.280 REM for Elk?

[Vern Humphrey]

Another point -- it helps to make friends with local ranchers and ask what they would charge to pack an elk out with a horse or mule.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Great points and the assistance is greatly appreciated.

...and you don't have the most excellent Savage 116/114 in your line up of perspective rifles, don't hinder yourself. hehehe

Couldn't agree more about the quality of this rifle. My Savage 111 (.243) is my best shooter. Problem is, the length of pull on the newer models feels too short. Shooting a 338 is tough enough, a rifle that is too short would be painful.

The points about game recovery are eye opening as well. The search continues.

Hope you all are having a fun and relaxing 4th. Kind warm here in NC Georgia.

 

[rooster59]

What if you pick your Elk bullet first. Just for sport take a SD around .28, and use Nosler partitions. 150g in .277, 160g in .284, 180g in .308, 225g in .338 diameter. How fast will a given cartridge actually shoot that bullet in the barrel length of a real rifle. Run the ballistics and look at the point blank ranges. Then look at how well you can shoot each rifle.

If you can put one of those bullets where they need to go, the Elk will be dead.

I look at the increased velocity of a magnum as a way to make it easier to hit the target by having a flatter trajectory and reducing wind drift. But if the recoil and blast adversely affect my shooting then any advantage in trajectory is lost by bad bullet placement.

I wish 280's came with 24" barrels.

 

[Pilot]

The .280 is fine for elk. I've used a 7MM-08 with great success.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My .280 Rem. has a 23 1/2'' heavy barrel. Built on a large ring K.Kale Turk Mauser with small shank. This project rifle isn't finished and has been delayed by my .257 Roberts Mauser project(and my by-pass surgery). I expect to get back to it in a few weeks.

 

[X-Rap]

I love the 280 and have taken part in many kills with one but you lost me at the 300 yd range. Not saying it can't be done but I would go for a 300 in WM or Weatherby with a 180 gr bullet for a top notch elk gun. That said if you don't have a 280 in your safe I would get one and if you know the gun and range it will do the job, I suggest 154 gr. Hornadays, I have yet to see one fail out of dozens of elk and deer.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

Enjoyed all the posts and friendly advice. The input provided has caused me to step back and re-evaluate caliber and platform. I will delay this purchase a little longer; may be the last one for a while and want to make sure it is the right gun caliber combo.

Thanks to all.

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

I don't own one but have friends that use them for open country elk hunting in S.W Idaho. I think most of them 160
or 175 grain Noslers or one of the other "premium" bullets.
No complaints from any of them about the 280 Rem.

 

[Uncle Mike]

The .280R can do elk...no problem!

The .30-06 is even BETTER... yes Virginia, it is... read up!

Yet, the .325WSM will best the 30-06 as will a long action caliber in say the 300 or 338 flavor.

Take a look at that 325WSM... short action... lots o' energy... pretty flat line...

I do not hunt elk so my opinion is not a learned one... just thought.