Big Game Rifle...What Caliber???

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10-18-2012, 05:47 AM

#41

Muley Hunter

Giant Nontypical

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Colorado

Posts: 9,557

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridge Runner

If long range hunting is boring its cause ya suck at it.
RR

Lots of dead coyotes won't agree with you.

10-18-2012, 06:41 AM

#42

elkdeerbear

Spike

Join Date: Apr 2011

Location: Florissant, Colorado

Posts: 62

I'd get a Remington Model 700 in 338 Remington Ultra Mag or a Browning X-Bolt in 325 Winchester Short Mag. Both are awesome calibers with great knockdown power. I shot my first elk with a 30-06 but wouldn't use less than a 300 Win. Mag now.

10-18-2012, 06:56 AM

#43

Muley Hunter

Giant Nontypical

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Colorado

Posts: 9,557

This was written by a friend of mine. Hopefully it backs up some of what i've been saying. He's a biologist, and knows elk very well.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/blogs/wes...er-elk-hunting

10-18-2012, 06:57 AM

#44

TheMASTERBlaster

Spike

Join Date: Oct 2012

Posts: 15

30.06. 25.06 is flatter shooting but will not have the knock down power, like the 30.06 for the bigger animals like bear or elk.

10-18-2012, 01:05 PM

#45

Murdy

Typical Buck

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: North Central Illinois

Posts: 848

Quote:

Originally Posted by homers brother

Performance-wise, and from experience, the Weatherby Vanguard is very hard to beat for the money, and I'm hearing the Series II is an improvement over the original.

Just bought a Savage, but I looked real close at the Series II before I did, and it's a real nice gun. Economical too, you can pick one up under $500 on line.

10-18-2012, 01:40 PM

#46

streetglideok

Fork Horn

Join Date: Nov 2008

Location: Colorado Springs

Posts: 360

Make sure to check the state regulations on caliber restrictions. The best caliber to hunt elk with, is almost always the caliber you shoot the most accurate with, and are the most comfortable with. A 338RUM is useless if one can not hit the broad side of a barn due to the fierce recoil. Depending on range, and terrain/vegetation, a 243 would suffice, though not my idea of a good gun. A 30/30 in the hands of a competent shooter can, and has killed its fair share of elk. You just have to accept your maximum distance limits. I myself, have a 30/30, 30'06, 7mm rem mag, 300 win mag, 300RUM, 375H&H, and a 45/70, and every one of them is suitable for elk, and I have plenty of trigger time behind them all, so I am confident with them. A 308, 270, 280, all your 30 caliber magnums, 7mm's, and pretty much on up from there works. If you want to shoot longer ranges, and are capable, then look at the 300 magnums and bigger.

My 7mm mag, and 300RUM are both winchester M70s, and have seen elk hunting. The 300win is an Xbolt, and is what my wife shoots, and the 375 is a remmy 798. If I'm going to hunt wide open area, or thinner timber, the RUM comes with me. If I dont know what I'll see, the 7mm or 375 comes with me, as they have lower power scopes. If its thick timber and brush, my marlin 45/70 with ghost ring sights rides alongside me.
Thats my two cents, not adjusted for inflation.

Last edited by streetglideok; 10-18-2012 at 01:49 PM.

10-18-2012, 01:49 PM

#47

jerry d

Nontypical Buck

Join Date: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,143

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetglideok

A 338RUM is useless if one can not hit the broad side of a barn due to the fierce recoil. Depending on range, and terrain/vegetation, a 243 would suffice, though not my idea of a good gun.

This is very true and in that case the 243 is the better choice if that's the gun you're accurate with.

10-21-2012, 09:53 AM

#48

563andy1983

Spike

Join Date: Mar 2009

Posts: 38

asking what kind of gun to use is like asking whats a good beer! EVERYONE has a different chioce... personally i use a 223 for all my elk hunting in colorado and works great!