Its 2023 and you're going on your first elk hunt. What rifle/cartridge do you choose?

Northern Shooter said:
It's both. I want that all weather package that is suited for a pack in multi-day hunt in rough environments, comfortable enough to carry in challenging terrain but also in a cartridge capable of reaching out and getting the job done above and beyond what .308/30.06 can do.

I've never hunted mountainous terrain previously so having the option with a cartridge to "stretch it's legs" would be a added bonus. This will likely end up being an elk, sheep, goat....bear(?) rifle.
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https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeHunter/specSheets/57124.html

my vote, 24", 7rm, 8.1 lb, the drt formula on the larger game is strong with this option if needing more hp than the 06, see the 338/7rm thread, too bad no 338 wm or you'd be all set off the shelf buy new today, the formula makes way better sense to me in 7rm than the 338 wm so that's the one to have if you're not dead set on that diameter or cartridge
 
blakeyboy said:
https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeHunter/specSheets/57124.html

my vote, 24", 7rm, 8.1 lb, the drt formula on the larger game is strong with this option if needing more hp than the 06, see the 338/7rm thread, too bad no 338 wm or you'd be all set off the shelf buy new today, the formula makes way better sense to me in 7rm than the 338 wm so that's the one to have if you're not dead set on that diameter or cartridge
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Ruger are one of my top contenders for this rifle, I would love to find a Ruger Guide Gun, in 338 WM.
 
Northern Shooter said:
Ruger are one of my top contenders for this rifle, I would love to find a Ruger Guide Gun, in 338 WM.
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used gun shopping for you...or...rebarrel a new one? which models make it easiest to rebarrel? got a decent smith? quit horsing around now, grab a new donor, get that barrel ordered, you're set on the 338 wm...scratch that itch ;)

see what korth has in stock if the retailers don't have one on shelf, they will get one sent where you need to your preferred dealers
 
well easy

I have a Browning X bolt, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation version, in 325WSM, it would only be proper to take that one... :)

but other that that I think the Ruger M77 in 7mm RM would be just as good, to the Savage 110 in 300WM or the Savage 116 in 338WM

there are lots of good choices out there
 
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While there may be less mountain climbing.involved in (especially late season) elk hunting than some think, it can certainly involve a lot of hiking.

I lasted about 3 seasons with a wood stock mkii 338 before I tapped out and got a lighter gun. At the time I did forestry assessment in the northern rockies literally climbing mountains everyday with a 10lb shovel in hand.

Take from that what you will

Also as much as I like 250-275 bullets. 210s and 225 certainly have the "lightning bolt" effect of the 7mm and will smash anything that gets in their way. If you know you know, sorry no data collection was conducted
 
Elk hunting out to 400m I would choose any 7mm or .30-cal magnum cartridge. In my safe currently there is a Tikka T3X in 7mm Rem Mag and a Weatherby Mark V in .300 Wby Mag that are both ready to hunt. Either will do, and I would match the scope capabilities to the terrain (7-mag is wearing a 2.5-10x42, .300 is wearing a 4-16x44).
 
EDIT: missed the boat on the hunt this year but picked up a Ruger in 338 WinMag to take an elk in 2024. Time to start testing out various loads to see what it likes.
 
If I was buying a new rifle then it would almost certainly be a carbon-barreled synthetic stocked 300 Winchester. My cousin has a Christensen that he has had excellent luck with.

But given where I am in life, I'd be taking my Dad's custom 7mm Weatherby that he had built back in the 60s. That rifle needs to kill an elk.
 
This year I'm using my Sako AV in 375 H&H mag. Load is a hand loaded 285 grain Speer Grand Slam bullet. Should work!!
 
BigUglyMan said:
If I was buying a new rifle then it would almost certainly be a carbon-barreled synthetic stocked 300 Winchester. My cousin has a Christensen that he has had excellent luck with.

But given where I am in life, I'd be taking my Dad's custom 7mm Weatherby that he had built back in the 60s. That rifle needs to kill an elk.
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Worst case get a new synthetic stock and hunt that 7mm Wby, they'll never make another one.
 
MiG25 said:
Worst case get a new synthetic stock and hunt that 7mm Wby, they'll never make another one.
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I'm not optimistic that anyone makes a synthetic stock with an inlet for a BSA. So I guess I'll have to stick with highly figured walnut!

Yi2yWoP.jpeg
 
Northern Shooter said:
EDIT: missed the boat on the hunt this year but picked up a Ruger in 338 WinMag to take an elk in 2024. Time to start testing out various loads to see what it likes.
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Oh you did snag one? Awesome! Hope you find what it likes nice and easily!!

BigUglyMan said:
I'm not optimistic that anyone makes a synthetic stock with an inlet for a BSA. So I guess I'll have to stick with highly figured walnut!
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Heck of a nice handle.
 
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