Common caliber that could kill an elk without being "overkill" for a deer?
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Loyalist Dave
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The Mosin's round, the 7.62x54R is very very similar to a .30-06. IF it's kicking harder than a .30-06, it's because the stock is milsurp. The 7.62x54R has been around a few years longer than the .30-06, and the reason both are still around is because BOTH are excellent rounds.
In short...You ALREADY own your elk/deer rifle.
Look around on the internet for an after market sport shooting stock for the Mosin, and simply adapt your Mosin with that. A good fit to you with a nice recoil pad, a Timney sporting rifle trigger, and add a moderately priced optic and you're good to go.
IF you must have a new rifle, well then the folks have replied either something from the .30-06 family or a shorter action in the little brother of the .30-06, the .308 family.
Just FYI, nobody mentioned I don't think, the .35 Whelen. It's a .30-06 with a .larger diameter bullet, and it was developed to give a little more whomp than the .30-06. It's seen a "rebirth" recently. Some folks writing about elk hunting with it have praised the old cartridge for it's success. BUT one must also remember that it was developed at a time when bullet selection was poor by today's standards. So it's father, the .30-06 is performing better today than ever..so is the 7.62X54R. Still, the .35 Whelen is a cool cartridge.
LD
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earlthegoat2
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Bryce Towsley has an excellent article on sporterizing a Mosin. (Whether you believe this is a good thing to do or not is for another day)
They can become even better shooters than they already are if a few basic steps are taken and if you want to mount a scope.
They can become even better shooters than they already are if a few basic steps are taken and if you want to mount a scope.
courtgreene
Member
Scopes are challenging if you want to be able to put your Mosin Nagant back to factory spec down the road. I’ve done it and am very glad I did, but I had a good bit more experience with other rifle projects that prepared me for that challenge.
Having said that, if you wanted to make that Russian beauty into an elk harvester, you can probably find anything you need to know about the process here on this site. It’s been done and done a lot. Some alter them, some (like me) make them easily restored to their original state.
Personally, I recommend that if you go that route you start reloading too. My MNs shoot great groups (one factory one sporter with scope) but I had to find the load they liked.
If you DON’T plan to reload, get a factory 308 or 30’06 and have at it. I’d also mention that the .300wsm is the sweet spot for one do-all rifle, but it’s expensive if you don’t reload.
Having said that, if you wanted to make that Russian beauty into an elk harvester, you can probably find anything you need to know about the process here on this site. It’s been done and done a lot. Some alter them, some (like me) make them easily restored to their original state.
Personally, I recommend that if you go that route you start reloading too. My MNs shoot great groups (one factory one sporter with scope) but I had to find the load they liked.
If you DON’T plan to reload, get a factory 308 or 30’06 and have at it. I’d also mention that the .300wsm is the sweet spot for one do-all rifle, but it’s expensive if you don’t reload.
.308 Norma
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This is only February. Deer and elk seasons in southern Oregon and southern Idaho aren't until October. You have time to gain experience shooting bolt actions before then.
That said, I too recommend a 30-06 for the western one-rifle hunter (especially if you don't handload) for everything from pronghorns to elk, and even moose if you're luckier than I am -- I've been hunting big game in Idaho for nearly 60 years, and I've never been lucky enough to draw a moose tag.
BTW, I love my 308 Norma Magnum for mule deer and elk, but I used a 30-06 for many years before I got my 308 Norma. And before that, I used a 270, and before that a 308 Winchester. I even used a 338 Win Mag for a year or two. They all worked. But I believe the 30-06 is the most versatile for the non-handloader.
Just my opinion of course. My wife would probably tell you her 7mm Rem Mag is the most versatile. But she doesn't have as much big game hunting experience as I do -- she's only been at it for 48 years.
Only one negative thing about the axis 2, and I say it about many factory guns these days, the plastic stocks have too much flex in the front end, even a cheap Boyd's is a huge upgrade, which we did and we love our axis 2.
