New Elk Gun

[WillyR089]

I agree with your point which is why I am not a big fan of the 6.5. Too many people buy it and use it wrong.
I have harvested many Elk over 400 yds but always my goal is to get within 300 yds. I practice shooting in the off season and am very confident at long range but still like a shot inside 300 yds every time.

Agreed, the 6.5 is causing what TSS loads are in Turkey hunting. People reaching out just because they were told the could and wounding an animal rather than taking it. Still gotta have a good marksman on the gun.

 

[Jaeger62]

I keep trying to convince myself that I "need" another rifle for elk hunting.

But I have a 30-06 in my safe that I'm awful nostalgic about that is perfectly capable out to any ranges that I'm comfortable shooting at. So I'll just stick with my Browning A-Bolt in .06

If I were buying a rifle simply for elk, I'd probably go with the 300WM

 

[Hunterbug]

Bought a savage switchback yesterday in 6.5 CM. When getting the scope mounted the guy told me that the largest thing you could kill with 6.5 CM is a Caribou.

From what I’ve read the 6.5 CM is capable of taking down an Elk but wanted to gauge what all your thoughts were?

Thanks I’m advance for any feedback!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes it will kill elk. But it is not my first choice as there are far better options out there. A 300 Mag, is a great elk gun but I shoot a 338 personally.

 

[Rational]

I'm currently searching for my first "big game" rifle and it's been daunting going through threads like these and others to sift through different perspectives.

It seems though, at the end of the day 30-06 is my leading contender for the same point you made about practical shooting ranges.

 

[Marble]

I'm currently searching for my first "big game" rifle and it's been daunting going through threads like these and others to sift through different perspectives.

It seems though, at the end of the day 30-06 is my leading contender for the same point you made about practical shooting ranges.

It's a great cartridge. Very successful and popular and can be as accurate as you can hold it. Just like most cartridges.

It's right in the middle of all the big game cartridges and is not overly powerful.

With the average shooter in mind, ranges won't be too far while hunting and the game you shoot will need to be matched for a combination of projectile, size and distance.

If it is a gun you plan to hunt "out west" with, I prefer the faster flatter shooting cartridges that are comparable to 7mm and 300WM.

At home where I primarily shoot blacktail and bears, I use a 7-08. The ranges are usually fairly short.

For elk and mule deer I shoot a 300 WM. The primary guns you will see people shoot for mule deer and elk are the magnums.



Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

It's a great cartridge. Very successful and popular and can be as accurate as you can hold it. Just like most cartridges.

It's right in the middle of all the big game cartridges and is not overly powerful.

With the average shooter in mind, ranges won't be too far while hunting and the game you shoot will need to be matched for a combination of projectile, size and distance.

If it is a gun you plan to hunt "out west" with, I prefer the faster flatter shooting cartridges that are comparable to 7mm and 300WM.

At home where I primarily shoot blacktail and bears, I use a 7-08. The ranges are usually fairly short.

For elk and mule deer I shoot a 300 WM. The primary guns you will see people shoot for mule deer and elk are the magnums.



Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

Agree with most of your points, but I would offer that inside of 300-400 yards, there is no advantage of using the 300 WM over the .30-06. All you get is significantly more recoil and muzzle blast. If one regularly shoots beyond 400, then i fully agree that the 300 WM is the better choice.

 

[UTJL]

Agree with most of your points, but I would offer that inside of 300-400 yards, there is no advantage of using the 300 WM over the .30-06. All you get is significantly more recoil and muzzle blast. If one regularly shoots beyond 400, then i fully agree that the 300 WM is the better choice.

I think the advantage occurs when a marginal shot is made. The advantage of a 300 WM over a 30-06 is small on marginal shots but obviously it would be much greater compared to a 6.5 CM.

I’d say the key is to find the cartridge you shoot well, have confidence in and then use it within its limits.

 

[Marble]

I think the advantage occurs when a marginal shot is made. The advantage of a 300 WM over a 30-06 is small on marginal shots but obviously it would be much greater compared to a 6.5 CM.

I’d say the key is to find the cartridge you shoot well, have confidence in and then use it within its limits.

That's my thoughts too. I'm not a fan of lighter bullets or the non magnum guns and elk.

I dont want to derail the thread. This was discussed in another thread awhile back.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Elkhntr08]

I'm currently searching for my first "big game" rifle and it's been daunting going through threads like these and others to sift through different perspectives.

It seems though, at the end of the day 30-06 is my leading contender for the same point you made about practical shooting ranges.

There’s a big difference between practical ranges and realistic hunting situations.
I’m not advocating long or questionable shots, but if you’re traveling from out it state on a tag you draw every 2 or 3 years, why limit yourself?
You only elk you may see is moving uphill, quartering away from you. You range him at 300, but by the time you’re set, you know he’s 365. Do you shoot at him with your ‘06?
I personally want the largest gun I can handle. Mine is a 325 wsm or 300 Weatherby.

 

[shootsacreed]

Don't underestimate the 6.5s, in any caliber. They kill way beyond what you would expect and for most hunters are plenty of gun for elk because you you don't have to worry about recoil. The bullets are long, have excellent ballistic coefficient and penetrate deep. Wayne Van Zwoll shot a bull at 603 yards with a 129 grain SST bullet and got complete penetration through the lung cavity. I myself cannot shoot that far and most folks probably don't either so go forth without reservation.

 

[Thunder43]

Don't underestimate the 6.5s, in any caliber. They kill way beyond what you would expect and for most hunters are plenty of gun for elk because you you don't have to worry about recoil. The bullets are long, have excellent ballistic coefficient and penetrate deep. Wayne Van Zwoll shot a bull at 603 yards with a 129 grain SST bullet and got complete penetration through the lung cavity. I myself cannot shoot that far and most folks probably don't either so go forth without reservation.

I’m currently in same boat. Shooting 6.5 300 and 7-mm08 for whitetail and hogs... considering adding a 300 for Elk/western. This thread has been incredibly helpful!