Elk rifle question

[Bryan8541]

I am planning a 2019 elk trip in Montana or Idaho. Kinda researching both and have a plan and back up plan. I dont shoot much and dont have a capable rifel brsides 45/70 and that will not have the range needed. Just to clarify, i said i dont shoot, not that i cant shoot. I was a sub MOA at 1,000 yds plus in the Marine Corp. i am familiar with a 308 but that seems like mixed opinions on large game. I would like to get back into shooting and hunting more so here are the 2 guns /manufactures im looking at:

Larue Tactical PredatOBR 7.62. A very accurate 1,000 yd AR platform
GA Precision, not sure on model but 300 win or 7mm

I feel i would get more shooting out of the AR but concerned about enough power to penetrate elk at 500-700 yds if situation arises. The GAP would be more long range shooting/hunting which i dont/will not be doing most of the time.

Thanks for any opinions, Bryan

 

[idahohikker]

I'd go with a .308 or 7mm mag. Lots of versatility.

 

[rileybassman]

Tons of good options

I like to look at keeping bullet velocity above 1800 and energy above 1200 for elk

With a .308 factory load, that buys you 5-550.

I use handloadee in my 30-06 that get me to 700...

300 wm will get you 8-900

Inside of 3-400 those 3 will have similar results.

The 7mms are good to - 7-08 and 7mmRM.

Elk aren't bullet proof - well placed shot from any of those calibers at 4-500 = dead elk.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[davsco]

weight is a consideration so take that into account, busting thru junipers and walking lots of miles. i just did my first elk hunt and am downsizing from an ~8lb rifle to ~6lb (without scope etc).

starting from scratch, i'd just go 300 winmag and be done with it, or maybe 300wsm. both, especially the 300wm, have a ton of ammo selection. put a brake on it, wear hearing protection and that will do a job on elk without beating you up.

 

[ramont]

What were you doing in the Corps that required you to shoot 1000+ with a .308?

 

[davsco]

Tons of good options

I like to look at keeping bullet velocity above 1800 and energy above 1200 for elk

i remember way back in the day the recommendation was a ton / 2000ft-lb of energy at the elk, but guess these numbers have come way down due to advances in bullet construction.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

I have a .300 WSM that I love. And just killed my 1st elk with. Won a Browning Xbolt in
.308 at a DU banquet that I will elk hunt with eventually. Was planning on using .308 prior to acquiring .300 WSM


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Journeyman]

Wind drift on a 308 is terrible, ignoring the velocity/energy issues on game at 700ish, the wind drift alone I feel makes it a poor choice for those ranges. Basically you're more likely to gut shoot or flat out miss the animal.

I would also strongly advise against an AR platform for mountain hunting. Also you should resist the urge to get a do it all rifle. They don't exist. If you want an AR get an AR, if you want a mountain rifle, get a mountain rifle. You can have more than one, it might just take time to get afford both. AR's are great for practice, your fundamentals have to be perfect because of the slow lock time and long recoil pulse. I just wouldn't recommend hunting big game with one.

GA Precision's are sick, I'm pretty sure they're pretty spendy though depending on budget. I like a lot of others on here am obsessed with Tikka's. If you want something a little fancier, I'm a big fan of Kimber's. Either a Montana or Mountain Assent. They chamber them in 280 AI which I really like ballistically but maybe not the best if you don't reload. 7 Rem Mag is a good option if you're just going to shoot factory ammo.

Remember a big part of your budget should go to the scope, especially for the ranges you stated. You're not going to want to put a $500 scope on a $2-$3000 rifle.

 

[hflier]

I love my Tikka 300 Wsm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bryan8541]

That makes sense. The 308 does have a lot of wind drift. I shot a high angle shooting school in Hawthorn NV and in a 30-40 mph cross wind in the canyons we had some crazy windage holds. I like the GAP and they are pricey but good quality. Ill check out Tikka, i have 2 kimber custom 45 and they are top notch

 

[Brendan]

All depends on your self-imposed yardage limit. If you want lightweight and ranges aren't long - .308 works fine with good ammo (I have a Kimber Adirondack .308 that weighs 6lb scoped and loaded that I shot my last Elk with, at 40 yards ). If you want to shoot longer range, a .300 Win Mag with good ammo would be hard to argue against..... Lots of good sub-MOA options that are not expensive and leave plenty for good optics and ammo...

So, you can obviously shoot, what yardages would you like to be able to take an Elk at?

 

[Bryan8541]

What were you doing in the Corps that required you to shoot 1000+ with a .308?

8541 scout sniper out of 1st battalion 1st marine Camp Pendleton

 

[Bryan8541]

All depends on your self-imposed yardage limit. If you want lightweight and ranges aren't long - .308 works fine with good ammo (I have a Kimber Adirondack .308 that weighs 6lb scoped and loaded that I shot my last Elk with, at 40 yards ). If you want to shoot longer range, a .300 Win Mag with good ammo would be hard to argue against..... Lots of good sub-MOA options that are not expensive and leave plenty for good optics and ammo...

