Help me pick a new elk rifle caliber.

[bascott1]

Looking at picking up a new lightweight mtn rifle. Currently have a 6.5 creed mesa, 300wm (10 lbs set up) and 30-06 (wood blued family gun i don't wanna hunt with). Would like something good out to 600 yards for elk and punching steel a little further. Thinking 7mm mag or maybe 6.5 prc (not sure about performance on elk out to that range). Would also prefer to not double up on calibers. What do you guys suggest?

 

[Alaskanopolis]

Backcountry or Backcountry Ti in 300 or 7mm wby. Or maybe 280AI for non-magnum 4.9lb rifle.

 

[swampthing]

I think your thoughts on the prc are good. I chose the big weatherby 6.5-300 just because I wanted a weatherby.

 

[Alaskanopolis]

I think your thoughts on the prc are good. I chose the big weatherby 6.5-300 just because I wanted a weatherby.

My accumark 338-378 is my go to when not backpacking. It has turned me into a weatherby fan.

 

[bascott1]

I think your thoughts on the prc are good. I chose the big weatherby 6.5-300 just because I wanted a weatherby.

What’s your thoughts on that round? I really like the 6.5 area for the recoil. I’m not recoil shy but who doesn’t like a soft recoiling round right?? Lol.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I would think that your 6.5 Mesa would be fine although it's not what I would consider an UL wt. outfit. If you're looking to shave another lb or so and want to purchase another rifle, have you considered a SA Kimber Mountain Ascent, Adirondack, or Barrett Fieldcraft in 7-08? That Backcountry Ti sounds interesting as well.

 

[khuber84]

Man shooting elk.......you get a lot more forgiveness using a bonded 30cal from a magnum case. Off angle, wet matter hide, adrenaline rush, I'd want to put the biggest hole through the vitals I could. I have witnessed elk being killed stone dead and also ran over 3/4 a mile from 6.5 impacts in vitals area. I've also saw the same with 30 cal hits. Go with a copper or bonded bullet and break down the shoulder so the animal cannot go any further.

 

[brettdunn7]

.308


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[swampthing]

What’s your thoughts on that round? I really like the 6.5 area for the recoil. I’m not recoil shy but who doesn’t like a soft recoiling round right?? Lol.

I am not sure whether you are asking about the prc or the 65 weebee? I have no experience with the prc but would own one in a heartbeat. The big 65 bee is a stomper. My handloads have a 140 accubond travelling at 3460fps. I only have a coyote and a wolf kill with this load but the 140 penetrated the wolf full length through the body on a frontal shot. I just replaced my ultralight with the new backcountry model in this caliber and its a next level rifle from weatherby.

 

[bascott1]

I would think that your 6.5 Mesa would be fine although it's not what I would consider an UL wt. outfit. If you're looking to shave another lb or so and want to purchase another rifle, have you considered a SA Kimber Mountain Ascent, Adirondack, or Barrett Fieldcraft in 7-08? That Backcountry Ti sounds interesting as well.

Yeah. I’ve handled the ascent and it’s pretty amazing feeling. Considered one of those in 7mm mag or 300wsm. But was wondering how recoil is. I’m a big guy at 6’6” 270 so recoil doesn’t bother me too much but do prefer lighter rounds. Don’t you have one in 300wsm. How’s the recoil?

 

[AK Troutbum]

Yeah. I’ve handled the ascent and it’s pretty amazing feeling. Considered one of those in 7mm mag or 300wsm. But was wondering how recoil is. I’m a big guy at 6’6” 270 so recoil doesn’t bother me too much but do prefer lighter rounds. Don’t you have one in 300wsm. How’s the recoil?

I have a Montana in 300wsm that never was that bad to shoot, but I did end up putting a brake on it so my 12 year old son could use it on a goat hunt. The brake tames them down considerably as well as decreasing muzzle flip. My son could comfortably shoot it at the range without issue and he was easily able to maintain sub MOA, 3 shot groups. Also, for comparison, at 12 he only weighed about 85 lbs.

.300wsm is a great caliber for sure, I was just thinking that if you were really interested in something UL, a short action non-mag. cal. would probably be your best bet.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I shot about around 20 elk with a 270, if I was going to get a new elk rifle today, I wouldn’t really care much about the caliber as much as the features and weight I wanted out of the rifle. A good 30-06, 308, 270, 300wm/wsm is just fine for elk hunting. Depending on my budget I might just get a boring old plastic stocked 30-06 and put a solid scope on it and call it a day.

 

[bascott1]

I shot about around 20 elk with a 270, if I was going to get a new elk rifle today, I wouldn’t really care much about the caliber as much as the features and weight I wanted out of the rifle. A good 30-06, 308, 270, 300wm/wsm is just fine for elk hunting. Depending on my budget I might just get a boring old plastic stocked 30-06 and put a solid scope on it and call it a day.

I agree. Super hard to beat the ole 30-06. I keep going back to that round.

 

[LightFoot]

I would like to see someone with the new Weatherby Backcountry Ti 280 AI or Cooper Backcountry.

That would be my choice for a new elk rifle.

I think the 6.5 is adequate but not optimal. 7mm and 30 cal are optimal.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Spoonbill]

The 6.5 RPM looks interesting, as does the prc if you are looking at a weatherby. The 06 is pretty hard to beat in terms of an all around choice though.

 

[Nealm66]

My 6-5 weatherby wasn’t too bad for recoil with the 130 sirrocos and easy holdover/windage at 600 but I’d go bigger for elk. I’m just about to start load development for a Tikka 300 wsm ultra light something or other with some 165’s for my brother. It’s definitely something to hang onto tight with 180ish factory ammo but seems to shoot pretty good. Trigger seemed very stiff so he had a gunsmith lighten and smooth it up a bit. Haven’t shot it since unless he took it out today

 

[Trr15]

.338 win mag. I’m convinced I won’t find a better caliber for elk.


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[6mm Remington]

280AI

or

30-06

or

300WSM

 

[Smithb9841]

Kimber mountain ascent in 300 wsm. It’s lightweight, still get magnum performance but in a short action comes with a muzzle break to tame the recoil a bit. Checks your boxes in my opinion I may be a little biased tho as that’s what I chose haha

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

What is the total weight of the setup that you are considering "lightweight"?

At 600 yards, you are pushing it with the 308 Win and you are not leaving much of a buffer with a 30-06.

Nothing wrong with a 7mm Rem Mag but I'd look at the 280AI or 28 Nosler if you are feeling frisky.