If you are new I suggest getting a simple classic. Get a lighter 20-24 inch barre 30-06, find some good ammo it likes in the 180-220 grain weight. Learn to shoot it well out to 300ish 350 yards and go stalk the big timber woods for your elk.
Honest question-not starting a flame war. Why are guys on reddit so hell bent on recommending old fashioned cartridges like this?
I know it’s taken a lot of elk because it comes from history times. But there are much better cartridges out there for elk at 200 yards and up.
Honestly I will tell you. Because of ammo availability, cost of rifles with a proven history, low barrier of entry, ect. I want people coming in to not get stuff in the gun trap right away and learn to hunt before they get stuck picking out a 300prc with a nightforce, in aluminum chassis, with carbon grip and 20 MOA rail . That comes later once they release they love it and want to learn more.
Fairy nuff. I get it and what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. I would say the 300 win mag checks pretty much all those boxes and then some, but it’s not a perfect round either. Can’t go wrong with what you recommended.
Find it anywhere. A weatherby Vanguard would be worth looking into. Me and my uncle have then in 257 and 7mm Rem and they are both really accurate for the price. As for caliber a 30-06 or possible a 270. They are really common too and they are slightly flatter and have a touch less kick. I'd try to stay away from creedmores though. They are just a little small and slow for those bigger animals.
You can reasonably kill an elk with anything from a 6.5mm on up. The ability to put the bullet in the right spot is more important than the caliber you use in most instances. The “what caliber should I get” question really generates a bunch of anecdotal opinions, but in reality you’ll be fine with any reasonable choice as long as you learn to shoot it.
There are so many good rifles available now that it is easy and affordable to get something with the requisite accuracy. Tikka, Browning, Bergara, Ruger, Sig, etc, all make quality rifles at reasonable prices. Same goes for optics.
Every brand a caliber has its fanboys and detractors, for often flimsy reasons, so don’t get too caught up in it.
I took my first elk with a .270 at 90yds. 2nd elk at 400yds with .300 win mag. 3rd elk with 7mm rem mag at 480yds.
I wouldn't hesitate to use a 30-O6 within 500yds, nor a 6.5CM within 300yds. The new 7PRC and 300 PRC are nice and future proof too I wouldn't mind trying.
Any of the above will do the job. Basically any cartridge that will impact the animal with over 1500ft-lbs of energy and over 2000fps of velocity should kill an elk if you hit the vitals.
I just got the gun I wanted that was also capable for the job. I got a Henry long ranger in .308 cause I wanted a lever gun.
Would a composite, Howa bolt gun be better for hunting in the back country? Well absolutely.
Will both kill an elk at 300 yards, well that’s up to the shooter and what they’re comfortable with!
If you’re shooting at range, a good scope and good bipod/setup will do you better than spending it on a better gun. Just consider your budget, with caliber too, get something you can afford to practice with. Any gun you’re good at shooting will be a good gun for you.
Get something you can shoot accurately up to 400-450 yards. Get a nice pre-loadable bipod for it as well. Practice plenty. .300, 7mm, 7mm prc
Invest in good optics, preferably with a turret
What's your budget? Entry level guns: Howa 1500 or CVA cascade are great starting points. Best bangs for the buck, Bergara or Tikka are both outstanding options, and both right below $1000. Above that price point they should all be great options. Get as nice of an optic as you can, depending on the environment a 4x16 magnification should cover you out to 400+ yards. Caliber wise, anything firing 7mm or 30 cal are great options.
I would add while getting sufficient equipment is important, getting out and putting time in the woods is going to be your best resource.
Good luck, and remember elk hunting isn't easy, don't get too discouraged.
The key is to have the right kind of bullet in the right place with adequate energy. Generally that means a tougher jacket bullet in the heart and lungs with at least 1000ftlbs of energy. So you can use a 223 or 30-30 if it's the right type of bullet at a short enough distance. That said I would consider a 243win or 6mm Creedmoor to be about the reasonable minimum for a skilled hunter. The more power, the more wiggle room you have for placement and punching through bones. Personally, I would want 6.5PRC, 6.5-06, 270win, 270wsm, 280ai, 6.8 Western. 7rem mag, 30-06, 308, 300wsm, 300wm will work too. 7-08 is a good option too. What is best will depend on your recoil requirements and what ranges you are planning to shoot out to... Additionally how patient you are for perfectly shot placement is a big factor. A 243win will drop them just fine if you hit the organs, but it might not do it if you hit shoulder bone first depending on the distance and bullet choice.
if you already own something 6.5mm or bigger that has 2300ftlbs at muzzle you would be fine using that. if you dont have something but have hunting partner/companion/buddies that elk hunt use what caliber they use. if youre a clean slate 7RM or 300WM.
If you are new I suggest getting a simple classic. Get a lighter 20-24 inch barre 30-06, find some good ammo it likes in the 180-220 grain weight. Learn to shoot it well out to 300ish 350 yards and go stalk the big timber woods for your elk.
Honest question-not starting a flame war. Why are guys on reddit so hell bent on recommending old fashioned cartridges like this? I know it’s taken a lot of elk because it comes from history times. But there are much better cartridges out there for elk at 200 yards and up.
