I have a spare mauser action that I'd like to make into a standard caliber elk rifle. Synthetic stock, 22" #2 cont. stainless barrel. The action will be blue (chrome molly steel). But I am stuck on what caliber. I am considering 280, 30-06, 338-06. What would you guys pick? Any other options? I just want a sturdy elk hunting platform. I will use a Leuold VariX-III 2.5-8x scope.

My elk (and deer and hog and antelope and everything else) is either a 270 win or a 30-06. Others will suggest one of the 300 mags, and they are an excellent choice. However, I've never regretted carrying one of the two mentioned earlier.

35 Whelen is a decent Elk cartridge. JMO.

338/06. Good range, nice big hole. But if you want to get weird, try a 411 Ryan. Call Dennis Earhardt, Frontier gun shop, Helena Mt. 300 grains, 2400 fps. Knocks elk down quick, and anything else. Similar to 400 Whelen. Can be built light and doesn't kick you silly. Brass is kind of an issue right now, but Bertram might run a special lot. Uses 375x400 belted case, 06 head size so no mod needed. 4 down plus one. I am getting one built on a Husky Mauser. Stainless syn for allweather. Dennis has load data or I can get some for you.

The 30-06 is more than enough and there are a lot of pluses that go with it. roger

If it is a dedicated elk rifle, I think the .338-06 is about pefect. That's what I had made 14 years ago & I don't regret the choice. A 210grNP @ 2750fps shoots as flat as a .30-06/180gr & IMO, delivers a bit better thump out to 300yds. The .280 is a great round, my 2nd favorite, but not as a dedicated elk round. It too is a handloaders round for maximum efficiency. If you want a factory ammo rig, the .30-06 is still hard to beat but I like a bit more bullet for bull elk.
Almost all of my hunting rifles wear a VXIII 2.5x8, great choice for an allround hunting scope.

30/06 with 180 grain bullets has worked really well for me for many years. I own lots of rifles but when it is time to hunt I always grab my 30/06.
The 338/06 is no slouch as you well know and the 35 Whelan is a winner too, for me it is hard to beat the selection of bullets in the 30 cal. variety so I am staying with my '06.
Furthest shot I ever attempted on elk was 420 yards with a solid rest and long time to make the shot, drilled that bull through the shoulders with a 180 grain Sierra SPBT bullet which exited the animal and dropped him in his tracks. When I saw that I thought to myself "now why would I need a .300 mag?".
Good luck in your decision, you really can't go wrong!

I had a 338-06 made specifically for elk. I have no complaints. I have used 210gr NP's and 210gr TSX's. A 2.5-8 Leupold sits on top of mine also.

The 30-06 wouldn't be a bad choice either. I would pick the 280 last, not that it isn't a great cartridge, just the fact that you stated a dedicated elk round.

Bigger diameter kills better IMO. Higher velocity kills farther. But bullet placement trumps all esoteric discussions.

I killed a 5x4 bull last week in Colorado using a 30-06 shooting 180 rg Nosler Partitions. I shot the bull at just over 300 yards. I hit him 4 times. The first 2 were through the lungs. The bull showed no recation to the hits. He just kept walking. The next round hit the shoulder & shattered it. To my surprise the bull did not go down. He just stood there. My 4rth shot hit him just forward of that & broke his neck (I recovered that bullet the others were pass throughs) The last shot dropped him. The first one would have evenetually been fatal but I was not sure that I even hit him based upon his recation.

I alreay have an 06 & (2) 35 Whelens. But for this rifle I do want something built for extreme hunting. A good solid tool. And it will be used primarily for elk. Of everything listed so far I have been leaning towards the 338-06.

For some reason I just do not want to build a magnum rifle. I am thinking that keeping it a standard caliber I will be able to use a shorter barrel & save on some weight. And that is a good thing. Because elk hunting is really elk hiking & climbing........& climbing . I shot my bull at 12,000 feet. And that is were I usually run into them.

Iron Buck

9,3X62

Cheers
/JOHAN

Have to agree with the 30-06 and 180 grainers. Preferably Nosler partitions.

I respect all posters: I am with Fred, years ago built a 338-06 for an elk rifle, sold it as being from the south, have not had lot of opportunities to go, but I would feel much better armed for an everyday elk rifle with a 338-06, there is no shot I would pass out to 400 yards with it and good bullets.

For me, it is confidence, others have it with other rounds, but the 338-06 and similar rounds in my opinion up the killing power with more caliber and weight. On elk, I believe the increased cross section and mass matters if you want to put them down asap. They are tough, not tanks, but they can apparently absorb lots of shock and stay on their feet.

Not sure if you are looking to handload or are looking for factory available ammo but any of the following will more than suffice:

.270
.280
30-06
8mm-06
338-06
35 Welen
9.3X62
375-06
400 Whelen
411 Hawk

You could also add

8X57
8X60
9.3X57

The 300 Win Mag and 338 Win Mag fit in Std length action too I belive.

