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Elk rifle help
#7846767
05/21/20 04:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442
aggiegolfer09
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442 |
I plan on going on an elk hunt in the next few years. Currently my 2 biggest calibers are 7mm-08 and 6.5 CM. I am thinking about getting a new Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846772
05/21/20 04:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
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I plan on going on an elk hunt in the next few years. Currently my 2 biggest calibers are 7mm-08 and 6.5 CM. I am thinking about getting a new Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. If you get a Tikka get a 300 wsm and then bring either 6.5 or 7/08 as back up, with that said I personally would have zero issue taking an elk under 400 yards with with the 7/08 or CM. Over that better calibers with more retained energy
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846775
05/21/20 04:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,955
txtrophy85
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a 7mm-08 will kill an elk at a reasonable distance with a good bullet like a 140 grain accubond.
A better elk caliber is a .300 magnum of any flavor with a 180 grain bullet like a partition or Accubond.
400 yards Is a long way to shoot but in certain situations you could stretch a shot that far. 500 yards is pretty dang far even on a elk and I would avoid that shot on an animal even if you are a experienced target shooter. Too many factors come into play at that range.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846777
05/21/20 04:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. 7 Rem Mag if it'll stabilize 180's .300 Win Mag makes more speed, than the short mag. I loaded for a friend's Tikka .300 Win Mag with 210 gr Berger VLD-Hunting. He sends me pics every time he puts something down with it, loves it! I'm not trying to sell you on a Berger. I'm trying to sell you on a 7 Rem Mag with 180's (what I use) or a .300 Win Mag with 200 gr, or heavier bullets. Just in case you need to make that +400 yard shot, you brought enough gun.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846779
05/21/20 04:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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I’m personally not a WSM fan but any of the three will get the job done. 7 mag I’d shoot 180s, 300, would be 200 plus.
I’ve never Elk hunted or even pretended too so take it for what it’s worth.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846781
05/21/20 04:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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I guess I type too slow, lol.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: J.G.]
#7846782
05/21/20 04:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. 7 Rem Mag if it'll stabilize 180's .300 Win Mag makes more speed, than the short mag. I loaded for a friend's Tikka .300 Win Mag with 210 gr Berger VLD-Hunting. He sends me pics every time he puts something down with it, loves it! I'm not trying to sell you on a Berger. I'm trying to sell you on a 7 Rem Mag with 180's (what I use) or a .300 Win Mag with 200 gr, or heavier bullets. Just in case you need to make that +400 yard shot, you brought enough gun. Do you ha e to change out the bottom metal to shoot 210’s?
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846789
05/21/20 04:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
Extreme Tracker
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I was in a very similar position and opted to do a 7mag Got a Tikka superlight and dropped into a McMillan carbon stock it shoots several loads to the same point of impact at 100 yards, obviously at distance there is going to be a difference between different loads
I really can't tell the difference in recoil between 162g Hornady ELDX and Black Hills 175 ELDX
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846796
05/21/20 04:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7,759
snake oil
THF Trophy Hunter
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I'd go with a .300 wm or .300 wsm.
"You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas".
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#7846800
05/21/20 04:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. 7 Rem Mag if it'll stabilize 180's .300 Win Mag makes more speed, than the short mag. I loaded for a friend's Tikka .300 Win Mag with 210 gr Berger VLD-Hunting. He sends me pics every time he puts something down with it, loves it! I'm not trying to sell you on a Berger. I'm trying to sell you on a 7 Rem Mag with 180's (what I use) or a .300 Win Mag with 200 gr, or heavier bullets. Just in case you need to make that +400 yard shot, you brought enough gun. Do you ha e to change out the bottom metal to shoot 210’s? Don't have to, but I did change his. Even then, the free bore in the Tikka barrel is so long that I had to jump those 210's like 100 thousandths. Still got it running very well with the right powder charge.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846824
05/21/20 05:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
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All the calibers listed above will work well. The advantage to the Tikka's are their light weight. The negative to the Tikka's is their light weight, when it comes to recoil. So the magnum's will have heavy recoil, but manageable. A 280 Rem, 30-06, 270 Win, and the other WSM's would work well also. Figure out which bullet you want to shoot, and how fast you want that bullet going, and work your caliber choice backwards from that info. That's generally what I do.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846832
05/21/20 05:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,955
txtrophy85
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you buy a big, heavy rifle to shoot at long range, you will have to pack a big, heavy rifle around in the mountains too, remember that
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846872
05/21/20 05:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442
aggiegolfer09
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
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Posts: 442 |
I plan on shooting with a suppressor so that will help with the recoil some. I would like to take my 7-08 since it’s cut down to 18 inch barrel and light weight but worried it might be enough knock down power
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846878
05/21/20 06:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
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I bought a 300 wby in anticipation of an elk hunt several years ago. Im closer to actually doing the hunting part of it now. I have a 7mm08, 270, 30-06, and the 300 wby. If I take the 300 on the hunt it will be only because that is the reason I bought it. I have no doubt what so ever in the ability of 7mm08-3006 ability to get the job done.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#7846895
05/21/20 06:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,475 |
Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. 7 Rem Mag if it'll stabilize 180's .300 Win Mag makes more speed, than the short mag. I loaded for a friend's Tikka .300 Win Mag with 210 gr Berger VLD-Hunting. He sends me pics every time he puts something down with it, loves it! I'm not trying to sell you on a Berger. I'm trying to sell you on a 7 Rem Mag with 180's (what I use) or a .300 Win Mag with 200 gr, or heavier bullets. Just in case you need to make that +400 yard shot, you brought enough gun. Do you ha e to change out the bottom metal to shoot 210’s? 47000 posts an first time I recall u ASKING a question. that's not a cut at all
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: freerange]
#7846926
05/21/20 06:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
|
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,483 |
Tikka in 7mm, 300 WSM or 300 win. Would all those work pretty well or any I should avoid? I dont plan on taking a shot of more than 400 or 500 yards max. 7 Rem Mag if it'll stabilize 180's .300 Win Mag makes more speed, than the short mag. I loaded for a friend's Tikka .300 Win Mag with 210 gr Berger VLD-Hunting. He sends me pics every time he puts something down with it, loves it! I'm not trying to sell you on a Berger. I'm trying to sell you on a 7 Rem Mag with 180's (what I use) or a .300 Win Mag with 200 gr, or heavier bullets. Just in case you need to make that +400 yard shot, you brought enough gun. Do you ha e to change out the bottom metal to shoot 210’s? 47000 posts an first time I recall u ASKING a question. that's not a cut at all Tikka isn’t my forte’, but thinking about a new 300 for an up north hunt.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846928
05/21/20 06:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267
AZ_Hunter_2000
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267 |
Where are you planning to elk hunt? Deep timber? Open areas? Mid-level elevation? High elevation?
