Elk/Deer Rifle performance

[bretterath]

So I'm gonna build a 8lb mountain rifle. This has been a year of buying and selling barrels cause I keep changing my mind on caliber. I have a 300 rum that I have used the last 5 years and it's a great rifle but want to build something lighter. I have it stuck in my head that I need a big 30 cal for elk. Is the 30 cal king for elk in all aspects or will the 7 saum or 7 prc work just as good? I also think I need to have a rifle that shoots 3k fps or more. I have had this ocd on large magnums and speed for too long.

Does the mass with the 30 cal on a 225 eldm vs a 180 berger or eldm kill a lot faster than a 180 7mm? I would like to be able to spot my own shots also cause I do hunt solo a lot too. I did buy a new TI pro 5 for the rum to try.
This gun will be for longrange if need be.

I have the antiX in a LA mag boltface and a Mesa stock, it will have a hindged floor plate with a proof barrel 24"

 

[Barehandlineman11]

338 is king. Big 30 cal does the job. I wouldnt shoot elk with anything smaller. If 3k is your goal 300 norma improved will push a 230 3k. If mag bf only id go 30 nosler itll push 215 over 3k and 230 around 2950. I just did a 30-28 nosler it pushes 230 a tips at 3k

 

[bsnyder]

Distance will be the key factor. If over 800 I'd say 30 cal. The heavy caliber bullets give you more leeway if shot placement isn't perfect. That's my opinion. We killed three elk last year over 700 2 with a 28 nosler and 1 sherman max. The 28 was a 20 inch barrel running a can shooting at 195 Berger at 3k the 7 max was running a 190 matrix at 2980. All three elk died. The Berger exited the matrix did not. The Berger animals went 15-25 yards each. The matrix went straight down. I'm going to start building a 300 Norma improved but it will not be 8lbs as I have no desire to shoot that even my 7's that we have built are about 9-9.5 with optics. That includes 2 7 prc's 1 7 max. If going 8 lbs and staying 800 and in on elk. I'd say go 7mm and enjoy. 30 cal and 225 grain bullet at 3k will be sporty to manage the recoil and spot your own impacts. Just my .02 cents and it's not even worth that with the current inflation rate.

 

[Stokesrjsr]

I use two long range rifles, one a 6.5-300 Weatherby, the other a 30-378 Weatherby. My 6.5 is built on a Prairie Gun Works Titanium action with a McMillan Edge Hunter blind magazine stock and weighs 6.5 lbs with a Leupold MKV HD TLR 3-15. It kills with authority everything I have shot with it from Coues Whitetail to Moose. However, all those have been 560 yards max. For truly long range, I prefer my 30-378 which would be very similar to your Ultra Mag but I use the 215 grain Berger Hybrid Target. Yes, I know it is the thicker jacketed version, not the thinner jacketed hunting versions. But it absolutely crushes elk at long range and will still provide both sub MOA accuracy and terminal performance at 1,000 yards. I've also shot quite a few animals with a .338 Lapua Magnum but prefer the 30-378. It seems to kill quicker beyond 700 yards. The downside is that my 30-378 weighs 4 lbs more than my 6.5 with the same scope and brass is $4 each. I realize your bolt face won't work with a 30-378 and for that reason would suggest a 300 PRC instead now that Lapua is making brass.

 

[bretterath]

Are any of you able to spot shots with your 30 cals at like 500 yards

 

[bultinkle]

Here we go again

Why do you need 3k fps? Is it required for your range needs to keep your selected bullet above impact velocity threshold or is it a magic number you want?

 

[Tiny Tim]

Are any of you able to spot shots with your 30 cals at like 500 yards

I think that gets more and more difficult for the average shooter. 200ish grain pills at 3,000 fps in an 8 lbs rifle gets difficult to spot shots.

 

[Stokesrjsr]

Are any of you able to spot shots with your 30 cals at like 500 yards

Yes, I can with my 30-378 Weatherby MKV which surprises me. It is a heavier rifle at 10.5 lbs but the real reason is that the muzzle brake seems to be more efficient with 114 grains of powder. My 300 win Mag doesn't allow me back on target as quickly.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Bullet placement.

Not that my .300RUM pushing a 215 @ 3100 or 230 @ 3113fps ever did not perform. In fact, now that I think about it....only once had an elk take a step after getting hit by that freight train. But it was a 15+# boat anchor. So I sold it and built a 10# .300PRC that is pushing a 215 @ 2932fps suppressed from a 26" w. H1000. It is brand new with only 59 rounds down the barrel, and still tinkering with the load however.

Funny thing is, we have taken far more elk with my 7RM than the .300RUM. Because, the 7RM is far easier to shoot for a smaller framed or less experienced shooter. Even at 10.5#. From about 60 to 882, the 180 Hyb @ 2996fps has crushed elk. But they have all run between 10-60 yards after the hit. I also have a 7SS pushing a 184 Hyb @ 2816fps and a 28 Nos pushing a 195 EOL @ 3084fps. Just waiting on those elk tags to come in.

 

[sable tireur]

kill a lot faster than a 180 7mm?

I would like to be able to spot my own shots also cause I do hunt solo a lot too.

a proof barrel 24"

Everyone will want to get in on the opinions about the right cartridge and the right bullet but realize that the concept of 'kill faster' is dependent on shot placement and wound damage from that shot placement. Even using the most highly vaunted .338 Lapua will only wound an elk when shot in hind quarters. It might fall down but it will get up and move off until it bleeds out and fails.

Spotting your own shots relies on managing recoil which is controlled by several variables, one of which is the weight of the rifle. To combat the recoil of the larger caliber cartridges, your muzzle brake or better yet, your suppressor, will act to help maintain your spotting of your shots.

Funny thing is, we have taken far more elk with my 7RM than the .300RUM. Because, the 7RM is far easier to shoot for a smaller framed or less experienced shooter.

There have been a ton of elk dispatched by the 7mm Rem. Mag. and yes, you can achieve the desired 3,000 fps. by working up your loads.

What is the caliber of your 24" Proof barrel?

Enjoy the process!

 

[memtb]

338 is king. Big 30 cal does the job. I wouldnt shoot elk with anything smaller. If 3k is your goal 300 norma improved will push a 230 3k. If mag bf only id go 30 nosler itll push 215 over 3k and 230 around 2950. I just did a 30-28 nosler it pushes 230 a tips at 3k

^^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^ memtb

 

[Barehandlineman11]

I got a buddy that tracks wounded animals in arizona with hounds. He tracks a few hundred a year. Number one cartridge? 7mm.
Not saying a 7mm 6.5 or 6mm wont kill a elk. Heck i bet Ive killed 15 as a kid with a 25/06. Shot placement is critical. But your a fool if you hunted enough elk to say you can guarantee a perfect shot every time thats why bigger makes things nice. I might be different but i can shoot my lapua just as good as a creedmoor. Elk are tough I personally shoot them in the shoulder first shot it demobilizes them. Ive seen many elk make it a long ways without vitals.

 

[sable tireur]

Number one cartridge? 7mm

We all know that this is most likely attributed to the hunter making a poor shot. Read the thread above about hunter abilities.

You're entitled to your opinion but so are the rest of us with experience to back it up.

Have a great day!

 

[Barehandlineman11]

Are any of you able to spot shots with your 30 cals at like 500 yards

My 300 norma 30 nosler i can spot my hits at 300 yards on 25x. 338 i can do 400