Need an new Elk Gun!

[eightyeight mag]

Go with the classic elk round....338 win mag.

 

[Phaseolus]

I have the Tikka T3 super light. My elk rifle is in 30.06, I also have a Tikka Super light in .223 It feels exactly like my 06 and I have the same scope on it which means I shoot it a lot at prairie dogs, coyotes, and targets and consider that great practice for when hunting elk. Pick the caliber that you want, it'll work.

 

[RWT]

Seekins Havak PH3 in 6.5CM.

 

[Pulleye16]

In some respects I can understand asking a simple question and wanting a simple answer, without the extra fluff. Sure.

But, you’ve repeatedly been insulting and critical in your responses. To the point I could care less to answer your question - but something that starts with 6 was a good answer actually. No one “owes” you a specific constrained answer. You asked a very contrived question and most are going to involve a few things that matter - range, bullet, and availability in certain rifle platforms.

This place has always been a “detail” kind of forum, very gear driven, etc. If you don’t like that, or the people or answers, no reason to stay and complain. It’s not really what you are asking or saying - it’s how you come across. No one is purposefully looking for an “internet fight” about the idea of your elk rifle.

to be fair...not everyone is the same boat. If someone asked me a question that I'm proficient in, I'd address the question asked, and offer suggestions they may take into consideration. If you want to answer a question rudely, I'll respond rudely. I've only been critical to the ones that have their own agenda, and just like to talk. I know some forum people think you need the biggest and best of everything. Others think whatever they own is the best. I'm not like either.

Like most forums, you can get some good feedback, you just have to weed out the bad ones. (it's great being a lurker on forums as you can get an idea of what or how certain people will respond before even asking questions).

I appreciate your thoughts and recommendation.

 

[Chris in TN]

No can? So I can figure on a 20" barrel instead of 18" and still be easy to tote and swing in a treestand. The smallest caliber I'd consider for a dedicated elk rifle would be a 6mmGT. The largest I'd consider would be a .280AI.

Note that those are .473" bolt face calibers - I woudn't even consider larger, nor smaller.

In between you have 6mmCM, 243W, 243wAI, 25CM, 25-06 or 25-06AI, 6.5x47,6.5CM, 7-08 or 7-08AI, and finally the monster, bigger than you need, 280ai.

I would probably land on the 6.5CM simply because it allows you to 'wallop' them with a big heavy 147ELDM at sufficient velocity to get waaaayyyyyy past the 500 yards or so I consider 'maximum' for my personal use.

There is no way on earth that I would seriously consider a magnum bolt face or a case larger than the .280AI case capacity, and even the latter is doubtful - I would likely land in the 6mm or 6.5mm Creedmoor capacity range. YMMV. Elk and other game animals are not hard to kill if you hit them halfway well. They are hard to *hit* and that requires practice with your hunting rifle. Lower recoil facilitates this. So stay with the modest recoil stuff.

 

[TrevN]

7 saum 280 280 Ackley, tikkas are a fantastic option at a very reasonable price point and they shoot !!!

 

[tstowater]

My 2 cents: if you like a cartridge but concerned about recoil, you can solve that through a heavier gun or a brake or suppressor. If one of those aren't an option, then you are going to have to go to a less recoiling cartridge of your choice. This group has gravitated towards "less works" so you need to consider that mindset. Ultimately, you need to get a gun that you shoot well and are confident when you squeeze the trigger that you will get the results you want. That means you need to shoot it enough to become confident in your ability to shoot it well at the range needed. I played with 4 guns this year before I settled on the one I became confident would meet my needs.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

to be fair...not everyone is the same boat. If someone asked me a question that I'm proficient in, I'd address the question asked, and offer suggestions they may take into consideration. If you want to answer a question rudely, I'll respond rudely. I've only been critical to the ones that have their own agenda, and just like to talk. I know some forum people think you need the biggest and best of everything. Others think whatever they own is the best. I'm not like either.

Like most forums, you can get some good feedback, you just have to weed out the bad ones. (it's great being a lurker on forums as you can get an idea of what or how certain people will respond before even asking questions).

I appreciate your thoughts and recommendation.

I watched a single 108gr 6mm Berger kill a cow elk in less than a minute, with very little travel after the shot, at 500 yards last year. That expereince and opening up that animal to see the damange really changed my perspective on "elk rifles."

I think a 6.5mm cartridge is easy to jump into from a .308, like a 6.5 creed, total easy button. That's plenty to kill elk with the right bullets, but lots will choose a 6.5 PRC which is also great, just more recoil to deal with. Unbraked/no can, I'd choose a standard bolt face short action cartridge. IF you can find a rifle you like in 6mm (creedmoor, .243 etc), I have to say, it's just incredibly enjoyable to shoot and practice with. So much so it makes you want to shoot more and more with it, which obviuosly would make you more effective targeting elk. Also more pleasant to carry day to day. Going smaller than .308 is counterintuitive (308 would be plenty fine for elk) but with some of these modern bullets, it really is a possibility.

Hope that helps.