Barrett Fieldcraft if your not recoil sensitive

Bergara Ridgeline

I'm disappointed Scott W has not returned fire on me yet.

That was pretty darn funny Wade!

My Tikka 7mm Rem Mag shoots great with factory ammo. I have not worked up reloads for it since I don't hunt much anymore. Not sure I care about free bore if it shoots tight groups as is.

Of all the WSM's the 270 caught my eye, Mrs. B now hunts with a 270 WSM, I'll stick with my 300 Weatherby.

Two choices I would make right now for an elk gun:

Christensen arms ridgeline in .300 win mag

Weatherby Mark V ultralightweight in .300 win mag or .270 wby mag.


I like the action on the mark V better than the Christensen but the carbon fiber barrel is nice and they will put 5 shots into a dime.

Both are under 7 lbs and are great western rifles

Both will run you around the $2k mark

I've been at the travel trailer/boat show all day chasing my little girl (and son) around all their dream boats and campers. Don't worry, my Tikka 300wm is nice and warm in the safe next to the CTR.

If you can get a resident elk tag - 308/30.06 or Similar

If your paying for a NON-resident (out of state tag) - 300 Win Mag or Similar.

Out of State tags are expensive and I want big energy hitting the elk (Youve spent around a grand plus for license/tag/travel/lodging etc..)

In state tags... yea s 30.06 will certainly kill one.

so elk getting shot by non residents are inherently tougher?


carry enough gun, bar none. all the rounds listed above are fine for elk but to say your fine with a smaller gun because you can get a lesser cost state tag (never keeping in mind limited draws, short seasons, etc ) is rediculous

I agree !
The short mags are great mountain rifles with more than enough power to take the biggest bulls.The bull moose required no tracking.
Bonded bullets are awesome in their ability to take large game. My cow bison went only 10 yds after the shot with my 300wsm . The other hunters around the herd were firing repeatedly at mortally hit animals. The bison is the largest animal by body weight I have taken and I was very impressed with the 300wsm performance.
I find the 300wm and .338 overkill but that's my choice.
Haven't had to track my elk, moose or bison taken with a 300wsm. Deer and pronghorn never know what hit them. Hogs don't like that pill either.
Lots of choices for an elk rifle, pic one that's not going to punish you when you shoot it and enjoy your elk hunt.
My elk rifle is my pronghorn rifle, deer rifle, moose rifle and bison rifle.
You can never have too many rifles though.

One thought are you going to carry it or the guide? Spouse has run into this , had to carry a friends rifle because it was too heavy for him to tote around in the mountains at our elevation. Great accurate, long range rifle, but too dang heavy for mountain carry. Almost cost him his deer. This year he had a more appropriate rifle and was able to carry his own, result a 195" mule deer. A couple of pounds can make a big difference.

This kinda blew my mind too. It’s like the local using a 22 Hornet for his deer because he’s local. He can wound them and it’s ok. WTF. He can keep trying?

Part of the reasoning many us right or wrong but if you are a local you are not as time restricted and feel the pressure of taking a longer shot than say an out of state hunter that just has a few days. In some western states locals have a month or more to get it done. I know locals in Montana that have been getting their elk for years with 7mm-08, 308s and such but they hunt and do not take long range shots most of their elk have been within 200 yards which is well within the wheel house of those for elk.

Not saying right or wrong but it works for them and many more. If you have a month or so to hunt you can be more selective of shots to take than someone with very limited time. Also being local many learn their places and where the animals will be a good part of the time.

You bring up a very good point, Elmer Keith once said the same thing when he was arguing for the 338 caliber. Having only a few days to hunt might make a person take a shot they normally wouldn't, so take enough gun just in case. His point was possibly taking a shot with the critter going straight away or quartering and having enough rifle to make it to the vitals.

Nope. Time restraint, out of state tag, etc. Id rather be overgunned that hits hard when im out of state. The shot is more forgiving, etc .....

Season dates are the same for residents and nonresidents. Even if they weren’t, I fail to see the logic in that, either. The right cartridge is the right cartridge.

7SAUM or 6.5PRC

The only people who believed that elk can’t be killed by .30-06’s and 270’s were gun writers and there followers.

That farce isn’t believed anymore

.22 creedmoor, just the name will scare them to death

but really

Sauer 100 in 6.5 PRC

You can kill an Elk with a .243. However if your hunting out of state and your limited to less than 5 days, I recommend people go over gunned. Your time limited and you may take a shot at longer ranges and or quartering shots. More powerful guns have a better chance of getting to the vitals

I hunt elk every year out of state. I know to bring enough gun

I hope it’s more gun than you would use on Texas elk.

.284 Winchester will get you style points

For style points let’s talk 8mm rem mag..... it’s not economical, it’s probably over kill ( so I geuss it would be ok for us out of staters... ; ) ), and not many folks tote one.

Maybe carry a 30-06 back up to camp. Just in case you find your self needing off the shelf ammo.

.264 win mag.

right on, here come the haters

30-06 with 180 gr bullet has never let me down in Arizona, Colorado or New Mexico