Elk Rifle Opinions

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bowerj

Member
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
15
I have a friend who moved out west and is really into elk hunting. He already has a 300WSM but wants to upgrade to a better quality gun. We've been discussing what rifle to get and have it narrowed down to 2 rifles. 300 Win. Mag. will be the caliber for sure (not open to any others). He wants to be able to make up to 500yd shots (with sufficient range time). I just wanted some opinions on which one you think would be the best rifle between these two only. Also how do these compare out fo box as far as accuracy, trigger, etc.?

Kimber 8400 Montana- He likes the light weight for carrying.
Remington 700 Sendero SF II- I like the ability for future customizing but it weighs almost 2 lbs more.

Please comment on which of these 2 you would pick (preferably those with experience with them).

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
With either one - how far he carries it will be a more critical question than how far he shoots it. Unless he has his own gun bearer to carry his rifle for him, I would go with the lighter rifle (and start mastering the recoil).

I've only shot Senderos and they can be very accurate but I have a hunch that when it came down to splitting hairs, the Kimber rifles probably have an edge. Maybe not a truly significant edge but your friend will have to decide "significant" for himself.

:cool:
 
the kimber is lighter, and lighter is better for elk.

however... as far as chambering, the 300 wsm and 300 win mag are close enough to call same/same (i have both as well).

i'm assuming the wsm is a 'regular' rifle - meaning somewhere around 7.5 - 8 pounds before glass. so the kimber is lighter, and the remington is heavier...

point being this upcoming purchase is boiling down to a new rifle because he wants it, not to satisfy any particular niche - and that is fine, but if his purpose is to fill a niche (elk rifle) he needs to identify the niche better. if it is to fill a want (new gun) he's covered w/ no further justification.

my suggestion for a niche gun is to identify the niche, and then find the desired attributes; chambering will be among the last considerations, if not the last consideration. so, for an elk rifle, look at the kimber, remington m7, remington 700 mountain rifle, and remington ti. compare those, and go from there.
 
I would bet on the Sendero....at 500 yards accuracy really, REALLY matters...especially on game.

I know its heavier and more to carry, but the heavy barrel will likely be more accurate and recoil less...and a light rifle in 300 Win. Mag will kick the snot out of you...and I don't care who you are, heavy recoil will have you flinching before you know it.
 
Thanks for the replies but to clear this up a little, all i want the hear is if the Sendero is any more of a rifle than the Kimber out of the box. its between THESE TWO GUNS ONLY and in 300WinMag ONLY. If everyone concludes that the weight of a elk rifle is a deciding factor the I guess its the Kimber hands down.
 
I already own 3 Coopers and am getting ready to buy another Excalibur in 270 but this is for my friend and he wants the Kimber. Cooper doesnt make a 300 anyway and thats what he wants.
 
The Kimber will be better out of the box. BUt the extra wieght of the Sendero helps in keeping the gun steady (in supported positions) and is easier on the shoulder. I would get the Kimber, but that is becasue i like them more than the senderos.
 
as an elk rifle thier is no need for more power than a .30-06 w/ the 180 grain bullet, but for long range, it would be nearly impossible to beat a Wby MKV .300 or .340 magnum.
ken
 
By the way anyone who bashes Cooper probably has never shot one and wasnt going to buy one in the first place. How many guns do you own that are made overseas? American made is the only way
 
. . .sounds like this one is done but I'll chime in. I just bought a CZ 550 FS in .270 to hunt in SW Montana. I figure it will be a great white tail, muley, and cow elk gun - maybe bull elk, too. My CZ is a far cry from the Kimber and Remington your looking at. I've never owned either of the rifles your looking but I would cast my lot with the Kimber. Good choice.
 
By the way anyone who bashes Cooper probably has never shot one and wasnt going to buy one in the first place. How many guns do you own that are made overseas? American made is the only way
Click to expand...

I have about 35 guns, and the only one not made in the US is a Canadian Ross.

I do have several high-end guns, including Kimbers, but no Coopers.

I don't pay money to a company that donates to a man who wants to infringe my right to bear arms, and then lies about it.
 
Cooper has never been bought out, restructured, changed locations or filed bankrupcy. Cooper started with Kimber and learned a lot!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Apparently he didn't learn enough. He didn't learn not to bankroll gun grabbers, and he didn't learn not to lie when called on it.
 
I'm no expert, but I have taken a few dozen elk over the years. First, the weight of the rifle is more dependent of the type of hunt. Are you hoofing it or on horseback or quad? IMO if the weight of the rifle matters then you're not in physical shape for the hunt to begin with.

Second, and I know this will stir the hornets nest, the .300 Win Mag should be the minimum caliber you should consider for elk sized game. Sure tons of elk are taken every season with .270's and even .25-06's, but the ones I have taken never went more than a few steps before falling stone dead.

Third, anyone who says they cleanly took an elk at 500 yards is full of ship, not to mention un-ethical for attemping the shot in the first place. Why not slow down, enjoy the pursuit, and sneak within range of your target?

Finally, my choice for an elk gun is a pre 1964 Winchester M70 in .300 Win Mag. It sports a 4.5-12x50 scope (leupold vx3). I shoot Winchester Fail Safe 180gr factory loads, as this rifle loves them better than the best handloads. (while they last)

If you want to get realistic about hunting elk try this...Glue a few clay pidgeons to a piece of cardboard about 2ft square. Set it up at 500 yards, go run a 7 minute mile and then shoot the targets. That's about the accuracy you can expect on an elk hunt.

T2E
 
I have owned several Remington 700's, though not a Sendero (too heavy for me as a field rifle) and I have owned 3 Kimbers. I would go with the Kimber. Mine have been very accurate and very well made, more so than my Remmys. IMO, they are a good enough rifle that I bought my last one in place of a custom that would have cost three times the amount, but in practical use and performance I don't think would have been any better rifle. After intensive load development, my .243 Kimber Montana gives me consistent 5-shot groups of 5/8" off the bench at 100 yds. I have used it to take ground hogs out to 568 lasered yards. And tango2echo, I think your comments on 500 yard shots are more a reflection on your own shooting ability than on the ethics and ability of a responsible and experienced long range shooter. :neener:
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
Tikka Stainless Lite vs. Kimber 8400
Replies
10
Views
799
usmarine0352_2005
U
D
  • Locked
Friend needs opinions on elk caliber
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
Bartkowski
B
K
  • Locked
.300 Win Mag Debate
Replies
8
Views
705
Steel Talon
S
A
  • Locked
Winchester 70 Extreme Weather SS or Kimber 8400 Montana
Replies
5
Views
1K
d vader
D
L
  • Locked
Elk/Range rifle: 308 or 30-06?
2 3 4
Replies
85
Views
7K
Rob96
R
Back
Top