Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Next Year - What Rifle, Scope, Caliber, Bullet for Elk

Well, we’ve had a great response on what folks are using “this” year for elk! Does “anyone” have a clue, what you’ using next year. Many have multiple rifles, to choose from, some only the one. Even if you don’t have it yet....what do you have in the “works”?
For us....it will be the same, rifles as the last 20+ years. Only the scopes, and the loads (slightly) have changed!

It’s never to early to prepare for next elk season! memtb

Rifle elk doesn’t open here until Saturday the 20th... there’s no hunting rutting elk with a rifle here.

Not all “elk hunting” is the same...

Same thing I used this year. 308 Winchester shooting a 165 Trophy bonded tip bullet @ 2740. Scope is a nightforce NXS 2.5-10x32. Bullet sailed through this one and flattened him.

You don’t question success! memtb

I'll let you know after this season ends. It starts in 11 days. No need to rush into what well use next year.

I'm taking my teenage son next year for both of our first elk hunts. Both using Rem 700's with Bushnell Elite 4200's in 3-9×40s. Mine's a .270, has a Greyboe Outlander stock, Tallley LW's and a Montana sling. The kid's is a 7mm-08, Hogue stock (or a Boyd's laminate I also have), standard Leupold mounts and a Montana sling as well.. Both will probably be using factory Barnes Vor-tx TTSX. I'm thinking about getting a McMillian for the 7-08 as the gun is a Mountain Rifle and I'd like to get the weight down a bit more. Good chance I'll bring my Marlin 1895G for a backup.

As it stands. The daughter and I will be elk hunting next year. Ill be toting the Kimber 30/06. 180 ballistic tips over 57 grains of H4350. The other option is the 165 grain Accubond over 56 grains of RL17.

Either a 7 Mashburn or a 30-06. Probably the Mashburn. And I still have 2 elk tags good for this year, likely the Mashburn for those also.

I’ll just be happy to make it to "next year"!

That's a tough one... way too many options...

I plan to have a Remington Alaskan Ti, in 30-06, all set up for next year. I am replacing the original stock with a McMillan Edge.

donsm70

NULA .284 150-160 grain what ever gives best accuracy,

How's the mag length on that beast? I ran the 150 grain over RL19 . Shot fantastic out of a Shilen barrel. The 284 Win is a great cartridge.

If I go, I'll be 66 in a couple months, it'll be the ol 270. Early 70s vintage 700 BDL, Pac-Nor barrel, B&C Alaskan II stock, VXII LR 3-9 shooting 150 Partitions. Might take a Baco M70 Fwt, 7-08 with a VXII LR 2-7, shooting 140 Partitions as backup.

Assuming I draw a rifle tag the choice would be my FN based 9.3x62 with 250 Accubonds @ 2650. Topped with a 3.5-10x40 Leupold CDS.

.270 Ingwe with either a 130 grain Nosler Partition or Trophy Bonded Tip.

If I get drawn.

I'm interested in getting a BLR. I had one years ago in .30-06 and I wish I'd never sold it. I'm undecided if my next one will be short action in .308 or long action in .270. I'm also undecided if it will be straight stock or pistol grip.

Either my 6.5GAP4S or my 7mm08.
Will be my first bull elk hunt.

Same as this year, ruger m77 Hawkeye or win m70 ew, both in 308 win. The ew worked last year and the Hawkeye is going to work in November when I hunt new Mexico. Good hunting.

hope to have the 358 norma mag up and running for next year

That should make an excellent elk cartridge! memtb

Great round...with a lot of history! memtb

If I have time to develop a load for my Sauer 9.3x62 I’ll take that next year.

50 caliber muzzleloader, sans scope. We can hunt bulls during the rut with a rifle, but that's what it's gotta be unless you're on an RFW ranch. No scope, no sabots, 50 caliber minimum.

If I get a second tag for a rifle season, I'd use the NULA 280 that should be arriving in the next couple of weeks. Probably with a 2.5 X 10 NXS mounted on it. Probably shooting 150 grain NBTs at about 3,050.

Actually, still this year for me. I leave in a week for Montana.

Tikka T3x in 7mm mag with Insite muzzle brake, Meopta Meopro 4.5-14x44, Nosler Accubond 160 grain.

Your second choice worked great for me last week in New Mexico. This was my 3rd year to go elk hunting but the first year to get a shot. Last day,,last 30 minutes, I took a 5x5 with almost the exact same load. The elk dropped in his tracks at 225 yds.

I’ll be taking my 1968 Sako 338. She don’t mess around.

