Elk season in Colorado is almost here and I have a question for you, just for fun. Which cartridge and bullet combo would you choose for Bull elk to 400 yards? The 2 rifles in my safe that are up to bat are
A 6.5 PRC running a 140 Berger VLD at 3020 fps. I have ultimate confidence in this rifle and its accuracy to 625 yards using a Leupold CDS turret cut for my load. I will be using this rifle on a mule deer hunt in about 3 weeks and hope to get my first animal with it, a big giant high country buck!
Or
A 280AI running a 168 Berger Classic Hunter at 2900 fps or a 143 Hammer Hunter at 3120 fps.
I have had success with the Ackley and Hammers last year on 2 Elk so I have no doubt in it capabilities. I also have no doubt the PRC will do the job with a 140 VLD. I'm not really asking for advise just cant decided which rifle/bullet to grab! I feel all three loads are pretty dang close with the edge going to the 143 Hammer.
So what do you think? Which rifle would you grab and which bullet?