Varminterror
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I’ve hunted with a .30-06 for nearly 30 years. While there’s no such thing as “too dead,” the .30-06 is far more than what is needed for deer. I’ve come to generally consider, if I’m using more than ~40 grains of powder to kill a deer, I’m probably doing something I shouldn’t.
For an elk rifle which wouldn’t be excessive on deer, or a deer rifle which would be capable of taking elk, the 6.5 Creed and 7-08 are where I want to be.
For an elk rifle which wouldn’t be excessive on deer, or a deer rifle which would be capable of taking elk, the 6.5 Creed and 7-08 are where I want to be.
You've had a lot of suggestions, quite a few that are anything but "abundant & easy to find." But if you wanna walk into almost any ammo supplier and be able to buy loads for literally anything in North America with one stop...
.308 Norma
Member
Naw, I only "suggested" 6, TarDevil: the 270 Winchester, the 308 Winchester, the 30-06 Springfield, the 7mm Remington Magnum, the 308 Norma Magnum, and the 338 Winchester Magnum. I don't know about where you live, but of the 6 I "suggested," only the 308 Norma Magnum isn't "abundant & easy to find" around here.
30-06 is ideal for all around in the US, especially out west. It's going to give up a little trajectory compared to a 300 or 7mm mag, but the ammo is cheaper and more readily available and it's capable of shooting accurately and flat enough out to the distances that most hunters will shoot at game. I've killed up to an Alaskan bull moose with mine. I have other rifles but the best do-all caliber that I own for the hunting I do is without question a 30-06. Mine weighs about 7.5 lbs and the recoil isn't a problem.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I really liked mine, 223, real accurate. Mine was the xpodel that certain with a weaver kappa 3-9x 40, not a bad scope, it had a fairly thick cross hair, better for hunting than punching paper.
As was mentioned the fore end is flexible but easy to reinforce and open for free float. The stock on mine was pillar bedded.
I did trigger mod to lighten and smooth it out a bit but wasn't really necessary.
Edit to add
The axis 2 action has a 90 degree bolt throw, some in its price class utilize a 60 degree throw, is long, real long so optic choice has to have longer mounting distance or a cantilever mount is necessary.
I won't go into cartridge selection because it has been well covered already.
Good luck and good hunting. Keep us informed
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Elkins45
Member
I’m a big fan of Savage rifles but the Axis isn’t my favorite of the ‘budget’ bolt actions. I find the stock to be a bit flimsy for my taste.
I like the Ruger American or the T/C Compass more, and the Compass might even cost a little bit less. But I have little doubt a Savage would get the job done. Go to a shop and handle a few. You might even find a nice used gun that appeals to you.
Elkins45
Member
For the sake of answering the original question, 30-06 is almost never the wrong answer to the question of which cartridge to get.
Concur.Naw, I only "suggested" 6, TarDevil: the 270 Winchester, the 308 Winchester, the 30-06 Springfield, the 7mm Remington Magnum, the 308 Norma Magnum, and the 338 Winchester Magnum. I don't know about where you live, but of the 6 I "suggested," only the 308 Norma Magnum isn't "abundant & easy to find" around here.
It's the variety of game and loads that tip my hat to three of your'n!
(7mm RM might sneak in as a 4th!)BullHeadedGideon
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So whatwould you recommend in the Axis 2 price range?
Those Savages just caught my eye because many of them come with a scope; & I've heard many people say good things about them.
BullHeadedGideon
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Would you recommend doing this; or just going with a rifle that I wouldn't need to spend the $ to make these upgrades on?
Hmm. I have absolutely no idea what this means haha X ). (Like I said, very little experience with bolt-actions. Along with very little knowledge).
Are you saying the 60° option would be the smarter choice? If you are, which rifles are in that same price range, preferably with an included scope like the axis, that utilize the 60° throw?
Hope my "threadiquette" isn't lacking & I'm "turning this into a new thread" lol.
illinoisburt
Member
Honestly for hunting purposes the gun is perfectly fine as-is. Free float, flexing, etc are more of a bench shooting concern. For up to 250 yards of hunting accuracy, you won't notice. Sight in 2 inches high at 100 yards and basically its just point and shoot from there.
