What Elk Gun to buy?
 

If you were going to buy a rifle for a Wyoming elk hunt. What would you buy and why? Which scope would you put on it?

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Remington 700 in the caliber you are comfortable with. I like Nikon for the money.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

"I buy" eh?

So it's not foryou, thus I don't need to inquire as to what you already own, what you have already experienced, how much gumption you've got, your recoil managment skills, etc, etc,etc....[:'(]

Well, don't really need to buy anything in order to go, but if I was adding one on just because, then probably a 338-378 Weatherby and a Leupy scope with 3 to 4 on the low end and 12 to 16 on the high end. (2nd choice 338 RUM, 3rd choice 300 RUM in a Stainless Sendero with the same scope).

Why? Because I can handle the friskier cartridges just fine and I really like the results I see of off the end of my barrel when I use cartridges in that genre, especially with elk type critters. I like them to just "give it up right then and there" even without a CNS shot; I hate tracking, even short (100 yard jobs), especially if you're looking to pop more than one out of a herd.... the results need to be definitive. I like Barnes TSX bullets so let's push'em.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

BUCKTOWN

Easy.... Tikka Lite 300 Win Mag with a Bushnell Elite 3200 with Rain Guard 3x9x40

It is a shooter.... and don't get fooled by the shortmags...

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Browning a-bolt or kimber 8400 in .338 win mag or .325 wsm with a leupold vx3 or vxL in 4.5x-14.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I'd build a custom 338 Lapua and top it with a Leupold VX-7 3.5-14x50

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Id take my Tikka T3 Stainless Lite in 300 WSM! I love that gun!

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

BUCKTOWN;
These guys would be a lot of fun at party's, huh?
I have a Ruger M77 in stainless with composite stock in the .300 WIN MAG. (Not that short s@!t)
Topped with a Nikon Monarch 3 - 9. I use this gun for everything. Antelope, bear, deer, elk, moose (if I ever get a tag!). Will do it all.

Example: Last Friday I took a mulie doe at 397 yards . . . uphill, into the sun, with a crosswind. Well, that might be stretching it a bit. But it knocked her down at 397! Winchester Supreme AccuBond in 180 grains for everything.

You won't be sorry, and a gun you could likely use at home for local game.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Well, since you asked, I would go with a Remington 700 Mountain LSS in .30-'06, likely with a 2-7(or 8)x 3_ scope.

I'm very partial to Remingtons - they just seem to fit me like nothing else. I currently have a 700 CDL in .30-'06 with a Zeiss Conquest in 3-9x40 perched atop it in Leupold Dual Dovetail rings. It's a wonderful setup, and I took a nice 6x5 with it in October. After draggingthat riflethrough some nasty-a$$ scrub up in BC, though, I'm thinking that saving some weight & barrel length might not be such a bad thing after all. The Mountain LSS is 2" shorter, & roughly 1 lb. lighter. Some weight could also be saved in the scope and rings, too.

The .30-'06 can get the job done well, though I won't deny that the .338 WM would add substantially more oomph. However, shooting a 6½ lb. rifle chambered in .338 WMwould be too rich for my blood, recoil-wise. I'd consider a Remington Model 7 CDL in .350 Remington Magnum, but that rifle weighs nearly as much as the Model 700.

I'm absolutely in love with my Conquest, but a smaller scope in 7x or 8x would still be perfectly adequate even well past the '06's range. I'd consider the Conquest in 2.5-8x32, or the Nikon Monarchs, Brownings, Bushnell Elites, or even the (gulp!) Leupolds in the same magnifcation range. Ilovemy Dual Dovetail Rings, but if Talley Lightweights or something else would offer me the same secure hold with a weight savings, I'd consider those.

Such a setup wouldn't be ideal at the range: the barrel would heat up very quickly, & that kind ofscope wouldn't be my 1st choice for shooting targets at 200 to 300 yards. However, the gun would come up lightning-fast, be quite accurate, have enough guts to quickly harvest everything save for the biggest bears, be manageable in recoil thanks to the excellent R3 pad, slide easily into a saddle scabbard, handle the weather very well, not be overly bothered by being drug through the brush. Most importantly, it would fit me like a glove.

The only down side I can see is that the bolt wouldn't lock in the closed position with the safety engaged, like the Rugers, Savages, and probably some others do. That became more than a slight annoyance during my forays into the brambles.

But, that's MY choice. What's YOURS?

