Lloyd Smale
Member
06/7mag/300mag Id bet if you put all the elk hunter using them together there wouldn't be many left In the woods.
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Elk Rifle
- Thread starter Kentucky-roughrider
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True fact....
oneounceload
member
One side note in that regard, start your physical conditioning now. I used to live on the Western Slope, and those elevations can cause most folks not in great shape a lot of issues, especially if they are not used to that.
Wiser words have never been spoken!
Work assiduously on cardio! You won't be sorry.
L.W.
EDIT: I imagine your outdoor skills are quite good, but if you've not hunted the Rocky Mountains in the late Fall or early Winter, survival can be a different matter than in other parts of the country. Here is an excellent site about how to survive in Colorado's high country in harsh weather, should you find yourself in a situation where you need survival skills and certain common sense equipment to get through the night. It doesn't take much equipment but these noted in the video are essential.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=FV5ShSNIdfY&feature=endscreen
L.W.
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Awesome link Leanwolf! THANK YOU for posting that.Wiser words have never been spoken!
Work assiduously on cardio! You won't be sorry.
L.W.
EDIT: I imagine your outdoor skills are quite good, but if you've not hunted the Rocky Mountains in the late Fall or early Winter, survival can be a different matter than in other parts of the country. Here is an excellent site about how to survive in Colorado's high country in harsh weather, should you find yourself in a situation where you need survival skills and certain common sense equipment to get through the night. It doesn't take much equipment but these noted in the video are essential.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=FV5ShSNIdfY&feature=endscreen
L.W.
You're more than welcome. Perhaps it'll give hunters new to the Rockies a "heads up." I've hunted elk in Colorado four times and have seen "bluebird" weather turn into a blinding snowstorm in an hour. Weather in the high country can change in a heartbeat and no one should take it for granted.
L.W.
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Agreed 1000%. The high country can go from lovely day to frozen arctic nightmare faster than most folks can imagine.
Kentucky-roughrider
Member
Thank you for the heads up on the changing weather conditions there and I have already started on my physical training for the hunt.
Here is a link to a gear thread some rookie made up for hunting and surviving in the high country:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=661698
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=661698
TimSr
Member
40% success rate sounds awful high to me. Where did that number come from?
Don McDowell
Member
That's about the best it gets. Like I said even in the best of years...
But it does happen here in Wyoming every once in awhile.
But it does happen here in Wyoming every once in awhile.
I'm with the .338 Win Mag crowd. I had a friend in Montana that had one and he hand-loaded up or down with different bullet weights depending upon if he was hunting antelope or Elk. I was hunting with a 7mm Mag at the time but gave serious consideration to trading for a .338 Mag. My friend said the recoil was more of a push than a hard kick.
I love to hunt and I was born in Montana and raised in Montana. I have used a 30-30 for deer and elk and for a few coyotes. I firmly believe based on personal experience that a 30-30 will drop any elk you come upon. This isn't just some bs statement as I have a few elk racks in my shed. I would caution you not to try long range shots but be a real hunter and stalk your game.. Every elk I have ever shot and there have been many I was able to get within 100 yards or even closer. I would caution you to learn the limits of your 30-30 and your own ability. A quick kill is the result of a good hunt. I would rather lose an Elk than make a bad shot, but that is me, you will decide on your own what is right for you and your abilities. PS Hunting season starts Oct 24 in Montana. I always get a Deer, Elk, and a Wolf tag good luck on your trip. Just my thoughts and worth exactly what you paid for them. I usually always get a Deer and sometimes an Elk I really need to put a Wolf down this year. But then again that is just the way I see things, plus I can use the meat from the Deer and Elk. Just want the hide of the wolf.
30-06 with 165-180 grain bullets.
That link is great.
That link is great.
gbran
Member
I can't pooh pooh the big calibers, some day I WILL buy a .375, but I've done quite well over the years with my 30-06. I've had it over 40 years.
Arkansas Paul
Member
That's a neat rifle and they are certainly offered in several calibers that will be ideal for chasing elk, including the WSMs, which should be ideal in that platform IMO.
Not needed however. They offer it in .30-06, which is what I would go with since you don't have one. Plenty of options with that one for sure, and plenty of good ones.
Don McDowell
Member
BLR in 308 or 7mm08 more than plenty good for any elk they ever built at any sane distance to be shooting. Lighweight, quick and easy handling and accuracy aplumb if you stick with 3 shot groups, they'll shot clover leafs, 5 shot usually opens up to 2 inches or so, with their favored loads.
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Don just mentioned the key components to any successful hunting rifle.
Kentucky-roughrider
Member
Besides a good scope, and I'm also planning on a range finder (about a 1000 yard model) what other gear would I need.
eastbank
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outlawjw
Member
I too used to guide & have seen more elk give us fits with 300 wm & up than most all from 30/06 down . Two reasons I can think of 1 as you said more gun than shooter could handle without fear of recoil & 2 there are very few 600 to 800 PD elk in Co & a heavy bullet just makes a little hole through 300 to 500 lb Co elk , letting them run a long ways before they drop ,1/2 mile not being uncommon. Any calibre you shoot well at the range required at times , with a bullet that will drop a big whitetail will do very very well
Don McDowell
Member
You'll get by fine with a range finder with considerable less ability than 1000 yds.
Other gear. A good knife, and a folding saw to make dressing an elk out simpler. Along with a length of parachute cord. A small pack to carry extra socks and dry gloves, fire starting, first aid pack and a "space blanket" a bit of food, and water, dry gloves, and some asprin or advil. One of the Garmin Rino series gps/frs radio.
Layered clothing, to be able to adapt to the ever changing weather, a pair of tough but comfortable lightweight boots, a small bit of insulation , but not to much, sweaty feet will be a killer in hot weather and a real killer if one of the sudden cold fronts so common during elk season hits.
If you can come out at least three days prior to the hunt to allow your body to get accustomed to the purer, but much less plentiful air of the high country. Limit your intake of caffeine , carbonated beverages and alchol. Drink plenty of water. This will help slow down and possibly elimate any problems with 'altitude" sickness. Also a chapstick tube to keep your lips moist, and some sunscreen, and a good pair of sunglasses. Sunburn and dehydration can cause you some real misery out here.
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