Yep, me too! I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Yeah Ben I didnt decide on whether I was going or not this year til end of July

I'll still be shooting my 300 win with 200 NPs and 6x36 M8.

I'm boring.

Being how drawing a decent tag in this state is about like winning the powerball, it will probably be the bow and arrow, again.

I am going elk hunting for the first time. I am using either my 35 whelen, or my 264 win mag. What day you guys?

I'll tote my Cooper 92 in 280 AI again. Undecided right now if it will keep its Zeiss 5-30x50 V6 (I know, I know. But its a tank and I can see really far with it and never worry about it losing zero or breaking if I drop it) or get a lighter Swaro or Vortex.

I say .35 Whelen, Denny!!!!

Kind and helpful

I carry the Kimber Hunter 6.5 CM, with 140 Federal Fusions.
They haven't been able to run away from it yet!

I had the same initial thoughts but being it's Brad we're talking about, I was unsurprised at such a response.

However, I also noticed that the OP edited his post that same day, so maybe there's more to the story....

To the OP: I suspect like this year, my 6.5X284 NORMA will get the nod. It has killed 4 bulls in 4 years, plus one extra cow and I plan to get another extra cow with it next month. It's a custom Rem 700 with Burris XTRs and a SWFA 6X mil-quad shooting 140 bergers. Great package.

338-06AI with 200 NABs this year and next year probably 35 Whelen Imp with 225 NAB or NPT in its new B&C Medalist.

I reckon I'll use the PRC again next year, since it didn't get to whomp a bull this year. But I still have a plains elk tag good here till the end of January

I find I am way more comfortable not getting elk in Sept than I am in Oct. So looks like a 54 Hawken and a roundball load here.

I'll be hunting with a Beretta Silver Sable II O/U in 9.3x74R, shooting Norma 286 gr. Oryx, and the scope is a S&B Stratos 1.5-8x42. Have been working on getting this combo ready for hunting for a few months now, all the work is done. But I just missed having it ready for this year. So I have something nice to look forward to next season.

338-06

Truck trouble cut my hunt frim 5 days t 201/2 and hose were further cut back by my desire to help daughter #1 get her first elk and mulie. Got in my range for elk but closed another 100 and they were in the trees. had to leave before they came back out at dusk because Daughter #1 was 7-1/2 months prego and last time we were on that hill my hunting buddy got tanglefoot in the sage in th dark, badly spraining his ankle. Did not want to risk that with Daughter #1.

So, didn't get to use either of the rifles I took. Ruger MKII in .300WM and .338WM, both with skeleton stocks. No biggie, the freezers are full of antelope.

Hard t tell which rifles I'll take next year, but the loads are ready so the bullet choices are easy:

.257
120g Swift A-Frame

7mm
140g AccuBond
140g North Fork HP (prototype)
160g North Fork SS

.308
150g Nosler Ballistic Tip
168g Barnes TTSX
175g Barnes LRX
180g North Fork SS

.338
225g Nosler AccuBond

I'll be using a NULA .284, most likely a 160 gr Accubond, and planning either a Schmidt Bender Summit 2.5-10, or Klassic 3-12.

How do I know, I haven't killed an elk this year yet...

Probably the same rifle that has worked for the past several years, Sako Deluxe 300 WBY Magnum with Swarovski Z-6 3-18X50 BRH scope...

Ben and Bob, let's not hear any more moaning. You are both comparative youths compared to me!

While I've figured out what to take for my late December NM private land hunt the year, it is fun to anticipate what would be best for next as well.

This year will be a 30-06 LH Model 70 that I actually bought on the 'Fire a few years ago from a fine guy in Farmington, NM. It has a 6X Leupold and I will use 180 gr Federal Nosler Partitions or Federal 2000 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw cartridges I feel very comfortable with 30-06s and have several.

I will also bring (and may shoot) a 300 WSM LH model 70 Custom Shop beauty with match grade barrel. It has a 3x9 Cabela's Meopta sight. Also similar Federal 180 gr ammo.

The outfitter says to expect 200 yard shots at this time of year, as the herds know all about hunters.

For next, year, my hunting partner, a lifelong NM fellow, and I hope to draw in one of the public land NM areas he has hunted before, so conditions and time of year will be different. I am toying with bringing my .348 Winchester Model 71 with peep sight for that one, since the opportunities will hopefully be closer. If that is the case, I may shoot reloads as I have found some good brass and bullets.

Norm

If I draw a tag, it will probably be a 338-06.
9.3x64 or 300 H&H get honorable mention.

I’ll stick with Shrapnel’s choice and take my Mark V Fibermark .300 Weatherby with Kahles Helia C 2.5-10x50 shooting 168 gr TTSX handloads. Why monkey with success!

