Deer to elk, 60 yards to 600 yards ... what rifle are you grabbing this year?

[ClaymoreAKM]

I'm using two this season, my Savage 11 and my AR-10, both in .308

 

[Jackalope 1]

The title is clear enough I think ... one rifle to rule them all.

Rifle season is almost here in MT. Last year I shot three big critters and one smaller one using a Tikka T3 TAC chambered in .300 Win Mag (Federal Trophy Copper 180gr) with no runners but more bloodshot meat than I'd like, so this year I'll be using this custom Kimber chambered in .308 Win. It'll shoot Federal Trophy Copper 150gr and 165gr ammunition into 5-shot sub 5/8" groups and a Barnes LRX 175gr hand load into 1/2" or better groups.

With 5+1 rounds of Federal Trophy Copper 150gr the entire package as shown below is under 10lb which is good in my book. A 10-round magazine loaded to capacity will put it just over 10lb.

Easy to carry, easy to shoot, this rifle should be perfect for this hunting season. The only things that would significantly improve this rifle would be a Tikka or Sako action and a two-stage trigger.

Kimber 84M custom action
Proof 24" barrel
AG Composites carbon fiber stock
CDI Precison custom bottom metal
MAGPUL PMAG 5 7.62 AC
TriggerTech trigger
SilencerCo Omega suppressor
ASR brake and adapter
MAGPUL MS1 QDM sling
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm F1
Nightforce Ultralight rings
EGW 30 MOA rail

View attachment 1024830

Your problem with bloodshot meat is the bullet not the caiber I discov

The title is clear enough I think ... one rifle to rule them all.

Rifle season is almost here in MT. Last year I shot three big critters and one smaller one using a Tikka T3 TAC chambered in .300 Win Mag (Federal Trophy Copper 180gr) with no runners but more bloodshot meat than I'd like, so this year I'll be using this custom Kimber chambered in .308 Win. It'll shoot Federal Trophy Copper 150gr and 165gr ammunition into 5-shot sub 5/8" groups and a Barnes LRX 175gr hand load into 1/2" or better groups.

With 5+1 rounds of Federal Trophy Copper 150gr the entire package as shown below is under 10lb which is good in my book. A 10-round magazine loaded to capacity will put it just over 10lb.

Easy to carry, easy to shoot, this rifle should be perfect for this hunting season. The only things that would significantly improve this rifle would be a Tikka or Sako action and a two-stage trigger.

Kimber 84M custom action
Proof 24" barrel
AG Composites carbon fiber stock
CDI Precison custom bottom metal
MAGPUL PMAG 5 7.62 AC
TriggerTech trigger
SilencerCo Omega suppressor
ASR brake and adapter
MAGPUL MS1 QDM sling
Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm F1
Nightforce Ultralight rings
EGW 30 MOA rail

View attachment 1024830

It's not the caliber, but the bullet that causes bloodshot meat, I use Winchester Power Points, they will create far less of it than any other bullet brand I have used, taking neck shots, behind front shoulders shots is best in my experience of taking a large # of game animals, expect full penetration, ln one side out the other, dropped where standing, I've never had to track any animal I have shot. Give full credit to the Win PP, complaints about full penetration, what does it matter dead is dead, but I have spent hours tracking other hunters wounded animals, found everyone with one exception, hunter using 7MM Rem Mag 175 grn Corelokt bullet shot large spike bull Elk he followed blood trial for 25 miles, then I picked it up for another five miles before realizing exactly where the Bull would cross the Klickitat River " Parrots Crossing " , to late to follow became to dark to see, returned next morning, small island in middle of river, 3 bears eating carcass.

 

[MCMXI]

Your problem with bloodshot meat is the bullet not the caiber I discov

It's not the caliber, but the bullet that causes bloodshot meat, I use Winchester Power Points, they will create far less of it than any other bullet brand I have used, taking neck shots, behind front shoulders shots is best in my experience of taking a large # of game animals, expect full penetration, ln one side out the other, dropped where standing, I've never had to track any animal I have shot. Give full credit to the Win PP, complaints about full penetration, what does it matter dead is dead, but I have spent hours tracking other hunters wounded animals, found everyone with one exception, hunter using 7MM Rem Mag 175 grn Corelokt bullet shot large spike bull Elk he followed blood trial for 25 miles, then I picked it up for another five miles before realizing exactly where the Bull would cross the Klickitat River " Parrots Crossing " , to late to follow became to dark to see, returned next morning, small island in middle of river, 3 bears eating carcass.

