Elk Rifle

[svivian]

700 nitro… go big or go home empty handed

 

[huntnful]

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.

Hahaha I love spending other people’s money .

To the OP. If you want a 7mm, get one. If you want a 30 cal, get one. Just make it heavy enough to manage recoil and spend some time behind it. It’ll be fine, if that’s the confidence you need .

 

[Maverick1]

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**

Your tikka and nightforce setup would work well. Good luck on your hunt

 

[roadrunner]

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

Well, one "preserve" isn't once in a lifetime, just difficult to draw. The other is truly OIL. I've hunted both.

If it's the truly OIL unit, you are a long way from town if something happens to your rifle, ammo, scope, etc. The nearby towns likely will not have special ammo, so something to keep in mind in choosing a rifle to take and the reason to have a backup you feel confident with.

 

[GrayGoose]

He drew 6b in New Mexico. Already named names.

As for a rifle, your 6.5 prc will work just fine but if you want to part with money and feel some more recoil, I'd go 300 prc with bergers or eld m or x.

 

[rabbithuntr]

Definitely consider getting a suppressor, after getting one I want one on every rifle.

 

[kcm2]

You carry your elk rifle more than you shoot it unless you are on a private ranch and get driven to your spot. I kept track for many years and averaged 8-10 miles per round fired. One year it was 28 miles before I dropped the hammer. Light and reliable are two very important criteria.

 

[LightFoot]

Like this^^^^

The 4-32 is a great scope!


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[N2TRKYS]

Euro Optics has alot of Tikka rifles on sale right now. They have several choices that would fit into what you’re looking for.

 

[roadrunner]

He drew 6b in New Mexico. Already named names.

Didn't see that.

 

[uthuntr]

He drew 6b in New Mexico. Already named names.

As for a rifle, your 6.5 prc will work just fine but if you want to part with money and feel some more recoil, I'd go 300 prc with bergers or eld m or x.

Yes in the dedicated NM draw thread and someone suggested don’t from now on haha. Don’t really care if it’s a secret. Also heard 300 prc is a juggernaut but kicks like a mule. Wish i could shoot one before dropping $$

 

[GrayGoose]

Didn't see that.

He didn't say it in this thread, but shared what tag he drew in the New Mexico thread.

 

[Jhconnected]

Yes in the dedicated NM draw thread and someone suggested don’t from now on haha. Don’t really care if it’s a secret. Also heard 300 prc is a juggernaut but kicks like a mule. Wish i could shoot one before dropping $$

Maybe you can make a new buddy on here who is nearby that’ll let you shoot one.

Rifle weight matters with the big boomers. If you go big go heavy to reduce recoil and increase accuracy.

 

[GrayGoose]

Yes in the dedicated NM draw thread and someone suggested don’t from now on haha. Don’t really care if it’s a secret. Also heard 300 prc is a juggernaut but kicks like a mule. Wish i could shoot one before dropping $$

That is a really good suggestion. When guys post what unit they drew then follow up in the fall with a monster deer or elk photo, makes it really easy to figure out where they were hunting.

But ya the 300 PRC has some stout recoil, definitely don't want it to be light weight rifle, and I'd get a supressor for it.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Yes in the dedicated NM draw thread and someone suggested don’t from now on haha. Don’t really care if it’s a secret. Also heard 300 prc is a juggernaut but kicks like a mule. Wish i could shoot one before dropping $$

Have one with a break. Easy to shoot. Have a Tangent Theta 15x on it. Perfect setup for me.

 

[LightFoot]

Yes in the dedicated NM draw thread and someone suggested don’t from now on haha. Don’t really care if it’s a secret. Also heard 300 prc is a juggernaut but kicks like a mule. Wish i could shoot one before dropping $$

I’m a big fan of the 300 PRC. I had a fierce rogue that shot Hornady PH very well. Sold it to a good friend. With a good brake, it is very manageable. I like the APA 3 or 4 port brakes.

Sometimes I think a 22” 300 PRC with a NF is nearly perfect for a one-gun NA29 rig.

>>>——JAKE——>

 

[Mike 338]

IMO, something that starts with a 3 pushing a bullet that starts with a 2 (or very close) will be quite adequate.

 

[AntelopeEater]

I love the Ruger Guide Gun in .375 Ruger I got recently!

It's gorgeous, easy to shoot well, and with the muzzle brake and recoil pad it comes with, its recoils less than a lightweight unbraked .308.

Paired with a Trijicon Accupoint scope, its a rifle that could be used to hunt anything in the world, from deer to cape buffalo.

They also make them in .338 Win and 30-06 if you never plan to go on a real safari.

https://www.basspro.com/p/ruger-m77-guide-gun-bolt-action-rifle

RUGER M77 Hawkeye Guide Gun 30-06 Springfield 20ʺ 4rd Bolt Rifle - Stainless | Green Laminate | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

RUGER M77 Hawkeye Guide Gun 30-06 Springfield 20ʺ 4rd Bolt Rifle - Stainless | Green Laminate | KYGUNCO

www.kygunco.com

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/84852/ruger+m77+guide+gun+338+winchester+magnum+bolt+action+rifle

there is also a .416 Ruger version if you want even more power: https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...ger+m77+guide+gun+416+ruger+bolt+action+rifle

 

[roadrunner]

That is a really good suggestion. When guys post what unit they drew then follow up in the fall with a monster deer or elk photo, makes it really easy to figure out where they were hunting.

But ya the 300 PRC has some stout recoil, definitely don't want it to be light weight rifle, and I'd get a supressor for it.

I simply asked due to how remote the true OIL elk unit is. With a specialized setup, and if something unforseen happens, it would be tough to get replacments.

The other unit isn't necessarily as remote, but the closest biggest town likely won't carry what you need either.

When considering a new rifle for a hunt such as this, a backup is a good idea and whatever new rifle you get should be comparable to the backup.

Just something to think about.

 

[Jhconnected]

I’d agree with the backup rifle. I went on a hunt and my rifle had issues when I got there even though it was fine right before I left.

I had to use my buddy’s rifle. It’s not ideal using a rifle you’re not familiar with especially on a hunt like you have.