Yesterday, while straightening up my gun safe, I took out my MkV .300 Weatherby, which hasn't been used for several years- last time was 5 years ago, on a successful bull elk hunt. Since, I have been 'guiding' my sons on their elk hunts, just going along to drive, spot, gut, skin, etc. etc.

Next year, it's my turn again, with enough points built up to draw in the unit I want. With a stable of very accurate, adequate elk rifles in the safe, like a .30-06, .280, .270 WSM, and my .300, a choice of what to use can be (is) bewildering at times.
Anyway- today was a windless, sunny day, so I decided to go to the range with my neglected .300 Wby. and some of my 165 gr. Barnes TSX handloads. After a fouler, I began with what was a string of sub-MOA groups with my Wby. Sure, it makes more noise, has more recoil, and at 8.5# all up, a bit heavier than my other rifles, but shooting my old MkV brought back memories of past successful hunts with her, in CO, WY, Africa, and even Mongolia for a Gobi Ibex.

Nowadays, she wears a Mcmillan Edge stock which is glass bedded and free floated, barrel recrowned sometime in the past, Talley mounts and rings, and a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 scope. If/when I draw again here in CO, I think the .300 will once again go hunting!

If health allows, I will take the same one as I did this year. Sako A7 30-06, Leupold 3x9, handloads with 165 Accubonds running about 2750-2800.

This levergun worked on this bull last week and dozens of times before.
I think it will be up to the task long after my body has failed me.

Nice.....Congrats! memtb

Sounds good Norm! Would really like to see you connect with the 71!!!! 😊 I had a great hunt this year for a cow! Freezer is full and that was the goal!! I’m really hoping for an opportunity for one of my flintlocks. We’ll see what transpires.

Bob

That 2000 gr Bear Claw must pack a hell of a wallop on both ends! What twist do you have to stabilize it?

I was wondering which is longer - the bullet or the barrel?

If my shooting is as bad as my typing with my glasses off, I suppose I don't need to worry about recoil. The Bear Claw bullets are individually in fact only 200 grains.

Norm

As it turned out, the LH Model 70 .300 WSM with Nosler partitions worked fine on Saturday.

In fact, the distance would have been well within my capabilities with open sights at only about 100 yards, so I'm thinking more and more about bringing the Model 71 lever action next year. It is a 1941 last production year pre-WW2 vintage, naturally in .348 Win. Not much more weight than a scoped bolt action, at least to me.

Norm

I will be bringing back my trusty Sako A7 with Vortex 4-12x44 in 7mm-08 with 4 Years and 4 elk under its belt. Been a great combo for me.

I toted an old knight mk-85 muzzleloader this year for my first ever elk hunt. Couldn't get one in quite under my 200yd limit. If im allowed a rifle next time i'll carry my sharps or my M70 375 H&H.

I have a Remington 78 30-06 that shoots 150 gr. Ballistic Tips wonderfully and I absolutely hate it. I cannot find any love for the 30-06. My nephew is interested in buying it and if he does I will pick up something in the 6.5 family (my true love for years). Beyond that if all fails it will be the Remington again.

Just in the early stages and see how Alaska draw results play out. But if not drawn for a Kodak bear tag, I'm pretty sure I will drive down from here and hunt elk in Colorado. I will probably use my super fabulous gay 270 winchester in a stainless classic.

I've got to get lighter. I've got some skeletal issue still being diagnosed.
Hate to give up the rifle that has served me well for decades and killed 40 big game animals, but the time has come.
Looking at the Weatherby Mark V Ultralight. Looks from the specs like I can save about an additional 3/4 lb if I drop from a 7mag to a .270.
I have not put a Weatherby to my shoulder yet. That matters. Not sure where to find one.
I tried the feel of a Kimber Mountain Ascent and it was the most uncomfortable fit I'd ever experienced. Gotta check that out before I drop $2k on a Weatherby.
I don't know if I can even adapt to a super light rifle.

Winchester 70 Classic Stainless, Swarovski Z5 3.5-18, .300 Remington Ultra Mag, 200gr Accubond at @ 3175 fps.

8.5 lbs on the button all up.

