accurately hit a 10-12" plate.

The terrain/area you plan to hunt may also be a factor in your choice of rifle, as rough, steep mountains may favor the lighter rifles packages.

 

[birddog 68]

In post #39 he said he has decided to take the boring old work horse 30-06. He does have plenty of time to change his mind and buy another rifle (nothin wrong with that) but the ol 06 has been doing this work for a long time and definitely not a bad choice especially if he gets the accubond to shoot well.

 

[ShootnMathews]

In post #39 he said he has decided to take the boring old work horse 30-06. He does have plenty of time to change his mind and buy another rifle (nothin wrong with that) but the ol 06 has been doing this work for a long time and definitely not a bad choice especially if he gets the accubond to shoot well.

Yea sir. I think the accubonds will shoot fine. Honestly I've worked up loads for tons of rifles and Nosler ballistic tips have always been the easiest to work up a load in any rifle I've used them. And the Accubond is the same design on the surface. So I think it would be easy to load work as well.

 

[Greatgrandad]

In post #39 he said he has decided to take the boring old work horse 30-06. He does have plenty of time to change his mind and buy another rifle (nothin wrong with that) but the ol 06 has been doing this work for a long time and definitely not a bad choice especially if he gets the accubond to shoot well.

Totally agree. We've been killing elk with 270's and 30-06's since the 1960's.