Which would also make the 375 Taylor and the 416 Taylor available as options.

Pick the one that most excites you.

For our smallish Florida elk I use a 30-06 with 180 grain TSX. Never had one walk away.

I built a "standard caliber" Elk rifle too. It's an 8x57, with 180 and 200 grain TSX's and 200 AB's or partitions available it's easy on the shoulder and hell on animals. Mine wears a 2.5x8 VX3 also. In a Mauser action there is no more classic "standard" chambering and it just plain works.

quote:

killed a 5x4 bull last week in Colorado using a 30-06 shooting 180 rg Nosler Partitions. I shot the bull at just over 300 yards. I hit him 4 times. The first 2 were through the lungs. The bull showed no recation to the hits. He just kept walking. The next round hit the shoulder & shattered it. To my surprise the bull did not go down. He just stood there.

That is the exact reason I went to a bigger caliber. Having seen this happen numerous times with with 30 caliber and below, I wanted something bigger for my own personal elk rifle.

I have witnessed/killed elk with everything from 243 Win-375 H&H. The above 30 caliber seem to hit the elk harder.

Every elk I have killed with my 338-06 and 210gr NP's or TSX's, I knew immediately that they were done for and the elk acted accordingly. There is nothing worse than shooting at an animal and having them act like nothing happened.

IMO the 338-06 with 210gr bullets at 2750fps is the perfect all around elk setup. The recoil is not bad, you can put it in a nice easy to carry rifle package and go hunting.

That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

I won't argue against the merits of the .338-06 as it is the same as my fav .338WM at a lesser distance. It works.

But for a classic standard it's hard not to wan't a Whelen. You have that covered so not sure what your wanting to actually get that you don't have.

If what you have now are blue/wood then maybe an ultralight in SS/Synthetic would be of interest. Nate

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:

quote:

killed a 5x4 bull last week in Colorado using a 30-06 shooting 180 rg Nosler Partitions. I shot the bull at just over 300 yards. I hit him 4 times. The first 2 were through the lungs. The bull showed no recation to the hits. He just kept walking. The next round hit the shoulder & shattered it. To my surprise the bull did not go down. He just stood there.

That is the exact reason I went to a bigger caliber. Having seen this happen numerous times with with 30 caliber and below, I wanted something bigger for my own personal elk rifle.

I have witnessed/killed elk with everything from 243 Win-375 H&H. The above 30 caliber seem to hit the elk harder.

Every elk I have killed with my 338-06 and 210gr NP's or TSX's, I knew immediately that they were done for and the elk acted accordingly. There is nothing worse than shooting at an animal and having them act like nothing happened.

IMO the 338-06 with 210gr bullets at 2750fps is the perfect all around elk setup. The recoil is not bad, you can put it in a nice easy to carry rifle package and go hunting.

That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

I always get a kick out of posts like this. .030" bigger diameter bullets and 10-30 grains may make a small difference, but it's nothing to write about. Epecially when the smaller bullet is moving a little faster. Bullet construction is far more important, especially when you are talking about such samll differences. A .300 ultra with a 200 grain partition will "hit harder" than any .338-06.

Any of these will sufice but I wouldn't hesitate here at all to build the 338/06. It will do everything the other two will do but in spades.

quote:

Originally posted by Neverflinch:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SDhunter:
I always get a kick out of posts like this. .030" bigger diameter bullets and 10-30 grains may make a small difference, but it's nothing to write about. Epecially when the smaller bullet is moving a little faster. Bullet construction is far more important, especially when you are talking about such samll differences.

roger

I always get a kick out of posts like this. .030" bigger diameter bullets and 10-30 grains may make a small difference, but it's nothing to write about. Epecially when the smaller bullet is moving a little faster. Bullet construction is far more important, especially when you are talking about such samll differences. A .300 ultra with a 200 grain partition will "hit harder" than any .338-06.
I think everyone knows that but I think the reference is to an 06 based round. Now if you want to talk about 300RUM v 338RUM, well, I think you see where that's going. Bigger bullets do seem to kill quicker than maller bullets, just my observation taking & watching others take elk size game.

quote:

I always get a kick out of posts like this. .030" bigger diameter bullets and 10-30 grains may make a small difference, but it's nothing to write about. Epecially when the smaller bullet is moving a little faster. Bullet construction is far more important, especially when you are talking about such samll differences. A .300 ultra with a 200 grain partition will "hit harder" than any .338-06.

Nerverflinch & Bartsche,
Glad I could make your day. I am just going from what I have personally witnessed and done.

Bigger diameter kills better and higher velocity kills farther. I will stand by that statement all day, every day.

