An Elk Gun

[SpencerG]

I've decided that the time has finally come to get a rifle for elk, and this fountain of knowledge seemed like an ideal place for soliciting advice.

I don't have much brand allegiance, or caliber obsession, so all suggestions are welcome. I'm in the Colorado Rockies, so I may need to take some longer shots; but I don't have any business messing around past 500-600 yards (yet at least).

Obviously, at 9,000+ feet above sea level, I don't feel a strong desire to haul a lot of weight around (e.g. doubles and drillings are out). However, I am partial to a decent walnut stock and a solid feeling rifle. I am willing invest in a high quality item (and I do see it as an investment), but probably shouldn't go over $1,500.

I can already anticipate some of the answers: Remmington 700, Winchester Model 70, and all the old standbys. I don't have anything against these fine rifles, but I think I'd like something a bit more, for lack of a better word, interesting.

Any advice is welcome.

Spencer

 

[exbiologist]

Win 70 Super Grade or Kimber Select Grade might make you happy. Most any caliber will do, but big ones are little more up the elk alley. .325 WSM Kimber could be fun, The new .338 Super Grade might be nice too.

 

[vermont88993]

I don't have any advice on a rifle but for a 400 yard shot i think most will say 7mm rem mag, 300 win mag, or 338 win mag for elk and a "mountain rifle" i dont know much about any of these calibers since i am only 14!!!!!!....but im not some little annoying kid who thinks he knows everything.... anyway go with one of the "mag" rounds and have fun with it. if you want to make it a precision rifle buy one of the rifles you mentioned and put a light stock by mickmillan or any other brand that floats your boat and have fun with it. hell buy a stevens model 200 and mod it out with leupold vx-III, a stock you like and a sling thats comfortable. just my 2 cents............

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

T/C Icon Classic or Win 70, .30-06 springfield. Nuff said. Sub out .270 win if you like.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Try a Winchester Model 94 chambered for .444 Marlin, good for everything from squirrels to elephants. Weighs in around 6 1/2 pounds, it is scopeable for those that are into those things and with the new rubber nosed pointy bullets it'll reach out over 300 yards. If you want one of those citified bolt guns, I like the CZ 550 FS series, short and handy.

 

[CoRoMo]

I've been killing elk in Colorado mountains for years and have yet to take a shot over 100-120 yards. I use .270s, but I've killed a couple with a .30-30. Last year's kill was from a new little rifle that I bought to be my loaner. H&R Handi-Rifle, .270 with a 4x Buckmasters. Light little rifle that I think I want to take back out instead of my more valuable M77.

 

[shaggy430]

I've climbed mountains after elk with a heavy old Model 70 7mm Mag. Great rifle but the extra weight really takes a toll by the 5th or 6th day. My next elk rifle will likely be a Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06 with a Burris scope. You can get the whole package for less than $800.

 

[exbiologist]

Most of my elk were under 200 also and fairly quick, sudden shots, but my longest was also my biggest and he was pushing 400 yards (GPS measured after the fact). So, sometimes the opportunity presents itself, and on that particular shot, to get closer meant dropping elevation and losing my angle due to some trees growing up a drainage. The next shot would have been at 25 yards and the wind wasn't favorable. So I took it. And that's why most guys prefer to have the capability if they need it, rather than to be limited to 150-200 or so yards due to trajectory issues with the big lever guns.

 

[Guiding101]

Longer ranges kinda limits your options as far as actions go in my opinion. Bolt, or a well built single shot. I'm sure I stirred up a hornets nest with auto, and lever guys, but I spent a lot of years guiding hunts for those critters and it is just how I feel on that matter. I have seen them killed with a .22-250 by a land owner in Montana, and watched a client put a hole in the boiler maker with a .416 Rigby and ended up tracking the animal for the better part of the day. If you plan on stretching the distance the above mentioned calibers are great. (.325, .338, 7mm, .30-06, .270 etc.)

My personal favorite is the .35 Whelen. Loaded right it can match the trajectory of the .30-06, with a substantial amount more payload. I like the 225 grain Trophy Bonded Bear claws. As for the model of rifle itself, trust me, keep it light weight. An average guy can walk all day with a 10lb rifle on flat ground, up in the mountains, even a 7lb gun gets mighty heavy.

Good hunting.

 

[Mr Bruno]

Spencer , my gun of choice for large N. American game is the 7 MM STW ( shooting times Western) it use to be a wildcat round only, it is a rem 8 mm belted magnum necked down to 7mm.

quality factory ammo is available, and custom ammo really gets things going.