That hasn't been my experience but that's ok. I've shot quite a few animals including elk, mule deer and white-tail using .375 H&H, .308 Win and .300 Win Mag. I've only ever hunted with solid copper bullets, either Barnes or Federal (not sure who makes the bullet for them). The only one that has produced bloodshot meat is the .300 Win Mag and definitely more on deer than elk, but in fairness all animals were shot at ranges from 130 yards to 160 yards so the 180gr bullet is still whipping along. I've shot deer from 205 yards to 465 yards with the .375 H&H (250gr TTSX) and .308 Win (150gr Fed TC) and never seen any bloodshot meat. All animals have dropped within a few feet of where they were shot regardless of the cartridge used.

I've added some QD cups to the Tikka T3 TAC stock and am planning on using that rifle for longer range applications once I can get a .308 Win sorted out. The Kimber I show at the start of this thread might be a good option once I get the bolt and receiver nitrided but the action just isn't smooth enough for my liking, particularly when compared to a Tikka or Sako.

I am really interested in seeing what the S20 in 6.5 PRC will do with 127gr LRX loads and perhaps next year trying it on deer.

 

[Jackalope 1]

At one time people managed to kill animals with flintlocks. Somehow the Indians managed to survive using spears and bows. Today you need to stick together a few thousand dollars worth of gadgets to do it. 600 yard shots? You would have to be a really lousy hunter if that is as close as you can get. It must be a city guy thing.

You sure did hit the nail on the head, my feelings exactly even tho I use to hunt big canyons, sit on one side glass the other, find animal then stalk up close, seems animals don't look up, they do always check back trail tho so never follow it.

 

[Jackalope 1]

Yep, I figured it'd just be a matter of time before some small brained, know-it-all, tough guy troll showed up. If you don't like the idea of real-world hunting where getting close isn't always an option you're always free to enjoy your flintlock, bow or rock. Knock yourself out ... literally!

Hangup of boots on the ground hating snipers in WWl and WWll and Korea, but he is right, you sir, are a sniper, ñot a Hunter, first mule deer I shot was taken in the Blue Mountains in Washington State, according to a topographic map and a Forrest service ranger the shot was 1.5 miles long, did not believe me, returned with him next day showed him and my footprints where I was sitting, where deer was standing, just shook his head, next day he bought a M70 .338 Win Mag, personally when I discovered the true distance of my shot, not proud, but really up set, never shot at any animal beyond 250 yards ever again. Rifle Winchester M70 .338 Magnum, Win cases, 77 grns H4831, 200 grn PP bullet, 3000+ fps across my Oehler 35 P Chronograph, 1/8" below horizontally cross hair On Leupold 6×20×44mm scope set on 20×, dead on at 450 yards, 100' tape measured distance, trust me it's a LONG LONG distance, almost like being in another time zone. 600 yards, weeeeelll, OK??? Me, I will stay at 250, no sight adjustment needed.

 

[Jackalope 1]

If i have to shoot an elk at 600 yards I’m taking a Remington 700 in 7mm Rem Mag. With a 14x scope.

Read my earlier post about the Rem 7MM Magnum & 175 grn Corelokt bullets, after following a bloody trail for 30 mi. All the hunter achieved was making bear food, and yes it was 30 miles, how the hell much blood do Elk contain???

 

[Jackalope 1]

I am using a larger rifle since last year:

View attachment 1025007

My new 23mm anti-materiel rifle can successfully engage quadrupedal animals out to 3000 meters and utilizes high explosive incendiary ammunition, removing the need to butcher and cook them. I wonder what the Taylor’s one shot stop knocking down power is for a 23x152mm shell? Hopefully it’s “enuff gun” for Bambi and crew?

That gave me the best laugh all week, but you forgot the Ml Al Abrams tank to carry it, didn't you????

 

[MCMXI]

You sure did hit the nail on the head, my feelings exactly even tho I use to hunt big canyons, sit on one side glass the other, find animal then stalk up close, seems animals don't look up, they do always check back trail tho so never follow it.

Clearly another member who has no clue about hunting out west but who has tracked an elk 30 miles and shot a deer 1.5 miles away.

first mule deer I shot was taken in the Blue Mountains in Washington State, according to a topographic map and a Forrest service ranger the shot was 1.5 miles long, did not believe me, returned with him next day showed him and my footprints where I was sitting, where deer was standing, just shook his head,

This tells me pretty much all I need to know. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Jackalope 1]

Remington 700 classic in .308 Winchester, 180 grain Federal Premium Nosler Partitions, Leupold VX 3 scope. I hope I see a bull elk!

