Elk Hunting Rifles, What are you Using?

[nrspence]

Would love some opinions, Building a long range elk gun for a cousin in Montana. Still need his picks but here is what I have it narrowed down to.
Some of his considerations could be price but im not sure, Think he is in around 4000.00 minus scope and is ok with the 1500.00 range on scope.

Between 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, and 7 Backcountry Bullets from 195grn to 210

Actions: Weatherby 307
Zermatt origin
Lone Peak Razor

Barrel: Bartlien Carbon 26" 1:9 twist m24 contour

Trigger: Timeny Elite Hunt

Stocks:
Manner LRH
HS 149
AG adj hunter

Pure precision bottom and accurate mags

Scope: Leupold mark4 6-24

Talley ring base combo

Why the big magnums? He is planning on shooting a lot, and reloading to be proficient at taking elk at 1000 yards +? Be a good cousin and build him a 6.5 PRC, fun to shoot, minimal recoil, can be built on a short action, great factory ammo, great brass, great bullet selection, easy to load for. Inside of 1000 yrds the 6.5 PRC is hard to beat. I’ll say it again, shot placement is king, an easy to shoot caliber/rifle makes it funner to practice, and that equals a better shooter/ proficient elk killer when the opportunity happens.

 

[Mulepackhunter]

Just going off of what he had in mind, he didnt want to drop below 7mm. My main suggestion was 7PRC. And I did bring up shooting experience as far as recoil. I shoot 28 Nosler with a brake and its not terrible to play with.

 

[Mulepackhunter]

I’d prioritize scope over the rifle. To me, his budgets are backwards.

I wouldn’t use Talley rings or bases. Hawkins, NF UL, APA, Seekins, Badger Ordnance, etc.

I wouldn’t build on a Weatherby. Go Zermatt, or Lone Peak, or Impact, or….

I’d swap Timney for TriggerTech.

For stock, I’d go Manners LRH or EH1 or Pro Hunter or Pack Pro. Also look at McMillan Tracker LR.

For cartridge: 7PRC, 7 RM, 7 SAUM, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 SAUM…..

I hear some of that, Rifle will most likely end up around 3400 and scope 2000 somewhere, just depends on what items he picks.
He is stuck on Leupold and big bullets, the backcountry got wedged in there because I have the reamer and ammo on hand.
I have used the Weatherby and measured it several times and they are really good, 400 bucks or more less fits for a lot of guys. Impact is over priced to me but I also havnt used one. I really like the Razor action but my personal is ARC CDG.

 

[NateVA]

He is stuck on Leupold and big bullets

That's a bold combo for someone who is inexperienced enough to ask someone else to spec out their rifle. At the very least a lot of care needs to be paid to the optics mounting and ring choice.

 

[Mulepackhunter]

Not inexperienced by any stretch, not everyone goes to a smith and buys everything to do a build. Matter of fact most hunters buy off the shelf and wouldn’t know any of the companies in this thread.

 

[NateVA]

Not inexperienced by any stretch, not everyone goes to a smith and buys everything to do a build. Matter of fact most hunters buy off the shelf and wouldn’t know any of the companies in this thread.

Not to put too fine a point on it but most hunters aren't great shots and won't improve because they're shooting shitkicking magnums.

 

[Mulepackhunter]

Ok getting into the weeds, sorry to jack the thread. 338 RUM and MDT Carbon it is.

 

[Vandoogle13]

-Zermatt Origin sa
-Bartlein cf barrel chambered in 6.5 PRC by Black canyon customs
-Triggertech special
-XLR magnesium chassis
-Thunderbeast magnus
-Leupold mark 4hd nightforce UL rings
11 LBS 10 ounces as shown

 

[davsco]

At the very least a lot of care needs to be paid to the optics mounting.

no sh1t! went to go bang steel today after some nice groups on paper at 100 yds. hit a "fox" at 350 and 450 first two shots. smaller plate at 500 (max distance there) first shot. other stuff in between. went back to the 450 fox and put one after another over it, kept reducing elevation and kept going over him. something's wrong... friggin scope mounts were loose! never never had this happen. the screws were pre-loctited and i hadn't added any. degreased everything and this time i added some loctite.

 

[BG94591]

Factory Tikka 6.5 PRC in a Manners stock bedded by Unknown, shooting 124 Hammer Hunters at 3200+ fps, loaded by Unknown also. Switched scopes so had to rezero, last 3 shots in the red.

 

[Bakwa]

Am I the only one rocking a 308 for elk?
I’m just a simple man.

 

[Modoc]

Am I the only one rocking a 308 for elk?
I’m just a simple man.
View attachment 8795292

Nope, I have a golf bag of choices albeit custom fudd guns in 308, 7-08, 6.5x55, 338 Federal, 35 Whelen, 38-55, and 45-70. Unfortunately some of these are handloads only now.

 

[Stevo86]

Am I the only one rocking a 308 for elk?
I’m just a simple man.
View attachment 8795292

Nope…. Just used 175 federal terminal ascent… worked just fine