Nothing wrong with a Weatherby if the .338-06 is what you want. The Ultra Lightweight is a perfect carry rifle with 24" barrel and weighs only 5.75 pounds. It is not cheap but it's a quality built rifle and carries Weatherby's accuracy guarantee.

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Originally posted by simangus:

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Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
A 338 Federal would be a good choice too! Its right there with the 338-06, and you get the added benefit of a good choice of factory ammo and several rifles. The one downer with the 338-06 is you either have to have it custom made, or you have to get an A-Square or Weatherby Mk V, so those 3 choices almost all lead to a very expensive rifle. IF you find a good donor
action for a good price, and don't have too much work done you'll be able to get under 1000, but with the Federal you do get the options of Kimber, Tikka, and Ruger without breaking the bank. Just something to gnaw on

Cooper chambers 338-06 in a factory rifle. I know because my wife got me one for my 40th birthday and I killed a 5x5 bull with a 210 gr partition. ...guess that means I vote for the 338-06 with 210 gr partitions.

Cooper chambers many rounds lol I'm not too sure if I consider them "factory" rifles though, kind of like the Weatherbys. Yes, they're produced and sold, but they are on the high end price wise, almost in to or at, and sometimes above, the cost of a custom rifle. Same with a NULA, or an Ed Brown, or a Nosler.

The OP should specify his price range, that makes it much easier to really get down to brass tacks

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Originally posted by fredj338:

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Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
I don't mean any disrespect nor do I want to start a fight but elk aren't that tough to kill. You ddon't need a magnum if shots are under 400 yards.

Buy a 30-06 (at most) and you will never be disappointed.

Just my opinion.

ddj

It's a valid point, but there is elk hunting, cows & small bulls, then there is elk hunting. A big 6pt bull can make 800# & they are tough, not bullet proof, but tough. I think the 06 is fine out to 300, 350yds, but much like the 338-06 or Whelen, I think you are stretching the vel. window for good expansion. If you can keep your shots to 300yds, I agree, little "need" for a magnum.

Tough bulls will still go down with a properly placed shot out of any rifle at 400 yards just as fast as that small bull or cow. Every animal reacts different and a 210 grain NP out of a 338-06 at 400 yards is still going 1800+ fps if it starts out at 2800 fps. 1800 is plenty for a NP to reliably expand according to Nosler, and besides how many shots are actually taken by most elk hunters at 400+ yards. Most of the big elk I've seen were rarely taken in open country where a 400 yard shot could be taken. It doesn't take them big boys long to hide in the dark timber where a .30-30 is as effctive as a .338 Win Mag. I'll agree that the .338-06 and .35 Whelen are probably better inside 300 yards but I don't doubt that they will work out to 400+ yards with proper shot placement.

Tikka T3 stainless....6lb 6oz in 338wm with a full 24in barrel
338wm is the consumate elk cartridge.
Get a limbsaver on it asap, you've been warned!

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Originally posted by taylorce1:

quote:

Originally posted by fredj338:

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Originally posted by trouthunterdj:
I don't mean any disrespect nor do I want to start a fight but elk aren't that tough to kill. You ddon't need a magnum if shots are under 400 yards.

Buy a 30-06 (at most) and you will never be disappointed.

Just my opinion.

ddj

It's a valid point, but there is elk hunting, cows & small bulls, then there is elk hunting. A big 6pt bull can make 800# & they are tough, not bullet proof, but tough. I think the 06 is fine out to 300, 350yds, but much like the 338-06 or Whelen, I think you are stretching the vel. window for good expansion. If you can keep your shots to 300yds, I agree, little "need" for a magnum.

Tough bulls will still go down with a properly placed shot out of any rifle at 400 yards just as fast as that small bull or cow. Every animal reacts different and a 210 grain NP out of a 338-06 at 400 yards is still going 1800+ fps if it starts out at 2800 fps. 1800 is plenty for a NP to reliably expand according to Nosler, and besides how many shots are actually taken by most elk hunters at 400+ yards. Most of the big elk I've seen were rarely taken in open country where a 400 yard shot could be taken. It doesn't take them big boys long to hide in the dark timber where a .30-30 is as effctive as a .338 Win Mag. I'll agree that the .338-06 and .35 Whelen are probably better inside 300 yards but I don't doubt that they will work out to 400+ yards with proper shot placement.

Well, Nosler is very optimistic as I have tested them @ 2000fps in wetpack & expansion is iffy. It's why I don't recommend going much farther on bigger game like elk. On deer size game, you are likely to get a good size exit wound even past 400 but I'll stick w/ my 300yd limit, although I have stretched it just abit when needed.

IMHO this is the perfect "Carry" Elk rifle:




A Kimber Montana in 325 WSM. It shoots either 200gr TSX's or 200gr Accubonds into 3/4" or less even in factory loads. Scope and all it weighs less than most bare rifles.

I had a Weatherby 338-06 lightweight. It popped primers with factory Ammo! They actually fell out and jammed up the action one time - this was with the Weatherby 210gr partition loads. The 325 will but a 200gr bullet a good bit faster than the 338-06 will shoot a 210 and do it without primer popping pressures. Also I much prefer the stock geometry on the Kimber to the Weatherby as it reduces felt recoil...............................DJ

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Originally posted by Trueblue:
I would like to put together a lite carry rig for elk. I have a 7STW that weighs #12 that I didn't like packing around the mountains for 5 days. Thinking about 30 or 338 cal. Any feedback on caliber choice, barrel contour, ect. would be appreciated. Shots would be under 400 yards.

For under 400 yards I wouldn't bother with a magnum... IMO, my little 308 Kimber MT is perfect. As shown (below) with sling and four round it's 6lbs 4oz's.

Its big brother (above) is a 300 WSM and goes 7lbs 4oz's... it's my 600 yard elk rifle.

I've shot elk with 25-06, 30-06, 270WSM and watched many elk shot by others. I've watched elk drop on the spot with a 25-06 and asorb 5 rounds from a 300 Weatherby. It doesn't take a big gun to kill elk. It's all about shot placement. I've even shot big bulls with 120g Partitions out of my 25-06 and all it takes is one bullet. Yes I have passed on many elk when hunting with smaller caliber guns, because I didn't think 25-06 would penetrate from North to South. But most of the time I was able to find the bulls again and take a better shot.

I currently do most of my hunting with a 270WSM shooting a Barnes 140TSX. It works great on elk. You can get many of the WSM's calibers in 23" or 24" barrels, no need to pack a 26" barrel through the forest. As mentioned above the 325WSM would be a great choice.

Also a 270 WCF in a Winchester Featherlite. The 7mm and 30-06 have killed too many elk to count. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of those calibers on elk.

There is no special caliber, Choose a gun that is comfortable you to carry and shot. Go have fun.