Need an new Elk Gun!

[Pulleye16]

The old question again...


I'm traditionally a Midwest hunter and have used the 308 before on elk hunts. But...I'd like to buy a new gun! and why not! The gun I'm buying is light, at or less then 7lbs. Ideally, and I think there's not "too" much to argue, the 300wm would be the ultimate elk round but I'm not fond of the recoil on such a light gun. Not a "huge" fan of muzzle brakes and not looking at suppressor...yet.

You're at the gun buying store, your wife gave you money for a new gun, dedicated for elk, it's around 7 lbs give or take, it's not threaded (nor will be), the only other gun you have is a 308. So, what caliber would you choose and why? But again, your only other gun is a 308...keep that in mind when deciding.

Factor in your own max range, but state that if it's important in your decision.

 

[Taudisio]

A suppressor.

 

[Scoutfan]

Tikka superlite is the easy button. Well under 7 lbs. Multiple options and calibers. I am not the regular tikka fanboy but it is a very solid choice.

 

[North of 60]

A couple of questions that may help you...what is the planned max range for your new rifle, and what bullets are your preference?

Yes, suppressors are your friend if you can get one.

 

[jkoehle1]

Howa superlite in 308 or 6.5 manbun - get an asr mount so you have a brake when you dont get a suppressor. P.s. get one of those.

Nothing wrong with 308 on elk to 500 imo/e

 

[TimberHunter]

Please pick the cartridge you can shoot well. I’ve seen cow elk run off and never be recovered from 338 win mag. Big cartridges can’t make up for poor shots

I just got done with a cow hunt last weekend with a 6.5creedmoor (308 with a more aerodynamic bullet). Worked well and has on a number of other cow elk. Have shot bulls and cows with 270 with 130 SST, 300wsm with 150 ballistic tip and 6.5cm with 143/147 eldx/eldm. None kills better than the other but some are much easier to shoot and shoot well


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[Pulleye16]

oh boy...I guess this was a hard question or they didn't read it.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The old question again...


I'm traditionally a Midwest hunter and have used the 308 before on elk hunts. But...I'd like to buy a new gun! and why not! The gun I'm buying is light, at or less then 7lbs. Ideally, and I think there's not "too" much to argue, the 300wm would be the ultimate elk round but I'm not fond of the recoil on such a light gun. Not a "huge" fan of muzzle brakes and not looking at suppressor...yet.

You're at the gun buying store, your wife gave you money for a new gun, dedicated for elk, it's around 7 lbs give or take, it's not threaded (nor will be), the only other gun you have is a 308. So, what caliber would you choose and why? But again, your only other gun is a 308...keep that in mind when deciding.

Factor in your own max range, but state that if it's important in your decision.

A Tikka T3X or Sauer 100 in .243 from EuroOptic. It will do the job well, is pleasant to shoot from a light rifle, and is legal for big game in every state.

 

[h2so4]

A suppressor x 100.
And yes, I read it.

 

[esorekim05]

Tons of variables and opinions involved. People will say everything from .223 to .300 WM.

Personally, as in life, I think a reasonable middle ground is likely best and you should weigh your own views / opinions / goals etc. To me i wouldn’t go lighter than 6.5 CM or heavier that 7 rem mag (in an unbraked/unsuppressed 7lb rifle).

If you don’t reload the 7BC is ballistically very appealing despite the hate.

If you’re looking in the 7’s but want to avoid peak alloy the 280AI or 7PRC would be great options.

If wanting a bit less recoils, would consider 6.5 PRC. Note great tikka deal from Eurooptic. I picked up a SS lite for $525 net when there was a rebate. A great deal if you don’t need a threaded muzzle. It’s about as light of a recoiling option that exists for a caliber most (outside the views of folks on here) think is suitable for elk out to 400-500 yards (holding onto ~1500 ft lbs of energy at those distances, exceeding most .270 loads).

If looking higher end, a rifle which I think is underrated is the savage elite UL (proof barrel, hunt 26 chassis, accutrigger, all for a street price

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[Scoutfan]

I had to re-read. Missed where you were looking for cartridge choice. Thought you had already settled on 300wm. If you don't tolerate recoil we'll, won't use a brake and don't plan on a suppressor then I would just keep shooting my 308. If you really want a new elk rifle then a 280ai is a solid choice. Personally I would buy a 223 for a second gun. For many years all I had was a 30/06 and a 223, I have several more choices now but those 2 are the only ones I ever needed.

 

[TimberHunter]

oh boy...I guess this was a hard question or they didn't read it.

