Gun for Elk Hunting in Thick Timber

[wyosam]

Lower power on the bottom end helps, and selecting scope with large field of view. I love the VX6HD 2-12 for that type of hunting. Ive also killed a few elk over the years with a model 94 30-30. Never had issue with it being “not enough gun”, but not a great combo rifle if you might need to shoot longer. I carried for hunts where I was going into the timber and not coming out. Of course I also lived in the area where I hunted, so that could be just a day, or just a morning/evening.


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[ElDiablito]

I’m just a little butthurt after all the money spent and time invested

The success rate on elk in Colorado is in the single digits. It ain’t whitetail hunting. lol

Hell, I’d be happy I actually got into some elk if I were you. That’s better than the majority of hunters.

 

[TaperPin]

if you want to get serious about timber hunting, I think it’s great - the more you do it the better you’ll get!

Out at 400 yards few lever guns or red dots are up to it.

A lightweight 30-06 with 1-1/2x to 5x would be hard to beat. My timber rifle has usually been a 338, but we also have grizzly bears.

Shoot 10 rounds off hand and sitting each week for a year and you’ll be better prepared than 99% of timber hunters. Get fast at dropping into a sitting position for those quick 150+ yard shots. In the timber everything happens quickly and a mental shooting checklist that’s quick will mean the difference between elk and no elk sometimes. Get the idea of shooting prone, adjusting parallax, ranging the distance, and dialing elevation out of your head. Keep the scope caps off. To at least 250 to 300 yards, see elk - bang bang!

Focus on a rifle that’s easy to hand carry and keep it in your hands as much as possible. Compact 7x binoculars used without a case are ideal - being able to quickly bring them up one handed means they get used a lot. Forget fumbling with a big chest glove box and binoculars that have to be held with both hands.

Remember to go fast until into fresh sign, then go slower than seems natural. If all you see are elk asses way out of range, you’re going to fast.

There’s nothing more exciting than coming up a bench and smelling them before you see ‘em!

 

[Jake Larsen]

As others have said, a solid 3-9 ish or similar is going to take care of you in about every western hunting situation. SWFA 3-9 would be an excellent choice. Plenty of scope for shots out to 500+ if needed. If you’re going to do the still hunting timber thing, practice getting stable from standing & sitting field positions. Lean on a tree, sling wrap, ect. Lots of good YouTube videos on that. As others have stated, your gun doesn’t matter that much.


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[egreen4257]

Getting a lot of solid advice, just wish I could put it to use right now haha. How do you guys scratch the itch until next year? I might just try to get some small game in.


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[TaperPin]

Jim Zumbo has been black balled for his dislike of semi auto rifles, but he has the best books on still hunting elk.

 

[bigbuckkilla]

This old man I met a few years ago said more elk have been harvested with a 30-30 than any other weapon haha. Not sure how true it is but it is great round for thick timber in whitetail country. But as many have said, 100% shot placement before caliber size. I think pretty much like this. Get comfortable with whatever rifle you are going to use and make a good shot.

 

[madtinker]

Jim Zumbo has been black balled for his dislike of semi auto rifles, but he has the best books on still hunting elk.

Which books specifically cover still hunting?

 

[TaperPin]

Which books specifically cover still hunting?

That’s a good question. I had all his books at one time and gifted them during a move…hmm…he normally talks about it since that’s his specialty, but honestly I can’t recall which of these three have the most information. What great bargains - some of these are less than $10 used.

 

[robtattoo]

I never knew I needed a .358 win untill now

EVERYONE needs a .358.

 

[jgilber5]

How do you guys scratch the itch until next year?

Go turkey hunting in elk country and pretend they're 800lbs heavier

 

[keystone112]

If you like your current rifle, just switch up your scope. 2.5-8x36 or something similar.

If you’re looking for a different rifle, check out a 444 Marlin. I’m getting 2325 fps with a 265 grain bullet using Superformance ammo. Should be solid to 250 yards.

 

[wanderingwolf24]

Blaser R8 straight-pull in 375 H and H ... shoot them fast and gut them at the same time haha. On a serious note, I like 20 inch or less barrel in 30-06 or .308. For Optics, I like an LPVO on my Ar's but have never used them to hunt.

 

[egreen4257]

If you like your current rifle, just switch up your scope. 2.5-8x36 or something similar.

If you’re looking for a different rifle, check out a 444 Marlin. I’m getting 2325 fps with a 265 grain bullet using Superformance ammo. Should be solid to 250 yards.

That sounds fun


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[slvrslngr]

Lever action 45-70 with a low power scope or reflex sight. I put a Bushnell Elite 1.25x4 with a German #4 reticle and an illuminated center dot on my 9.3x62, pretty much the perfect dark timber scope.

 

[JPC6000]

IMO, still hunting timber, high quality low power binoculars is more beneficial than rifle choice. I glass then take a step and glass again slowly - mostly looking for blond hair, crouching down lookin for legs, ears, etc. I'm not jump shooting them, I try to see them prior to jumping them. Additionally, I cow call fairly frequently when creeping along.

 

[3325]

……. I don't think I could make a good shot on a moving target thru the woods with my scoped 3-15x .30-06 bolt action.

.30-06 is fine. Keep your scope on 3x. Shooting at a moving elk in the timber? Well, I won’t say never, ever, but I will say hardly ever. I would not select a rifle type, caliber, and load just around the idea of what would be optimal for a moving shot in the timber.

 

[3325]

Also, this rascal.

View attachment 778450

Rem 721 in 9.3x62 Leupold VX3i 1.5-5 shooting 285 grainers at 2420. I haven't had to take it beyond 250yds, but inside that it's like dropping a mortar on 'em. Figuratively & literally.

I believe 9.3x62 was a favorite with old Africa hands. 1905, German origin, Mauser influenced, considered a classic Africa caliber by many.

 

[BigNate]

I've mostly used one of two, both fud guns by today's popular vote. My up close has been a model 600 in .308, 180gr rn, fixed 2.5x and now a LPVO 1-5x or 1-8x red center dot would be my choice. The short barrel is hard on the hearing, but handy as can be.

The other, for areas where it's more open more often, I have a .338WM shooting 250gr WeldCore, that I cut to 21", topped with a 2.5x10.

 

[Indian Summer]

You have already seen how difficult timber hunting can be. Instead of investing money to try to become more successful at that style of hunting have you considered other styles of hunting first? Maybe you should do a little homework on the maps and satellite image and give a more semi open area a try. There is something to be said for seeing elk before they see you. Good luck.