Elk Caliber with Particular Rifle Considerations

[streamerfish]

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?

This comes up pretty much all the time, and turns into the same talking points all the time.....

To address a few points, 300yds and in sounds like a good plan.

I wouldn't invest a "ton" of money into a rifle system if your mostly a archery hunter, unless you have lots of extra money to spend.

The whole "knockdown" power thing mean absolutely nothing, erase it from your mind. Its a rather weird myth. But it would be cool if you could pick a certain gun and it would send the elk flying 10ft in the air and 10ft backwards ala chuck norris landing the knockout kick...(rip Chuck).

I'm not going to tell you what cartridge to buy. If you've done any kind of searching around here, or just some logical research, you know it largely doesn't matter.

A couple points I will bring up. .308 ammunition is extremely easy to find. And its much more fun to shoot recreationally then your other choices.

 

[EdMN22]

This comes up pretty much all the time, and turns into the same talking points all the time.....

To address a few points, 300yds and in sounds like a good plan.

I wouldn't invest a "ton" of money into a rifle system if your mostly a archery hunter, unless you have lots of extra money to spend.

The whole "knockdown" power thing mean absolutely nothing, erase it from your mind. Its a rather weird myth. But it would be cool if you could pick a certain gun and it would send the elk flying 10ft in the air and 10ft backwards ala chuck norris landing the knockout kick...(rip Chuck).

I'm not going to tell you what cartridge to buy. If you've done any kind of searching around here, or just some logical research, you know it largely doesn't matter.

A couple points I will bring up. .308 ammunition is extremely easy to find. And its much more fun to shoot recreationally then your other choices.

A 300 win mag doesn’t do that?!?