Rifle Reccomendations

[fieldking#1]

I'm looking to buy a rifle for my first elk hunting trip here in Washington. In the price range between 250$-500$ Any suggestions? I have been told to get either a .280, or a 30-06. Thank you in advance!!

[sakoshooter]

 Only difference between those two is that you can get heavier bullets for the 30.06

[KFhunter]

given those two choices and your budget the 30-06 is a no brainer

[johnr060]

Those are both awsome calibers. But, my favorite is the .300 wsm or .270 wsm. They both are flat shooting and have alot of knock down.

[coachcw]

300 win or 300wsm

[Dan-o]

tough to beat all of the ammo choices for the 30-06, but the other calibers mentioned are all nice.

Options favor the 30-06

[carpsniperg2]

Of your 2. Get the 30-06 and for a rifle look at the tikka t3. You cant go wrong with that combo.

[bigsads]

If that was my budget, I would pick up a Ruger American in 30-06 and slap a Vortex crossfire scope on it.  Would be a great entry level set up

[coachcw]

t3 for the money

[liljozie495]

  cant go wrong with a t3 lol

[liljozie495]

i got a t3 lite stainless barrel in 300wsm, great caliber (i think) with a nikon monarch 4-16x42 that im excited to test out on a bull this year 

[RadSav]

If that was my budget, I would pick up a Ruger American in 30-06 and slap a Vortex crossfire scope on it.  Would be a great entry level set up

   Better than entry level IMO!  Ugly as sin, but really good shooters at a great price.  I like the T3 as well.  Maybe even a little more than the Ruger.  But you will be over budget before you put glass on it.

[liljozie495]

heck if you want to stay at 400$ my mom just got into hunting and got a savage axis model 111 or whatever one it is scope rifle combo in 30-06 with stainless barrel and it was dead accurate out of the box, she rarely hunts much so she didnt go big with a super nice rifle but it does shot very well for the price i was surprised

[bobcat]

Look at the Stevens 200 and the Mossberg ATR. And go with the 30/06. It's the perfect elk cartridge. Unless you want to go bigger- the 338 Win Mag is great, if you can handle the recoil.

[Bean Counter]

THE CORRECT ANSWER

The correct answer is to buy a bolt action .270 Winchester. Reason: this is the only rifle ammo in good quantities in the stores right now. I love my .30-06.  I'm proud of myself for stocking up on ammo years ago. Good luck finding good, inexpensive hunting rounds for it today.

[Simcoe hunter]

You won't get a new T3 with glass for your budget. The Ruger American, Stevens 200 and a couple of others you can find at you local box stores can be had with inexpensive glass for under $500.00.  You might be able to find some ammo to go with it too.  Since everyone is boycotting Dicks I found a pile of 06 ammo the other day.  So it can be had if you look around.

[mpetersen]

Check out the Marlin X7, got one in stainless for my kid, 7mm08 cal. Shoots real good with factory ammo. Think I paid under $400.00 at Sunbirds in Chehalis. They still had some left in 30/06, 25/06 and I think 270. Can't go wrong with the entry level vortex scope, great warranty.

[Curly]

I like the 338 Win Mag for a dedicated elk rifle.  You should consider a Savage 111 package.  It comes with a Nikon scope and is only $511 at East County Guns

[rtspring]

Do it right the first time!!  Rem 700 in 300 RUM....

It will kill anything you shoot with it.  Dead!! 

Rtspring

[brokenvet]

If your shooting plan is below 400 yards, then the .280 and 06 will be fine.  Above 400 yards you should look into the 338 win mag or heavier. 

I have both calibers and I favor the .280 (Ruger M77 tang safety) probably because it is a lighter gun than my Remington 700 in 06.   

[Smithandsonstaxidermy]

30-06 is elk in the dirt. Easy choice.

[brew]

whats the difference between an elk shot in the lungs with an '06 at 400 yards and and elk shot in the lungs with a 300  mag at 400 yards ?  only about 4"......

[hillbilli]

So yes the guys have recommended several good rifles, and several good calibers. I would say something in the .30-06 class of power, that has commonly available ammo.. .270 and .280 are nearly identical in performance, but .270 is much easier to find ammo for. If you really want a magnum- then you'll notice that 7 rem mag and 300 win mag are much easier to find ammo for than the varoius "short magnum" cartridges..

[Simcoe hunter]

The shop here in town has a Browning A Bolt in 280 that I was going to have to have, until I saw the BOSS on the end of the barrel.

[Shooter]

 

300 win or 300wsm

[billdo5]

300 Weatherby is 480$ at sportsmans warehouse in Federal Way thats 200$ off.. Its a sweat deal so I bought one lol

[Labs07]

If I were going to choose one of those two I would go with the 30-06.  I shoot a 338 for Elk and have killed every Elk I aimed at.

