I like reading these type threads and seeing them derailed and dudes recommending what they have or what the OP doesn't want, comical.
Well...he asked for opinions, and got a bunch. Without going back and re-reading the entire steaming pile, I think it's safe to say that most of them suggested he re-think his choice. When he did, he came up with "a cheap .30-30" as the choice for elk. Lots of .30-cal guns were recommended, but I don't think anyone even mentioned a .30-30 until the OP did, almost a hundred posts into the thread.
Woah.....a 6.5x55 is ok for Elk?????
Not sure if you are serious or if there is a touch of sarcasm here... However, if the Swede is on your list for consideration for a 6.5 caliber, it is not a bad one. And of course it will handle an elk shot at a reasonable distance. It shares some advantages with the 6.5x284 Norma. That advantage is that the case is shorter, but it uses a long action. This clears the way for using the very long 140 grain bullets that perform the best. There are two disadvantages of the Swede that should be considered though. The case capacity is 57 grains compared to the 66 grains for the 6.5 Norma. And the other one is that in military configuration this cartridge was approved to a very low pressure -- as little as 51,000 psi. However, when you put it in a modern gun like a Remington 700, there is no reason it can't handle 60,000 psi or a bit more. The problem is finding loading data, that will use that higher pressure. Many guides due to liability issues will not exceed the limits for the old military guns. In any case here is an article that explains it.
In short. It is a good choice providing it is in a new modern action, but I would still pick the Norma over the Swede.
Aaaaaaaannnndddd....now we're discussing an SKS for an elk rifle...of course, it's just a back-up to a higher-end factory rifle in another chambering that nobody has suggested. Right.
Just get a smith to rechamber your SKS into 6.5somethingorother and call it good.
6.5x284 Norma is a long action....maybe I should be looking at 6.5 Creedmoor...I see there are some factory offerings in higher end rifles....
. I live in SW Ontario, so it has to be under .275 caliber. .
So how did we get to the 30-30 and the SKS from a 5K rifle under .275 ?????
Because CGN..... that's why......
Here is my take.......
The Sks isn't a hunting rifle, never was, never will be.....
The 30-30 is range limited when talking whitetail..... how someone would think of it as a potential elk rifle is beyond me......
If you want a "Do all" rifle in southern ontario, get a friggen' 270...... I prefer tailored rifles but I can't logically argue that a .270 won't do the job from coyote to elk as that would be nonsense.....
A 6.5 swede used within its limits on elk would make the 30-30 look like Hillary Clinton on Election Day....... give your head a shake....
"Moral opposition" against the .270 is reserved for people that don't think a "cheap 30-30" is an elk rifle.... or are willing to buy tailored rifles for their choice of game..... OP, get over yourself...you totally jumped the shark on that assessment........
I am not sure that I like your tone!




























