Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Am I Overthinking My Elk Rifle?

Earlier this year, I picked up an old Browning BAR Safari in 30-06 with a Bushnell 3x9 Elite 4200 for my first elk hunt ever in Montana. Unfortunately, the trip fell though and I'm enjoying deer hunting here in Michigan.

My little brain is always wondering if I can improve on the BAR. I've grown to appreciate carrying a peep sighted Savage 99 for deer hunting...much I believe due to lighter weight w/o a scope.

So for you weight-conscious western elk hunters, what to you tote? Would be interested to hear your thoughts on a Remington Model 7 in 308 or similar "compact" rifle. Is the short action and barrel length of a carbine of appreciable disadvantage out west?

I'm hoping an elk hunt will work out for next year and may trade the BAR for something lighter.

I'd get a Winchester M 70 Featherweight in .30-06 with a 2x-7x or 3x-9x scope and go forth and kill elk/deer.

Good advice right here. I am not a fan of semi-auto big game rifles. I've been around too many that failed in the field. Mostly because of operator error doe to a lack of cleaning or getting the rifle prepared for sub-zero temps. If you want something different than a bolt action, I'd be more inclined to get a Rem. pump action .308/30-06/.270Win.. No need for a scope over 9 power and better yet if you can convince yourself to got 6x36 Leupie or 6x38 Weaver.
Good luck.

Its heavy because its an auto. Keep the scope and switch to a bolt like the Tikka T3 30-06.

My choice for elk hunting has been a Kimber Montana in 300 WSM. You can enjoy a light rifle AND a scope.

donsm70

I think your 308 idea would work just fine. Are you hunting in the mountains or across the prairies? If it's steep lighter is better.

I'd go with something like a 270 or 30/06 that is relatively inexpensive to shoot if you are not a handloader, and then practice like hell on being able to shoot quickly and accurately from standing, sitting and kneeling positions. If you are like most, you are way overthinking what rifle to use and way UNDERTHINKING being able to hit a pie plate size area at 300 yards quickly.

^^^^^


This�EXACTLY


And you can improve on the BAR by getting something with a bolt handle�.

if you like Brownings, consider a BLR as an alternative.

I hunt with a .358 BLR, and really like it. very lightweight, and shoots great out to about 300 yards.

I echo the others. Ditch the semi auto and weight. Get something light with a good trigger. Don't need anything bigger than 3x9 scope, though I prefer a 4.5x 14, even though it rarely is used over 6x. I've been running a kimber Montana and tikka t3 the past few years with no complaints.

I believe that the weight of a rifle really doesn't matter as much as being able to accurately hit your target. That being said my rig weighs just under 10 lbs scoped up and ready to go and I'm okay with that, but that's JMHO.

Shameless plug, but I've got a stainless A-bolt in .30-06 for sale in the classifieds. It has accounted for 5 elk, many deer, and one antelope.


P

YES!!!

I've got the cheapest solution for you.

Get in shape, and keep the BAR.

S-I-L did just that. He's on a run of 5 elk in 5 years, nothing big, but for DIY on public ground by a non-resident that isn't bad.
1st one he hit at 45 yards with a 165 TSX out of a Ruger stainless 300 mag. in heavy timber. Decided he didn't like nearly 10 lbs to carry or the recoil.
2nd one was another raghorn but with his old 7 mag 160 AccuBond at 200 yards
3rd was a cow at around 200 with the M70 Fwt 165 TTSX. Took 3 shots, 2 of them better placed than the 1st. Wasn't real happy with the lack of reaction to the hits though the shooting could of been beter.
4th was a cow at 450(GPS Co-ordinates not lazered) with the M70 and 165 Partitions. Went through both shoulders and dropped her right there. Full exit.
5th was a cow at 40 yards in the black timber. Same M70 30-06 and 165 Partitions, found the bullet under the hide after going through both shoulders. She went 20 yards.

He's convinced that he's found the perfect elk rifle. I'm convinced I need to stick closer to him so I can get a shot!

Bolts are 100x more common than autos for a reason - they're lighter and more reliable. A 30-06 is plenty for elk but I sure do like my 300 WSM although I've never killed an elk with it that couldn't have been killed just as well with a 270 or 30-06. A 308 is also very good.

I tote a post 64 Mod 70, 300 win mag. Chet Brown stock, Harris Bipod, hunter sling, Zeiss 4.5 X 14, and 8 rounds on the stock. Been out 20 days with it this year and next and last hunt starts this week with a bow.

I hunt thick stuff for elk. My model seven in 260 Rem weighs 6.5 pounds loaded and is always in my hands. I don't have a sling on it and therefore never get caught slung with an elk eyeballing me. If I hunted in big open country I might be tempted to go bigger/heavier. So part of the answer to your question is where are you going hunt?

No love for the BAR!!?? My dad's been hunting with a 1982 .30-06 BAR ever since he bought it, damn thing shoots as good as any non-custom bolt gun I've ever been around and its never failed! I love bolt guns myself and I only hunted a couple years with that BAR till I bought my own gun. If you've got the money go ahead and get a bolt, that BAR would be an eastern whitetails nightmare if thats the route you go. I don't like to hunt with any scope smaller than a 4.5x14, just personal preference.

Stick with a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. Something about hunting in the woods in the Upper Midwest just says that combo to me. You would also need a red plaid, wool Mackinaw and matching hat to complete the scenario. Personally, I would but a 4x or 6x fixed scope on it, though in my younger years (eyes) a peep sight would be cool.