I will take a 338-06 any day over a 300 ultra.
doesn't matter what velocity. The 338 trumps 308 every time! 0.030" makes a big diference IMO.

Interesting debate and I'm going to take the side of the bullet construction.

I'll take a 30-06 with 180grain Northforks over a 300 Ultra with 180 grain sierra anythings!

I'll also take it over a 338-06 with the same conventional bullet.

Assuming reasonable placement of course.

Make mine a 9.3x62!

Don´t leave home without it!

If you're looking at 30-06 based cartridges for elk, I would go with the 35 Whelen or 338-06. Lou

9.3 x 62

286 grain bullet at 2450 fps

or 250 grain bullet at 2650 fps

Plenty of penetration for hind end first shots on elk.

Any 06 based cartridge from the 25-06 to 35 Whelen will work. A 30-06 is "just right" IMO.

I would go with the .30-06, as good as the .338-06 or 9.3 x 62 is, the latter two are pretty much a handloaders deal ammo wise in the States. That is just how it is at present. Your choice of scope is a good one, Have you thought about getting one of Mel Fobes NULA's they carry well and shoot dead to nuts and like you and other said its elk hiking and climbing. I myself shoot a Sako 75 in 338 Winchester. While its not light, its not overly heavy either. But I could get use to a NULA Mod 24 so chambered right quick.

.338Win Mag or 8mm Rem Mag

IB, if you already have a .35WHelen, then the 338-06 is really moot, you already have a very good dedicated elk rig (ouch that hurt to say). Maybe a nice .280, ft.wt. style stock w/ steel butt plate like the classic "mountain rifle" of the 50s-60s? I have one done on a M70 that is my favorite rifle. Comes in at a bit over 7# ready to hunt. It also doubles as my back-up elk rig.

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:

quote:

I always get a kick out of posts like this. .030" bigger diameter bullets and 10-30 grains may make a small difference, but it's nothing to write about.

Nerverflinch & Bartsche,
Glad I could make your day.

Why thank you very much. roger

Bullet diameter means everything, look at how much more deadly the 32 Win.spc. is over the 30/30.

No question about it,

30.06

180 TSX bullets (partitions a close second), unless you want to spend a bit more $, the Aframe is an excellent choice.

Yep.

.30-06.

Unless you really talkiing extreme Long Distance the 30-06 is all you'll ever need if your a decent shot.

I've already posted on this topic but just had to again because of the conversations about elk taking hits and not acting "hit".
In my experiences Elk can be tough but they aren't bullet proof. Sometimes a good hit puts them right down at the shot whether it be a .270 or a .338Mag, I've also seen them take 3 fatal hits and never even flinch until they just fall down dead. In these cases the bullet diameter seems to have no bearing on the outcome.
I wouldn't let "big bore magnum-itus" set in because of some of the elk stories where no reaction was shown by the elk because he was only hit with a 30/06. I've seen the same reaction from Elk hit with a .338 win mag, sometimes they are just tough. If you want a better reaction then break a shoulder or spine him rather than shoot him in the heart and lungs, just as deadly sometimes no reaction to the hit though.

can't see anything listed here that will kill an elk deader than a standard 30-06 with a 180gr Nosler Partition thru the lungs...except perhaps my new, ahem, 280 Dubiel.

Rich

Cast another vote for the 9.3x62 - especially in a 98 Mauser action.

What kind of trajectory would the 9.3 have with teh 250gr & 286 gr bullets respectively? Say out to 300 yards or 400yards.

AWWW, why not throw my hat into the ring???

338/06 first, essentially a handloaders cartridge....mine will shoot 200 grain Hornady SPs at 2900 plus...which is equal to a 300 Mag with a 200 grain bullet...and a bigger bore..

I like the 338 bore over an 06, because you can move up to bullet weights to 250 grains... and even 275 grains if you have or can find any of the Speer 275 grainers... I have a stash of them!

The 30/06 is never a bad choice, except if the game can eat you, if you muff the shot.....

Although I don't own one, a 280 with a 175 grain or even a 160 grain bullet is pretty darn good elk medicine...

I do own a 270 and load it with the 160 grain Nosler at 2850 fps.. which is a pretty fair elk cartridge also....

But I just love my 338/06... so It gets carried during elk season, just like I did this past week....but a 204 Ruger would have worked as well.... the few elk I did see where at about 1500 yds or more, on a hillside on another mountainside from where I was located... and that was thru the binocs....

I have to admit it sportsfans... I am not a guy who is going to try a 1500 yd shot on elk... but I am sure there are those that would....


I did come across one guy that parked near my camp this morning tho... that had an interesting set up.... it was a 375/06 on a Ruger 77 action ( tang safety) with a 1 to 4 power old Weaver steel scope...with a post reticle....Not my first choice, but I thought it was kinda cool! It sure showed it had been on a lot of elk hunts in its existance....