Rifle for elk hunting

[Kevinal201212]

Like most people on here I have a handful of rifle calibers, and some fancy custom rifles. But I’ve always had a synthetic stocked, stainless steel 30-06 with an old school 3-9 scope. I grab that rifle whenever the weather sucks, or I’m going somewhere with brush, or a bumpy ATV ride... I shoot cheap Remington Core-Lokt factory ammo. Anything in N America within 300 yards is probably gonna be in trouble.


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What you just said, I like. About talked me in to going get an old 30-06 and a used l, not special scope. Sounds like a care free hunting trip. No worrying about if my nice gun gonna get scratched.


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[16Bore]

30-06 is never a wrong answer.

 

[Rob5589]

It sounds like 30-06 might be the way to go. At first I was leaning toward 300 win mag. But maybe that will be in the future sometime


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Can't go wrong with '06. You'll have rifle choices galore as well as tons of ammo options.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I've used a 30-06 for years, it has preformed flawlessly. If I were to start over I would go with a 6.5 Creedmoor (which I have begun using). For no other reason than recoil reduction, not that the 30-06 is bad, just that the 6.5 is less.

 

[Clrems77]

Ive gone through several calibers (30-06, 308, 6.5cm) and finally ended up with my 300wm about 4 years ago and havent looked back. Its killed Elk, Deer, Hogs and several large plains game in Africa.

What everyone above has mentioned will also do you well, but ive found that the 300wm has been superior to the others with velocities and energy using a heavier 215 grain bullet.

As far as the recoil and handling goes, a simple muzzle break has tuned my rifle down to the impact of a light .308, very easy to handle.

There are numerous companies making great box ammo as well if your not planning on reloading.

 

[Kevinal201212]

I've used a 30-06 for years, it has preformed flawlessly. If I were to start over I would go with a 6.5 Creedmoor (which I have begun using). For no other reason than recoil reduction, not that the 30-06 is bad, just that the 6.5 is less.

Have you used your creedmoor on elk?


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[Kevinal201212]

Ive gone through several calibers (30-06, 308, 6.5cm) and finally ended up with my 300wm about 4 years ago and havent looked back. Its killed Elk, Deer, Hogs and several large plains game in Africa.

What everyone above has mentioned will also do you well, but ive found that the 300wm has been superior to the others with velocities and energy using a heavier 215 grain bullet.

As far as the recoil and handling goes, a simple muzzle break has tuned my rifle down to the impact of a light .308, very easy to handle.

There are numerous companies making great box ammo as well if your not planning on reloading.

I have thought about the 300wm. I think what will decide between 300wm and 30-06 is which one I will find first that I like and that is in my price range. But am still leaning toward a 30-06 for now and hope to get the 300 in the future


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[Backpack Hunter]

Have you used your creedmoor on elk?


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Only once, it did what it was supposed to.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I have thought about the 300wm. I think what will decide between 300wm and 30-06 is which one I will find first that I like and that is in my price range. But am still leaning toward a 30-06 for now and hope to get the 300 in the future


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If you are considering a 30-06 now and getting a 300 Win Mag later, just get the 300 Win Mag now. There is too much overlap in capabilities to warrant having both. Get a complimentary caliber (ex: 6.5 Creedmoor) and you'll have all of your bases covered.

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

Have you used your creedmoor on elk?


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I’ve killed elk with my 260 Remington (very similar to a 6.5 Creedmoor) and it does very well. I don’t shoot elk past 300 yards with it, but my son will probably use it (or have a 6.5 creedmoor as his first gun) and will hunt elk with it. I’ll just make sure he doesn’t shoot beyond the cartridges capabilities

 

[rbljack]

Since you are a "new" hunter, I would go with a non-magnum round. If you are like most of the rest of us, this will be your first in a long list of rifles you will "need" on your hunting adventures.

Shoot something that you are comfortable shooting and that you can easily find different ammo for. Something that you will be able to easily learn to reload and find components for, if that's something you are interested in.

So, the answer to your questions is:

30-06 Sprg
270 Win
308 Win
7mm-08 Rem






>>>----JAKE----->

I agree with this completely for new hunter or someone who doesn't want to develop a flinch by stepping to a magnum right away. My first gun was a savage 30-06 in a savage 110 synthetic stock that was purchased for deer and elk hunting. What do I still use the most? Yep....that 30-06. A semi light gun that has served me well. While caliber is important, bullet selection is just as important. For elk, I like the Nosler Partition in a 180 grain. Any of those 4 listed above would work well at ranges less than approx. 400 yards or less. I guess the other one to add to this list might be that 6.5 CM. Gun weight is important too. My wife has a vanguard weatherby 270 in synthetic stock. While its a great gun for whitetail from a deer blind, it sucks on a mtn hunt because that thing is HEAVY when compared to my savage 30-06. We are saving up for a MTN rifle next to lighten the load on backpack mtn hunts.

 

[Clrems77]

Another suggestion for you would be to try as many different rifles/calibers as you can before deciding. There are so many factors to consider.

If your hiking or packing in, the weight reduction in your rifle is a nice benefit, but understand the lighter rifle equals a heavier recoil. Ive shot several 30-06 that hit WAY harder than my breaked 300WM due to the light weight. If you plan on stand or car hunting, a heavier rifle may suit your needs better. My Defiance 300wm topped with a NF 5-25 weighs in at just over 10lbs. Not as light as some of these 6-7lb guns, but out performs on distance and energy all day, handles easy and easily packs around when walking or on horseback.

