DESPERATE TIMES!!!!

[brettdunn7]

As another mentioned above I’d look at maybe a .308. Been a big fan of that caliber growing up whitetail hunting. Seems to be a good caliber for nearly any big game in this country. I’m new to elk hunting so was thinking of a .300 also but may be looking at a .308 myself or maybe even the 6.5-300.


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[Engineer260]

I am told by outfitter not to expect shots beyond 225

you'll have plenty of power with the 6.5 out to 225.

 

[miteybucs]

Thank you all for the feedback. At risk of asking too many questions, would you leave the Leupold 3-9x40 I have on my 6.5? is that sufficient for New Mexico elk hunting ?

 

[Shotshill]

Thank you all for the feedback. At risk of asking too many questions, would you leave the Leupold 3-9x40 I have on my 6.5? is that sufficient for New Mexico elk hunting ?

What can you shoot accurately and have confidence with? A dialed up scope in timber
may blow a shot opportunity. Ive shot lots of animals 200-400 at low settings because I didnt
have the time to nurse the power up. Dont overthink this hunt but plan practically and master your weapon to your skills set. Best of luck and save us some backstrap!!!

 

[menhaden_man]

Agree on the 6.5, especially with the 143 for ELDX Hornady rounds. Or hit Bi-Mart and grab a Savage 30-06 accutrigger with Nikon 3-9x40 for under $500. Once a gun is in your head you’re better off leaving it at home. Even if you think it’s right, you’ve shot poor enough to shake your confidence.

 

[Sled]

Thank you all for the feedback. At risk of asking too many questions, would you leave the Leupold 3-9x40 I have on my 6.5? is that sufficient for New Mexico elk hunting ?

yes, less than 300 should be a chip shot with that scope. if you're stretching it out to 500 you might be more comfortable with a 14x but it's not necessary.

 

[mtnwrunner]

6.5 is a plenty.

Randy

 

[FLAK]

Go buy a Ruger in 300WM, slap a Leupold 2.5-8 x36 on it and be done.

 

[huntaholic123]

If the recoil is the issue have you considered having a gunsmith slap a muzzle break on it? Get some ear protection and some new rings for the scope and you will be set. But I agree with others that the 6.5 is more than enough fun for what you are looking for at those ranges.

 

[OXN939]

Thank you all for the feedback. At risk of asking too many questions, would you leave the Leupold 3-9x40 I have on my 6.5? is that sufficient for New Mexico elk hunting ?

Yes. That will be plenty, as long as you have practiced shooting to 225. If the first time you've ever attempted shooting that distance is when you have a trophy animal in your crosshairs, you're headed for the aforementioned disaster.

It sounds like you have a good grasp on what's going on and solid fundamentals here- just head to the range with your 6.5 and practice your holdovers to 225. Tell your outfitter that's how far you're comfortable to and don't shoot beyond that. Hundreds of hunters are successfully stalking to within 50 yards of elk as we speak during bow season, so having > 4x that effective range will do you just fine.

 

[5MilesBack]

The 6.5 with the 3x9 should work fine, but you could even go buy a new Ruger American and throw on a Leupold and be good to go after a few sighting rounds.......for well under $1000.

But if I was spending $20k for a hunt, it had darn well better be a San Carlos Reservation archery elk hunt.

 

[Catahoula]

I believe your 6.5C will be plenty as well as the 3x9 scope. Oh and get your money back for the Christensen. Sorry you are having such troubles with the rifle.

 

[JWP58]

Tikka and swfa...

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Shoot the 6.5, or swing by Academy and get a cheap Remington 700 and Leupold combo and be done with it. At the ranges you're targeting the Elk won't know if you're shooting a cheap combo that doesn't go sub-moa.

 

[tntrker]

Why don’t you just shoot one of your other rifles you mentioned?

If it is a booked / outfitter hunt is highly unlikely you will shoot further than 400 at an elk.

I dropped an elk at 660 yrds on my last day on a guided elk hunt. I am confident and comfortable shooting at that distance before anyone starts gripping about that, not that I am saying you RosinBag would, just pointing out my experience..

 

[RosinBag]

I dropped an elk at 660 yrds on my last day on a guided elk hunt. I am confident and comfortable shooting at that distance before anyone starts gripping about that, not that I am saying you RosinBag would, just pointing out my experience..

I say shoot as far as you want, I would shoot an elk at a 1000 if that’s what was needed.

 

[tntrker]

I say shoot as far as you want, I would shoot an elk at a 1000 if that’s what was needed.

yep, My outfitter had said out to 200-250 yrds tops. Lucky I practice regularly at 400+ otherwise I would have come home meatless...

 

[KHNC]

Spending 20k for a NM elk hunt is crazy, but if you have it, why not. I assume 10k of that must be a landowner tag voucher in the Gila. IF so, that area is full of big elk! Several reputable outfitters in that area that come to mind. Michael Delao of Gila & Apache is one of the best. Good luck on your hunt. I would recommend being ready to shoot out to 400. Plenty of open canyon areas in Gila for rifle season.

 

[cgasner1]

Why not go grab a tikka t3 lite in a 300 wsm couple boxes of ammo try some different box stuff I’m sure it would be good 400 if you shoot it over a chrono and get some numbers


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[miteybucs]

Why not go grab a tikka t3 lite in a 300 wsm couple boxes of ammo try some different box stuff I’m sure it would be good 400 if you shoot it over a chrono and get some numbers


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I went and purchased a Tikka t3 lite 300 winmag today. I put the Swarovski z8i on it and will take the next 2 weeks getting comfortable with it and ave the 6.5 as a backup. That was the best solution I could come up with.