Elk Rifle

[uthuntr]

#1. Upgrade your optic. Ajsomp gave you the recommended list. I would add to that the RokScope 3-14x44 that should be available later this year if that works for your timeline.

#2. I agree that the 6.5 with the right bullet will get the job done.

#3. If you do go to a larger, I left my 338 at home last year and brought my 30-06. I was able to practice and get fast follow up shots when it counted. What I’m trying to say is the recoil is what you want to avoid.

Didn’t see that list before glad he posted it. How far out is a reasonable poke for 30-06 say compared to a 300 win mag?

 

[UKwildcatfan]

So this year I drew a once in a lifetime elk tag in New Mexico. Haven't really had any exceptional tags or guided hunts up to this point, and have mainly used a 6.5 PRC to take deer sized and below game. Nothing as big as an elk. I also have a mountain goat hunt in the pipeline that if I can't upgrade, I want this rifle to be able to serve that purpose as well.

My total budget is ~$3k or slightly more if it makes a meaningful difference. I'm thinking putting $1k towards the rifle and $2k scope so my setup would be this.

Weatherby Vanguard 7mm rem mag or **300 win mag** (maybe tikka t3x lite with brake)?
Nightforce NX8 4-32x50

My vanguard shoots awesome so I’m thinking another one. Unless I was doing a custom build I can't see the juice being worth the squeeze spending an extra 1k on the rifle. Suggestions?

EDIT: **I truly appreciate all input on the cartridge, nobody is wrong if they shoot what they’re confident in, but recommendations on scope and rifle setup would be ideal**

Personally, I'd prefer something in a 7 or .30. 7 mag in a 1:7.5 or 8 twist is perfect in my mind. I sure don't see the need in a 32x scope with a 34mm tube. 15-18 would be max top end for me. I've never found a need to go above 12x.

 

[bmart2622]

Why even comment this? If anyone feels the need to say you don’t need a bigger cartridge. Great. I never said you couldn’t use a 6.5. But I addressed that after the first comment and edited the thread post. This whole website is based on stuff we don’t *need*. So i find it an odd hill to die on.

Or why can’t people just say “you might not need a new gun but if you’re set on it here’s my experience with <insert preferred gun> <insert preferred scope>” and those that have done that have been helpful and good interactions. But I have definitely learned a lesson

Because its an open forum and theres a little thing called the 1st Amendment that says I can. I find it odd to disregard 1000s of cases of objective irrefutable evidence

 

[uthuntr]

Because its an open forum and theres a little thing called the 1st Amendment that says I can. I find it odd to disregard 1000s of cases of objective irrefutable evidence

Not gonna keep this going, many blessings my man

 

[keystone112]

I was comfortable out to 450 with my 30-06. Luckily I shot my bull at 400.

 

[Jhconnected]

@uthuntr

I’m in a similar predicament as you.

People’s opinion vary greatly and you will find each forum has a majority opinion.

Another forum I’m on says 30 cal or greater and they are as adamant about it as people here are about smaller cartridges.

The guide said he uses 30-378 Weatherby.

You MUST be confident in your rifle or it’ll get in your head. But, you must be able to shoot it well.

If going bigger meets these criteria then do it. 7 PRC/RM is where I’d go if I go bigger.

If you shoot it like shit then move back down to the 6.5 PRC.

 

[Jhconnected]

@uthuntr

As far as the goat, you’re good with the 6.5 PRC. That’s the gold standard for sheep/goats. Just remember they’re not wide at all and your bullet needs to expand quickly before it exits.

 

[Yoteassasin]

6.5 through 300 is basically the same class of gun . If I were stepping up I’d go
To a 8mm rm or 340wby

 

[longrangelead]

Tikka in your favorite flavor.
Definitely upgrade your scope!
I'm diggin the Mavin
NF is always good
or buy 2 SWFA's and a pile of ammo and go shoot.