Ive been told several times the 300WM is overkill for deer and smaller game and that im wasting meat. Ive yet to see an animal walk more than 20 yards after being hit with my 300 where ive seen deer run and never be found with smaller calibers.

As someone mentioned earlier, the ballistics between many of the calibers/rifles your looking at are very close in performance. Like most of us, youll end up with several guns in the future either way, but if budget is a concern now, Id continue borrowing whats working for you and save for the one "Do all" rifle.

Buy once cry once cant be more true when it comes to this hobby!!!

 

[16Bore]

Forget the theories, ballistics, cartridge drama, and 800 yard deer sniper bullshit.

Use a 30-06 until it fails, then you can buy yourself a Whizzbang Beatmoor.

168 TTSX and forget it.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Since you are a "new" hunter, I would go with a non-magnum round. If you are like most of the rest of us, this will be your first in a long list of rifles you will "need" on your hunting adventures.

Shoot something that you are comfortable shooting and that you can easily find different ammo for. Something that you will be able to easily learn to reload and find components for, if that's something you are interested in.

So, the answer to your questions is:

30-06 Sprg
270 Win
308 Win
7mm-08 Rem






>>>----JAKE----->

This^^^^

I developed really bad shooting habits starting with a .300 Win Mag and heavy bullets when I moved out west, after growing up hunting deer (and everything else) with a shotgun. Had never hunted with a center fire rifle before and found I lost confidence in my own shooting ability because I was anticipating recoil from the magnum. I’ve since spent a lot more time learning to shoot and reload, and would encourage you as a new hunter to heed the above advice. Excluding the .300 Win Mag, all of the above have similar ballistic performance if you optimize cartridge and bullet for reasonable ranges. With all but the heaviest/highest BC bullets in 7mm mag, you will see similar performance there also.

All that said, the rifle I carried this fall was a Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon speed in .270 Win with Hornady Precision Hunter 145gr. ELD-X. Pleasure to carry and shoot, with a round that carries nearly 1500lb ft of energy at 500 yards and sub MOa groups at 300 where it’s sighted in.


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[Trr15]

My caliber of choice for elk is .338 win mag, shooting 225 grain premium bullets (usually accubonds). I don't think you can do better for a dedicated western/mountain rifle.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

This^^^^

I developed really bad shooting habits starting with a .300 Win Mag and heavy bullets when I moved out west, after growing up hunting deer (and everything else) with a shotgun. Had never hunted with a center fire rifle before and found I lost confidence in my own shooting ability because I was anticipating recoil from the magnum. I’ve since spent a lot more time learning to shoot and reload, and would encourage you as a new hunter to heed the above advice. Excluding the .300 Win Mag, all of the above have similar ballistic performance if you optimize cartridge and bullet for reasonable ranges. With all but the heaviest/highest BC bullets in 7mm mag, you will see similar performance there also.

All that said, the rifle I carried this fall was a Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon speed in .270 Win with Hornady Precision Hunter 145gr. ELD-X. Pleasure to carry and shoot, with a round that carries nearly 1500lb ft of energy at 500 yards and sub MOa groups at 300 where it’s sighted in.


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Check out the link below to compare cartridge performance for common calibers.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/pcthumbs/tmp/1410994454-2017-Standard-Ballistics-Chart.pdf

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[thinhorn_AK]

I have a Winchester 70 extreme weather 30-06 with a 3-9 meopta meopro and a Ruger 77 all Weather with a leupoldVx2 3-9. Those are easily my 2 most used rifles, I have a 6.5 and a 308 (tikka and kimber) which are my mountain rifles. I skipped the 300wm all together, after 30-06, the next caliber up I have is 375HH and o have a few of those as well.

 

[ReddingArcher]

One question, how well do you shoot your buddies 30-06? Is it fun to shoot 20+ rounds at the range? The 300 win is a great round and the one I have started using the most. It’s a tikka superlite with a limbsaver recoil pad and it’s not unpleasant to shoot at all, it’s not as fun as shooting my tikka 7-08 though! I’ll shoot 20 rounds out of the 300 and can feel it the next day, the 7-08 I can shoot all day and spot my impacts with it. Personally, for someone just starting out I’d steer them towards something like a 7-08 or 308. Another good one is the savage axis 2 with the scope package. A buddy wanted to get into hunting and bought that in a 25-06 for $350 out the door and it’s insanely accurate and a real mild recoiling round. Might not be my number one choice for elk but at reasonable ranges I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. Either way let us know what you get!

 

[EmperorMA]

Have you used your creedmoor on elk?


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Actually, I’m 14 for 14 one-shot kills with 11 DRT using 6.5 bullets from non-magnum cartridges (6.5x284, .260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor) on elk. Most were 5-point or better. Can’t really do better than batting 1.000.

The two longest tracking jobs of my life were the results of great hits from a .338 Win Mag and 250gr Partitions. Found both bulls, very dead. One about a quarter of a mile into nasty black timber and the second managed to weave his way through about a mile of more open forest, where he was found about five hours later with both shoulders busted, a hole through each lung and a quarter-size exit wound.

Much better performance from non-magnum 6.5s for me over both .300 and .338 WM.

 

[Braaap]

Tikka T3X lite stainless steel in 6.5 creedmoor. This rifle/caliber combo has very little recoil, excellent accuracy, and is lightweight. You can shoot it all day long and not get beat up by recoil and develop bad habits. I think this is beyond important.

My buddy bought his first rifle this year for his first elk tag. Tikka T3X lite in 30-06 and he struggled with the recoil at first and developed a flinch. Luckily he fixed it before the season started and filled his tag with a great bull.