I've preached this one to many times probably but here goes again. I've killed some elk in my time, more than some, less than others and here is my take on it.
If you've got a rifle and scope combo that is capable of reaching out say 300 to 400 yards you've got the long range end of it covered. If you find yourself having to shoot more than 400 yards on an elk that's a desire not a necessity.
The most important aspect of an elk rifle is a bullet that will penetrate well and the ability to hit with that rifle from about 20 yards in the thick timber out to 300 or maybe a bit more if the need arises.
I've killed one elk at 443 yards my furthest (.375H&H)and I've killed a couple more at 300 ish yards. The vast majority have been at 200 and under. And a good number of those have been at under 100 yards busting tail through the timber because some of my hunting partners are MORONS (one in particular, sorry Tim but it's true
) and don't do what they're told leaving me to tidy up loose ends from blown stalks, and having to make snap shots in the timber. WHICH is why I prefer something like a .375H&H or a .338 or a .35 Whelen that gives reliable deep straight line penetration. They can handle the heavy hauling at close range and they get it done at longer ranges too.
I wouldn't dream of trying some of the shots that I am comfortable with a .375 on elk in the timber with a .300 or a 7MM they just don't have the penetration I need and they tear up way to much meat at close range.
Fricking guys skypopping at elk with their "long range" set ups do a lot more wounding than killing. I am sick and tired of it.
To me the ability to hit confidently at close range when the chips are down are far more important than having a purpose built long range rifle.
So that means a rifle that balances well between the hands, has a short enough barrel so as to allow for a quick swing, a stock that fits and a scope that is mounted low enough that when you put the rifle up it's right there no head movement necessary. It should be easy to carry and light enough that it isn't a burden but not so light that it becomes difficult to shoot unsupported. IMO it should weigh in loaded with a scope from 8 to 10 lbs If you can't carry that all day in the mountains you've got a fitness issue not a rifle issue.
Unless you are sitting on a hill side with a supported shooting position and that is all you are going to do. A long barreled, unwieldy, target scoped rifle is a burden not an asset in elk country.
I know a guy who sits in the same spot every year and kills an elk almost every year who shoots a 14 lb target built .340 Weatherby. He has killed elk at over 700 yards with it. To me that is target shooting an elk and completely destroys the essence of what elk hunting is. BTW he is also a master level long range shooter and spends most of the year shooting F class various 1000 yard and high power shooting competitions, long range is this guys life.
To each their own.
To me elk hunting is cruising thick timber and glassing parks and meadows. Ghosting silently form vantage point to vantage point, seeing lots of new country. Getting in close enough to smell them, catching that ear twitch or hearing a bull knock his antlers against a branch right over the next little dip at spitting range. That's the stuff that gets my blood flowing. Getting in on them and fooling them at their own game in their own back yard.
