Elk Caliber with Particular Rifle Considerations

[HGSNDGS]

Hello. I am interested in purchasing a rifle for elk hunting. I have experience with shotguns, 5.56, and archery. I have been in the rabbit hole, both on rokslide and elsewhere. I prefer archery hunting but a group of us are planning a trip for rifle season. I’m between 3 or so choices and I just can’t make a decision.

Tikka T3x Lite in 308
Seekins Ph3 in 7 PRC
Bergara in 300WM.

My concerns are:
308- Pros- Lightweight/Shootability/ Concerns-“knockdown” power
7 PRC- Pros- Larger Seekins- Rifle cost, ammo quality/availability (I’m not a reloader)
300 WM-Bergara-Pros- 30 Cal, velocity, Cons- Weight, recoil

I have a max 300 yard range I shoot at. I really don’t think I’d take a shot further than that no matter the rifle. It wouldn’t be ethical without a lot of practice at those distances. I would imagine most elk are taken within that distance? Has anybody ever hunted with a 308 and wished for more? I don’t want to wound an animal. Is there a caliber I should consider outside of these? Should a 30.06 or 7 REM Mag be a consideration?

Go with the .300 WM. I love the heavy bullets available for 30 calibers. One of my favorites is the 180 grain Barnes TTSX. I prefer the extra horse power in the .300 Weatherby or .300 Remington Ultra Mag, but you’ll do just fine with the Winchester and ammo is readily available in every little Mom and Pop store in elk country.

 

[glock233]

I find all this talk about small caliber rifles for elk very interesting. In part because I can’t help but wonder how many 6.5 and smaller fans have ever shot a truly big bull of 7+ years old. There’s a big difference between a 900+ lb. Bull and a rag horn or cow. I also wonder how many small caliber proponents have ever lost a bull with their small gun. I have a feeling that some have more experience in typing on forums than actually killing elk.

If I was advising a new elk hunter on a first rifle, it’d be a 270 Winchester, 308, 30-06. They’re all better for elk than smaller calibers. My own choice for elk is usually my .338 Win Mag, which I settled on after using a number of smaller guns on elk. But I wouldn’t advise a .338 for a new elk hunter. I think a 30-06 is as close to ideal as any other choice.

We lose and wound more elk to bad shots than small calibers. People are more accurate with smaller calibers period. Over-gunning for no reason doesn’t do anything.

Large elk aren’t hard to kill. Neither are moose. These meat slabs that protect the vitals are 4-6” inches thick and soft.

Your recommendations of 270 and 308 are sensible at appropriate ranges.

 

[probablymissed]

Short answer: 308 because ammo is everywhere and with many different bullet types to choose from. Like archery consistency is key, and shot placement is king. Find a suitable bullet the gun likes and shoot that one. I personally like federal terminal ascent.

Fondle some guns pick one that feels good and shoulders well then pick a suitable caliber.

Aftermarket triggers may also be beneficial, but thats a whole different rabbit hole.

Long answer: I have been hunting for 25 years but elk hunting for only 3. I started elk hunting with a 308 but switched to a supressed ph3 in a 300wm last year. Is it awesome? absolutely! Did I need to spend 5k on a gun to kill elk, nah. The ph3 makes my Bergara Sierra Wilderness feel like a boat paddle. The Bergara shoots well but it doesnt feel as nice in the hand. I imagine the comparison would be similar to handling a bear bow to a hoyt or a mathews. Seekins customer service is top tier in my opinion. I switched because I wanted a flatter trajectory with a little more hp since the short shots where I hunt are at 250 roughly. I stayed with the 300wm for general ammo availability and I prefer 30cal for various reasons. I shot a bull at 265 last season with a high shoulder shot and it went down in about 10yds. A new rifle hunter (archery guy) in our hunt camp harvested a cow with a 30-06 last season too.

You could also buy an accurate lower end model of a particular action and put it in a aftermarket stock you like. Im considering putting the Bergara in a manners stock vs buying a short action ph3. Cva might be another brand to look at, they are also known to be budget tack drivers.