Long Range Elk Caliber?

[super186]

So I was looking to buy a new elk gun. I know a 30-06, 7mm, 300 mag will all do the trick in a normal hunting situation. I am looking for a longer range elk rifle. Say 400+ yards that I don't have to hold over huge amounts for bullet drop compensation. If you were me, what caliber of rifle would you be looking at? I am not creating my own loads. Thanks for your opinions.

[carpsniperg2]

Both the 7 and 300 will do you fine. Run a good bullet with a good bc and both will be fine for what you are asking.

[trophyhunt]

I have a browning a bolt .300 win mag with a huskemaw scope, farthest shot is 650 on a bear.  It's been a good marriage.  The best of the west guys like the 7mm ultra mag under their scope and it shoots very well. You dial the yardage and if no wind, just put the crosshairs on the kill spot, they have windage marks if it's windy.  I'd go huskemaw or night force if you have the money.  And I'd go .300 win mag or 7mm ultra mag.

[trophyhunt]

I'll add, with one of the best of the west gun scope set ups, jackmaster and I hit a small car size rock at 1 mile.  Actually it was 1550 yards.

[buglebuster]

.300 WM with 190gr long range accubonds

[kentrek]

If your not making your own loads I wouldn't worry about shooting much past 400 yards

[Hilltop123]

Like already stated, the 7 or 300 will treat you right.

[trophyhunt]

I buy the 190 grn burger from best of the west, the bullet is matched to my gun and scope. It works really well, I only wish they held together better after impact.  But they have not let me down.

[kentrek]

I buy the 190 grn burger from best of the west, the bullet is matched to my gun and scope. It works really well, I only wish they held together better after impact.  But they have not let me down.

Bergers are nice for longrange but check the tip with a needle to make sure the hollow point is actually hollow

[b23]

The 300 Win Mag is a great all around cartridge and you can buy some pretty decent ammo for them.  I've always been a fan of .30 cal stuff and shot a 300 WBY Accumark for years and it never let me down.

If you're wanting a good Elk hammer that will reach out there with factory loaded ammo the 300 Win mag, 300 Wby, 300 Rem Ultra mag will all get the job done for you and not break the bank in the process.

Nothing wrong with the 7's, I just had one built, and they can do a fine job of hammering them too but to get the heavy for caliber bullets you'll likely have to reload.

[wadu1]

Tagging
I'm looking at .338 Lapua  for long range. I hand load so that should not be a problem. 

[Antlershed]

.300 WM with 190gr long range accubonds

This would be good medicine for the ranges being discussed.

I'll add, you don't need to spend the money on NF or Huskemaw to shoot a mile. 

[bobcat]

I would suggest a 300 Weatherby Magnum or a 300 Remington Ultra Mag.

338 Lapua would do really well but you'd want to handload for it.

Nothing wrong with the 7mm Remington Mag or 300 Win Mag either.

[Special T]

If you want off the shelf capability then 300 win mag. If your a hand loader the something in the .338 catagory

[blackveltbowhunter]

If your not making your own loads I wouldn't worry about shooting much past 400 yards

 

I am no shooter. That's my disclaimer. But if I ever got into it serious, I would probably get a reasonable but not crazy gun/scope combo and budget some coin to get reloading equipment and a trigger job. If looking to get into it, my research leads me to believe you would be hard pressed to do better than a 300 win mag.