Need an new Elk Gun!

[satchamo]

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?

You must be new here

 

[srr5008]

I'm a big fan of the Browning X-Bolts. I have a Speed LR in 7mm Mag. My 270 kicks harder than the Browning!

 

[Sled]

This is fun.

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

I'd suggest something larger than .177

 

[slm9s]

I'd suggest something larger than .177

Actually, .177 caliber rifles have very little recoil so they're easier to shoot well and you'll practice more! Should be good for elk!

 

[StupidLightweight]

Actually, .177 caliber rifles have very little recoil so they're easier to shoot well and you'll practice more! Should be good for elk!

You may be onto something with this, but .177 cal is the airgun pellet size. Centerfire bullets are .172.

 

[Sled]

Actually, .177 caliber rifles have very little recoil so they're easier to shoot well and you'll practice more! Should be good for elk!

Yes, but illegal in most states. I thought you said dedicated caliber for elk. My preference is .264 or .277

Edit,

Oh you're not Farva. You just replied for him.
-Come in unit 91

 

[slm9s]

You may be onto something with this, but .177 cal is the airgun pellet size. Centerfire bullets are .172.

Who said anything about centerfire? Those pointy pellets leave yuge wound channels.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Good lord... I read 6 pages of this to make sure I'm not overreacting to one bad apple... When someone says they don't want a surpressor, that doesn't make them arrogant or rude. I've killed deer and elk out to 500 yards with a 90 year old 30-06 with a 3x9 Burris and no surpressor. It isn't magic ffs. Trigger control is a mental skill first and foremost. Yes a surpressor makes it easier. So does taking the ShotIQ course. Different choices for different people.

Just answer the man's question or leave him alone!

OP, I've always thought I'd like to try a 280AI when my rifle wears out. YMMV.

 

[Car Ramrod]

Yes, but illegal in most states. I thought you said dedicated caliber for elk. My preference is .264 or .277

Edit,

Oh you're not Farva. You just replied for him.
-Come in unit 91

 

[natedock1]

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.

Well you better not shoot past 200 yards as you are no longer going to be generating 1400 ft lbs of energy.

 

[natedock1]

You must be new here

I’ve been on here for years….is being undergunned a popular sentiment here?

 

[natedock1]

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

200 yards and you are no longer getting 1400 ft pounds of energy. Hope you are a good shot and your standing on top of an elk…and like tracking

 

[natedock1]

This is fun.

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

Dedicated elk? Only for elk? 7prc probably. Definitely no smaller than 6.5 prc. Can you tell I’m a prc fan? lol

 

[KurtR]

200 yards and you are no longer getting 1400 ft pounds of energy. Hope you are a good shot and your standing on top of an elk…and like tracking

Where does 1400 ft pounds of energy factor in how the bullet will perform? Is this the wallop factor talked about?

 

[MTlan66]

My ballistics calculator puts a 6 mm Creedmoor shooting a 108 ELDM beyond 400 yards before it drops below 1400 foot pounds. I am in the camp that feels like foot-pounds is a flawed metric, but I did find this interesting…

 

[CRJR45]

I'd suggest something larger than .177

You’ll shoot your eye out !

 

[Tobe_B]

Well technically it’s 1500 ft lbs for elk, at least in Colorado. Our elk may have more grit than other western states, but I’m certainly no expert on that. As for the wallop, until someone can show a conversion chart for energy to wallop, it’s probably best to leave that factor out, it’ll just add to the confusion.

 

[dtrkyman]

I did not read any of this, but after seeing many elk face planted with a 300 PRC that would be what I shot, if I were a rifle hunter!

 

[woods89]

My experience with people asking what they should buy hasn't been great. One called me awhile back about a rifle for his son. He's a great guy in a lot of ways, but.....

They were in a gun store when they called. I told him a T3x in 6.5 CM would be great even for "long range shooting", and would be much better mechanically than the Ruger American they were looking at. Guess what, cool Cerakote and interchangeable stock modules won over anything I had to say.

This thread is tracking with those experiences.

OP, just buy a suppressor for your 308. I had people tell me they would sell a rifle to have a suppressor, and now having had one for a bit, I get it. Use the rest of your savings to buy a bunch of ammo for it and get good at shooting away from the bench.

 

[BowBaboon]

I’ve been on here for years….is being undergunned a popular sentiment here?