Pre 64 or Classic action, 6.5-06 or 300H&H, 6X scope in a Leupold or S&B.

quote:

Originally posted by wapiti7:
30-378,
Although I recommended a rifle you aleady have, I would personally recommend the .338 RUM. This what I shoot and it is devastating on big animals. It hits hard and doesn't drop out of the sky like the .338 win mag. I'm shooting a 225gr Barnes and it's just evil!!....wapiti7

There's another vote for the 338rum. And Wapiti seems to have experience. It isn't so much what is Needed for elk, it's all about what you Want. Like I said before, I've been toying with this 338rum for awhile....just may have to have one before the year is over.

My traditional elk rifle has been a plain vanilla Rem 700 BDL 300 Win Mag topped with a Leupold VXII 3-9x scope. It has done the job to date.

My Pa uses an 8mm Rem Mag. I am a fan....the big 8 definitely rocks and shines at the longer distances.

I am planning to rebarrel my old 300 Winnie. Thinking of building a 338 RUM on it (I think it is near perfect for elk/moose sized game), but am very tempted to do an 8mm Rem Mag instead (got the dies, etc, as I load for my Dad).

The 358 STA is a kick-ass elk/moose rifle too, but I'd take a big 30/8mm/338 over it if longer shots were likely.

Decisions, decisions, eh? Good luck on yours!

Cheers,
Canuck

If you insist on reaching out to 400 yards then a .338 Win Mag will do with a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40. Since weather is a concern then a synthhetic stocked Wthby Vanguard with SS barrel will do the trick.

The best part about this setup is that you can do it for less than $800 and it's truly a nice setup.

quote:

Originally posted by 30378:
If you could have any rifle, caliber, or scope for elk out to 400 yds, what would it be? You would mostly walk, set, stalk in any weather.

A D'Arcy Echols Legend or a Jim Borden Medium Weight Big Game Rifle in .300 Win Mag or .338 Win Mag both dressed in McMillan stocks. My choice was the former in .300 Win Mag wearing a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40mm. It's a great big game rig, period.

M700 with a lightweight plastic stock, 22 inch barrel, Luepy 2.5-8, or 3-9, lightweight mounts/rings, package under 7 lbs. 270W with a 150gr NPT or 140gr TSX leaving at ~2900-3000fps. I have driven 150gr Partitions and X Bullets from stern to stem on several occasions, including relatively long range. When it comes to elk, and based on my limited experience with moose/caribou, a high Sd bullet tends to produce more consistent terminal performance--even with the premium bullets.

Casey

Sako model 75 SS or Greywolf in a 300WM with 180gr Accubonds. Sako optilok low rings and bases. Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 or 4.5-14x40 with BC reticle. Bulter Creek Highlander neoprene sling. Leupold Alumina Fip-up lens covers.

Load with RL-22 powder between 74.0-76.0gr and you are good to go!

quote:

Originally posted by Mighty Peace:
Sako model 75 SS or Greywolf in a 300WM with 180gr Accubonds. Sako optilok low rings and bases. Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40 or 4.5-14x40 with BC reticle. Bulter Creek Highlander neoprene sling. Leupold Alumina Fip-up lens covers.

Load with RL-22 powder between 74.0-76.0gr and you are good to go!

Mighty Peace, that's a lucid well thought out intelligent response (my paraphrased response stolen from "My Cousin Vinny" motion picture) plus I like Sako grey wolf rifles!

My elk hammer is a Sako 75 custom in 330 Dakota!

Most of you guys want him to use a magnum so that he can shoot flatter. Get a scope with elevation/windage turrets and dial in drop! Much much easer then holding over. You can have all of leupolds scopes fitted with target turrets now. Costs you 150-250$. Also you can change reticles on all of their scopes.

What about a FX-III 6x42 with a mildot? Lets you hold over easy if you want to.

Anyway, Im really interested in the 30-338 right now. Must be the name, or the record of beeing a very accurate cartridge. 180grain bullet at 3000fps. Or just keep it simple, get a 300win mag.

Lawton action: http://www.lawtonriflebarrels.com/ , also have him install your barrel, wich he also makes.
Barrel 24" long 3# contour
McMillan Classic stock
Factory or Rifle basix trigger 2 pound, 3point safty
Williams bottom metall
Talley rings: http://www.talleyrings.com/almounts_051.jpg
Leupold 6x42 with target turrets and TMR reticle: http://www.leupold.com/products/tactical_products/reticles_TMR.htm

Keep it around 8 pounds and you will have really light hard hitting rifle. Get used to using the turrets. It will let you make shoots out to 600yards easily, and longer if you want to!!

30-338 = .308 Norma

30378-if it were my decision and I had a 30/378(which is a nice outfit and a great long range chuck rig...grins) and if I were you I would no doubt build a 338/06 (a 270 would be my second choice)that would come in with scope/rounds/sling at no more than 8 lbs.

Then you would have a long range heavy and a lighter rig that is totally capable of shooting to 500 if set up right.

I carry my lil G33/40 in 338/06 a lot in rough country and in the open country. It is scoped with a 3-9 Burris BP and shooting to 530 yds is no bigga deal.

400 yards to the practiced and disciplined rifleman is just a chip shot so you really have no need for a major powder burner for such elk hunting.

Now if you want a big boomer then that is a different story but need is not a part of the equation when it comes to elk to 400 yds.

Good luck in your quest.

Mark D

Over the years, I have gravitated to stainless, synthetic and relatively light scabbard friendly dimensioned elk rifles. By far and away, I killed more elk with a .300 Win. mag. than any other caliber, but I have also taken a handful with a .308 Win and a few with .35s. In my view, I believe that premium bullets make a difference in all calibers, but an individual’s ability to shoot and hunt are still the most important elements in being a successful elk hunter.

My “current†favorite elk rifle is a .358 Norma put up on a stainless Ruger Mark ll with a stainless 22†1 in 12 twist Lilja barrel, a bedded and floated Precision stock, New England back-up iron sights, and a Timney trigger. However, if I was limited to owning just one elk rifle, it would be a stainless/synthetic 06 or .300 Win mag. CP.

A .300 Win Mag will take any of world's big game (save the Big Five for legal reasons alone) out to 500 yards and is easy to find ammo for in a pinch.

There are lot's of caliber choices out there that can compete, but to deny the fact doesn't make any sense.