My wife and I have killed a bunch of elk, deer and antelope with 6.5's out to 500 w/143's, 147's, 153.5's and 156's. I have no need for anything bigger inside 600 for sure.

It looks like your going to get a bigger rifle and my guess is your thinking a tough bullet like Barnes or bonded for penetration?

If you are truly open to new ideas, watch a few Shoot2Hunt videos on why match bullets and similar bullets kill so well and why we don't actually need 3 feet of penetration 99.9% of the time.

 

[nm.otter]

This may seem at first glance like a long thread, but the 224 thread is seven times longer. Entirely worth your time.

 

[sndmn11]

. This whole website is based on stuff we don’t *need*.

What I like about this site is the opposite. There's a much greater focus here on eliminating the concept of purchasing "skill" or buying crutches. That philosophy is half of the reason why people are telling your current rifle is great/fine/ideal/overkill.

Buy one of these to put on the 6.5prc, and there will be zero doubt that any botched shot will be user error.

There is a whole drop test dedicated to scope selection



Swfa 6x mil


Maven rs1.2 2.5-15 mil

 

[Deadspace]

I’m a small caliber guy these days but confidence is pretty important. If a 6.5 doesn’t give ya that, get a 300 or even a 338 of some flavor. Just practice and use the right bullet. Check out @huntnful list of builds if you need some inspiration.

 

[TaperPin]

I appreciate the input, I fear my 6.5 might leave me wishing a little. Not what you want to find out on a once in a lifetime elk hunt! 7 mag isn’t the biggest jump so I’ve thought maybe 300 win mag. But honestly would bet i wind up with 6.5, 7 mag, 300 anyways. A little redundant but covers everything and think this would be a great opportunity to add the 7.

Glad you to hear feel good about it

Everyone should own one of each!

 

[roadrunner]

So this year I drew a once in a lifetime elk tag in New Mexico. Haven't really had any exceptional tags or guided hunts up to this point, and have mainly used a 6.5 PRC to take deer sized and below game. Nothing as big as an elk. I also have a mountain goat hunt in the pipeline that if I can't upgrade, I want this rifle to be able to serve that purpose as well.

My total budget is ~$3k or slightly more if it makes a meaningful difference. I'm thinking putting $1k towards the rifle and $2k scope so my setup would be this.

Weatherby Vanguard 7mm rem mag or **300 win mag** (maybe tikka t3x lite with brake)?
Nightforce NX8 4-32x50

My vanguard shoots awesome so I’m thinking another one. Unless I was doing a custom build I can't see the juice being worth the squeeze spending an extra 1k on the rifle. Suggestions?

EDIT: **I truly appreciate all input on the cartridge, nobody is wrong if they shoot what they’re confident in, but recommendations on scope and rifle setup would be ideal**

Once in a lifetime as in the actual OIL or just difficult to draw?

Asking because it matters. What's your backup rifle going to be?

 

[nobody]

Agree with you on recoil but the 7 with a brake will kick similarly. Which I’ve never had an issue with. But If I’m willing to buy a bigger gun and upgrade my scope why not? You must admit a bigger gun has more leeway and damage even you argue it’s marginal. Anybody knows you don’t shoot anything unless you’re certain it’s dead on its feet, give two people the same gun and one might shoot and one might not. They’re both right. But i appreciate the input

Leeway isn’t a thing. There isn’t a single shot on ANY animal I would feel comfortable (with my 600 and in threshold) with a 338 lapua that I wouldn’t take with a 6.5 creed and an ELDM. An ELDM impacting above 1800 FPS leaves a wound channel the equivalent to a 2 liter bottle being pushed through the animal. Energy doesn’t matter. Caliber doesn’t matter. Bullet construction and impact velocity and location are ALL that matter.

You’re asking for recommendations and opinions. If you wanted validation you’ve probably objectively come to the wrong place, as the majority of people giving you feedback are recommending AGAINST your preference. It seems your mind is made up, so why not just go buy the new rifle without coming to Rokslide?