What i am shooting is a 150 grain nosler partion, with a velocity fo 3480 fps.
when zero'd at 200 it has a 29 inch drop at 500 yards. I have yet to need more than one round on the half dozen elk that I have shot with this round, none of the shots were under 350 yards.

Don't confuse this with the 7 mm ulta mag, which is another good choice,

 

[MCMXI]

I really like the T/C Icon Weather Shield in .30-06 or .300 Win Mag but at 7-1/2 lb "empty" they are a little on the heavy side. I bought a Remington 700 "Alaskan" Ti in .300 WSM for just this reason. I figured it'd be light enough to carry all day with enough bullet energy to drop an Elk at 400 yards. Remington states that the Alaskan is very accurate ... they were right!!

 

[Robert]

30.06 is plenty for Elk. A magnum is not needed, unless you just want one. If you can reload maybe 35 Whelen.

 

[SpencerG]

I was right. A great place to get more advice than a body knows how to hold.

Certainly, I would rather take shots at one or two hundred yards, but I'd also like the ability to make consistent, clean kills at the longer ranges too. There are a lot of elk taken at shorter distances, or even with a bow, in Colorado, but there also seem to be a lot of people who say that the creature was just a little too far away.

I've seen the .35 Whelen mentioned a few times, but I don't know all that much about it. Are there good factory loads available, or do you have to hand-load?

Has anyone used Sako's 85 Classic?

Thanks for the barrage of information,
Spencer

 

[Oregun89]

I'll vote for my Elk rifle of choice, I use an 1895XLR (.45-70). I've taken 2 cows and mature bull in the past 3 years. All of which hit the ground hard, and instantly.

There are multiple cartridges that will get the job done, and do it well. This is simply my preferred choice, and I will vouch for it's performance, even at long range.

 

[Runningman]

Obviously, at 9,000+ feet above sea level, I don't feel a strong desire to haul a lot of weight around (e.g. doubles and drillings are out). However, I am partial to a decent walnut stock and a solid feeling rifle.

As someone who has spent some time hunting in the hills & mountains of the Pacific Northwest I avoid nice walnut stocks like the plague. Walnut adds weight to a rifle compared to synthetic stocks and may not look to good after one or two seasons in the mountains. None of mine ever did. Stainless Steel and Synthetic stocks are the best way to go. I would take good a look at Sako or Tikka rifles in stainless synthetic if I were you.

 

[exbiologist]

I say if you like walnut, go for it. I carry an exhibition grade maple stock on most of my hunts. I did the finish work myself and it's held up pretty well. No true scratches made it through the Permalyn finish. It's not that light either, weighs 9.2 pounds scoped, but I've killed 3 elk, 2 antelope and a deer with it the last 2 seasons. It's no worse for wear. But I'm also careful with the gun when needs be. Obviously synthetics are easier to care for, but if you don't like them, you don't have to have one.

 

[Heavenlyfire]

Win 7mm mag. I have dropped elk at 3/4 to 1 mile (probably lucky shot). I have never had to chase one either. Mine is an older model 67 but still, it will do the job. Where abouts are you? I love the Buena Vista area, we go fishing there all the time.

 

[Abel]

I'd get a Kimber 84M Montana in 308. Maybe a Kimber 8400 Montana in one of the WSM calibers if you aren't a believer in the 308.

 

[homers]

Kimber's are light, any of the 300 or 338 mags will do nicely.

Might want to also look at a built to your specs, ER Shaw Mk VII; they go from about $700-$1200.

 

[eddism]

Savage Model 110 in 300 Win Mag

 

[bobelk99]

I've taken a few elk in CO, and maybe Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Use a 'not interesting' Sako Hunter in 338, with 210 Noslers. 24 elk in 26 shots.
That is the interesting part.

 

[WYcoyote]

My vote is any no BS name brand bolt rifle, stainless synthetic, in .300 Win Mag. (or a 300WSM), or a .338 Win Mag. A good quality 3x9 is boring but effective.
I have taken 20+ elk with my 7MM Rem Mag and due to some experiences I now like to hit them a little harder.
But these calibers still won't make up for poor shot placement.
They help when things don't go exactly as planned, however.

 

[wyohome]

Kimber Longmaster Classic in .308

 

[WYcoyote]

Wow SK, the Kimber of yours IS pretty.

 

[Art Eatman]

While I agree about blue steel and walnut, I gotta say I'm happy as a bug with my Rem 700 Ti. My short-action, with sling, ammo and 3x9x40 scope weighs 6.5 pounds. I think the long action would be 6.75 pounds, IIRC. 22" barrel.