[Roperfive88]

I like the 338 Win Mag for a dedicated elk rifle.  You should consider a Savage 111 package.  It comes with a Nikon scope and is only $511 at East County Guns

Except I would go with the 300 wsm. I'm just not a fan of the .338. I have two savage guns and they shoot really well out of the box.

[Taco280AI]

Just stick with the '06 option, with good bullets, certainly don't need a 300 or 338 magnum for elk.

[bearpaw]

If that was my budget, I would pick up a Ruger American in 30-06 and slap a Vortex crossfire scope on it.  Would be a great entry level set up

   With your budget the Ruger American is a great choice and I think they make it in a 30/06, probably find it for about $349, so out the door for under $400. Most of your inexpensive rifles are not made in .280. 

Not positive how much you can spend for a scope but try to spend as much on the scope, that is just as important as the rifle.

[Jrzbullelk]

Savage Axis 270 win. you cant go wrong with this gun i have two of them, plus there is a lot of 270 ammo out there still and they are very accurate 

[HighlandLofts]

You should check out some of the Pawn Shops for a rifle, I've bought some nice guns from pawn shops. Most of them will give you ninty days to pay for your item with 25% down. When I buy a 280 it will be a Ruger 77, I like that caliber. I have 30-06, 7MM mag, 243, 308 and a few others.

[coachcw]

I'm not a big fan of pawn shop guns , good chance you could be buying some ones crapper . there is plenty of decent new rifles that wont break the bank . savage , and tika both fit the bill .300wsm is a tough all around caliber to beat , blt action accurate clip gun . decent lep rings and a vx 2 you will get many good years outta her.

[Tikka300wsm]

check out the t/c venture. looks like a good gun for the money

[2labs]

Buy a Howa or a Ruger American. Hey billdo guess who makes that new weatherby of yours?

[Dan-o]

I like the 338 Win Mag for a dedicated elk rifle.  You should consider a Savage 111 package.  It comes with a Nikon scope and is only $511 at East County Guns

We have a winner.     
If you want a good deer/elk rifle, that combo with the NIKON BDC scope comes in 7MM Rem Mag.   Sweet combo for under $500.

[Dan-o]

I won't hate on the Savage AXIS package, but it comes with a fishbonker scope and doesn't have the accu trigger.

The Savage 111 with the accu trigger and the NIKON BDC scope is $100 or so more expensive, but a way better bargain IMHO.

[navy83]

Of your 2. Get the 30-06 and for a rifle look at the tikka t3. You cant go wrong with that combo.

I personally have that gun and it is great. I have never had a rifle perform as well as the Tikkia. I shoot 180 grain bullets out of it and couldn't be happier. it has a free-floating barrel and is on overall good gun

[jason stevens]

Anyone you choose will work I like my 7mm rem mag for everything but shot placement is all that matters

[C-Money]

I would think a Howa would be a good choice for the money. .270 win, 30-06, or .280, no worries, good, proven elk killers. Use good bullets, and shoot enough to get use to your rifle before season. Let us know what you get!!!

[turkeyfeather]

I'd also say the T3, but because its a lighter gun I prefer it in a .270

[summit creek]

7mm mag

[Simcoe hunter]

I'm not a big fan of pawn shop guns , good chance you could be buying some ones crapper . there is plenty of decent new rifles that wont break the bank . savage , and tika both fit the bill .300wsm is a tough all around caliber to beat , blt action accurate clip gun . decent lep rings and a vx 2 you will get many good years outta her.

Coach is right.  There are several low priced rifles that are capable of far better accuracy than rifles used to be.  Marlin, Savage, Howa, Tikka, T/C Venture, Mossberg and Ruger American to name a few.  All of these rifles have been used and tested with more than satisfactory results.  Some with excellent results.  And others have come out with features that have sent the higher end manufacturers scrambling to play catch up.  So the rifle should be something that fits, or feels good when you throw it up to your shoulder.  If you aren't comfortable with fit/feel and aesthetics you will cuss it the rest of the days you own it.

Caliber is easy.  NOT.  Have you shot a high powered rifle before?  Do you know if you are recoil sensitive or not?  If recoil doesn't bother you get the biggest caliber you want- 300 mag, 338 etc...  If you haven't shot high power before find a friend and explain your situation and ask if you could shoot a round or two.  The .270 Win is very capable in the hands of a true hunter who is willing to wait for a good shot or get a better position.

And here is where I agree with Coach the most.  GET GOOD GLASS AND MOUNTS.  All of the rifles above are very capable.  But aren't worth a rats hiney if you can't see what you are going to shoot at.  Good mounts will help to keep it aligned and on target.  And their is a huge difference in how well you can see out of the glass that different companies sell.  Do at least as much research and leg work on this as the rifle.

[WSU]

If you haven't shot much I would get some kind of standard caliber that isn't too punishing to shoot (that's good advice even if you have shot a lot).  I'd buy .270, 30-06, or something similar.