Easy peasy, just look on the Hanford Nuclear Energy Reservation, last time I did while riding my Harley-Davidson FLHT Standard I did see a herd of about 155 Elk, they live there year around, one BIG BULL an Imperial 8×9 was a sight to see. However I understand trespassing gives you 10 years in prison, $250000 fine plus confiscation of everything you own. Still wonder why those Elkies stay there year round????? For a LESS COSTLY view of Elk just go to Packwood, Washington, US#12 goes through town, I believe about 100 Elk live there pretty much year around, they sleep in town square, in city park, ally's, people's lawns. It's a wonder Biden doesn't increase our National Debt another one trillion$$$$$$ to build homes for them to live in cuz it gets down right cold in the Wintertime. Oh, Oh, wait, he's already got it incuded in his $$$$$5 trillion dollar so called infrastructure plan, if he didn't PETA would be suing him in SCOTUS!!!!

 

[DDDWho]

The only gun I own in that category. A Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .280 Rem.

 

[Jackalope 1]

Clearly another member who has no clue about hunting out west but who has tracked an elk 30 miles and shot a deer 1.5 miles away.



This tells me pretty much all I need to know. Thanks for the clarification.

Guess what, I DO live in the WEST, so dry Jackrabbits carry water bottles with them ( yeah, I know it's a stretch ), I have hunted all over the State of Washington, as a " bird dog " in Southeastern Oregon, Idaho, Utah ( family members live there ) and parts of Nevada. Don't know the West??? What kind of " Wacky Tabbacky " are you smoking??? Never said I tracked the spike Elk Bull 30 miles, I started tracking it the LAST FIVE MILES, make a trip to where I live, I'll give you a personal tour from where it was shot to ending as dinner for 3 bears. My mule deer gladly, from sitting to deer standing, bullet center punched one rib bone clipped left lung stopped in center of heart. Lead nose very little flattening shown, could have used it again. Taking a trip there again, can't, Clinton & Tree Huggers turned the region into no trespassing roadless wilderness area. Stopped and ended probably the finest mule deer hunting in the entire USA. The bucks grow antlers to nigh on the size of Roosevelt Elk, plus their body size is incredible. Forest Service Official said soil has minerals content high enough to give mule deer nutrition to grow big and antlers as well.

 

[JFrank]

The only gun I own in that category. A Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .280 Rem. View attachment 1035100

Man that's about a perfect hunting rifle you got there.
Cant get much better than that .

 

[Jackalope 1]

Clearly another member who has no clue about hunting out west but who has tracked an elk 30 miles and shot a deer 1.5 miles away.



This tells me pretty much all I need to know. Thanks for the clarification.

If you hunt mule deer how many miles do you walk each day??? A considerable distance?? You must enjoy a lot of wasted time?? Way I hunt ( main reason I canyon hunt ) is find a HIGH POINT set myself down and start glassing for anything white, mule deer have BIG WHITE rear ends that show up like a flashing beacon lite, easy to see with 20× bino's, see one the stalk is on. As a tad bit of info, trail walking, see a spider thread level in front of you, look close at each end, 90% chance you will see a TICK hanging on one end. Tye Valley, Oregon is crawling with the Ticks, never hunt there any more.

 

[horsemen61]

I am really interested in seeing what the S20 in 6.5 PRC will do with 127gr LRX loads and perhaps next year trying it on deer.

As am I @MCMXI as am I!

 

[elktrout]

Since you mentioned you live in Montana and last year successfully used a 300WM, your question to the forum seems irrelevant, except to invigorate the never-ending debate about the best "all around' rifle for elk and deer under all conditions. Everyone with any elk hunting experience knows that you do NOT want to chase one you have shot. It is the ultimate in misery for you and the elk. Stop fooling around and keep using the 300. Obviously, it worked for you, since you did not chase the ones you shot.

But, for those of you who have never hunted elk (except in the pages of a magazine, in the local gun shop, or on the internet), here are the things to consider when choosing a rifle/caliber for elk:

1. How will it handle the wind? Elk live primarily in the West. It is typically windy. Wind plays hell with rifle bullets.
2. Can you shoot it accurately to 300 and maybe 400 yards? Forget this 600 yard garbage. You are asking for a disaster if you shoot at an elk 600 yards away.
3. Can you shoot quick, accurate follow-up shots? Elk can take a lot of shock. It may take more than one shot to put them down. Two shots are better than one. The old adage is that if the elk is still on its feet - shoot again.
4. Is your rifle steady when you are winded and sucking for air? Ultra-light rifles bounce all over the place when you are huffing and puffing after a tough climb or flanking maneuver. Granted, an overly heavy rifle is a pain to lug all around the mountains, but you must have a compromise of weight and portability.
5. Gun shop commandos and gun writers do not know it all. If you can, talk to guides and outfitters. Their opinions, based on their experiences, will be varied as well. But, typically, you find them recommending heavy-for-caliber premium bullets in a rifle you can shoot well, usually 7mm to 30 caliber.

