Thinking about a future elk hunt. Do not plan on buying another rifle. Of the ones I have the most suitable look like a .280 (Rem 700 Classic) with 3X9 leupold, a .380 (Kimber Montana) with 2X7 leupold, or a .350 Rem Mag (700 Classic) with 1.5X5 leupold. All have 22 inch barrels, all will shoot 1.5 in or less a 100 yds (all will group at least some loads into less than an inch). The Kimber .308 is my current go-to deer rifle, but I have hunted with the others. I have a rangefinder, should be OK out to 250-300 yds, not comfortable thinking about longer shots - no practice/experience at real long ranges.

So...recommendations? opinions? experiences?

Please stick to these calibers - I'm not buying another rifle!

Your go to deer rifle will make an equally good go to elk rifle but all of them will knock an elks dick in the dirt if you take out the vitals

Any/all/either of the rifles you describe would be great at the ranges you mention, and then some. It really is about hitting the vitals with a bullet that will damage them enough that you can recover the animal. All of the cartridges you named, and the platforms you have, will be used hunting elk this year. A lot of gack about elk guns out there. The bullet is at least as important as the cartridge/platform.

I would use the lightest weight rifle, if hunting in the mountains.Scope wise I would use your favorite.Good Luck!

Both of the aforementioned Remington 700's will not kill elk. I repeat the WILL not kill elk. You should send them to me immediately.

bigswede358

just send a blank check

IMHO, the Montana in .308, with the 2-7, would be the right choice. Any of those will work, but it sounds like you are very familiar with the Kimber.

donsm70

Consider it done, just watch for it in the mail. It will be there any day.

PS You don't care if my name is on the check do you?

If you had to bet me $200 on your first shot hitting a pie plate at 200 yards from a field position, which rifle would you choose?

Take that one...

Haven't tried that in awhile - can hit a 15" plate at 150 yds offhand/standing, farthest target available at the rifle range I've been using. Easier with the non-magnums - haven't been shooting the .350 RM enough to be used to the recoil.

308 Montana..

Take the 350, the elk will just fall over from being scared so bad.

The 280 or 350 would be my picks. 300 yards is a very fair range to keep your shots under and both of those (to include the 308) would do fine. It'd come down to which rifle handled and shot the best for me with sling in field positions and bullets you use in the rifles.

No question: .308

The better question is which TWO rifles do you take. Always take a back up. I would take the 350 as the main gun, and probably the 280. But thats just me. Any combo of those guns are good. You can't make a wrong choice

+1, take the one you shoot the best and have most confidence in. If it's the lightest, that's good too.

Use the 350! Why not? You can't beat it as a timber gun and it will do just fine out to 300 yards. I will be taking two rifles elk hunting this year, one will be a 35 Whelen and the other a 280AI.

The .308 Montana is of course the lightest, will need to try some premium bullet 165 and 180 gr loads and see how it likes them. It's probably the most finicky in terms of ammo it likes.

The .350 was my Alaska rifle when I was sent up there for a couple of years in the 80's courtesy of the Army. Haven't used it much since then, but take it to the range once in awhile and did take a deer with it last fall when my 308 was out of action with a scope mount problem. Have some 225 gr nosler partition loads on hand that should be about perfect. Could borrow a 2x7 off another rifle and up scope it if I feel the need. Should probably be choice #1.

I've used the 280 the least, and it's the heaviest, but its identical to the 350 except for action length, and a good shooter.

Well I have a .308 and a .280 Rem. but not a .350 Rem. Mag. However I do have a .35 Whelen which is basically the same thing in a different package. I can push a 225 gr. Barnes TSX to 2700 FPS from a 24" barrel and have taken elk with it at 350 yards. Most have been under 200 yards though. I think the TSX is a good bullet but may be too long for use in the .350 Rem. Mag. Dunno what the velocity of your 225 gr. Partition load is but I'm betting it's an elk slayer deluxe.
The Whelen will be going with me as my primary rifle for another elk hunt come next January. I'll probably do like I did last January and hunt one day with a 7x57, the nest dat a .280 or 30-06 depending on what I bring and if no liver in the pan yet the the Whelen will be called up to save the day. It's been my lucky elk rifle ever since I bought it.
I screwed up royally one my last hunt. The outfitter offered me a buffalo hunt for a very reduced price and I turned it down. Not enough room in the freeze and after paying for the hunt just couln't swing the price of the hunt and a new freezer. The wife and I talked it over and if given another chance at that buff hunt you can bet the farm I'll take it.
Go with the .350. You'll never know what special oppotunities might pop up.
Paul B.

My son killed his only one with a 30.06 ( Rem 700) at 230 yds. DRT. He fell like a tree. Big bull too. I didn't think he could shoot that well.

Any of those rifles will work just fine. I would stick with the .308, since that is your go-to rifle. Just put good bullets in it and it is all that you need. The 350 would be fun, however.

I would take the 280.

My 350 rem, was a classic until I had the barrel bobbed to 20" hits about 8" low with a 225 Sierra at 350 yds. That is from practice too, not a balistics chart. I think those partitions would work great, plus that is one of the only instances where the B.C. is higher on a partition than an accubond.
Mine wears an old Leupy 4x compact. Its my favorite elk rifle for crawling around in the timber.

