What would you do?

[marksman1941]

Not as often as I would like. I have no intention of shooting at an elk at 1000. I have a goal to kill a deer at 1000 some day, but I currently limit myself to about 700. I just want a chambering that will carry enough velocity and energy to take that 1000 yard shot someday.

The 7's will carry velocity better at that range. Energy is less important; matching your bullet velocity threshold with your impact velocity matters more. Most (huge disclaimer on the "most") bullets have a lower expansion window between 1800-2000fps.

Trying to keep comparisons consistent, I used the heaviest factory Hornady load shooting eldx bullets in the following data.

A 28 nosler shooting 162gr eldx and a 7prc shooting 175gr eldx (factory ammo) both reach 1,000 yards with between 1250-1300 ftlbs of energy, and velocity over 1800fps (so likely decent bullet expansion).

A 300 win with 200gr eldx hits 1000 yards at 1600fps with 1150ft lbs of energy. A 300prc shooting 212gr eldx hits 1000 at 1680fps with 1340ft lbs of energy.

A 300rum or similar launching longer heavier bullets that can match the BC of the 7's is where you're going to start seeing the .30 outpacing the 7, but the smaller 30's slow down too fast for most bullets at 1000.

Of course a person can find specific ammo within each caliber that will perform better or worse, but this is speaking in generalities .

 

[memtb]

One of the .338 Magnums, starting with the .338 WM on the low side……1000 yards on an elk is asking a lot from a cartridge, if the shot is not "PERFECTLY" placed. A non issue….."if" your an expert Bull Shooter"!

A .338 gives a little bit of an edge on smaller calibers/cartridges! JMO memtb

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

This has 300 Win. Mag wrote all over it.
Ammo is readily available, easy to Hand Load. You can use 110gr. and all the way up to 215 and 220gr.
Recommend 180 to 215 for Elk.
And you have to practice alot.
Hope you get to go on this Hunt.

 

[Slick8]

Agreed with memtb above.

We hear and read about elk kills of all sorts of chamberings which will all work within their limits.

IMO, if you want to shoot a long ways there's no such thing as too dead. A 7 SAUM would be a minimum but it really starts at a 300 mag of some flavor.

I've recently sized up to a 338 Rum but most anything from 300 wsm and up with high bc bullets will get you in the conversation.

My current on game limit is 750 in ideal conditions. I've shot 2 in the 620-50 range and 3 at 540-75 all with 215 and 230 hybrids from a 300 winny and 30 nosler.

BTW, if you're looking at factory rifles that limits your choice to those known for great accuracy and enough twist to run heavy VLDs.

 

[kgarrett]

7 prc, 300 prc, 300 win mag would be my top 3 in no particular order. 28, 30 Nosler, 7 rem mag, 300 and 338 RUM would be other possibilities for long range hunting including elk. My current long range gun is a 300 prc which replaced a 7 Rem Mag.

FWIW; 1000 yds on game is a long, long, long way. My longest game animal was taken at 928 or 923 yds (pronghorn). It was a one shot kill, but I spined him and hit him about one MOA further back than targeted. This was despite lots of practice that spring and summer, near ideal conditions, and a spotter I'd been practicing with for the past day and a half.

 

[kgarrett]

**** - forgot the 7 saum and 280 AI. If you want a lighter long range rifle these two are top choices.

 

[lancetkenyon]

1000 on an elk is a tall order.

Moreso for the shooter than a proper bullet started at the right speed.

28 Nosler w. 195 EOL @ 3100
Or
.300RUM w. 230 Hyb @ 3100

Makes those two cartridges alegitimate 1k elk rifle. Even further if the shooter can perform.

 

[Lee7588]

338-378 bee

 

[TC338]

1000 on an elk is a tall order.

Moreso for the shooter than a proper bullet started at the right speed.

28 Nosler w. 195 EOL @ 3100
Or
.300RUM w. 230 Hyb @ 3100

Makes those two cartridges alegitimate 1k elk rifle. Even further if the shooter can perform.

I will most likely never be afforded the opportunity to take a 1000 yard shot on an elk. Living in Oklahoma we only have one huntable population of elk and it's a once in a lifetime tag. All of my hunting is for whitetails with the potential for a 1000 yard shot if I set up everything perfectly. 600 yard shots are easily accomplished on this property and I've killed several between 500-600 with my .308 and 6.5 creed. My purpose for this thread is gaining info for one more rifle build/purchase that will be capable of making that shot as long as I am up to the task. Just do r want to waste money and time on a rifle that will not be capable of reaching my goal.
Thanks for the input.

 

[TC338]

338-378 bee

Probably too much gun for me. Thanks for the input though.

 

[Lee7588]

Probably too much gun for me. Thanks for the input though.

If you are concerned about recoil then put a brake on it and it will tame it.

 

[std7mag]

To find a new, or new to you, rifle.
Get dies and other assorted tooling to reload the cartridge you end up with.
Work up a load for it.
Then put in the practice, while taking the time to reload for it time and again.
Your going to be hard pressed to have it up and running by the time season rolls around.
Been there, done that!!

Personally, i'd go with 7mm Rem Mag.
Not finicky to load for.
Almost every rifle manufacturer makes a rifle chambered in it.
And the biggie!! Brass is easy to find!

 

[memtb]

If you are concerned about recoil then put a brake on it and it will tame it.

I hate brakes, but on a rifle (all up) under 10 or 11 pounds, may be considered with that cartridge.

With proper stock fit, and a good (example Pachmyar Decellerator) recoil pad…..you can probably adapt to the recoil.

I'll "crunch" some numbers, and get back to ya! memtb

 

[john k]

All the mentioned cartridges would be great selections for your goal. You also have to keep in mind to be at a minimum efficient at 1000 yards would require at the least a few hundred rounds down range in varying conditions. When your shooting rifles that produce 30+ lbs of recoil, will take a toll on you brake or not but that's what it takes. Enjoy the process! No regrets!