Caliber for medium range Elk

[nksmfamjp]

OK, here is the scenario.....you are a medium range 0-600 yd elk hunter. You are looking for a rifle with moderate(light as possible without a brake) recoil, under 10lbs with scope and on a model 70 action.....

the real question is what caliber? 284 Win, 280 AI, 30-06(AI or regular).....or jump to the magnum bolt face and 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Wthby, etc..

thoughts?

Merry Christmas!

 

[Blackdirt Cowboy]

I'd go with a 7mm in some flavor of magnum. No real reason behind that other than I like them and they will do the job you're asking them to do.

 

[walter351]

I recommend the 264 Win Mag. I have found my 264 to be a light recoiling gun that makes long shots easy. Works well on elk too! Contrary to what many people will try and tell you elk are not reinforced with concrete and rebar. When I see bad shots it is typically from someone who believed elk were bullet proof, they bought more gun then they can handle, make a poor shot, and then thank god they had the bigger cartridge. My 2 cents.

 

[Hand Skills]

30 cal

 

[cody finch]

300 wsm

 

[Deleted member 102985]

My daughter 19,g an elk every year with a 270 wsm. Great round low recoil. All but one have been 1 shot kills most went less than 20 yards if not dead right there.

 

[blacktail 8541]

I have never had a problem with a 280 AI in 30 years of use. Burns less powder than the magnums but has plenty of down range umph. If you really want a short action, the 300 Wsm is a great cartridge.

 

[lancetkenyon]

.280AI or 7SAUM w. 160-180 gr bullets.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

30-06 or 280ai.

 

[memtb]

You're looking for my wife's .338 WM. Sub 9 pound (scoped, loaded, slung), doesn't have or need a brake! 225 TTSX's @ 2950, I believe that it meets your requirements! memtb

 

[WildRose]

OK, here is the scenario.....you are a medium range 0-600 yd elk hunter. You are looking for a rifle with moderate(light as possible without a brake) recoil, under 10lbs with scope and on a model 70 action.....

the real question is what caliber? 284 Win, 280 AI, 30-06(AI or regular).....or jump to the magnum bolt face and 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Wthby, etc..

thoughts?

Merry Christmas!

With those criteria I'd probably go with either a .264wm or 7mm Rem. Shoot 140's in the .264 and something in the 150-168gr class in the 7mm and recoil will be very tolerable especially with a brake.

 

[WildRose]

I recommend the 264 Win Mag. I have found my 264 to be a light recoiling gun that makes long shots easy. Works well on elk too! Contrary to what many people will try and tell you elk are not reinforced with concrete and rebar. When I see bad shots it is typically from someone who believed elk were bullet proof, they bought more gun then they can handle, make a poor shot, and then thank god they had the bigger cartridge. My 2 cents.

An old friend who guided bear hunts in AK for about forty years had the same thought process. Most of his "problem hunters" brought more gun than they could shoot without flinching and blew their shots.

He said he'd much prefer a guy shooting a .264wm or 7mm Rem he was competent and comfortable with than any of the super magnums they lacked experience and confidence with/in.

 

[jlreff]

300 win mag. Running a Barnes or hammer bullet.

 

[WildRose]

300 win mag. Running a Barnes or hammer bullet.

"Light as possible recoil".

The 300wm is the "do it all" of rifle calibers but it's not considered by most to be light on recoil.