Planned on taking a .300 WSM for our September hunt in Montana. Now it's getting fussy. Hopefully I can get it straightened out before then. If not, I will take a .308 (180 SGK's @2650) or a 6.5X55 (130 Accubonds @ 2700). In terms of accuracy and confidence, the 6.5X55 is at the top of my list. What are the thoughts of those who know a lot more about elk hunting than I do?

This combination will do good things for you.



Those two items are more important than recoil, muzzle blast, or testosterone. Then again, if you just happened to work up a great shooting load with some 160's, so much the better.

FC

I don't think you have to worry about your choice in rifles.

Regardless of the cartridge you end up with, I would recommend a Partition--especially in the 308 or 6.5...........


Casey

Sounds like you have already picked it, go with the Swede.

Don't worry about the 180 skg bullets at that velocity. They will do a very good job out of your 308. You do not need premium bullets for elk if you don't push them too hard. I have been shooting them out of an 30-06 a little faster and they work fine. Dead is dead. Daryl.

I would make every effort to get your .300 WSM shooting to your satisfaction- it's the 'real' elk cartridge of the three.

Now why would a 300 wsm be that much better than a 308 win and 180 gr bullets at 2650 fps? I would wager that you could not tell much difference other than more recoil. It is funny that the military still uses the 308 for a sniper round instead of the 300 wsm. Elk are not bullet proof. Daryl.

Emphasis on good shot placement is critical. All the mentioned rounds will work if delivered in the proper place. Use the rifle you are most comfortable with. Be confident in your shot and enjoy your elk, like Daryl said, they are not bulletproof. Personal experience, I know the AB's will work on elk and I shot a moose w/ 165 AB's at 385 yards and they performed well on it too.

Take the Swede (re=confidence)

Dober

I'm using one or both of my Swede's this year on cow Elk. 140 gr Hornady IL's at 2650 mv. I'd use it on a bull too, no problem.

I've used the swede before and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. As long as you don't try anything crazy the accubond should work splendidly!

what exactly do you mean by the WSM being "fussy" ?


assuming it holds zero relably , a 2 -3 MOA rifle is more than accurate emough for 98% of elk hunting

I mean what was a reliable 1.25 MOA rifle is shooting twice that now and maybe POI is wandering a little. We're leaving in a month and I may not have time to get it worked out to my satisfaction. I realize I don't need benchrest accuracy to kill an elk, and I know that, like a lot of guys here, I over think the value of rifle performance, but still, I do. The other two rifles have been constant, steady performers, the Swede especially shoots bugholes and retains zero year after year. If I can make myself happy with the WSM between now and then it's going with me, but if not...bottom line is, whatever I leave home with is going to be something that both my common sense and my paranoid delusional rifle looney brain will be comfortable with.

Do you shoot factory ammo, or reload??

All three should work well, if you do your part. I feel a little more comfortable with a bullet weight a little heavier then 130, and a little lower then 180 but that is just me.

My primary rifle is a 300WSM shooting 150 TSX hand loads, haven't found a slug yet, but I always bring one of my .308s as a backup/short range gun. I load up the 150 TSX for it as well.

Good luck to you!

Sounds more like the action screws, rings, bases, or scope to me. That's the first place I'd go. Tighten the front action screw firmly, tighten the rear and back off about 1/8th turn. If that doesn't work, check ring and base tightness. Finally, swap out the scope. One of those options should do the trick.

If not, check the bedding. If it's a wood stock, recent temp and humidity fluctuations could be another culprit.

A month is plenty of time to work it out.

Otherwise, grab either of the other rifles and practice from field positions. Most easterners need more shooting practice and rifle familiarity and less worry over MOA.

Good luck on your hunt.

My first thought is scope, try a different one. Second, clean the barrel real good, with a quality copper remover. Twice. Then go shoot.

Failing that, take whichever other rifle is shooting good for you.

+3 on the loose scope mount. Thats why I level mine and secure it with Loctite.

The Swede will get it done.

Take the Swede and have a great hunt!

Take two rifles. Then if something unfortunate happens you can still hunt and take care of the problem later.

All three will work fine.

The "real" elk cartridge/rifle will be the one in which he has the greatest confidence....combined with a good bullet of course.
35WN

I have a Savage 300 WSM that's a tack driver. I agree that there some kind of loose screw on the mounts or something.

A wise man here used to say Placement, boolit, cartridge.

Words to heed, IMO.

Sounds like that was a wise man....(please don't tell me it was lee24....naw no way he's have that much common sense...but you know he did design all three guns the OP is considering)

The important thing would be...how can I justify a new rifle to my wife? That's more important than caliber.

Then know the terrain and conditions you're hunting in. I took a guided elk hunt in Idaho and was prepared for the 200 yard shots that I have around home. Unfortunately, the only shot I had on a bull was at 400 yards, and I was unprepared and had to pass. If you anticipate longer shots in the big sky country, the 300 WSM may be the better choice...or you could buy a 270 WSM for the hunt!

If you only have one, you only have one.

At least take two types of ammo if possible. When I only had one rifle I (7mm RM), my 160g Grand Slam loads were designed to be interchangeable with the 160g Partition load by Federal (same POI and trajectory, more or less). Never had to use the backup (Federal) ammo but always took it on the trip.

Go with confidence, take the Swede. I'd prefer the .308 if all else were equal, but confidence trumps the best .308 arguments.

If you handload, try IMR 4350 or get a friend who loads to work up a load. I do not like partitions. I would try a Barnes from Federal if you do not handload or want to. Also, your gun may need a bed job to improve accuracy. To check the bedding issue out, place a small piece of cardboard behind the rifle lug and assembly the rifle. Shot it and see if accuracy improves. If it does, bed it. My suggestions.