Another in the 'it doesn't matter' category. Some people like the bolt to open with less turning required so they can shooting the gun faster or put a physically larger scope on the gun without worrying about the eyepiece being the the way of bolt. The scope the gun comes with will not have this issue, nor will the vast majority of useful optics in your price range. The Axis 2 is a decent shooter with a easy to shoot trigger. The Ruger American is good too at this price point. For someone looking for a basic entry level hunting rifle you won't go wrong with either.
BullHeadedGideon
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Got it. Thanks a lot for the response.
I'm just pretty picky with spending money. When I do decide to spend it, I like it to be the "best choice possible," you know...
I've never heard of boyds, t/c venture or compass, etc... makes me think I need to do a lot more shopping around before I buy.
As to the original question. I dont feel theres such a thing as "too much" gun. There is too soft a bullet, and too much gun for the shooter to handle, but any cartridge can be tailored to not blow stuff up.
I shoot stuff as small as 60lbs with my .375 Ruger....hell I might take it for 40lb goats this weekend.
I shot a couple deer with a bullet id consider too soft for the velocity it was delivered at, so i got harder bullets.
Now I also think there IS such a thing as more than you need, and anything more than a short 6.5, 7mm, and your probably at the more than you NEED stage for deer....which is much better than the not enough stage.
I shoot stuff as small as 60lbs with my .375 Ruger....hell I might take it for 40lb goats this weekend.
I shot a couple deer with a bullet id consider too soft for the velocity it was delivered at, so i got harder bullets.
Now I also think there IS such a thing as more than you need, and anything more than a short 6.5, 7mm, and your probably at the more than you NEED stage for deer....which is much better than the not enough stage.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
No just putting out information out to assist your choice that there are differences. All of mine at the time are 90 degree throws.
The biggest difference is clearance for your optic.
The axis 2 comes factory pillar bedded. I only opened up my barrel channel because I had contact on the left side of my barrel that changed point of impact as the barrel warmed up it took about 30 minutes with a doll and sand paper.
I mostly shot this rifle from the bench for cheap practice. I shot it regularly at 300 meters and as far as 550 yds.
Ruger American, t/c venture, compass have a shorter throw just try as many as you can and get what feels best to you.
I disagree with hunting/flex points, I hunt with bipods mounted and a stiff front end is still requisite.
An axis 2 is hard to beat, I'll share some examples when I get home from work. I just accept that I'll be replacing the stock which is not expensive and very easy to manage. I like the Savage setups because I like barrel swapping on a whim, decent action and trigger attached to whatever chambering I want for the week and in a better stock, the value adds up.
You didn't confirm what chambering you're going in, lots of favor for the 06, not predjudiced for it but here you go.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853813479
https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/product-configurator
Decent setup pre accessories and fees $450.
ETA save ya $50
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/856969026
BullHeadedGideon
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Again, thank you everybody for your inputs.
Everybody, feel free to shoot me some opinions on rifles to look into. I've heard Savage Axis 2s, T/C Compass & Venture. I think there was another one that I can't remember at the moment. Maybe American?
I had no idea you could barrel-swap for different calibers easily with the Axis 2s! That jumped up very high on the list now!
even the bayonet. There is a couple Mosins at this pawn shop down the street that's going out of business soon. At least one rifle & carbine. Maaaaaaybe I'll pick one of those up & sporterize it. As long as I can hide it from the GF 
Everybody, feel free to shoot me some opinions on rifles to look into. I've heard Savage Axis 2s, T/C Compass & Venture. I think there was another one that I can't remember at the moment. Maybe American?
I had no idea you could barrel-swap for different calibers easily with the Axis 2s! That jumped up very high on the list now!
I think if I bought another Mosin, I would do that; but the one I have has all matching serial #s
even the bayonet. There is a couple Mosins at this pawn shop down the street that's going out of business soon. At least one rifle & carbine. Maaaaaaybe I'll pick one of those up & sporterize it. As long as I can hide it from the GF - Status
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