Rifle for once in a lifetime elk tag!

[jayjay24]

This year I was very very lucky to draw a non-resident rifle tag for elk in one of the most coveted units in MT. I have pretty much all my gear covered except which of my custom rifles to take. I have a Borden actioned 7mm Mag with a Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm and custom turret and a Surgeon actioned 300 RUM with a NF G7 5.5-22x50mm and custom turret. They are both extremely fine shooters but the 7 mag weighs 9 lbs 11 oz scoped and the 300 RUM weighs 11 lbs 2 oz scoped. I know it doesn’t seem like a lot but they feel completely different. My question is what is the most weight you’ve ever toted in the mountains for elk or any other animal and would you hesitate to take an 11 lb rifle into the mountains? Thanks for the comments...

 

[mtmuley]

I've been out there. Take the light rifle. mtmuley

 

[Kotaman]

I have a hard enough time carrying an 11 lb. rifle from my garage to the bench!

So yeah,I’d take the lighter rifle every time.

 

[HellsCanyon]

If you’re planning or comfortable shooting elk beyond 800, take the RUM. If your limit is under that, pack the 7 mag.

I have a 9 lb SAUM and a 10.5 lb 338. I’ll be packing the 338 this fall.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tyeager2964]

If the elk of your lifetime and dreams steps out at your comfort limit shooting wise and is slightly quartered and you make a less than ideal shot with the 7mm you may second guess yourself for not bring the 300.

Both will work but the 300 increases margin for error. In my mind that's worth 2 lbs but it's not my decision.

If you think the extra 2lbs will limit your ability to hunt then take the 7mm

 

[jayjay24]

If the elk of your lifetime and dreams steps out at your comfort limit shooting wise and is slightly quartered and you make a less than ideal shot with the 7mm you may second guess yourself for not bring the 300.

Both will work but the 300 increases margin for error. In my mind that's worth 2 lbs but it's not my decision.

If you think the extra 2lbs will limit your ability to hunt then take the 7mm

The 7 mag is loaded for 168 gr Bergers @ 3090 fps and the 300 RUM is loaded for 200 gr Accubonds @ 3100 fps so yeah I see your point there...

 

[mtmuley]

Like I said...… My rifle in .300 RUM is almost 2 pounds lighter than your lightest one. But, still heavy enough to shoot long comfortably. It's tough country out there. Take the light rifle or put the RUM on a diet. That 200 grain Accubond is an elk killing SOB out of a RUM. mtmuley

 

[FLAK]

Go buy a lighter weight 300WM with a 3x9 scope. I cant imagine totin either of those for elk.

 

[dirtytough]

I have backpacked with an 11 pound rifle before. I also had a pretty good deer tag a few years ago that was a backpack hunt. I have an ultralight with a ti action etc. I carried a heavier rifle that was more accurate to make sure I had the best chance possible to make the shot on what might be my only opportunity. The shot ended up being easy and fairly close so either would have worked. But even after the shot and during the pack out I didn't regret the decision to pack a heavier rifle.

I would take the one you are the most accurate with. If you are more accurate with the 7mm then the 300, the 300 won't help if you miss. If you shoot both equally well I would take the 300.

Regards, Branden

 

[jayjay24]

Go buy a lighter weight 300WM with a 3x9 scope. I cant imagine totin either of those for elk.

I don’t buy em, I build em...
Sorry. That sounded snobby... LOL

 

[jayjay24]

I’m currently helping a buddy in MT build a custom 300 RUM like I should’ve in the first place with mine. Manners Tactical Shell Stock, Proof Tube, etc. It should be around 8-9 lbs scoped when we get it finished because he’s putting an ATACR on top, BUT it’s gonna be a handful to shoot...

 

[HellsCanyon]

Like I said...… My rifle in .300 RUM is almost 2 pounds lighter than your lightest one. But, still heavy enough to shoot long comfortably. It's tough country out there. Take the light rifle or put the RUM on a diet. That 200 grain Accubond is an elk killing SOB out of a RUM. mtmuley

Define "shoot long comfortably"? A 7.5 lb scoped up rifle especially a RUM is a tough gun to drive.

Don't get me wrong, I've hunted with a 9 lb 7 oz scoped rifle the last 3 seasons, and have had 3 kills over 800 yards with it, one required a follow up but was still lethal. After the last 3 seasons and building/shooting over 75 rifles of various weights, 9.5 lbs scoped is the bottom end of what is "comfortable" to shoot post 750-800 yards consistently. When I say consistently, I mean hit an MOA sized target 9/10 times in stable conditions. If you get a perfect prone position everytime, carry a rear bag with you, and never pull the trigger with a heart rate over 100 BPM then a light rifle works just fine. But that's not me nor my killing situations and I'm not a terrible shot.