If you want recommendations, here’s mine:

Read this:

P

Thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

• PNWGATOR
• Replies: 10,619
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 
• 

Then this:

Thread 'Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting'

Mar 31, 2020

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions. It’s an attempt to get to actually using your rifles.


People online tend to act like 600/800/whatever yards is a rifle, cartridge and BDC scope purchase away. When someone asks for advice, or says I’m building an -insert whatever rifle/cartridge you want-, people are discussing hardware not...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 715
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Then these:

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

Read it all, front to back. Then buy a Tikka in 223, put a reliable optic on it (see the tests in the 3rd link), and put a huge pile of rounds down range. Good luck

 

[Boone2088]

Shoot your gun with the right bullet

True that rifle is good enough just use good ammo and practice

 

[uthuntr]

Once in a lifetime as in the actual OIL or just difficult to draw?

Asking because it matters. What's your backup rifle going to be?

Only non resident tag on a certain preserve to not name names. Not sure what you mean backup rifle? Never have thought of it. Curious for you to elaborate

 

[uthuntr]

Leeway isn’t a thing. There isn’t a single shot on ANY animal I would feel comfortable (with my 600 and in threshold) with a 338 lapua that I wouldn’t take with a 6.5 creed and an ELDM. An ELDM impacting above 1800 FPS leaves a wound channel the equivalent to a 2 liter bottle being pushed through the animal. Energy doesn’t matter. Caliber doesn’t matter. Bullet construction and impact velocity and location are ALL that matter.

You’re asking for recommendations and opinions. If you wanted validation you’ve probably objectively come to the wrong place, as the majority of people giving you feedback are recommending AGAINST your preference. It seems your mind is made up, so why not just go buy the new rifle without coming to Rokslide?

If you want recommendations, here’s mine:

Read this:

P

Thread '.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.'

Jun 3, 2019

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET.

---

“Bullets matter more than headstamps.”

“Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”.

I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened.

The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223 is where I ended up after many discussions and objective data regarding bullet performance and numerous pics of field results.

Now for the delivery system. Accurate. Repeatable. Reliable. Reasonable weight to afford steady shot placement and the ability to spot my own impacts...

• PNWGATOR
• Replies: 10,619
• Forum: Firearms

• 
• 
• 

Then this:

Thread 'Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting'

Mar 31, 2020

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions. It’s an attempt to get to actually using your rifles.


People online tend to act like 600/800/whatever yards is a rifle, cartridge and BDC scope purchase away. When someone asks for advice, or says I’m building an -insert whatever rifle/cartridge you want-, people are discussing hardware not...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 715
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Then these:

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

Read it all, front to back. Then buy a Tikka in 223, put a reliable optic on it (see the tests in the 3rd link), and put a huge pile of rounds down range. Good luck

Definitely wasn’t seeking validation, I was set on a bigger rifle but still wanted thoughts on cartridge/scope/brand. So even though people might disagree with the need, they could help guide me on what to get. For instance say someone says they need a hunting rig when they have an f150, I’d tell them they actually don’t need one but boy I’d recommend my Tacoma every day.

But i appreciate this write up, will have lots of diving to do.

 

[uthuntr]

I’m a small caliber guy these days but confidence is pretty important. If a 6.5 doesn’t give ya that, get a 300 or even a 338 of some flavor. Just practice and use the right bullet. Check out @huntnful list of builds if you need some inspiration.

Agreed and will do.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Agreed and will do.

I have a 7saum and 300nmi that I’m currently using for most hunts. That 300nmi hits hard. Like knock down my steel plate every single time hard. You drew a sweet tag, and want a new rifle for the hunt. I get it and don’t blame you! Go splurge!!!!! Oh, and keep that nx8. If you don’t want it, I’ll trade you for the rokslide flavor of the week maven 2.1 plus some cash!!