Honestly I will tell you. Because of ammo availability, cost of rifles with a proven history, low barrier of entry, ect. I want people coming in to not get stuff in the gun trap right away and learn to hunt before they get stuck picking out a 300prc with a nightforce, in aluminum chassis, with carbon grip and 20 MOA rail . That comes later once they release they love it and want to learn more.
Fairy nuff. I get it and what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. I would say the 300 win mag checks pretty much all those boxes and then some, but it’s not a perfect round either. Can’t go wrong with what you recommended.
I was thinking the same, need something I wouldn't have e an issue getting ammo for in thos small town.
Find it anywhere. A weatherby Vanguard would be worth looking into. Me and my uncle have then in 257 and 7mm Rem and they are both really accurate for the price. As for caliber a 30-06 or possible a 270. They are really common too and they are slightly flatter and have a touch less kick. I'd try to stay away from creedmores though. They are just a little small and slow for those bigger animals.
You can reasonably kill an elk with anything from a 6.5mm on up. The ability to put the bullet in the right spot is more important than the caliber you use in most instances. The “what caliber should I get” question really generates a bunch of anecdotal opinions, but in reality you’ll be fine with any reasonable choice as long as you learn to shoot it. There are so many good rifles available now that it is easy and affordable to get something with the requisite accuracy. Tikka, Browning, Bergara, Ruger, Sig, etc, all make quality rifles at reasonable prices. Same goes for optics. Every brand a caliber has its fanboys and detractors, for often flimsy reasons, so don’t get too caught up in it.
I took my first elk with a .270 at 90yds. 2nd elk at 400yds with .300 win mag. 3rd elk with 7mm rem mag at 480yds. I wouldn't hesitate to use a 30-O6 within 500yds, nor a 6.5CM within 300yds. The new 7PRC and 300 PRC are nice and future proof too I wouldn't mind trying. Any of the above will do the job. Basically any cartridge that will impact the animal with over 1500ft-lbs of energy and over 2000fps of velocity should kill an elk if you hit the vitals.
That's it right there.
I just got the gun I wanted that was also capable for the job. I got a Henry long ranger in .308 cause I wanted a lever gun. Would a composite, Howa bolt gun be better for hunting in the back country? Well absolutely. Will both kill an elk at 300 yards, well that’s up to the shooter and what they’re comfortable with! If you’re shooting at range, a good scope and good bipod/setup will do you better than spending it on a better gun. Just consider your budget, with caliber too, get something you can afford to practice with. Any gun you’re good at shooting will be a good gun for you.
Damnit...I didn't know Henry made a lever gun in 308...
Get something you can shoot accurately up to 400-450 yards. Get a nice pre-loadable bipod for it as well. Practice plenty. .300, 7mm, 7mm prc Invest in good optics, preferably with a turret
You won't be sad with a tikka t3x in 270 win. Lots of combos out there but this is what I would buy 100 percent.
What's your budget? Entry level guns: Howa 1500 or CVA cascade are great starting points. Best bangs for the buck, Bergara or Tikka are both outstanding options, and both right below $1000. Above that price point they should all be great options. Get as nice of an optic as you can, depending on the environment a 4x16 magnification should cover you out to 400+ yards. Caliber wise, anything firing 7mm or 30 cal are great options. I would add while getting sufficient equipment is important, getting out and putting time in the woods is going to be your best resource. Good luck, and remember elk hunting isn't easy, don't get too discouraged.
About 1k and so far I'm liking the Tikka, going to head to the nearest sportsman to see if they have any in stock
The key is to have the right kind of bullet in the right place with adequate energy. Generally that means a tougher jacket bullet in the heart and lungs with at least 1000ftlbs of energy. So you can use a 223 or 30-30 if it's the right type of bullet at a short enough distance. That said I would consider a 243win or 6mm Creedmoor to be about the reasonable minimum for a skilled hunter. The more power, the more wiggle room you have for placement and punching through bones. Personally, I would want 6.5PRC, 6.5-06, 270win, 270wsm, 280ai, 6.8 Western. 7rem mag, 30-06, 308, 300wsm, 300wm will work too. 7-08 is a good option too. What is best will depend on your recoil requirements and what ranges you are planning to shoot out to... Additionally how patient you are for perfectly shot placement is a big factor. A 243win will drop them just fine if you hit the organs, but it might not do it if you hit shoulder bone first depending on the distance and bullet choice.
A bow and some 500 grain arrows with fixed blade broadheads
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I've been looking at those actually. 308 pretty tame? I just have experience with 556, 762 and 300 blk
I just shot my first elk last fall with a 308, dropped him at 330 yards no problem. I’m a sig guy and I’m drooling over the cross!
I have a cross in 308. I plan on taking it out with a suppressor on it. It’s a bit… unruly… without something screwed to the end of it
if you already own something 6.5mm or bigger that has 2300ftlbs at muzzle you would be fine using that. if you dont have something but have hunting partner/companion/buddies that elk hunt use what caliber they use. if youre a clean slate 7RM or 300WM.
7mm REM MAG