So, you can obviously shoot, what yardages would you like to be able to take an Elk at?

I know there is a ton of work, skill, and a little luck that goes into elk hunting so I would like to be in a 100-200 yard range but I am comfortable pushing a shot to 500-600 yds if the situation and terrain required it. I just prefer a rifle that can make those shots.

 

[Versydus]

If I was in your shoes I would be buying a good bolt gun in a 300 win mag/wsm action. Can't bet the bullet selection as well as current ammo manufactures having extremely high quality loads available over the counter. Wind drift as well as all the can be mitigated to some extent by bullet selection and velocity. One gun you can shoot from a 110 grain Vmax to a 210 grain Berger. Cant go wrong with a 300. I'll pm you with a few more details. Semper FI brother

 

[rileybassman]

i remember way back in the day the recommendation was a ton / 2000ft-lb of energy at the elk, but guess these numbers have come way down due to advances in bullet construction.

Yea I remember those days too... I think there was a "elk can only be killed with a magnum" phase... I had a couple people give me grief using an 06 for elk. I think the last 10 years or so people have accepted that you don't need quite as much power - that coupled with bullet advancements.

My little sister has killed several elk with her 7-08 at 120 and 200 yards... Holes on both sides both times and bang flops.



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

95% of your hunt will consist of walking your rifle up and down mountains. If you're lucky, you'll have to deal with 150+ pounds of meat at some point, and you'll still be carrying that rifle. I'd say the % difference in success based on 500 yard capability vs. 1000 yard capability is pretty negligible...

Go with a light rifle that you don't mind packing 10 miles a day, busting brush with, etc. There's a lot to be said for the 30-06 with 180 grain Partitions or 168 gr TTSX.

 

[belly-deep]

95% of your hunt will consist of walking your rifle up and down mountains. If you're lucky, you'll have to deal with 150+ pounds of meat at some point, and you'll still be carrying that rifle. I'd say the % difference in success based on 500 yard capability vs. 1000 yard capability is pretty negligible...

Go with a light rifle that you don't mind packing 10 miles a day, busting brush with, etc. There's a lot to be said for the 30-06 with 180 grain Partitions or 168 gr TTSX.

This is good advice.

Every time I carry my Kimber MT 8400 300 WSM I say to myself, “I could sell the rest and just hunt with this gun for everything.”

I have it topped with a 3-9 SWFA and shooting 200 grain bullets. It will handle what you describe just fine and be much nicer to carry around the mountains than a GAP or AR.

 

[Newtosavage]

.308 is a fine choice, and here's why...

With good ammo or good hand loads, it's a perfectly capable 400-yard elk round. Anything beyond 400 yards is at best, a pipe dream because 1) it's so unlikely, 2) the wind out West 3) finding a rest worthy of a 400+ yard shot, etc. There are a lot of reasons why the average elk hunter doesn't need to worry about anything beyond 400 yards. It's more of a mental exercise than anything, except of course for those seeking out shots beyond 400 yards so they have something to talk about.

I am a huge Tikka fan. My personal do-all rifle is a Tikka T3 in 7mm-08 that shoots sub-MOA well beyond 400. It weighs 7 lbs. even, with a 3-9x40 scope on it. It's a joy to carry and I carry it in my hands most of the time I'm hunting, which increases my odds of getting a shot. Tikkas are light, super accurate and reasonably priced. If you found yourself the owner of a Tikka T3 in .308, it might be the last elk rifle you ever own.

 

[rileybassman]

.308 is a fine choice, and here's why...

With good ammo or good hand loads, it's a perfectly capable 400-yard elk round. Anything beyond 400 yards is at best, a pipe dream because 1) it's so unlikely, 2) the wind out West 3) finding a rest worthy of a 400+ yard shot, etc. There are a lot of reasons why the average elk hunter doesn't need to worry about anything beyond 400 yards. It's more of a mental exercise than anything, except of course for those seeking out shots beyond 400 yards so they have something to talk about.

I am a huge Tikka fan. My personal do-all rifle is a Tikka T3 in 7mm-08 that shoots sub-MOA well beyond 400. It weighs 7 lbs. even, with a 3-9x40 scope on it. It's a joy to carry and I carry it in my hands most of the time I'm hunting, which increases my odds of getting a shot. Tikkas are light, super accurate and reasonably priced. If you found yourself the owner of a Tikka T3 in .308, it might be the last elk rifle you ever own.

Totally agree with the Tikka. I recently downgraded from a Kimber Montana (great gun, shot lights out) to a Tikka text superlite. I like the Tikka better. Plastic stock and all.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[cnelk]

20 years ago I wanted to upgrade from my ol trusty '06 to a belted magnum for my 'go-to' elk rifle.

I came across a .340 WBY Alaskan and that rifle has shot many elk, deer, a couple caribou and moose.

I reload it with 225gr Hornady and it does wonders in long range, and wind.

2 years ago I shot this cow elk in WY. 20+ mph cross wind at 560yds. YouTube

Its a horse of an elk rifle