It is easier to get by with a "smaller" caliber, such as the 7mm-08, in timber than in wide open spaces where you may have to shoot 500 yards or longer. While your first shot may be at X yards, your follow up shot may be at Y yards. Ensure that your cartridge sill has enough oomph at Y distance to still reliably expand and penetrate.
Your overall rifle/scope weight may not matter all that much in rolling terrain at 5-7K feet but will matter if chasing elk in 9K+ feet.
I personally recommend shooting the most "powerful" cartridge that you shoot very well. I'm partial to the 300 Win Mag but I am biased: T3X in 300 Win Mag that shoots 190 gr Bergers and flat out kills stuff.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#7846940
05/21/20 06:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
All the calibers listed above will work well. The advantage to the Tikka's are their light weight. The negative to the Tikka's is their light weight, when it comes to recoil. So the magnum's will have heavy recoil, but manageable. A 280 Rem, 30-06, 270 Win, and the other WSM's would work well also. Figure out which bullet you want to shoot, and how fast you want that bullet going, and work your caliber choice backwards from that info. That's generally what I do. X2. My choice would be the Rem. 280 or 30-06. You might want to consider physical condition. A 10-12+ lb rifle at 8-10k elevation can be a millstone around your neck, especially for us flatlanders. Even the LW TIKKAS WILL GET HEAVY.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846956
05/21/20 07:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,337
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,337 |
Once you nail down a caliber got to Scheels to get your hands on a few. I've never seen a place with that depth of selection. You don't have to wait on someone behind a counter to hand it to you, they're right there to get a hold of. You don't have to buy there, but you can definitely get a hands on feel of the fit, weight and balance of a lot of great rifles.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846957
05/21/20 07:23 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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300 wsm or 300 WM with a 215 Berger hybrid.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7846996
05/21/20 08:04 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198 |
OP, for the calibers you asked about for elk: Any of the 300’s are outstanding. So is a 7RM. In the 30 cal. I would be shooting something like a 180 partition or Accubond. In the 7 RM I would be shooting either a 160 partition or Accubond or possibly a 175 partition. For an elk hunting round, look at proven terminal performance. Choose a tough projectile for elk that will hold together and drive through heavy bone and penetrate. Enjoy setting up your Elk rifle.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: onlysmith&wesson]
#7847002
05/21/20 08:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758
cbump
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758 |
Once you nail down a caliber got to Scheels to get your hands on a few. I've never seen a place with that depth of selection. You don't have to wait on someone behind a counter to hand it to you, they're right there to get a hold of. You don't have to buy there, but you can definitely get a hands on feel of the fit, weight and balance of a lot of great rifles. This the place in the colony?
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: aggiegolfer09]
#7847064
05/21/20 09:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,730
10 Gauge
Extreme Tracker
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There os a real nice remington 700 bdl with detachable mag in the classifieds, 300 win mag, with a vx-3 4-14 on it. If I were looking for an elk rifle that is what I would get, and fast, before it is gone
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Elk rifle help
[Re: AZ_Hunter_2000]
#7847133
05/21/20 10:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442
aggiegolfer09
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 442 |
Where are you planning to elk hunt? Deep timber? Open areas? Mid-level elevation? High elevation?
It is easier to get by with a "smaller" caliber, such as the 7mm-08, in timber than in wide open spaces where you may have to shoot 500 yards or longer. While your first shot may be at X yards, your follow up shot may be at Y yards. Ensure that your cartridge sill has enough oomph at Y distance to still reliably expand and penetrate.
Your overall rifle/scope weight may not matter all that much in rolling terrain at 5-7K feet but will matter if chasing elk in 9K+ feet.
I personally recommend shooting the most "powerful" cartridge that you shoot very well. I'm partial to the 300 Win Mag but I am biased: T3X in 300 Win Mag that shoots 190 gr Bergers and flat out kills stuff. Not 100% sure yet but right now I am thinking New Mexico on one of these hunts. https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...2/new-mexico-rifle-elk-hunts#Post7741372I have read a lot of people that said they used a 7-08 or 6.5CM. I was thinking just get a bigger gun to be safe and I could always sell it used later if didnt think I would go big game hunting again.
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