Oh, by the way, if it works for elk, it will work for deer. And, it is amazing how that darn 30 caliber with a 180 grain premium bullet seems to work so well.

Happy debating and happy hunting.

 

[Gooseman69]

I don't shoot past 500,so for me it was my browning x bolt pro in 280ai /150 grn hrndy eldx @3028 for my wwife her browning x bolt h/c speed in 6.5CM pushing hornady 143,eldx @2790 from its 24,inch 1/7,twist 6,groove barrel, both rifles performed perfectly

 

[Risky buisness]

I think i will just stay with my usual. 1879 Remington rolling block .45-70 for deers.

 

[mshootnit]

For deer I would like to take my new 24" TC Venture weathershield. I really like this rifle once I adjusted the trigger. Nice 24" barrel, stock is pretty solid and has pillars. I think this will be a very nice deer rifle.
I dont think I am going elk hunting but if I were it would be with 168 gr. TTSX Barnes bullets and a 30-06.

 

[Hugger-4641]

My goal us to put 5 in the freezer this year usingva different rifle for each. #5 will be jerky and sausage.
I've got two so far. First was a cull buck with my CVA Wolf and250gr power belt. Last week took a doe with my Howa 30-06 and 178eldx.
Now I'm hunting with my Rem 700 LR 300wm and 200 eldx.
#4 will be with my trusty old model 94 and 160ftx.
If there is a #5 it will be with my Savage110 in 6.5cm and 143eldx.
Should I be fortunate enough to try for #6, I'll go back to the 300wm and try some 180 Tssx I've got loaded up and waiting.

 

[eastbank]

if you read enough gun rags or watch enough so called hunting shows, you would think(if you don,t know any better) that they never miss(they don,t show or talk about their misses or wounded game at extended ranges). at 78 i have shot quite a few animals here and africa(six hunting trips there), along with long range shooting at 1000 yards and know how the wind-mirage can and will affect your bullets impact at very long ranges, no animal deserves to be gut shot at any range. i,m talking about hunting, not laying in wait(set up right your odds will go up).

 

[Frostbite]

There seems to be a lot more walking than shooting in elk hunts from what I gathered on this forum (no wapiti close to me). Long walks. So, long walks and 600 yards shooting... I would opt for my Encore in its black rifle configuration, 26" 30-06 Springfield, and Federal Terminal Ascent. I wonder if the 3-9x scope sitting on it is enough for such long shots. No experience shooting that far. Would need to practice a lot first.

 

[Nature Boy]

I dropped off the head to the taxidermist yesterday for a full shoulder mount. Seems like I'll be able to pick up my elk from last year sometime in December. That's the problem with a really good taxidermist whose work is in high demand ... you have to wait 12 to 14 months to get the mount back, but that's ok.

So true.

I haven't gotten mine back from last season yet. Took my son's first buck into him over the weekend and he apologized for the delay. He committed to do them both at the same time, so Nature Boy Jr is getting his turned around in 2 weeks.

 

[mshootnit]

So true.

I haven't gotten mine back from last season yet. Took my son's first buck into him over the weekend and he apologized for the delay. He committed to do them both at the same time, so Nature Boy Jr is getting his turned around in 2 weeks.

not good

 

[.308 Norma]

There seems to be a lot more walking than shooting in elk hunts from what I gathered on this forum (no wapiti close to me). Long walks. So, long walks and 600 yards shooting

Yep, I've done my share of those "long walks" (and steep climbs) while elk hunting. There are wapiti around here, and I've killed a few of them in my almost 60 years of big game hunting. However, even though I'll go along with "a lot more walking than shooting in elk hunts," I'd like this thread better if it was titled, "Deer to elk 40 yards to 400 yards...what rifle are you grabbing this year?"
I think I've only killed one big game (a buck mule deer) animal over 400 yards away, and I had the perfect set-up - he was standing still, and I was seated and resting my 30-06 on a convenient tree limb. But I've killed plenty of deer, and even one elk at about 40 yards.
I've always sighted my big game rifles in to hit dead on at 250 yards. That way I'm only a couple of inches high at 100, and still in the "kill zone" at 300 without having to "hold high."
The terrain where we hunt around here varies from black timber where it's hard to even see deer and elk over 50 yards away, to open, sagebrush covered planes, or grain stubble fields where 600 yard sightings are possible. But I remember Dad's words: "If he's so far away you think you have to hold higher than the top of his back, he's too damned far away to be shooting at in the first place." So I don't.