9 lbs 11 oz is very very doable for a medium range rifle. I agree with DirtyTough at this point, shoot the rifle you're most consistent with, regardless of weight.

Mike

 

[elkguide]

I like a rifle in the 8-9 pound range for long range. (beyond 600 yards)
While I've seen elk shot with everything from a 25.06 and up, my minimum for elk is a .30 caliber rifle.
Elk don't always stand broadside.

 

[jayjay24]

Define "shoot long comfortably"? A 7.5 lb scoped up rifle especially a RUM is a tough gun to drive.

Don't get me wrong, I've hunted with a 9 lb 7 oz scoped rifle the last 3 seasons, and have had 3 kills over 800 yards with it, one required a follow up but was still lethal. After the last 3 seasons and building/shooting over 75 rifles of various weights, 9.5 lbs scoped is the bottom end of what is "comfortable" to shoot post 750-800 yards consistently. When I say consistently, I mean hit an MOA sized target 9/10 times in stable conditions. If you get a perfect prone position everytime, carry a rear bag with you, and never pull the trigger with a heart rate over 100 BPM then a light rifle works just fine. But that's not me nor my killing situations and I'm not a terrible shot.

9 lbs 11 oz is very very doable for a medium range rifle. I agree with DirtyTough at this point, shoot the rifle you're most consistent with, regardless of weight.

Mike

My smith shoots F-class open and he shot my RUM @ 1,000 after load development and he put 5 shots in your hand so I have WAY more confidence in that rifle than the 7 mag. I actually missed a couple deer with the 7 mag this year. Granted I wasn’t shooting the load we developed, I shot the test loads to save the real loaded ammo which was a mistake but it still puts the doubt in your mind you know...

 

[mtmuley]

Define "shoot long comfortably"? A 7.5 lb scoped up rifle especially a RUM is a tough gun to drive.

Don't get me wrong, I've hunted with a 9 lb 7 oz scoped rifle the last 3 seasons, and have had 3 kills over 800 yards with it, one required a follow up but was still lethal. After the last 3 seasons and building/shooting over 75 rifles of various weights, 9.5 lbs scoped is the bottom end of what is "comfortable" to shoot post 750-800 yards consistently. When I say consistently, I mean hit an MOA sized target 9/10 times in stable conditions. If you get a perfect prone position everytime, carry a rear bag with you, and never pull the trigger with a heart rate over 100 BPM then a light rifle works just fine. But that's not me nor my killing situations and I'm not a terrible shot.

9 lbs 11 oz is very very doable for a medium range rifle. I agree with DirtyTough at this point, shoot the rifle you're most consistent with, regardless of weight.

Mike

Ok, I shoot mine comfortably. I've been driving my RUM for 18 years. I know where the OP is going to be hunting. He won't have to stretch it unless he wants to. I have a tag out there myself. mtmuley

 

[blackpowderhunter]

I don't know the terrain where you're going but...
if you are going to stretch it out, 300 all day, the 7 just puts pencil holes in animals anyways right? (kidding)
i carry my heavy 30 cal set up for when i want/need to shoot far, and my light set up for when i don't.
in all reality...i'd just take whichever rifle you shoot better and feel more comfortable with.

 

[5MilesBack]

It's kind of funny. I rifle hunted for 20+ seasons carrying my heavy rifle/scope setup 15 miles a day in the mountains, and never once thought about the weight. It was what it was. That's why it has a sling, so I could throw it over my shoulder. That's why I laugh at all the folks complaining about "heavy" bows. My "heavy" bows are still wayyyy lighter than my lightest hunting rifle.

I would take whatever you're most comfortable and confident with. 2lbs heavier isn't a deal-breaker for me for carrying, but 2lbs lighter could be depending on the distance of the shot.

 

[PowellSixO]

It all comes down to personal preference, and what rifle you can shoot more accurately. My elk rifle weighs 15lbs unloaded. But I prefer my rifle to be heavy. I can make better shots with a heavy rifle than I can with a light rifle. So that's what I choose to use. Most hunts come down to one opportunity, and I want to make the best of it. But if you can shoot a light rifle better, by all means choose the lighter rifle.

 

[jayjay24]

I think y’all are narrowing it down for me pretty considerably.

 

[blackpowderhunter]

It's kind of funny. I rifle hunted for 20+ seasons carrying my heavy rifle/scope setup 15 miles a day in the mountains, and never once thought about the weight. It was what it was. That's why it has a sling, so I could throw it over my shoulder. That's why I laugh at all the folks complaining about "heavy" bows. My "heavy" bows are still wayyyy lighter than my lightest hunting rifle.

I would take whatever you're most comfortable and confident with. 2lbs heavier isn't a deal-breaker for me for carrying, but 2lbs lighter could be depending on the distance of the shot.

funny i was just thinking "i dont know how heavy any of my rifles are..just that some are heavier than others"