FC

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Oh! You'll need a 327 ultra lazerpuaroni and zeisswarski 3-20 80mm.
Just buy what ever round in the 270 range on up that you will be comfortable with and shoot well. 3 -9 X optics and you're ready to go.
It's a personal choice for the rifle. Remington, Tikka,Sako,Ruger,Browning et al are all good. Go with what fits and feels good to you chambered ina round that you can have no problem with the recoil. Optics buy the best you can afford. Bushnell,Leupold,Burris,Nikon etc all make good scopes.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

THANKS FOR YOUR INFO. I ADMIT I'M NOT A RIFLEMAN. THERE IS VERY LITTLE WE CAN SHOOT HERE IN ILLINOISWITH HIGH POWER OTHER THAN TARGET LEGALLY.
SO THIS IS NEW TERRITORY. I'M THINKING IDEALLY I WOULD CHOOSE SOMETHING STAINLESS WITH SYNTHETIC STOCK, LIGHTER WEIGHT IN THE .300WSM RANGE TOPPED BY EITHER A NIKON MONARCH OR LUEPOLD SCOPE 3X9. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

for elk ,at 250yds or less thinking that the 338federal might be worth a look

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Wyoming Elk Hunt on Horseback I can only recommend 5 brands currently made, of course custom mausers,winchesters and Dakotas will work even better but more expensive.

Ruger 77 300 win, 338 win ,375 Ruger(if you can handle the recoil)
CZ 550 30-06 or 375 H&H(recoil etc)
Sako 75 300wsm,325wsm,300 win mag,338 win mag
Winchester Model 70 300 win mag,338win mag
Weatherby Vanguard 30-06,300wsm,300win ,338

Can't believe I left the vanguard off the list


All the above rifles with the exception of the CZ(bit on the heavy side)are easy to carry around and extremely reliable in an area where there are no gunmiths or repair centers around the corner,They are coincidentally the most reliable rifles I have handled and owned. When the rifle must go bang and there are things in the brush that can kill you.


For a Ranch huntwhere the rifle gets coddledand babiedwould be in this order:

Browning abolt or new Xbolt
Tikka T3
Remington 700
Savage

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Sounds good all the way around. To me, the rifle's fit is critically important, even more important than the choice of cartridge. Handle as many rifles as you can, & see which one picks you. When your rifle fits like a glove, it gives you supreme confidence, & that's awfully important tocarry into the field with you.

300 WSM will definitely do the job. I personally trend toward the longer-established cartridges, on account of generally lower ammeaux prices, & higher odds of finding ammo in the areas where I'll be hunting. These criteria are my own, however: others hunt successfully with any number of wildcat cartridges. Whatever pleases you, will please you!

Find a rifle that fits you like noother, then get thee to the range with it! I'd also recommend bringing along a full-sized .22 and a brick of ammo. You can shoot the .22 while the centerfire is cooling-off. Plus, you can get lots of offhand practice without wasting your shoulder or hearing.

FC

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Another vote for the Weatherby 338-378.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 300WSM (since you mentioned that cartridge) with a Leupold VXII 4-12x40.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Ruger #1 in 7mm Rem Mag. IOR 6 x 42 w/ Weaver QD rings.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I recommend a 338-magnum (338-win mag, 338-R.U.M. or 340-Weatherby) for a elk only rifle.

I recommendSwarovski 3x10x40mm. or Zeiss conquest 3x10x40mm. scope.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Get a CZ 550 American Ultimate hunting rifle < (actual name)in 300 win. mag, or a CZ 550 American in a 6.5x55 swed. or 260 rem. Dont get the newer model 700's. Trust me remingtons prices went up and the quality went down.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

My Dad has the browning in 300wsm with a leupold vx-2 3-9x40, great gun. I have the 7mm wsm in a ruger stain./ synthetic withthevx-L 3.5-10x50. If you get a short mag, just keep your eyes peeled atMidway USA; as they run sales on this ammo all the time. I get mine for about 15 a box plus shipping (not very expensive considering I would have to drive 20+ miles to get it myself). Good shopping and good luck!

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

In all seriousness, if the rifle will be used for elk only you can't go wrong with one of the stainless synthetic/laminate rifles from any of the major manufacurers (just depends on which one catches your eye and fits you best) chambered for 300 Win Mag. As far as optics go, you get a lot of scope for the money with the Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Although I personally shoot a 338WM in a BAR, I would recommend whatever caliber you prefer from a 300WM to a 338WM with at least a 180 grain bullet and whatever rifle action you prefer. Put at least a 3-9 scope on it and practice your long shots from different field shooting positions (not from a bench rest). Figure out your own distance limits and then have fun.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

If I had the money, I'd get a CZ 550 American in 9.3 X 62. Not b/c I need it, but b/c I want it!

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

FC,
Good point. I'm surprised at the number of hunters that don't recognize the pitfall. It is a nasty surprise to have the object of your hunt at your disposal in front of you and all you have to do is shoot it and then you unsling it and pull up your rifle for the shot and the bolt is open, the chamber round is long since laying back on the trail somewhereand your action is full of twigs, leaves, dirt, and crap.... classic blown opportunity....

Then again Remington safeties don't have a great reputation to begin with (suddenly firing whenswitched to "safety off" AND the ":coming open in the field" factor).Fortunately the after market makes a nice three position safety for the 700's like as is found standard on an M-70 or Kimber.... the way a rifleman's safety should be IMHO.

Fundamental....

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

260 for elk? Seems pretty light.

