Gun for Elk Hunting in Thick Timber

Hnthrdr

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Jan 29, 2022
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Saw the browning suggestions browsing around too. Also can’t remember the name but Sig has a .308 AR-10 style that would be sweet to build out. But then I’d just feel like I’m moving away from hunting guns to combat arms lol. I just gotta keep telling myself the vanguard will get the job done, no sense in spending money on guns until I actually even find an elk in the woods


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1000% your current rifle will. If it were me and I wanted something to help with timber hunting, I’d look at a 2-10 type scope although as others have mentioned 1-2 power on the low end won’t matter much to be honest
 

TMG73

FNG
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
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11
Please don't take this as possible criticism, as that is NOT how it's intended...

If this was your first elk hunt, it might be a little early in the process to start thinking about taking shots on a moving target through the woods. Very typical to have a bunch of elk moving at once, which makes picking and staying on your intended target in the trees pretty challenging. And you heard multiple shots while you were hunting...there is always a chance another hunter could be on the same group of elk from a different direction.

Could be that I'm just overly cautious, I have tried to avoid moving shots at big game whenever possible, and doubt I would venture to take a moving shot in the woods. Other people's methods may vary, and that's fine. Best of luck out there.
Agreed!
 

BigNate

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Dec 24, 2020
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Athol, Id. USA
Don't know how much you've handled an AR10 but for me it felt awkward. I'm very used to the small frame AR and it was like holding a fat girl in Jr high gym class. I built one thinking it would be just the ticket. I used it one season, for one deer, and sold it. I decided to drop the first one i saw so wasn't picky, but it worked fine. Screenshot_20230309-124901_Messenger.jpg
 
Joined
Apr 4, 2023
Messages
75
A lot of my buddies in Idaho hunt elk deer & bear in heavy timber, most of their shots are under 100 yards some less than 50. They swear by a lever action in 45/70 or 444, also have friends that have gone to the 450 Bushmaster faster more energy and faster follow up shots on running critters
Be careful, they'll hear you!
 
Joined
Sep 7, 2024
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Location
Michigan
If you're looking for a semi auto but don't want an ar, you could always try a Remington 7400,742,7500 or something in that line. Semiautomatic, calibers such as 30-06, 308 and 35 whelen. Also, was your 3x15 ffp or sfp? With ffp scopes like that, you could run a piggyback dot if the reticle is too small for you at 3x.
 

Dennis

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Joined
May 18, 2014
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Colorado
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My favorite elk woods rifle is a Remington 600 in 350 Rem Mag in a Brown Precision stock with 2-7 Leupold scope. Normally bipod isn't attached.
 

Elkhntr08

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Nov 3, 2016
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1,144
Have a Remington 673 in 300 saum with a Leupold 3.5-10x 40 that points like a shotgun and hits like a hammer.
Never taken a shot at a moving elk, but this rifle would be my pick.
 
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