Need an new Elk Gun!

[roosiebull]

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.

Tikka 6.5prc in a rokstok (if I was personally buying a factory gun for elk, it would be an 8 twist tikka 243 in a rokstok)

The 6.5 prc will do anything you ask of it as far as you will shoot, and there are really good factory ammo options. A tikka in a rokstok is still reasonably light, and is just a great reliable platform that’s easy to shoot and carry

 

[Pharmseller]

 

[sodaksooner]

Beautiful gun! Is that piece by the mag where you attach your DOPE?

Shell holder... I do have a turret, but keep my dope on the phone as a backup. I don't intend to shoot super long range. It shoots well out to almost 700, but that's as long as our range goes. My only hunting shot with it was only 220 and it dropped him in his tracks.

 

[highcountrymuley]

I ve got a dumb question that I ll ask here instead of doing any research: what is a muzzle brake vs suppressor, can....? One reduces recoil and the other reduces sound? Do u have them both on a rifle or do u have to choose one or the other? How expensive are these to put on a rifle (say a Ruger American in 3006? Thanks I am dumb AND lazy

 

[Chris in TN]

I ve got a dumb question that I ll ask here instead of doing any research: what is a muzzle brake vs suppressor, can....? One reduces recoil and the other reduces sound? Do u have them both on a rifle or do u have to choose one or the other? How expensive are these to put on a rifle (say a Ruger American in 3006? Thanks I am dumb AND lazy

Brake: turns recoil into noise. Obnoxious, painful noise.
Can: slightly reduces recoil and greatly reduces noise. Essentially turns noise into heat, though that's an oversimplification.

 

[highcountrymuley]

So the can/suppressor is preferrable.. how much does a decent budget option cost? I assume a gunsmith has to thread the barrel?

 

[Chris in TN]

So the can/suppressor is preferrable.. how much does a decent budget option cost? I assume a gunsmith has to thread the barrel?

Threading barrel: $125. But there's tons of new rifle options with threaded barrels now.
Can: $500 to $1000 depending on how light/short/quiet/fancy you want. Plus the $200 tax stamp but that's going away next month.

 

[slm9s]

And yes, a few cans have a brake on the end. TBAC 338 Ultra Gen 2 rr/sr makes my 338rum LR gun recoil substantially less.

 

[Duuane]

For a mostly unbiased opinion, we would have to own only a .308 to answer the question that was asked. We would have to make our decision based on anecdotal information from others and or shooting someone else's rifle and having an opinion based on that. I'm guessing that few if any who replied is in that position. I will pretend that the gun I used to kill several white-tailed deer, one mule deer, an antelope, and a huge cow elk, was borrowed. It was a 7mm-08, and it would absolutely be the choice for my next gun purchase. Recoil friendly, very accurate on paper out to 500 yards with the ammunition I used, and lethal on anything I shot with it. All actual kills were near 400 yards and less. The .270 would be my second choice. I do own many of the other calibers mentioned, and there isn't a bad one in my safe, but MY favorite is the 7mm-08, and I don't see that changing. Good luck on your quest.

 

[Jfjfrye]

I have the squared crest and it's not super light. It comes with a muzzle break OOB and then I put the supressor on it. Recoil is surprisingly light. Even my skinny son would shoot it all day. It's less than the Tikka light 270wsm.

If considering a Tikka in 7prc you should watch this video. Recoil does not look good in that lighter gun.

Backfire is a joke. This is the dude advocating for 7mm broke backcountry. This guy is a click bait warrior not a real opinion. More of a shill. She’s not going to talk good about a prc because Hornady isn’t paying him.

 

[natedock1]

Seekins Havak PH3 in 6.5CM.

Why on earth if he wants an elk gun would you recommend the 6.5 creedmoor over the 6.5 prc? You are young to want the extra energy with only the minimal increase in recoil…like literally 4 ft lbs. more velocity, flatter shooting, more energy at all distances. It’s a no brainer

 

[natedock1]

6CM, but Tikka does not make that in a factory rifle yet, so it would be a Tikka 243 with a 1-8 twist.

Did you miss the part where he said “elk”. Sorry not taking a 243 or 6mm creedmoor for an animal over 300 pounds….what kind of yardage we talking also?

 

[DangerRanger]

I would Tikka stainless 6.5 creed or 6.5 PRC

Then I would put it In a rokstok

I did just that actually, except mine is chopped and surpressed

 

[StupidLightweight]

Did you miss the part where he said “elk”. Sorry not taking a 243 or 6mm creedmoor for an animal over 300 pounds….what kind of yardage we talking also?

At the maximum distance a hunter should be shooting elk or virtually anything in North America, the .243 is just as lethal as a .300 WM. Once you factor in shootability due to lower recoil, many argue the .243 is a more lethal option. That's my opinion after killing bull elk with arrows, .223, 7x57, .308, and .338 Win Mag. What matters most is shot placement. After that, bullet construction—not diameter.

With a fast-twist barrel, the .243 is one of the most versatile and effective hunting cartridges in existence. The 6mm CM only beats it due to barrel twist and factory ammo availability with heavier projectiles. I promise you the 6mm 108 ELD-M is a killer combo that gives up nothing to bigger cartridges on this continent. The .243 with 85- to 100-grain bullets is also spectacular.

 

[Big_wals]

Did you miss the part where he said “elk”. Sorry not taking a 243 or 6mm creedmoor for an animal over 300 pounds….what kind of yardage we talking also?

A 6mm with heavy match bullets will kill an elk at yardages farther than most people should be shooting

 

[Car Ramrod]

This is fun.

So what caliber would you guys get for a dedicated elk gun?

 

[glock233]

Why on earth if he wants an elk gun would you recommend the 6.5 creedmoor over the 6.5 prc? You are young to want the extra energy with only the minimal increase in recoil…like literally 4 ft lbs. more velocity, flatter shooting, more energy at all distances. It’s a no brainer

At the cost of recoil. Assuming the use of ELD, TMK, or similar bullets, 6.5 PRC offers few advantages over Creed under 700 yards. You’d only bet better off picking the PRC if you are planning shooting over that distance. Otherwise spare yourself the recoil.

And energy is meaningless.

If you’re using “tough” bullets, the saying that “if you’re going to be dumb you’d better be tough” applies, and the PRC is marginally better.

 

[43.6N]

My ideal elk gun:
556 nitro express
Aka the South Texas 22 swine slayer
Aka 5.5 creedish mauser
Aka the 22 creed

Mic drop

 

[wyosam]

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.

The caliber I would choose is .264. Or maybe .338. Or maybe .243 or .284. Definitely not .308 though, because I used a 30-06 for 30 some years, and it’s time to use all the others. Most of the time I just open the safe and grab the one that’s easiest to get out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MTlan66]

Why on earth if he wants an elk gun would you recommend the 6.5 creedmoor over the 6.5 prc? You are young to want the extra energy with only the minimal increase in recoil…like literally 4 ft lbs. more velocity, flatter shooting, more energy at all distances. It’s a no brainer

If memory is serving me correct, the recoil in a 6.5 Creedmoor is somewhere around 12 foot pounds. If that is the case, an extra 4 foot pounds is not exactly minimal, that is a 33% increase. Not at all saying that is heavy recoiling, just substantially more, percentage wise.

Both guns shoot the exact same bullet. The 6.5 PRC just extends your range, and shoots flatter. According to my figures, the Creedmoor should be good to 600 yards or so. That is far beyond my capabilities.

My son shoots the PRC, I shoot the Creedmoor. Factory 143 ELDX on both. I have seen no discernible difference on deer or elk shot with either, at the ranges we have used them (out to 400 yards).