Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Short range Elk rifle

I'd rather hunt with a long range rifle and have to shoot it short than the other way around. That said I've only shot an elk out to 250 yards and every elk has been taken with either a .270 or .30-06.

Same here. For me, the .338 Federal makes perfect sense for all shots I'm comfortable taking on elk....0 - 350 yards, or so.

With LeverEvolution ammo and my Marlin 30.30, any elk within 200 yds of me is in a heap of trouble.

Beyond that, if my 300 WM ain't enough medicine, I should stick to hunting grouse!

A 200 grain Partition at about 2650 from a well balanced, receiver sighted '06 might not kick and make as much noise as the thunder boomer, but DRT has no superlative.

Wayne

About any good elk rifle works at close range as well as long. I use a 35 Whelen and feel pretty comfortable killing elk up close with it. The longest shot I've had was just a tad over 100 yards. I can kill a target pretty dead at 300 yards with it though, and thats a long poke in most country I hunt.

Hmmm, under 500 yds is "up close and personal." ... OK, well, since you said short range, and did not specify how much under 500 yds I will list a few candidates which would be good at a range of 1/2 that of 500 yds, and pis poor to worthless at 500 yds.

Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70 or a Marlin in 444.

Another good one is the BLR in .358 Win.

Or maybe a Rem 7600 in .35 Whelen.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't include a M71 in .348 Win.

Got to love the fellow Oregonian comments on 35 Whelen.

How about the new 338 Marlin Express? Lever action that shoots like a 30-06? The Hornady propaganda talks about a 300 + yard rifle

But then again - Marlin Guide gun in 45-70.

Eric

I'd like to give the 338 Fed a try.

My short range rifle was a 1895 Marlin with 22" 45-70 shooting Hornady Levreultion ammo.Still stretch to 200 and down to feet.
2-7 scope and it was good to go.
BBJ

350 Rem in a Rem M7 Custom Shop, 20" barrel.

I agree

I shot many elk in my time and the longest shot was 340 yards or paces, I Used as 300. For me, short range is within 200 yards, that is a good 358 Winchester distance, a good cartridge not appreciated; I hope the 338 Federal has better luck.

Here in SW Montana, elk possibilities can come at 50 or 500 yards... I can't fathom setting myself up to not be able to take any and all opportunities if favorable conditions are present. If I want short range hunting I'll take up the bow...