What cartridge will be a 1,000 yard elk/deer rifle in a 20" barrel?

[Lenny Foffa]

Very Interesting question. I cannot comment here because for me, if the Game is ELK and the range may approach 1000 Yards, my small amount of experience does not understand the want or need for a short 20 inch barrel, for that application. My personal choice would be my .300 Weatherby Mag, shooting a 180 Grn. Partition, ( or something like that) with its 26 inch barrel. Can't wait to read the responses.

 

[6fatrat]

None

 

[jsmitt6]

My hunting elevations are anywhere from 8,000-10,000 feet.

I've thought about doing what @codyadams did, a short 30 nosler, but in all reality that would just replace the 30 nosler I have.. seems redundant and I'd rather add a new cartridge than not.

My tikka action is going to limit me big time I think. The most coal I can get is 3.6" with the aics bottom metal.

How is the 338 RUM at a saami spec chamber? With my .540 bolt face what other 338s should I be looking at?

 

[boatmanusa]

I agree with Thomasbangs....DONT SHOOT A ELK at 1000 yards...just to many things can and will go wrong...I have a 300 Ultra Mag with a Speed Dial out to 1000 shooting 180 gr Accubonds and a 7mm PRC that I just bought and plan on shooting 175 ELDs and will and have shot at 1000 yards at paper and both have a effective range or that distance but unless I have one wounded and only have a last gasp shot before he disappears over a mountain I WILL NOT EVER TAKE THE CHANCE...You can always get closer and if you cant it wasnt your elk...I ve shot a lot of elk in my 55 years plus of hunting and only twice have I shot bulls just over 550 laying prone over my backpack...I was lucky they both dropped...but in both cases I said to myself this is to **** far...Just a old mans opinion...

 

[lancetkenyon]

You are asking a lot. Probably too much.
With the short mag box, a .300WSM would work well. You don't have the bolt face for a Norma Mag.

Even a big 30 pushing 215s at 2700 won't get you to 1000 maintaining 1800fps @ 9000' AMSL.

 

[FEENIX]

My hunting elevations are anywhere from 8,000-10,000 feet.

I've thought about doing what @codyadams did, a short 30 nosler, but in all reality that would just replace the 30 nosler I have.. seems redundant and I'd rather add a new cartridge than not.

My tikka action is going to limit me big time I think. The most coal I can get is 3.6" with the aics bottom metal.

How is the 338 RUM at a saami spec chamber? With my .540 bolt face what other 338s should I be looking at?

As far as the RUM, it depends on bullet OAL you are going to use. The 200g Apex might work.

Because of your action/3.6 COAL, you might want to consider the .338 NM; it will require GS work on BF to .588", though.

 

[wats338]

I'm sure the theory and opinions will be interesting on this one. I shoot a 20" barrel since I don't like crazy long overall length with a suppressor attached. I had an opportunity to take an elk at 950 and did so without an issue, pancaking her on the spot. I don't advocate for this distance of shooting on elk as you should be able to get closer, myself included. However, I put in enough practice to where I felt confident and the environmentals were right, and there was no approach available. So it was a take it or leave it, and I had very little time to get out that fall. All that being said, I did this with what all the "experts" would say is not near enough gun, but somehow the elk wasn't informed of that.

 

[bigngreen]

Missed the OP was going to run a Tikka, I've built down to a 24 inch barrel for a suppressor on a Tikka in a 300 WSM throated out for a 215 Berger, it's running 2920 fps and handles elk rather nicely in the 1000+ yard range. One of my favorites honestly, your chambering window is much narrower, nothing in an RUM or larger case head, you looking at the WSM. You can build on the Blaser case and just get it in the Tikka but it would honestly be easier to use a Sherman case like the 30 MEGA to get a little more than the WSM.

 

[bigngreen]

Please don't try to put a Norma case in the Tikka, it's not adequate for that bolt thrust or case diameter on the shank

 

[ridgewalker]

Hmmm…flame thrower eh? Don't set the woods on fire! LOL!
Personally I prefer to hike closer.
JMO&E

 

[bigngreen]

@Lenny Foffa and @boatmanusa You realize you stumbled into a Long Range Hunting forum right?

If conditions are right why not just dump them, when I pull the trigger at 1000 yards it's just as dead as if I was at 200, in fact Id much rather have a methodical shot on a calm animal at 1000 than a rushed one on an alert animal closer. Everyone has the option to not pull the trigger, just because your prepared to go 1k doesn't mean you have to, I've gone over a mile on elk, in 15+ years I've had one shot that had condition where that was 100% shot so for every extreme shot there is a pile of normal ones, just nice to have a full tool box!

 

[30378wbymag]

Easy, the 30-378 Bee baby! With a 20" barrel you can "kill em and cook em" at the same time!!

 

[Wild Monkey]

With a barrel length of 16.25 inches, the MARK 19 40mm Grenade launcher is up to the task. My 1st thought was a 20mm Mortar but it failed to meet such short barrel requirements.

 

[Lenny Foffa]

Yes Mr. Green, I completely realize that I have stumbled on to a LR Shooting form, A pass time I enjoy very much. I am extremely interested in why someone would want / need /choose to use a short, barred rifle , on a majestic Big game animal such as ELK , at a range of 1000 yards, and what caliber they would select. I own a very nice 20 inch barreled 30-06 and for my personal use , its a very nice "Woods to 200 yard Whitetail rifle." perhaps Black bear as well. Shame on me I never looked at it as really long-range machine. I'm enjoying the responses , Mr. Green, although I would personally PREFER, to use a different rifle for that specific application. I believe taking an Elk, at 1000 yards, requites the proper LR Equpment, and even then, it is an extremely difficult shot to execute with confidence and precision. Wondering about the energy numbers at that range, and how they would be reduced by the use of a short barrel. As you can see, sir, choosing such a tool to do that kind of job raises interesting technical questions. Isn't that the point of this forum? Is it Ok with you if we ask ?