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Elk/Mule deer gun
#6520240
10/31/16 08:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 330
ejj005
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 330 |
Ok so looking forward in the next few years, I am wanting to try my hand at doing a little more than whitetail hunting. I use a 243 and a 308 religiously hunting deer and hogs. But I am thinking I need to upgrade to a larger cartridge. Not looking to shoot 500 yds but if the need arises would like the ability. Main thing for me is having a clean and humane kill which I know with a 308 and me doing my part I would be fine.
So as far as new rifles go what are the best options? Under $1000 preferably. Tikka, weatherby, or Remington 700? Calibers? 30-06, 270, 7mm, 300 win mag? What do you guys think?
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520250
10/31/16 09:03 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,414
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,414 |
You'll only get about 20 different answers on this... .308 is all you really need, but what's the fun of elk hunting if you can't do it with a new toy? I'm partial to my .300WSM and have elk and a number of mulies under it's belt. Versatile flat shooting round.
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: dkershen]
#6520252
10/31/16 09:04 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,414
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,414 |
You'll only get about 20 different answers on this... .308 is all you really need, but what's the fun of elk hunting if you can't do it with a new toy? I'm partial to my .300WSM and have elk and a number of mulies under it's belt. Versatile flat shooting round. $1000 inclusive of glass?
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520293
10/31/16 09:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,588
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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The WSM family in my mind are perfect elk cartridges with 270 WSM being my go to.
Last edited by TexFlip; 10/31/16 09:25 PM.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520324
10/31/16 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,607
Revoman
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I've shot everything but an elk with my 280. Wouldn't hesitate one second on using it. Kind of like my 300 WM that I've been using the past two years. Dropped two mulies with it so far.
Call'm an Kill'm
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520391
10/31/16 10:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,836
Drop Tine
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,836 |
I would take my 270 wsm and either 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tips or 150 gr Nosler Partitions, if I was going after elk.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520400
10/31/16 10:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,230
J.G.
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 41,230 |
Tikka .300 Win Mag.
Friend of mine got one, on my advice. I worked up a load for it with 210's. Sledge hammer of a mass produced rifle.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520412
10/31/16 10:29 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140 |
270 win. Or 3006. 150 - 180 grain. JMO?
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520608
11/01/16 12:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,426
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,426 |
A friend lives in Colorado. His whole family hunts elk very successfully with 243's. Dad hauls a 300 Win Mag because of a bear encounter a few years ago in the first season.
Your 308 with Barnes 150's will be fine unless you just want something new.
Invest the funds in a quality scope and binos - and a gym membership.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520620
11/01/16 12:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,956
Jgraider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,956 |
I'm with jeffbird. Buy the best bino you can afford, and keep the .308 unless you just want something new, and that's always a good enough reason. I've been to Africa 4 times, and every time there has been another hunter with me using a .308 with Barnes TTSX or Nosler partitions. It makes quick work of plains game up to eland size with good bullet placement.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520648
11/01/16 12:41 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,192
TexasVine
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,192 |
As many have said, the 308 is a great caliber for what your looking for unless your looking for a new rifle. Out of the three gun manufactures you mentioned, I experience with two. Both the Tikka and Remington 700's have served me well.
TexasVine
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520663
11/01/16 12:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I have killed Mule Deer in Texas and Alberta along with Red Stag in New Zealand with 130 grain out of my .270. I have a .280 now that I am using on Mule Deer here in Texas. Pick a caliber that you like to shoot, along with the right bullet and then put that bullet were it needs to be. You will do fine with your choice.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520740
11/01/16 01:18 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,426
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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As far as brands Win M70 or its clone Montana Rifle Company in stainless and synthetic. The Mauser M12 looks well designed, but I have not used it so cannot offer first hand experience with it, but it likely will be my next purchase. Chambering of your choice. But buy good binos first. MRC in Colorado looking for elk.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520779
11/01/16 01:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 2,394 |
Killed my one and only elk with a .270, also used a .270 on my one nilgai. So .308 unless you want something ew.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: jeffbird]
#6520789
11/01/16 01:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,230
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,230 |
Sweet rig, Jeff. Cept for the quarters.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: J.G.]
#6520836
11/01/16 02:08 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,426
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Sweet rig, Jeff. Cept for the quarters. Thank you.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520932
11/01/16 02:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
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308 will kill Elk, I have killed 29 elk with a 30.06, 2 with a 375 H&H and, 3 with a 243.
Take the gun you shoot best and can carry well. I started with a Remington 700 ADL and moved onto a Sako 75 both chambered in 30.06.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520953
11/01/16 03:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 330
ejj005
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 330 |
Most of the answers are what I was expecting. Definitely wanting to get something new of course!!! I have heard so many good things about the Tikkas. I believe I will try and go that route in a stainless model synthetic stock. Probably a .270 or 30-06. Need to research the .280 more. Not familiar with that round. Thabks guys for all of the answers.
How high powered of binos do I have to have. Was looking at getting some Vortex Diamondback 12x50 this year but if I need better I may just hold off.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6520969
11/01/16 03:15 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,426
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,426 |
10x42's or even 8x32's, optical quality matters more than magnification.
Also consider weight and comfort holding them for long periods.
Vortex just does not do much for me.
Swarovski or Zeiss top or mid-tiers are great if the budget allows.
Pentax for mid-price range is another good option.
Watch the weight, they grow heavier as the day goes on.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6521015
11/01/16 03:44 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,781
Gone to Texas
Veteran Tracker
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6521020
11/01/16 03:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Bino question is more about where are you hunting?
There are wide open spaces and quakie forest in which you can see 50 yards at most. If you are hunting wide open spaces a good spotting scope is a whole lot easier to use, if you are in the quakies good 8x are the best. If you are walking up and down mountains carrying big binos sucks. I hunted 30 years every year in Colorado and never carried any thing more than 8x32 binos. You are really looking for small details within 200 yards. The tip of an antler, the twitch of a tail or, legs through brush. If you are wanting to see elk over a mile away then a spotting scope is just easier to use.
My favorite binos for Colorado are my old small 8x32 Swarovski.
Last edited by Just Nate; 11/01/16 03:49 AM.
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: dkershen]
#6521095
11/01/16 10:55 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
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.308 is all you really need, but what's the fun of elk hunting if you can't do it with a new toy? Right on both counts!
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6521144
11/01/16 12:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,230
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,230 |
Not looking to shoot 500 yds but if the need arises would like the ability. Main thing for me is having a clean and humane kill So y'all are saying a .308 Win is a 500 yard elk gun?
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: J.G.]
#6521150
11/01/16 12:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,182
Dave3575
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,182 |
Not looking to shoot 500 yds but if the need arises would like the ability. Main thing for me is having a clean and humane kill So y'all are saying a .308 Win is a 500 yard elk gun? of course it is. i'm as big a fan as any on 6.5's, wildcats and the occasional WTF did you just make round - but a 308 will drop an elk at 500 yards without any hesitation.... that being said - if you want a shiny new toy for your elk trip and it's a few years out I would save a few more dollars and build a 6.5 SAUM or a 26 Nosler and have a gun for life that will drop anything on this continent and most things on most other continents.....
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Re: Elk/Mule deer gun
[Re: ejj005]
#6521156
11/01/16 12:18 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,058
HWY_MAN
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If it was me I'd go with the 7 mag or the 300 Win. 150 to 160 in the 7-mag and 150 to 180 in the 300. Most companies offer a rifle in the range your looking for and you can add some decent glass and still keep it under 1000.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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