I’m going between a 6.5 prc and a 6.5 saum in a surgeon action
Other suggestions ??
Thanks in advance
Bill
Other suggestions ??
Thanks in advance
Bill
- Thread starter Mag 300
- Start date
I'd use at least a 7mm cal short mag. 30cal is better. Mass is your friend.
7 saum
300 WSM
I know 6.5 can drop elk but a 7mm is my minimum for something that size.
300 WSM
I know 6.5 can drop elk but a 7mm is my minimum for something that size.
I’ve killed elk with both...they’ve died just as quick as the ones shot with my 7 SAUMs/WSMs, 7 Mag, 300 WSMs etc
I took an elk last year with 7 saum, I highly recommend it. Shot it at 300 yards and it walked 10 feet and died.
I sent from 6.5 SAUM to 300 WSM. Both work well, but I feel more comfortable with WSM.
300wsm got me two, last year at 200 and 400yds. i mean, they died, but after seeing them acting somewhat nonchalantly after being solidly hit, i'm pretty sold on larger vs smaller calibers.
May just scrap the current build and go with long action like. 300 PRC
Or get a Seekins element or another build with a 787 action
Or get a Seekins element or another build with a 787 action
While I agree the only caveat is that if he loses his ammo or doesn't reload it's a moot point. I love my 7SS to death but that is the one downfall if I travel out west. Almost might benefit from a medium action as well though at that point you could go 7 SS Max
7 saum/wsm or 300 wsm. I don’t think the 6.5 rounds are ideal for elk sized game. You do transfer more momentum and cause a larger temporary wound cavity with larger bore diameters
Thanks so much
I do reload and have for 15 years so it’s a great option
Just need a bough “”slap” when it hits
I do reload and have for 15 years so it’s a great option
Just need a bough “”slap” when it hits
Why compromise with something that “could” work?
300 WSM will get it done.
300 WSM will get it done.
No way a 308 or such based/equivalent cartridges can kill elks...
Read on the interwebs you gotta have one those fire breather, dragon slayer magnums. Never mind shot placement...
Last edited:
.284 Winchester, or if you want real knock down power a .350 Remington Magnum.
While a 308 will do, I sure in the fuck wouldn't travel halfway across the country to hunt elk with one...
Thanks so much
I do reload and have for 15 years so it’s a great option
Just need a enough “”slap” when it hits
I do reload and have for 15 years so it’s a great option
Just need a enough “”slap” when it hits
Another vote for the 300wsm.
I just got a 7sst done, 22" benchmark carbon on a Terminus Apollo Lite action. 175gr berger elite hunters going 2920-2940fps. It's a hot ass load for sure, and I'll more than likely back it down to the next stable charge weight of rl26, but I smoked my ram this year at 780yds, softball size exit through the chest cavity. I love the 7's, and am way happy with this sherman offering. The case geometry is really what the short mags should have been from the start imo
Always funny how travel distance effects a cartridges capability...
I hear it coming...sound the bugle for the last day, last minute guys fretting to take an ass shot or other piss poor shot opportunities.
Here’s 4 of the last 6 elk shot with my 20” 6.5 PRC that “coulda been deader” with a more “adequate” cartridge. 139 Scenars started at 2920. 378yds, 510yds, 430Yds and 217 respectively...my daughter’s cow ran about 50-60 yards and the 3 others were DRT.
Attachments
While I agree 100%, I have an uncle that is a bit of a half ass that brought a 243 on a self guided elk hunt in Idaho. That dipshit shot a really nice bull at 430 yards and dropped it right in it tracks.
Unless you have trouble shooting a bigger round, it is always going to kill better than a smaller one. Not sure anybody would debate this.
It really is that simple and I don't understand people that want to argue it.
I like that solution. the 300 PRC is a modern long bullet, high BC cartridge. 190 grain .30 caliber long range hunting load with great energy retention. Go big or go home....
6.5 PRC will handle an elk. The SAUM can hold more sparkly powder but you'll (eventually) be able to buy 6.5 PRC factory ammo. SAUM... doubt it.
In any case, I'd just shoot a 300 WSM. My Browning X-Bolt is accurate and weighs about as much as my manhood fully loaded and scoped.
In any case, I'd just shoot a 300 WSM. My Browning X-Bolt is accurate and weighs about as much as my manhood fully loaded and scoped.
Last edited:
As many of you stated it’s better to shoot what you can accurately and since Elk hunts for me are few and far in-between I want to have the best rifle cal that offers best performance in a large animal
7 saum might be it
300 wsm also
7 saum might be it
300 wsm also
Last edited:
Yes. The largest you can shoot accurate. I know lots of people who hunt with the 243 and various small 6.5's. I still vote 300wsm.
I think this is kind of the issue. I have one to two elk tags a year, and live in elk country, so it is easy for me to say fuck it, I am buying the right rifle for elk because I get enough out of it that I don't feel the need to compromise. I totally get that isn't the case for most people, which is where these questions come from. Nobody really wants to shoot a good elk rifle for fun all year long.
Choid
What do you shoot ??
What do you shoot ??
7 Saum
Stupid question. Spending a bit of coin to hunt a fairly large animal, why limit ones firearm to a short action?
Not limiting
Want the right gun
But just happen to have a McMillan stitch Surgeon Prague short action , bottom
Metal and trigger sitting here so thought why not see what this could make
Want the right gun
But just happen to have a McMillan stitch Surgeon Prague short action , bottom
Metal and trigger sitting here so thought why not see what this could make
And so can a 6.5 Grendel, or so I've heard. And folks shoot them elks with arrows! That's not really the point though. If you want to be humane and ANCHOR a 400-500-800 pound elk, especially at longer ranges you have to do one thing and one thing only.
You have to perforate BOTH lungs. Preferably with an exit wound on the far side as well. The latter easier said than done, especially at longer ranges with smaller calibers. Skin perforations over and outside of lungs are called sucking wounds. The animal draws a breath and it cannot inflate the lungs - both lungs. Death from brain asphyxiation is a heck of a lot quicker with those. hence more humane.
Applies to all hunted animals. I wrote a piece on this site about this kind of thing. You can find it here:
I'm strongly of the opinion that .30 caliber is it for Elk. A .308 will do just fine if the range is short and the round is hot with a good bullet that expands nominally and retains weight. Longer than short range, and although I have not tried one, the 300 PRC on paper seems to be the ticket. Nothing wrong with the hot 7mm rounds either.
It's a hot .30 no issues. I'm all for .30s on Elk. .308 worked fine at shorter ranges too.
.308 loaded hot. And stay inside 250 yards. Back in the 80's I used a Rem 700 in .308 with Nosler green tips, 165 grain compressed loads for mountain hunts on the Eastern WA Cascades. Forget the powder particulars but they were extremely accurate. Never meant for more than 200~250 yards...
Last edited:
Hit a bull elk in the ten ring with a 6.5 creed factory Barnes 127lrx at 320yds. Fell over dead right there. Didn’t take one step. It was a good shot placement but still more then accomplished the job.
And you did your part perfectly! Congrats on a very well placed shot. Not the norm for some shooters. I wrote the above post for general shooters that might miss the sweet spot. I have and admit it! On quail hunts too!!