Here is my 350 in action. 5x5 raghorn killed at 30 feet in the thick stuff.

Since no one has I'll ask it - Where, how, and in what terrain do you plan to hunt?

All three will work well, but each may have an edge in specific circumstances:

.280 - Open Country
.308 - Steep Country or Extra Hiking
.350 - Grizzly Country or Heavy Timber

If you take a backup consider that the .308 and .350 are near enough trajectory twins.

Truth be told, I'd wimp-out and take your much lighter Montana, almost every time; but you might be tougher than me.

I think this is the first thread ever that has gone several pages without some expurt advising a bigger cartridge!

Shoot whatever one you can shoot well without thinking about it. When it come time to shoot at a Bull, you won't be thinking at all about technique, cheek weld, breathing, trigger break, etc.

Mike �

I�ve been hunting elk every year except one or two since 1982. During that time I�ve not taken or seen taken any elk that could not have been taken equally well with a .308 Win, including my longest shot at 487 yards. All of your rifles are quite suitable for hunting elk. Take the one you shoot best, plus a backup.

So, what do you carry if your elk hunting involves all three?

Which, IME, it usually does,at least where I have hunted elk.You might bump into all of these conditions in the same day in some elk country,and it's a good idea if your elk rifle can manage all of them.IMHO.

This is how I would roll and have the very same rifle. They will not bounce off I promise!

308 Montana

When you say that you don't shoot the 350 as well as the other two rifles, that is a BIG CLUE to leave it home.
Never heard of an elk shot in the chest cavity with a proper bullet from a 308 or a 280 that went far. Have heard of and seen a lot of elk that had a magnum bullet go whizzing by them that lived to see another season.
I once had a 35 Whelen built as my dream rifle for elk. I killed one elk and a small black bear with it, with less than impressive results. Lent it to a friend who shot more elk with it and a cow moose, and the results were underwhelming. I don't think the 35 calibers bring anymore "killing power" or whatever you want to call it to the table than the 308 class cartridges.

I'm mostly a 7 mm fan. My .280 and a plain vanilla .270 Win have cleanly killed many bulls for me. Personally I would prefer more scope and I love 7 mm Ultra, but neither is necessary. Take that .280 and learn to shoot it out to 400-500 yards. 140 gr or 168 gr Bergers will do the job for you.

Hunt with what you are confident in, and ignore all of the internet warrior BS� You knew the answer before you asked the questions. Elk are not hard to kill, make a good shot with your "go-to" gun and eat some elk steaks� KISS (keep it simple stupid)� don't over think it.. cavemen were killing these animals with rocks and spears not to long ago.

Alright, got to ask.

Is "Grizzly Country" a terrain description or is it suggested that rifle caliber should be sufficient to defend oneself in case of an attack?

Most people, I think use "Grizzly Country" to mean any place where you are likely to encounter a grizzly.

Even in brn bear country ok for you lower 48 guys "grizzly bear" country in Alaska my wife and daughter packed 7-08 daughter used 120gr tsx wife used 139gr gmx anyhow I packed a 325 wsm using 200gr Speer hot cor. I was never really worried about bears. I think a lot of folks over think things around here. When I tell my buds down here in the lower 48 I used regular old Speer hot cor they go oh wow uh that's not a very good bullet. I disagree

What are the 3 respective bullets/loads you plan on using?

In the end, you'll take the one you like best.

When I was so much older, I knew all there was to know. Now that I'm younger than that now I think I've got it wired. After the '06, the best cartridge ever invented is the .280 Rem, which I'd rather have than an '06, and with which I could hunt everything on the North American continent. One of these days I'm gonna buy me a .280 Rem.

Some of Rock 'n' Rolls best gunslingers, Bob Dylan being the slow draw:



Two of the top Rock gunslingers dueling:

If your distance comfort level is 250 to 300 yards, your 2X7 or 1.5X5 should be fine. I usually let the terrain that I'm hunting dictate the rifle that I use. If you are anticipating hunting in open areas, I'd choose the 280 or 308. For dark timber or drainage areas with more brush and trees , I'd pick the 380 Kimber or 350 Win Mag. If you can't decide, your 308 Win Kimber should work in well in most all conditions. Don't own one but a CO outfitter we used for a couple of year swears by his 308. For comparison, my elk rifles are 300 Win Mag, 358 Win, and my 9.3X62.

The latter.

In areas where grizzlies live but are not hunted they've started coming to rifle shots like dinner bells to take over the carcass or at least eat the leavings from dressing and boning. A little more powder and bullet are comforting in those areas.

My friend's and I have taken a large number of elk shooting arrows. I would be more concerned getting about getting into shape and scouting than finding the "perfect" elk rifle. Buy a 300 win mag or 243, 7mm 280 ai start humping a heavy pack and scouting before spending time on Internet.

Cmon these threads get old

You stuffin' a lot of chronic in your pole & smokin' it?

No, I use BH209 and a 350 grain .50 caliber bullet. "Smokepole" is slang for muzzleloader. Any other interpretation of the term on a hunting forum is just projection on your part.