Elk cartridge - use what I have or new round?

[Thunder43]

So planning first bull elk trip out west in October.
I have a hells canyon speed in 7mm-08 shooting 140AB and a weatherby 6.5-300 w/127LRX. Both sub MOA. I know both are considered ‘OK’ for elk but I am honestly considering stepping up to a big 30 in a mountain type rifle and have all bases covered. Thoughts?

 

[jfs82]

Shoot one of those, unless you want to buy and shoot something else?

 

[Kentk]

Shoot what you have. I have put down a dozen elk in one shot with my 308. Plenty of folks have told me it’s not a big enough gun. Just shoot within range that you are comfortable with and you will be fine.

 

[Geewhiz]

^^^ lets just leave it at that

 

[KsRancher]

There is a thread over in the "firearms" forum. It's titled something like. Match bullets for hunting. It's a great thread

 

[6mm Remington]

Either will work just perfectly and the bullets you currently are shooting are excellent.

 

[Marble]

So planning first bull elk trip out west in October.
I have a hells canyon speed in 7mm-08 shooting 140AB and a weatherby 6.5-300 w/127LRX. Both sub MOA. I know both are considered ‘OK’ for elk but I am honestly considering stepping up to a big 30 in a mountain type rifle and have all bases covered. Thoughts?

For the hunting you plan on doing this fall, do you have any idea on what kind hunting conditions there will be? Meaning, how are you going to hunt and how far of shots do you think you'll need to make?


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[Thunder43]

For the hunting you plan on doing this fall, do you have any idea on what kind hunting conditions there will be? Meaning, how are you going to hunt and how far of shots do you think you'll need to make?


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DIY in Colorado 2nd rifle. Likely some backpacking, but not too deep. First time so not sure range but want to be covered in case of a longer opportunity.

 

[Marble]

DIY in Colorado 2nd rifle. Likely some backpacking, but not too deep. First time so not sure range but want to be covered in case of a longer opportunity.

You would know your hunting/shooting ability more than anyone here. Those rounds mentioned are more than capable of killing elk. So if you have confidence in your rifle and bullet combo, then go for it.

If someone does not have an elk rifle and they ask my opinion, I go for .28 -.30 caliber magnum rounds that can shoot a heavier bullet.

Accuracy is #1. But if you make a marginal shot and poop happens which it's bound to, I would rather have a bigger, heavier, faster bullet doing damage than the opposite.

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[Marble]

DIY in Colorado 2nd rifle. Likely some backpacking, but not too deep. First time so not sure range but want to be covered in case of a longer opportunity.

Also, I've hunted second season there for 20 years. I've killed elk with my rifle from 25-650 yards on open hill sides and thick timber.

I dont carry a long range rifle or a super light rifle. It's pretty standard and very accurate. Nothing special.

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[Thunder43]

DIY in Colorado 2nd rifle. Likely some backpacking, but not too deep. First time so not sure range but want to be covered in case of a longer opportunity.

Thanks Marble. I’m confident in most cases out to 400-500. But like you would prefer to have more energy just in case of less than ideal conditions. good to know the ranges could vary wildly.

 

[mike.adams.467]

Buy the .300 Win Mag.


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[Crowmangler]

Never pass up a justifiable reason to buy a new gun

 

[def90]

What you have is fine.. if you are here just to ask a question in order to justify a new purchase because you have money burning a hole in your pocket then go ahead and get a new gun. Might be better investment opportunities out there though.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Not taking into account environmentals and your rifles' specifics, your:
* 7mm-08 hits 1800 fps just past 550 yards
* 6.5-300 hits 1800 fps about 1000 yards

Like others have said, either of your two existing setups will work.

Do remember that your 6.5-300 packs a much larger punch that many larger calibers. It easily bests the 7mm Rem Mag shooting commercial 139 gr LRX on velocity and energy out to 1000 yards. It goes toe-to-toe with a 300 WM shooting 190 gr LRX to to 700-ish yards at which point it pulls away from the 300 WM. You do give up 0.019685" in diameter to the 7mm Rem Mag and 0.044" to the 300 WM.

If you're still wanting a new rifle, then have at. May want to see about getting ammo, or reloading components, before buying though. Would suck buying a new rifle and scope and not being able to use it for your elk hunt.

 

[wildwilderness]

Post a picture of your 6.5-300wby cartridge! That’s a big case. I would use that on elk.

I prefer to spend money on more hunts, but if you have enough and want a dedicated elk rifle by all means buy one. I would go at least 30 cal- maybe 300 wby to go along with what you have. But there are plenty of 30 mags to choose from.

 

[Thunder43]

Here’s a shot of the 6.5-300wby next to the 7-mm08, both with LRX /TSX. It’s a rocket.

Post a picture of your 6.5-300wby cartridge! That’s a big case. I would use that on elk.

I prefer to spend money on more hunts, but if you have enough and want a dedicated elk rifle by all means buy one. I would go at least 30 cal- maybe 300 wby to go along with what you have. But there are plenty of 30 mags to choose from.

 

[TNKnoxville]

Use the 6.5x300 and experience your first hunt and then decide if you need something else. I did my first CO hunt 2 years ago and used my 30 06. I've hunted in TN and GA for deer for the last 30 years where no shots over 100 yards and good glass wasn't that important.

Hunting CO was different! I now have a 300 win mag and 28 Nosler in the stable. I purchased a really good pair of binocs and upgraded my trigger and scope. But that was based on my experience and observing the distance of shot opportunities, importance of good glass, and seeing how tough an elk is if hit with a bad shot from a smaller caliber. Lucky they were not my shots!

2 things I wished I had done differently on my first hunt was to have a good pair of binoculars and a better scope. Gun was fine!!!! Oh and be in way better shape...lol.

 

[Thunder43]

Really appreciate everyone’s input. Thanks fellas. Agree with good glass- have that covered. Training needs to be stepped up.

 

[BjornF16]

Whichever one you feel most comfortable carrying and shooting (since they are both sub MOA).

All other things being equal, I'd choose the Wby.

Are you shooting factory ammo or hand loads?