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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
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Drew a cow/calf tag for area 98 in Wyoming but I have a problem, too many good elk rifles. I am leaning toward using my 03A3 custom Springfield 30-06 pushing 180 gr. patitions at 2750 fps. This rifle has taken many elk already, fits me perfectly. As a second/backup rifle my first impulse is to take my 35 Whelen pushing a 250 gr. Hornady Spire point to 2450 fps (19 inch barrel). Both rifles are topped with 4 power Leupolds. The next rifle is a 7MM RM model 700 topped with a Bushnell 3200 Elite 3x9 complete with a bipod pushing 160 gr. Accubonds or Partitions (have both loaded) for the extra long shots. Then there is the 308, one of 2 270's or one of 2 other 30-06's to cover backup rifle position. The country hunted can be wide open or timber and my choice of an elk would be a yearling cow. Anyone see a downside to the 30-06/35 Whelen pair?
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 954
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Nope My typical shot is in the 300 yard catagory so I go with 300 Win Mag and 7MM STW. A Whelen and a few others are also in the herd.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,479
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 1,479 |
I vote for the classic 03A3 in the 06 with the partitions. Classic rig that needs to be hunted!!
Take the old girl out and have some newbies ask "What kind of rifle is that mister?"
Just grin and give them a history lesson
Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool !!
"Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until your sights are on the target".
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
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The old Springfield is the rifle I started with in Wyoming. When I only had one big game rifle this was it. When I moved to Texas so I could make a living is when my rifle collection expanded and I started fooling with minutia. Back then it was a sensible battery, a 223, a 22 rimfire, a 12 gauge shotgun and the Springfield.
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651 |
Too many good elk rifles is one reason I sold my two .308 Win rifles and bought an AR-15 with a couple uppers.
Still have my Roberts, .280 Rem, 7mmRM, three .30-06s, .300WM and .338 WM. Plus the levers in .30-30, .375 Win, .44 Mag and .45-70.
The .44 Mag isn't much of an "elk gun" but it has seen a lot of field time trying its best. Biggest bull I ever drew down on was given walking papers because my buddy had one down already and I figured we had enough problems. 100 yards, easy shot, and the .44 is still an elk virgin as a result.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 963
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Campfire Regular
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The 06 has always been one of my favorite calibers to hunt Elk, and most people can really shoot them well. Don't ever feel under gunned with your 03A3 combo. The 06 and 35 whelen will not tear up as much meat either. Of course I am a vanilla kind of guy. Daryl.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 645
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Campfire Regular
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how soon does your season open up? you may have time to buy a new rifle in a new caliber, work up some loads and get it sighted in! Poole
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
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Come to think of it I also have a new to me Springfield in 280 improved that I could do some work on, Hmmmm.
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Had a similar problem. Drew a NM archery tag, problem solved. Good luck with whatever you carry durning your hunt.
Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.
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Joined: May 2009
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Just my $0.02 cents worth?
I'd be pulling the bi-pod off the 7MM-RM and fill your cow-tag with it.
I have nothing against an -06 or 35, but would go with the flattest shooter that can pack enough punch.
7MM-RM is near the top of my short list.
Clinging to my God, and my guns!
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 32,312 |
I'd take the Whelan for sure. After that it'd be what fit me the best. Sounds like that's the '06. My elk rifles: 7mm-08 30-06 .325 WSM 300 WM 7 WSM .338 WM .358 Win D'oh!
The CENTER will hold.
Reality, Patriotism,Trump: you can only pick two
FÜCK PUTIN!
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8 |
My elk rifles are 338 win mag and 9.3x62....
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Mar 2008
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You sir... have an embarrassment of riches in your gun safe! That adage that "a 30/06 is never a bad choice" applies here.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8 |
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,881
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Take the Colonel. I've made some of my longest shots on elk with the Whelen, not that that should be a reason.
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford
If it's tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
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I like the 7MM RM but feel it is a bit more specialized and set mine up for long shots. Considering I won't shoot at anything over 400 yards away it's edge on the 30-06 isn't much and the 35 Whelen is a better timber round than either the 30-06 or the 7MM RM.
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 685
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Campfire Regular
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Nothing wrong with a 30-06 with a good 180gr bullet.
My elk rifles are 300WM with 180gr AB's / 338-06AI with 225gr AB's or TTSX's and 270WSM with 140gr AB's have worked for me. For years I was a 1-rifle guy till the rifle bug bit, and I was strictly 300WM.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Today I bought a Mauser action to be built into a 338-06.
Dog I rescued in January
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I'd use the 338 WM but take your 358 Win as a backup.
Start young, hunt hard, and enjoy God's bounty.
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I wouldn't put so much thought into shooting a calf. Anything you have is more than enough.
Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a hunting license and that's pretty close.
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