Elk rifle ????

[bobcat]

If you read the original post, he was talking about getting a rifle that would work for both elk hunting, and long range target shooting. (not long range elk shooting)

[204chucknorris]

No not 1000 yard elk hunting, just fun 1000 yard shooting. The gun will more than likely be some sort of caliber for this year and then a 338 edge next year just cuz!

[woodrat]

yes, I went back and re-read it, point taken. I did see the picture that someone posted of an elk shot at 925 yards, though, and I wondered ...

[SkookumHntr]

300 WSM Browning A-bolt.  Love it!

Tuff to beat that gun!

[p-ohana]

I have a browning a-bolt 300 wsm and a Howa 1500 338. I've killed 2 elk with my 300wsm 1 at 90m and 1 at 423m. I just got my 338 and i love it. I have a 2 inch group at 400m with 210 nosler partitions.

[sakoshooter]

What about a 7mm mag can't believe it hasn't come up yet.

 For long range shooting? It's barely any better than a 30-06.     (unless you're talking the 7mm Rem Ultra mag)

7mm Mag is about on a par with the 30-06. But with a lot more recoil.
.338 would be my choice. I shoot one myself and like it. It'll shoot heavy bullets in timber and light bullets in open country. All good.

[Woodchuck]

.338WM 

[Skillet]

7mm Mag is about on a par with the 30-06. But with a lot more recoil.

I figure this statement right here is the most likely one of the thread so far to start a battle... 

I shoot the '06, but knew a guy who was so in love with his favorite round he swore his 7mm RemMag all but had the steaks cut and wrapped by the time you got the the elk.

Either one is a good elk round, especially if you use heavy-for-caliber bullets in the '06 (no lighter than 180's in a good bullet).  But really, the gun doesn't do the hunting, the hunter does.  Just do your part to get as close as you can and put a good bullet in the right spot.   To paraphrase what Bob33 said in another thread "the elk aren't smart enough to know the difference."

[Wacenturion]

.325 WSM Browning Medallion Grade 3 with an octagon barrel.  Great elk caliber.  Beautiful rifle....special run for 2007 shot show.

[Curly]

No not 1000 yard elk hunting, just fun 1000 yard shooting. The gun will more than likely be some sort of caliber for this year and then a 338 edge next year just cuz!

Then get a fast 7mm type of rifle (RUM, STW, etc) now and then next year the 338EDGE.  7mm bullets and .338 bullets have really high BC's so that is where I'd look.

[LincolnTWilliams]

No not 1000 yard elk hunting, just fun 1000 yard shooting. The gun will more than likely be some sort of caliber for this year and then a 338 edge next year just cuz!

Then get a fast 7mm type of rifle (RUM, STW, etc) now and then next year the 338EDGE.  7mm bullets and .338 bullets have really high BC's so that is where I'd look.

There it is! I was looking for someone to mention high balistic coefiecients.

The 338rum is on my list of "I need/just want" rifles. Any one have one that is not broke? Recoil is supposed to be intense. That video clip of elk taken with a 6.5x284 is impressive but that bullet is carying so little energy at that distance it scares me.  When I shot my bull this year I plugged him with my new 375Ruger, I know shot placement is everything but when you pull the trigger on that thing there is a sence of confidence that is carried by that 260 gr. Accubon.

I'd stick with 30 cal or larger. And a case that will push whatever you are shooting 3000 fps or faster.

[sakoshooter]

I took a 3rd place trophy home one day a few years back at my local gun club in an amateur 600yd bench rest competition. 8.5" group mostly in the bull with 225 gr Hornady Interlocs. Cheap bullets to shoot for fun and relatively accurate.
My point is: When you're looking at long distance big game performance, ignore muzzle velocity and muzzle energy values. Do the math and look at the figures for calibers and bullet weights past 200 + 300yds. Then you'll see that heavier bullets and larger calibers win the discussion.
I'd also recommend a muzzle break unless you're comfortable shooting heavy calibers. I shoot my .338 much  better and certainly enjoy it more since I had a good muzzle break installed. Some of my hand loads shoot sub MOA out of my Rem 700 w/glass bedded/free floated barrel and I can actually do it on a regular basis knowing it's not going to beat the tar out of me.
Also, practice.

[gunnarnewt]

     Amen Sako! All I care about is what's the energy on target downrange, and when you get out past 2 or 3 hundred yards, I want that confidence that you get with the heavier bullets and bigger cartridges.

[Buckjunkie]

For Elk I would use for the largest caliber you can shoot without flinching.  I would also be sure to use bullets with a sectional density of at least .280, .300 preferable.

It isn't as important on a small bull that isn't excited, but you don't always get to choose the situation.  If you have to take a quartering shot at a big bull that is on the move, you have to break them down.  Trying to break the offside shoulder on a large bull is no small task.  

I would consider a .284 caliber with a 160gr bullet at 3000FPS to be the minimum.  I know all you 270 lovers out there wont like this, but it is only one mans opinion.  I like the 300 Ultra with a bonded 180-200gr bullet, or my 8MM with 220 gr bullets.

Best of luck

[300UltraMagShooter]

It is all about shot placement....


get a 22-250