Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Backup elk rifle input

Lots of recommendations for the .270 and .300WM. Both are good choices. The only rifle listed by the OP that I wouldn’t give much consideration to would be the Tropical .375 due to the weight. All the rest would be fine either as a primary or back-up rifle. As noted in a previous post, the .45-70 GG would be the most range limited, at least in terms of trajectory.

I’ve already stated my preference would be the Ruger tang-safety .300WM as backup for the .260. I agree with others that whatever the OP’s choice, it should be a rifle that functions flawlessly and that the OP shoots well. (Why anyone would choose a rifle that didn’t function well or that they couldn’t shoot well is beyond me. Think about it – the primary rifle goes down so now – by choice -- you are left with a back-up that doesn’t work well either???)

I'd take whatever rifle you were comfortable having stolen from your vehicle or camp while you are out hunting. Otherwise if extremely concerned about "backup" capabilities, I'd have iron sights or another scope setup in good repeatable take off scope mounts in my pack.

Another scope in QR mounts is one way to go for back-up but that doesn't help much if you took a bad fall or had a horse roll on your rifle and shattered the stock.

I have had my truck broken into and a bow stolen but that was parked in an urban area after dark not out in the woods. We have had nothing but positive experiences camped out in CO sorry to hear that isn't the general rule. Clueless noisy hunters and guys who ride their ATV all day, along with unfriendly land owners have been my main complaints but those are very rare compared to the large number of positives.

Good point. That's why my truck pistol is a Glock.

Off topic a bit, but a note to anyone that might consider stealing from my camp.
I might be ten miles away, or I might be 150 yards out and watching you.
Either way, you can be assured I have a good rifle.
Your choice.

LOL, no need for all that.

Just booby trap it with a shotgun in a tree, Jeremiah Johnson style.

I was thinking it, but you actually said it

I have gone that route.. Nothing beats another rifle sighted in and ready to go.

Jeeze louise... While all you guys are fn around booby trapping chit back at camp, I'm out shooting elk.... . I might add, with my 1 elk rifle while all my "back-ups" are at home..

As I get older I realize the perfect back-up rifle is one a hunting partner is carrying...

Took two of my nephews on their first antelope hunt. Loaned them a couple of my rifles, didn't bother to take one for myself, filled my tag anyway and didn't carry a rifle more than 10 minutes the whole hunt. Perfect.

No doubt skinnin' griz too.

Yeah,lions and tigers too.

You forgot bears. Oh my!

One thing's for sure, I wouldn't want tracks up in the woods shootin' at me.

I once had someone siphon a full tank of gas out of my truck at a trailhead. This was in a rural county in SW CO, so I called the sheriff's office to report it. The first question out of the woman's mouth was "where are you from?" When I said "Denver," she copped an attitude and said "what do you want us to do about it, it's not like we can get your gas back."

So I copped an attitude right back and said, "I just thought you all would want to know what's going on in your county. I was hunting, with a rifle in my hands. If I'd have come back to the truck when this was happening, you may have lost one of your upstanding local citizens."

I've taken a "spare" a few times but usually only one person out of the party actually needs a loaner rifle around.

I'd bring whatever I shoot well and am confident with out to at least 300 yards. For me it's usually my .308 with a 2.5x scope. It's worthy, shoots well enough, and is easy to loan out. I'd miss it if it was stolen, and would probably replace it quickly with a another similar rifle.

Been there

never say 'Denver'........

My back up elk rifle is usually on my wife's shoulder. If one our guns goes out of order the other is there as needed. problem solved. She carries my ruger tanger 7x57 most of the time. Only real problem is in super steep terrain I get to carry both guns!

Actually I said Deer Trail.

To the OP, have you been elk hunting before ? And where are you going.
I'd take the 270, I like to carry lighter guns and 270 Is just fine for elk..
Back up or brush gun the 760 in 06 is hard to beat.

Checked w LGS today about suppressor and told NFA trust stamps now running 4-8 mos. v. 3 when I dropped dough in April.

So getting MR .270 outta mothballs for primary and may put new 6x36 or 6x42 LRD on it. Be bit more usable than ol' M8 6x42HD.

Down to '06 or .358 for BUG.