Ideal 1000yd Elk rifle?

[kdumph]

With the wealth of information on this thread I'm almost more torn on what to get anymore. Would greatly appreciate some more sound advice.
This is where I'm at so far,
.338 or larger, the Lapua, .338/378, perhaps 338win mag? Other suggestions?
I do reload, whats the most cost efficient round to reload and easiest to find bullets/brass so on for?
Lighter is better, but not at the expense of accuracy. I only walk hunt, and though I can I would rather avoid a 20 pound meathammer.
Recommendations on gun maker? Leaning towards the Weathererby Mark V's at the moment due to weight and attractive price. No issue going custom though and spending the money. Custom builders?
One other thing is I would like to load the round down as well, for whitetail or anything else I fancy.
Disclaimer to avoid getting off topic!
I am an experienced shooter, and realize what it takes to shoot into the 1000 yard mark and the moral decisions that come with it when hunting at those ranges.
Thank you for any help guys.

 

[liltank]

I'll end this open can of argument quickly. 338 anything. If you don't want a 338 anything, then go with the 30 caliber magnums of your choice. If you don't like the 30 caliber magnums of your choice, then look at the 7mm magnums of your choice. If you don't like that, then look at the 6.5mm magnums of your choice. To most, anything smaller is worthless, to others, anything under magnums will work. So we'll leave it at that. I know where this thread is headed, so tread lightly!

Tank

 

[kdumph]

I'll end this open can of argument quickly. 338 anything. If you don't want a 338 anything, then go with the 30 caliber magnums of your choice. If you don't like the 30 caliber magnums of your choice, then look at the 7mm magnums of your choice. If you don't like that, then look at the 6.5mm magnums of your choice. To most, anything smaller is worthless, to others, anything under magnums will work. So we'll leave it at that. I know where this thread is headed, so tread lightly!

Tank

Way to take the smart way out! Like I said I'm almost drawing the line at 338. I own a 7mm magnum and though it shoots out to 1000yards, I would have more piece of mind with a larger round . So I guess this is to become a battle of the .338s.

 

[canderson]

I don't elk hunt in Arkansas but, I vote for an edge. I have one and it flat shoots and hits hard way out there.

 

[kdumph]

I don't elk hunt in Arkansas but, I vote for an edge. I have one and it flat shoots and hits hard way out there.

Gun build? best loads?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Weatherby Mark V AccuMark .30-378 Wby Mag would be my choice...

The Accumarks are hand-built & fitted rifles....You're buying a semi-custom rifle that has been hand-fitted. Can't beat it for the $2K pricetag.

I have an Accumark .257 Wby Mag and I love it! You will be amazwd at the fitment and accuracy.

 

[canderson]

My edge is a BAT HR action with a 30" krieger barrel muscle brake in a McMillan a-5 stock. Nightfroce 5-22. Around 92 grains h1000 with 300 Berger (2820 fps).

 

[MMERSS]

Take any of this

I'll end this open can of argument quickly. 338 anything. If you don't want a 338 anything, then go with the 30 caliber magnums of your choice. If you don't like the 30 caliber magnums of your choice, then look at the 7mm magnums of your choice. If you don't like that, then look at the 6.5mm magnums of your choice. To most, anything smaller is worthless, to others, anything under magnums will work. So we'll leave it at that. I know where this thread is headed, so tread lightly!

and for advice here

Would greatly appreciate some more sound advice.

Go practice at 1000 yards...alot... and see how you do before taking a shot at any animal to include an elk at that range. You may be surprised how difficult a task this can be and selection of a rifle is only a portion of the equation, often the easiest.

 

[kdumph]

Take any of this

and for advice here

Go practice at 1000 yards...alot... and see how you do before taking a shot at any animal to include an elk at that range. You may be surprised how difficult a task this can be and selection of a rifle is only a portion of the equation, often the easiest.

Understandable, staying on topic... Thank you for the recommendations and info thus far.

 

[MMERSS]

For what it's worth I currently use a heavy 338 for LR elk hunting and will soon be moving to uber heavy (338 AM), if there is such a term.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

IMO any of the 300 mags might make a decent 1,000 yd whitetail cartridge but elk aren't built quite as frail as whitetails. Shots at 1,000 yds don't always land exactly where you plan either. I'm in the 338 mag and larger camp.

Cheapest way to go would be a 338 RUM with rifles, components and equipment easy and inexpensive to find.

 

[angus-5024]

kdumph,
I hate to be the guy to put a damper on things, but there a few points that need to be made about .338's before I can give a recommendation. .338 wins don't count. they are "baby" .338's.

1- .338's are expensive. about double the cost of shooting a 7mm rem or smaller and about 30% more than a .300 win. these are both very capable to 800 yards.

2-recoil. 99% of shooters cant shoot a light gun with over 40 lbs. of recoil. that is with a break. I know that you may be thinking "but I can. I've been shooting all my life". I have seen big men that can shoot there guns very well at 100 yards step up to a light .338 (around 10 lbs.) and get stomped. You might be able to, just make sure you can before you step into one. I have only met one person that could step behind a .338 like that.

3- weight- more recoil means you want at least a 10 lbs. gun or more. most guys are between 12-15 lbs.

4-muzzle blast- you NEED a break. plan on always having plugs on hand or an electronic plug in always.

5- THEY KICK ***!!!- yes you need one, I just wanted to let you know that they are a tough horse to ride, but once you do you wont go back. It almost feels like cheating at times.

So the Weatherbys are very nice, and for 2k you wont get anything better. take your pick of the .338 lapua, .338-.378 or the .340 wby. all 1000 yard elk killers.
I have a Remington XCR in .338 rum that is about half the price, but I put a break on it, and am in the process of opening up the mag well (which cannot be done with the wby). It is well under 10 lbs.

 

[clemens]

Kdumph where are you from?

 

[kdumph]

All good to know, just finished up reading another great thread on weights. I'm going to go ahead and say I'm shooting for under 15 pounds.
Also after some comments and more research the .338 RUM seems like a solid choice also. Been looking at Defensive Edge's website and the Canyon and light weight long range rifles seem to have just about everything I'm looking for.

Angus, was already planning on the break. Also anything that will effectively cut down on recoil I will invest in, my days of being hard for no reason are long gone.

Clemens, I'm from Colorado.