RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

.340 weatherby, 2nd would probably be .338 RUM, then maybe some .300 mag....

but the quitessential long range elk gun is a .338, there's little to argue with that. if not a .338 maybe a .300 RUM or .300 weatherby, the .30-378wby is getting way popular though thats too muchi my book, and if you compare numbers the .340 kinda does more than the .30-378 but ya definitely a .338 mag, and probably not the .338 win mag btw.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

If you are talking about a true long range elk rifle then IMHO none of the ones you listed will qualify and you won't find a rifle on the average gun shops shelf that would be capable of doing it either.

If you are talking at least 600 yards and being able to kill an elk with a single well placed shot then the cartridge needs to be able to fire a mid to heavy for caliber, very streamlinedbullet at 3000 fps or faster and this would be a hand loading proposition only. The rifle would be custom built and capable of .5moa. Then would come countless hours at the range shooting from various different field positions.

My list would include large capacity 30 and 338 cartridges. Just a few that would be on my short list.....

300RUM - will fire at 180 grain bullet at 3300 fps and a 210 grain Berger at 3100+
30-378WBY mag. - Will fire the same bullets about150-200 fps faster.
7.82 Warbird - About the same ballistics as the 30-378.

338RUM - Will fire a 250 grain bullet at 3000 fps and a 225 at 3100+ from a 26" barrel.
338-378WBY mag - Same bullets about 100fps faster.
8.59 Titan - About the same ballistics as the 338-378.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

Well thanks Bigbulls - finally and intelligent answer to this post. I whole heartly agree with your suggestions. I just surprised that no one mentioned their grandpa's 30-30. I just hope none of these guys attempt to shoot and elk at 600 or more yds just because they saw it done on TV.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

IMHO if you cant shoot it with a .338wm then its to far for almost all hunters.That should get you out in the 400 yard range.I know that the hunters around here at my range couldnt tell 200 yards from 400 yards.

And bigbulls you are right on the spot with your answers.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

IMHO Elk for the most part are not long range animals.

I hunt elk every year, this last year I picked up a 340-Weatherby & fell in love. I hunted elk for 21-years with a 300-win mag. The 300-win mag is a good elk rifle. IMHO the 340-Weatherby is a way "gooder" elk rifle.:) My go to elk rifle is my 340-Weatherby.

A true long range elk rifle IMHO would be the 338-Lapua.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

Well yeah.. I mean look at the most popular round the 338 Win Mag..

At 500 Yards the 270 WSM with 150 Grain bullet has more Speed, and Knockdown power and is flatter than the 338 Win Mag..

270 WSM at 500 Yards 150Grain- Speed = 2213 Energy = 1631 Drop = -34.7

338 Win Mag at 500 Yards 180Grain - Speed = 1950 Energy = 1520 Drop = -39.2

So yeah.. I would use the 270 WSM. In fact, the 270 WSM is ballistically better than all of the others listed at 500 yards.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

.300 wby mag.

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

Better than which ones listed?

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

Shakes own head in bewilderment

RE: Long Range Elk Gun
 

I shoot a 338 Remington Utra mag. 300 grain Sierra Matchkings at 2650 fps.