Entry level Elk rifle

[Jonny V]

find a good used FN Mauser in 30/06 (JC Higgins model 50 ideal place to start). You get the best action ever, a chromed barrel and chamber, and it's been around for 60 years already, how much warranty to you need? I just bought one for $250! That leaves you $750 for accessories and you can chop $100 off that and be under your budget. What's not to like?

 

[RTARMS]

Personally I would use a .270 winchester, good any anything upto and including elk. If your looking for something a little bigger, a 7mm mag or 300 mag (from my experience, 7mm shoots a little flatter but 300 can fire heavier bullets). I've only hunted elk twice in my life, but once I used a .300 mag and the other a .270 win....they went down pretty quick both times. Only problem is the 300 and 7mm are a bit much for coyote(assuming your gonna keep the skins)

 

[BrocLuno]

I'd prolly start with '06 and the used gun racks around your area. Find something that fits well and feels good. Get a decent scope for it. I'd prolly start with Nikon or Bushnell Elite, but that's after decades of buying and swapping scopes and I'm sort of jaded about what's good and bad. Get plenty of eye relief.

Get the Bushnell Elite if you'll be hunting in wet and cold conditions. Their patented "Rainguard" lens coating helps with fogging and they are good scopes.

I noticed that you have not been pointed toward the Tikka T3 Lite? Yeah, it ain't USA made, but it was designed and built around the '06 round with a very strong and smooth action. It comes with factory rings that only need to have the fasteners upgraded. I really like the feel coming to shoulder. It's that feel thing that makes for an easier shot.

Yeah, I second or third the good binocs. Maybe more important than the scope. You need to scout out the animal and watch it as it moves before you mount your rifle.

 

[WYcoyote]

The guys recommending the Marlin XL7 in 30-06 are spot on.
I have one in 25-06 for a tree stand deer gun and it is a terrific value.
It has a trigger similar to the Accu-trigger, works well, and is adjustable.
Another good value rifle that tempted me is the TC Venture, with can be had in .300 Win Mag. a very good elk cartridge. And also made in USA. But the 30-06 will serve you well for your stated uses.

 

[Gtscotty]

The Marlin xl7 suggested by prior posters is by all accounts an excellent value, but its not your only choice here. If you move up a hundred bucks or so, the field of available rifles really opens up.

Rifles available in the $400 - $500 (ish) range include:

-Savage 110 (I have one, and while its a good, solid, accurate rifle, I'm not as enamored with it as many folks seem to be;nothing at all wrong with this option)

-Browning A-Bolt Composite Stalker (I have never owned or shot one, but folks who have seem to like them)

-Remington 700 SPS (I've shot, but never owned these, they seem to be a solid value in this price range, although there have been internet murmurs of QC problems... who knows)

-Tikka T3 (I own 2 of these and love them both, really just an excellent value, can't reccomend them enough)

-Weatherby Vanguard / Howa 1500 (These rifles have a great reputation for accuracy and quality at an affordable price, I believe you can still pick these up at CDNN for sub $400)

-Weatherby Vanguard S2 (Not a whole lot out on these yet as they are a fairly new model, The info that is available looks pretty promising, and I'm trying to find an excuse to add one to the stable)

-Thompson Center Venture (An affordable new rifle with a solid reputation, haven't read as much about these)

-Ruger M77 (this one is a bit of a stretch pricewise, but various models are available at CDNN for just over $500)

The above is not an exhaustive list, but should give you an idea of some of the many options you may want to consider. As for caliber choice, I'm partial to '06, but realistically any of the ones mentioned thus far should do. Good luck with your choice.

 

[wombat13]

When I needed one hunting rifle I chose a Ruger Hawkeye in .300 win mag. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to get to the range to practice with multiple rifles. I wanted one rifle and one load that I could practice with and know exactly how it would perform and that would work on deer and larger sized game. The .300wm covers that for me. I chose the Hawkeye because I had used my FIL's M77mkII and liked it.

Factory ammo is readily available in .300wm, so no need to worry about that, although it is more expensive. Federal Fusion runs $1.50 per round and shoots very well in my rifle. I can reload for well under $1.

Regarding .300wm being "too much" gun: I can't think of anything I would shoot with a .30-06 that I wouldn't shoot with a .300wm. Mine has worked just fine on deer. I wouldn't use any .30 cal on a coyote if I was worried about keeping the pelt. I'm not worried about that, so I would like to take a coyote with my .300wm.

 

[Purgatory]

....I would like to take a coyote with my .300wm.

Geez. You won't be taking much of it anywhere without a garbage bag and a shovel.

If you get any video of that, post 'er up.