Buying new elk rifle

[t_carlson]

I’d go with the 6.8 but then add 0.2 to it.

Tikka 7mm Rem Mag will do most of what a 300 will do, and in some ways, more. No sense in the extra recoil if you don’t have to, and I do not foresee the 6.8 having any real longevity. Take it from me, it sucks to buy a new gun and then have the manufacturer stop supporting it suddenly. No ammo. No brass.

.300 mag with 200 bullets does tend to feel a little better in hand in thick griz country, though.

 

[Dark timber]

I have been shooting the 6.8 Western since last year. Ammo is pretty abundant for it here, I have about 250 rounds stocked. I am about to order a 7mmPRC and try that this fall on mule deer. The Backcountry Hunt with Joseph Von Benedict has a lot of recent podcasts on those 2 rounds that are worth listening to. My go to before these was the 300 win mag.

You must just wanna buy a new rifle lol.

 

[Indian Summer]

Get the .300WM

 

[Iowafarmer]

WOW thanks for all the input guys looks like the tried and trusted 300WM has it over the latest and greatest 6.8 western probably good advice looked into 28 nosler also but again worried about ammo availability thanks again I’ll have to get into a gun store and do some looking

 

[ArcherAdam]

I can vouch for the hells canyon being a nice rifle. I would not hesitate to pick one up myself. I got my son one in '06.

From what I can tell, it looks like the 300wm is going nowhere so factory or handloading may not be an issue.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[TheHammer]

X2 on looking at savage 110s I’d recommend the timberline or high country. My high country in 300wm changed my outlook on rifles. I sold my tikkas, hells canyon speed, mesa n now my m70 all weather because of that rifle. For ammo I run load development rounds from unknown munitions.

 

[Hoyt Ag]

You must just wanna buy a new rifle lol.

I enjoy firearms and have the means. I fail to see a problem with that.

 

[BarCO]

If you are worried about ammo, .308, .270 win, or 6.5 cm

 

[RedSnow]

X bolt. If the triggers gold the elk will fold.

You'll be happy with any of the guns you listed though.

 

[Iowafarmer]

Get the .300WMView attachment 507460

Now that kinda makes me want to go with the “06” just personally preference I guess

 

[Bachto]

I have a 300 win mag tikka t3 lite with veil wideland camo and cerakote I am looking to sell. It's a tack driver I bought it for an elk hunt sighted it in and never wound up going on the hunt so it's sitting in my safe basically brand new. Let me know if you're interested.

I have this exact gun and absolutely love it, shot a deer and an elk with it now. My dad has an X-bolt and thinks my trigger is better than his browning. He ended up putting a Timney in it.

I handload mine with 168 Berger VLD hunters. Here are some pics from my elk hunt. Shot him at 70 yards after practicing all fall at 400 to 600 yards.

 

[cnelk]

Go big or go home.

340 Weatherby Mag
My elk and moose gun

 

[Brooks]

The way ammo has been the last few years 300 WM or a 308. Both are 100% elk rifles. I have a 338 WM and to find ammo for it is almost impossible. But for my 308 I can find all kinds of good ammo.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Welcome to the site @Iowafarmer! Good to have another Iowegian on here.

If not handloading, go to Walmart or Bomgaars and see what they have most abundant on the shelves. I can tell you from experience in Western IA that you will have the least trouble finding the following:
.300WM, .30-06, .308, 7 mag, .270, 6.5CM, .25-06, and .243.

ALL of these will kill elk cleanly at the average range most hunters shoot (300-400 yards or less). However, the ones on the right side will kill just as well with significantly less recoil. Depending on how much money you have burning a hole in your pocket, if you're dead set on a .30 or a mag, do yourself a favor and get a suppressor to reduce the recoil.

If you have a Scheels, BP, or Cabelas near you, then you should be able to find better selections of 6.5PRC, .300PRC, 6.8 Western, and other "exotics".

 

[BarCO]

The inability to get 30-06 ammo stopped me from ad one.

 

[Iowafarmer]

I have this exact gun and absolutely love it, shot a deer and an elk with it now. My dad has an X-bolt and thinks my trigger is better than his browning. He ended up putting a Timney in it.

I handload mine with 168 Berger VLD hunters. Here are some pics from my elk hunt. Shot him at 70 yards after practicing all fall at 400 to 600 yards.
View attachment 507498
View attachment 507497

 

[Iowafarmer]

Nice bull!! Hey I’d take a chip shot anytime.

 

[BA33]

7mm or 300wm are both solid choices. Pick a gun that fits you well and find the right load. Practice with it, go hunting and enjoy! Good luck on the journey

 

[WYcoyote]

Another vote for the .300 WM.

 

[DaleW]

Whatever you end up choosing I'd highly recommend heavy for caliber bullets. I'd choose a 180 grain 7mm over a 168 30 cal any day.