Hard question? Bro you clearly haven’t spent any time reading on rokslide if you’re asking what caliber/cartridge for elk. Gets asked on the daily. Dudes will shoot them with 223’s all the what up to Lapuas


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[mt terry d]

I've shot elk with 300 Win mag
and 7mm wby mag
My pick : 223 and never look back.
Why? Because it kills, it's cheap and fun to practice with, I can spot (most) shots, terminal velocity good as far as I'm reasonably capable,and I can shoot it better than anything else.

 

[Deadspace]

Buy a suppressor. I read your post but the 308 is a pretty solid round. I’d just put my money into that.

If you want less recoil, get a 243 or a 6 creed in a tikka from @hereinaz . I’ve killed/seen killed a handful of elk and a moose taken with the 6 creed and it’s hard to argue anything bigger is necessary. Very light recoil, awesome factory ammo, and can kill well past 500 yards.

Another option will be an MRC Marshal in a 6 creed. It’s 6.5lbs but it may have a threaded barrel.

 

[TaperPin]

The old question again...


I'm traditionally a Midwest hunter and have used the 308 before on elk hunts. But...I'd like to buy a new gun! and why not! The gun I'm buying is light, at or less then 7lbs. Ideally, and I think there's not "too" much to argue, the 300wm would be the ultimate elk round but I'm not fond of the recoil on such a light gun. Not a "huge" fan of muzzle brakes and not looking at suppressor...yet.

You're at the gun buying store, your wife gave you money for a new gun, dedicated for elk, it's around 7 lbs give or take, it's not threaded (nor will be), the only other gun you have is a 308. So, what caliber would you choose and why? But again, your only other gun is a 308...keep that in mind when deciding.

Factor in your own max range, but state that if it's important in your decision.

For a light rifle I like your 308 with 165 gr bullet. It’s only 100 yards behind a 30-06 and 200 yards behind the 300 mag.

A 284 is a classic light weight mountain cartridge. 280 AI is the same performance 100 yards further out. 7mm08 with 140 gr bullets is popular for good reason.

270 or 6.5 PRC and 140 gr bullets work well and doesn’t recoil any more than a 308.

I just bought a 270 WSM barrel and would probably take it just because it’s new to me, but a 7 SAUM or WSM, or 300 SAUM or WSM would be equally useful.

In this middle range any of these would work just fine. Throw a dart.

Personally, I walk around with the scope set for 300 yards and prefer cartridges that drop around 10” (two hand widths) at 400 yards just to make the math in my head easy. The 270, PRC, WSM/saum and the 7 AI are right in there, the others are mainly two fingers lower and the 308 is probably two hand widths, two big fingers and two pinkies. Nobody with a 308 has ever starved to death because of the two extra pinkies.

 

[Teaman1]

I’ve got a couple nicer rifles, but I almost always grab my savage 16 300 wsm. Shot it since I was 14 so just feels right.
Won’t shoot it beyond 500 yards at game, that’s a personal limit though.

Nothin fancy, but when it goes boom animals fall down haha. The two elk I’ve killed with it went less than 50 yards combined.

 

[hereinaz]

14” 22 creed with OG 6.5 if max range is 500 yards. In 6mm minimum then 16” 6 creed.

I would sell the 308 and buy a suppressor.

 

[TimberHunter]

14” 22 creed with OG 6.5 if max range is 500 yards. In 6mm minimum then 16” 6 creed.

I would sell the 308 and buy a suppressor.

Are SPR restrictions going away with the supressor tax stamp?


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[NorthIdahoDude]

The old question again...


I'm traditionally a Midwest hunter and have used the 308 before on elk hunts. But...I'd like to buy a new gun! and why not! The gun I'm buying is light, at or less then 7lbs. Ideally, and I think there's not "too" much to argue, the 300wm would be the ultimate elk round but I'm not fond of the recoil on such a light gun. Not a "huge" fan of muzzle brakes and not looking at suppressor...yet.

You're at the gun buying store, your wife gave you money for a new gun, dedicated for elk, it's around 7 lbs give or take, it's not threaded (nor will be), the only other gun you have is a 308. So, what caliber would you choose and why? But again, your only other gun is a 308...keep that in mind when deciding.

Factor in your own max range, but state that if it's important in your decision.

Since you asked an opinion, here's mine - 7mm is the best mm, but 6.5 doesn't suck either, and I too turn up my nose at anything with the word "magnum" in it.

Lightweight off the shelf guns, Tikka T3 or Sauer 100 (never had one, but hear lots of good things) should be the easy button, in any one of the non-mangnum 7mm or 6.5's. (7mm-08, 280, 280AI, 6.5-anything-but-grendel, etc).

 

[ResearchinStuff]

oh boy...I guess this was a hard question or they didn't read it.

It was an uninformed question. You would do well to read the responses.