Your Elk Hunting Rifle

280 AI and 35 Whelen AI thrive and survive for the simple reason factory loads/SAAMI PSI specs are lower than typical for a modern standard action cartridge. All the better to unleash very capable rounds.
 
I have never elk hunted with a rifle, but my wife and lots of friends do. My wife uses a 6.5 creed, it’s a savage UL in an xlr with a swfa 3-9. Wish it was a tikka but it hasn’t given us any trouble yet, and it does shoot very well

The other elk gun is a 20ga slug gun with Hornady sst slugs

My daughter will be hunting her own tags next year, and I will be getting her a 6arc put together between now and then (tikka in rokstok)

I too wish 223 was legal for elk here, because that would be the easy button and it would be totally fine for the ranges that will be shot
 
Elk hunt only in WY with a 6.8 Western (Proof barrel, Apollo action, McMillan Hunter 2, Sig Tango DMR optic, Diligent defense Enticer TI, Berger EOLs.
 
Elk hunt only in WY with a 6.8 Western (Proof barrel, Apollo action, McMillan Hunter 2, Sig Tango DMR optic, Diligent defense Enticer TI, Berger EOLs.

Elk hunt only in WY with a 6.8 Western (Proof barrel, Apollo action, McMillan Hunter 2, Sig Tango DMR optic, Diligent defense Enticer TI, Berger EOLs.

Elk hunt only in WY with a 6.8 Western (Proof barrel, Apollo action, McMillan Hunter 2, Sig Tango DMR optic, Diligent defense Enticer TI, Berger EOLs.
Been using a Ruger MK II 300wsm for along time, but wanting to build something off a Tikka action with proof barrel this winter.
 
FWIW, the M77 has a MKII version, just a way of saying the same thing, IMO. Unless I am reading your comment incorrectly.

M77 tang safety, M77 MKII has an M70 style 3 position wing safety.
 
FWIW, the M77 has a MKII version, just a way of saying the same thing, IMO. Unless I am reading your comment incorrectly.

M77 tang safety, M77 MKII has an M70 style 3 position wing safety.
It has the 3 position safety, now I need to
Pull it out of the safe. Been using a Hoyt more in the last 10 years.
 
2023 I took a Weatherby MK V Hunter in 300 win mag. Wasn’t successful, but saw some elk early on in the trip. Plan on returning in 2026, and currently shopping for a new rifle! Moved on from the Wby because a friend wanted it more than me

6.8 western?
7mm mag?

Decisions decisions. Wish there were more rifles available threaded from the factory.


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Usually my old Browning ABolt in 30-06 is my go to for anything... PIcked up a Bergara B14 Squared Crest 6.5 PRC for longer range shots....but seriously considering something in Weatherby Mark V 280 AI for muleys and elk. I have a Ruger M77 (old one) in 7 Rem Mag....a Ruger No 1 in 300 WM.....and just dont want the recoil. So hoping with the 280 Ackley can get within a 100-150 fps....reduce some recoil...and have a hell of a setup.
well, changed my mind, yet again. Ended up ordering a Browning X-Bolt Pro Carbon in 280 AI...mostly because they have updated their twist rate to 1:8 for the 280AI....and wanted to be able to shoot the 175 and larger bullets if desired. Ordered a cheap (relative to todays prices) box of rounds to shoot through for quasi break in...even though this PRO is has barrel hand lapped at factor to remove machining burrs and such. Then going to run some Terminal Ascent through it and see if it works. If not good then will try ABLR and maybe either Barnes or Hornay copper.... It is going to be topped with a Arken EPL4 6-24x50 I picked up to give a try using EGW HD rings and rail (0 MOA, for now as dont plan on going past 600 but can change later). The journey begins.
 
Shot my 5 point bill at 300 yards with my browning x-bolt 7mm with 162g Hornady eld-x

Only ran 15 yards.
 
Upgraded to a Seekins Element 7 PRC loaded with 175 bergers and topped off with a Maven RS1.2. I spent a lot of time and ammo practicing to hopefully extend my range a little bit. Ended up shooting 2 whitetails, 2 elk, a bear, and an antelope all sub 200 yards. I could have just carried Grandpa's old 30-30 this year and been just as effective! :ROFLMAO:
 
Never Elk hunted but have been working on putting together a trip. If I were going today I would be choosing between my 270 or 300wm (both M70) likely the 270 featherweight though. IM working on picking up a 308 though that could well get the nod by then.
 
Tikka 300wsm and I’ll have a browning model 71 348 win for timber and a Winchester sr xpr in 6.8 western for backup
 
Semi custom Remington 700 in 25-06
24” Bartlein 1-10 twist
HS Precision stock
Trigger Tech Special
A 110 Tipped Game King over RL23 made short work of my Wyoming bull this season.
 
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