I'm also thinking that aguy who a) doesn't shoot rifles much and b) by virtue of location can't *use* rifles much might not want/need a big-time long range cartridge like 338-378 wby that he'll have to spend $100each timehe buysa box of shells. Ditto the 338 Lapua. Holy smokes - I can't believe nobody suggested a 50 bmg.

I think a more sensible, realistic approach is something in the 7 mag - 300 mag - 338 Win Mag range. 338-06 or 35 Whelan would also be good choices. Or, even though it pains me to say it: just a plain old 30-06.

As for the rifle brand, Ruger offers a quality product ata reasonable price. And it's dependable. It'll take anything you can dish out.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

And some guys go to a great expense to make them look like Model 70's when that is what they should have purchased in the first place. I don't mind the sliding safety but I wish the d&&nb bolt would lock. The trigger is enclosed as well where dirt and debri can accumulate creating an unsafe trigger. The new XMark Pro trigger is more open which will alleviate this but it is still not as clean as a Mauser,Winchester or Ruger trigger. The other downfall to a Remington is it's propensity to not feed right especially when using stubby cartridges..they seem to pop out at inopportune times. Magnum calibers have the rivetedextractor that can break if there is debris on the bolt face. STandard calibers of newer manufacture do not have a rivet. The extractor button which can freeze if not maintained properly and which is ignored by 90% of owners of 700's. Bottom line this is a complicated mechanism and there are simpler more reliable pushfeeds out there.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I can agree control round feed are better for the stubby rounds like a 300wsm but the rest IMHO is bure b.s.
Who in there right mind would have thier gun slung when walking thru thick stuff ,when by very nature if you're in it the gun should be unslung to begin with. Remingtons go bang when the safety is switched off when someone that doesn't know what they are doing adjusts the trigger. That can happen to just about any firearm when a nimrod starts to tinker.
I'm not shilling for any one gun maker , I own or have owned Weatherby, Ruger,Remington,Sako,Browning,Savage and Winchester over the years. I might be going out on a limb but Remington 700's in one for or another have probably accounted for more game in a bolt rifle than any two other combined in North America.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I Actually CRF is not a great system for short stubby rounds ..I know it because short of a Tikka I have owned every rifle that chambers a 300 wsm in existence. CRF prevents engaging another round when you have a live round in the chamber. Don't think so then see what African Dangerous game hunting rifles use surely you don't think they use Remington 700's do you?



You don't have to walk thru any brush it will come undone sooner or later. happened to me toooooooo many times to believe what you say.



Nothing to do with tinkering although at 6lbs a trigger will be safer as set by the factory...they are a closed design dirt or debris gets in there and it will AD.Just read their owner manual and trigger maintence which most don't bother with .Look at the lawsuits they have had and the redesign of their safety system. While your at it research Xmark Pro triggers which are more open in design and safer in response to their trigger problems.


No doubting that . The fact is it ihas to be maintained and certain areas checked on a regular basis for it to be used. Extractor clean,Ejector function, trigger clean and free of debri etc etc.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I see a couple of problems with this logic:

1. the rifle was slung over the shoulder
2. A round in the chamber while the rifle was slung

I personally never do this while I'm hunting. If my rifle is slung there is never a round in the chamber. If there is a round in the chamber I carry my rifle at the ready position.That way I have complete control of the muzzle.

I always lower the firing pin on a empty chamber for two reasons.

1. I can confirm that the rifle is completely safe (no way a empty rifle with a lowered firing pin is going off accidentaly)by looking at the firing pin or in a pinch I can even fill the firing pin and know that its down.

2. You eliminate the chance of a hang fire. In freezing weather condensation can freeze around the firing pin. If the pin is in the cocked position when you squeeze the trigger you can get delayed locking or failure to fire. Conversely, if the rifle is carried with the chamber empty and the firing pin unlocked the mechanical camming of the bolt should bust any ice that may have formed.

The added benifit would be that the bolt is unlikely to come open considering the added force needed to cock the firing pin, thus no worry of sticks and leaves etc........

when in thick cover or stalking close to an animal you can quietly chamber a round and carry it in the ready position.


Do everyone, including yourself, a favor and do not trust any mechanical safety. The best safety is the one between your ears.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

.300 Wby Mag, .300 RUM. and a Zeiss Conquest 4-14x42.Good luck.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

Tikka T3 Lite chambered in .338 Federal pushing a 180 grain Accubond.

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

i would say a remington model 700 30-06 and a Nikon scope

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I have my doubts on that. *If* Remmy bolts have taken more than Winchester, I can't imagine it's by *that* much.

Regardless, it doesn't really prove anything about Remington, other than popularity. 30-30 rounds have probably still taken more deer in the US than any other cartridge - does that mean it's a flawless round, better than some of the newer offerings?

RE: What Elk Gun to buy?
 

I think you are definitely on the right track as far as the type of rifle and caliber, but I would go with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9 or 4.5-14 for my optics.

If it was me, I would pick up a 300 WSM barrel for my Blaser R-93 and sight it in and be good to go.