Rifle Reccomendations

[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.