Lighter recoiling elk rifle

[7RemMag]

Ammo availability could be a limitation for him, depending on how internet savvy he is, and if he reloads or not. I suppose it could be a bit on the spendy side, but I purchased a Weatherby Mark V in 280 Ackley Improved this August, and I absolutely love it. The brake is not obnoxious, and My sister who is quite petite shoots the rifle with no problems. The barrel is threaded, so a suppressor is not out of the question, but I'd be leery of putting anything heavy on it for fear of accuracy issues. The barrel is thin and might not handle a heavy suppressor very well. The same rifle, or many others, in 7mm-08 is an excellent choice as well.

 

[Billyvan]

7mm-08 or an old school favorite, 25-06. The 25 is a great round but has been overlooked now by all the 6.5 variations. You would be able to find heavier factory loads for the 7mm-08. I recently purchased some Underwood 150 accubonds for my 7mm-08. I think that would be a great option. I have a couple in the Remington 700, but have seen a few tikkas for sale on here at times. The 243 option seems crazy to me on an Elk because I’ve shot a truck load of deer with one and never been that impressed. (Though I do own one in a tikka that’s a tax driver)

 

[Gman12]

I use my bow for elk hunting but have a rifle that I really like for deer hunting at home that would be perfect for your dad. It is a 7mm-08 Savage 110 Lightweight Storm. It is very similar to expensive, custom mountain rifles and has very little recoil. It is very light and easy to carry in the mountains and accurate right out of the box. 7mm-08 would be fine for elk IMO.

 

[Pharmseller]

My dad at 77 with his final bull. Tikka 7mm-08, 140 AB, 225 yards.

One shot.






P

 

[JackButler]

Not

I’d suggest 6.5 cm if you reload and can load it for the heaviest bullet and he only takes perfect shots, otherwise I’d go with a .308 and still reload and get some 215’s slinging at slower speeds and limit range.

Factory ammo I think both 6.5cm and .308 feel the same recoil wise.

I like my 6.5cm but can’t see ever using it on elk while I have a 30 cal.

Not saying this wouldn’t work, but the 308 with 168 tmk’s is good to go to at least 400 yards for elk, farther if you’re at higher altitudes. Probably same deal for the 6.5 cm with something like the eldx but I don’t have first hand real world experience with that one.

 

[TaperPin]

I love a 7mm bullet - what the 7 mag can do at 600, the 7mm-08 can do at 400.

Having said that, is there a hill of beans difference between getting hit with a 140 or 150gr 270 bullet or the same weight in a 7mm-08? .007” difference in bullet diameter doesn’t equate to a big advantage based on that alone.

I have both, and either would work, but I’d use the 270. If pops already has a 270 and shoots it well, there’s zero advantage to getting a 7-08. The 270 has been used extensively out west for 99 years, or is it 100?