Suppressed Elk Rifle vs 338 Cannon + Ear Pro

[treillw]

What are some of the best calibers and corresponding barrel lengths to use for suppressed elk hunting?

I'd really like something that would expend the majority of it's energy inside the animal and barely pass through to create a blood trail. Don't know if that's achievable with a handicapped barrel length. I shot a bull with a 215 Berger / 300 win at 400 yards this year and the bullet did not pass through - barrel is around 24". Generally, I hate how elk don't bleed. Also, most of the time I'm not getting pass throughs. It's not a big deal if you hit them right and they die right there, but unfortunately life is not perfect. Good thing about the 215s is that they tend to dump all their energy inside the animal, which helps with bad shots, but recovery gets difficult with no blood trail - at least that's my experience with them.

Part of me wants a 338 cannon to pulverize them and part of me wants to sneak through the timber with a suppressed short barrel. Maybe I just need some better electronic ear protection and a standard length 338 with a brake.

Thank you for any thoughts!

 

[atmat]

Oh boy.

 

[Choupique]

electronic ear protection and a standard length 338

This is how I hunt present day and tbh it sucks. Its not bad sitting in a deer stand but its awful for hiking. If I have time to put the muffs on I do, if I dont, oh well. Maybe one shot a year without muffs on vs toting around a heavy long ass rifle AND a heavy long ass can on the end of it? I'll just take the lick.

 

[fisherman983]

This is about to get spicy and feelings are gonna get hurt.

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[treillw]

This is about to get spicy and feelings are gonna get hurt.

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What am I missing?

 

[treillw]

This is how I hunt present day and tbh it sucks. Its not bad sitting in a deer stand but its awful for hiking. If I have time to put the muffs on I do, if I dont, oh well. Maybe one shot a year without muffs on vs toting around a heavy long ass rifle AND a heavy long ass can on the end of it? I'll just take the lick.

I have sound gear plugs now and it's not terrible. My 300 has a brake. I'd be doing essentially the same thing with a 338. I put the plugs in while walking. Thing I don't like about them is that it doesn't pick up all noises and I can't tell noise direction most of the time. A newer set would probably do a better job.

 

[treillw]

Oh boy.

??

 

[Anschutz]

Take this with a grain of salt as I've never killed an elk. I wouldn't expect a Berger to reliably provide an exit in the same way I wouldn't expect a TTSX to provide Berger type upset. I'd personally step down to a 6.5 PRC and choose whether I want rapid upset or two holes.

 

[fisherman983]

A 6.5 prc. 20-22" tube with 147 or 156s is all the gun you need.

Its not the cartridge it's the bullet that does the killing.

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[TheCoyote]

Bullet selection might be more important than cartridge selection.
It’s a real challenge to pick a bullet that will open up and penetrate at 50 yards but also 550 yards….

I myself am interested in a shorter barrel suppressor rig.

Currently packing around a 26” barrel with 2” brake. It’s like carrying a telephone pole through the woods.

 

[LightFoot]

What are some of the best calibers and corresponding barrel lengths to use for suppressed elk hunting?

I'd really like something that would expend the majority of it's energy inside the animal and barely pass through to create a blood trail. Don't know if that's achievable with a handicapped barrel length. I shot a bull with a 215 Berger / 300 win at 400 yards this year and the bullet did not pass through - barrel is around 24". Generally, I hate how elk don't bleed. Also, most of the time I'm not getting pass throughs. It's not a big deal if you hit them right and they die right there, but unfortunately life is not perfect. Good thing about the 215s is that they tend to dump all their energy inside the animal, which helps with bad shots, but recovery gets difficult with no blood trail - at least that's my experience with them.

Part of me wants a 338 cannon to pulverize them and part of me wants to sneak through the timber with a suppressed short barrel. Maybe I just need some better electronic ear protection and a standard length 338 with a brake.

Thank you for any thoughts!

If stuck on .338, the 338 WBY RPM may be what you are asking for. Factory rifles are 18” and 20”.


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[mt100gr.]

Unless you're looking to shoot them at extreme ranges, I'd suggest an 18" 6.5 creed with suppressor. The last 5 elk i have killed between 400 and 600 yards with 147 ELDM have been 100% drama free.

I have seen 5/5 impacts (and heard them) and its a pleasure to shoot and carry.

It took a few years to detatch from the 300WM/215 Berger line of thinking, but in my experience, the cannon is no more effective. And bad shots are bad shots regardless.

Go short and sneaky and don't look back!!

 

[IrkedCitizen]

20" 33xc with 299gr DTAC nose ring bullets and TBAC Magnus-S-RR-SR-338. Kill dinosaurs.