Ive hunted elk for almost 50 years, Ive seen guys successfully drop elk with everything from a 257 Roberts to a 458 win mag.
one guy I hunt with uses a ruger #1 in 270, and my late hunting partner preferred a BLR in 358 win,
both guys have a long list of successful hunts.
what rifle you select is far less important than your skill using it and knowledge of the elk and the area hunted,
a decent rifle,you already probably own, in a caliber like a 30/06, with a quality 180 grain-210 grain bullet,
in a , bolt action, slide action, single shot or BLR is fully adequate in experienced hands
Id say far more hunts fail due to lack of the hunters physical conditioning, lack of proper knowledge of the area hunted,
or lack of persistence than due to the rifle used
the best combo Ive found for general use where you don,t know the ranges likely to be encountered,
is a synthetic stock 340 wby loaded with 250 grain bullets and a decent scope like this
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...pe-30mm-tube-5-20x-50mm-side-focus-matte


I doubt Id have done any , better or worse with a ruger falling block in 338 win or 35 whelen
or a BLR in 30/06

I have a Mark V lightweight same as ultralight but with #1 contour non-fluted barrel in 30-06. Felt recoil is pretty generous but it is a joy to carry. The 6 Lug bolt and receiver with lighter contour barrel is way lighter than either of the 3 Mark V magnums I have. I have the Weatherby rifles mainly because they fit my frame. Roger that on Kimber Mountain Ascent rifles. A friend of mine has one and I didn’t care for the fit at all either. He loves it, but we have totally opposite body builds. Happy Trails

Thank you! That's very helpful.

Don't know if we are applying yet. If we should , it will be the T3 270. Not sure what scope might be on it. Could be a Leupy 6X. 150 grain Grand Slam over a stiff charge of 7828.

My wife gave it to me for our 30th anniversary so I don’t feel right about selling it. I wish I had got it in .280 Remington instead of ‘06, but I don’t have another ‘06 so I guess it stays. Happy Trails

Next season is a ways off but hoping to get back to my old stomping grounds and hunt with my dad, I’ll be taking a kimber Montana 308.

A good woman and a good rifle. Can't beat that.

Q? What is your take on the smoothness and feel when cycling the bolt?
While traveling recently I got to try one (no nice rifles are retailed where I live).
Fit and feel were very nice, I liked the 54 degree bolt rotation, 9 lugs seemed great. I considered buying it but the action seemed loose and noisy to me.

Alamosa,
Mine is a 6-Lug lightweight action. Some of the older Howa-built Mark V 9-Lug magnum actions were chambered in .30-06 and .270 Win. before production was moved to the US and the standard length action was built. The fluted bolt fits pretty tight in the receiver when locked up. I don’t think it’s buttery smooth like some Mauser-style actions. All of my Mark Vs seem smooth enough to me. It’s a fairly heavy bolt in the 9-Lug version and seems clunky when cycled with the thumb and index finger like a snowflake. Properly cycled it is more than solid. Hope that helps. Happy Trails

28N

Well, it's 2019 now. We don't even know what areas or seasons we will hunt - let alone what rifles we will take. Probably just one SIL and possibly his brother for elk this year. They will use wha t they have, a .300WSM and .270 Win.

I did apply for two Wyoming doe antelope tags several days ago. Probably the .243 Win or .257 Roberts. Not sure how many will go this year. Last year there were 11 of us with 5 shooters, this year could be 10/4 or 13/6. Might have to get a bigger motel. Assuming 13 people with 6 shooters, the others will be using 6.5CM, two .30-06, a .308 Win or .270 Win. Daughter #3, if they come, will use my .257 Roberts again.

Just booked a hunt in Idaho for elk and mule deer. Also just sent a new model 70 in 308 to JES to be rebored into a 338 Federal and have a McMillan compact hunter in black and orange swirly coming. This will likely be going to Idaho along with a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 as back up.
Les

Hey King' How much does that set up weigh? Me like

I am sure like normal I will tote my 6.5X284 for elk. Same 'ol Rem 700, though I switched the 6X SWFA out for a 10X SWFA. I am also going to work up a load for the 147 ELD M and see if that bullet lives up to its hype with elk.

If I get drawn for some special elk hunt somewhere besides WY I may take something else...probably my .300 H&H, but one never knows.

.280 with 140gr Accubond
or
6.5x55 with 140gr Partition

Next is my solo DIY bull hunt in New Mexico. Third time in there dodging bears and cats - I don't like cats. Probably be the Kimber Montana 6.5CM with a 143 ELD-X or a Scenar for something new to try. I am #1 on the NRA Whittington Center elk list but opted out to 2020 - they already starting calling hunters. I like personal challenges.

I have several I may take: my .270, 7mmRM, my .30-06 or a .25-06, but when the chips are down my .300 WM with 200 gr. Part.

I would really love to get an elk with my .45-70 guide gun this year, fingers crossed!

2019 will use the 300 Weatherby Mark V with 26" Bartlein 1x9 twist with 212gr Hornady ELD-X.