I'd pick my Savage 99 in .308 Win for the scenario you described. I think either a BLR or a 99 in .358 would fit your requirements pretty well.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

Originally posted by TomP:
I don't know too much about this, but the two Remington 760s I've seen shot about 1.75 inch groups at 100 yards, and heard about some that were considerably worse. I'd take one to a range before buying it and try it out first.

One could use a 4 inch rifle for this and still kill all the elk he would want.

Heck at 300 yards it still puts them all with in 12 inchs way more then a min of dead elk.

Your still with in 6 inchs of your aiming point How big is a elk kill zone BIG your not shooting Pdogs are we.

You don't need a half min rifle or a one min rifle to kill most of your big game out to 300 yards.

Only small details to quibble over, maybe I've just gotten spoiled...

Why not just wait for the elk to come out of the "thick woods" thus no need for a "thick woods" rifle? That's what we do here in New Mexico where I live and hunt elk!!
Just saying.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Because going in after them is an awful lot of fun.

Makes me feel like a predator, instead of a sniper.

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:
Because going in after them is an awful lot of fun.

Makes me feel like a predator, instead of a sniper.

and packing them out is a ball. roger

Having spent decades hunting deer in thick woods, there is nothing superior to a 12 bore rifled semi-auto shotgun with a quick scope like a Trijicon 1-4 with the big post.
The same lessons learned there were easily transferred to the "black timber" of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. A short fast powerful rifle with rapid repeat shots wearing a low light scope chaambered for a cartridge that, with the right loads, is 300 yard capable is a fine choice.
IMHO, there is only one that fills all the requirements. The Merkel SR-1 in 93x62 stoked with 250 gr TSXs @2500 fps will flatten any Elk, even if the shot angle is typical of a "jumped" animal (not standing broadside).
This rifle is a 1 MOA or better (3 shot) rifle with the TSX, Speer or Accubonds. Should you be introduced to Mr/Ms. Griz while looking around, 3 shots quick will settle his/her hash.
Great rifle, great scope, big bucks but you get top quality.

quote:

and packing them out is a ball

Not as much fun as it used to be, but it is still all part of the process.

depending how "thick" the woods are, I might be inclined to use a Model 94 Winchester in 30-30.

Certainly a 30-30 will work if you are a patient hunter and can pick your shots. Most folks only have a few days a year to hunt so a larger cartridge with fast followup shots makes more sense.

The best Elk hunter I knew, who would be 110 years old were he still alive, used a 1894 rifle in 30-30 and no doubt killed 100s of Elk. Once I asked how he did it. "Simple son, get within 50 yards and make sure you shoot them behind the shoulder through both lungs."

Worked for him and will work as well on any North American ungulate.

What most here seemingly don't realize is genuine elk country is mixed... shots can come at 50 or 500 yards.

Planning on only one or the other is a fools errand...

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
What most here seemingly don't realize is genuine elk country is mixed... shots can come at 50 or 500 yards.

Planning on only one or the other is a fools errand...

Lately I've been mostly bow hunting them but that's different. Where I've been hunting the last couple years it's so thick and rugged that close shots are expected, and longer would be very rare unless you set yourself up for cross canyon shots and waited. There are some who do this and use rifles geared for it. They'd have a tough time going very far though. Most seem to be at least 40# overweight, and have a quad close by. If they sit in one spot for the season they may get one, and be able to snake it down to the quad but that's not that enjoyable to me. I like to go in after them. Depending on the area if I'm hunting with a rifle it's usually my .338 with a 22" barrel and the scope on it's lowest setting. If I'm with my boys I carry that little short barreled .308 with 180's. It's way handier and weighs less. If we have time for a set-up shot I let them take the shot.