|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 121
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 121 |
Yes, I stole that from Larry Potter. Some quick background on my hunting. I hunt mostly public or block managed land in MT. It is a long travel for me, but I used to live there, so I kind of know what to expect.
I have a Ruger Hawkeye in 6.5x55. I really like it as a hunting rifle. Low recoil, drops mulies in their tracks, shoots like a laser, what could I not like? Well, I’m not sure about 6.5x55 on elk. If your only comment is that Swedes have killed moose with them for years, save your breath....I got that. I’d also be willing to bet most Swedes would rather have a 9.3x62 in their hands on that hunt!
So, the step up to me is some moderately customized model 70 based rifle with a good barrel, custom fit wood, open sights and a quality scope with bdc to 500 and about a 40mm objective.
So, let’s talk caliber....right now, I’m thinking 6.5X55, 6.5-06, 270 Win, 280 AI, or 30’06 AI. My deciding factors are elk killing ability, ballistics to 500 yds, bullet selection/quality, recoil, availability of good brass at reasonable cost, mag capacity, etc.
So what should I be thinking?
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,242
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,242 |
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,274
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,274 |
Of those the 280AI would be my choice.
“You never need fear a man, no matter what his size. When danger threatens, call on me, and I will equalize.” Samuel Colt.
�Common sense is genius dressed up in work clothes.� - Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824 |
No wrong choice in that list... if you hunt around grizzly's you may want to lean towards the upper end.
Originally Posted by Judman PS, if you think Trump is “good” you’re way stupider than I thought! Haha
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
So, let’s talk caliber....right now, I’m thinking 6.5X55, 6.5-06, 270 Win, 280 AI, or 30’06 AI. My deciding factors are elk killing ability, ballistics to 500 yds, bullet selection/quality, recoil, availability of good brass at reasonable cost, mag capacity, etc.
So what should I be thinking?
They will all work...but I'd lean '06 for all the usual reasons.....
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 157 |
.280 AI of those. I wouldn't bother A.I. a 30/06, it's good as is. If you want the extra FPS save yourself the headache of fire forming and go with a .300 WSM, WM, etc.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824 |
Open country I tend to grab my 270 or 6.5-06..... In the thick forest around home my 9.3X62 or 338 mag gets used.... too many big bears causing trouble lately You may need two perfect elk rifles....
Originally Posted by Judman PS, if you think Trump is “good” you’re way stupider than I thought! Haha
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,123
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16,123 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,365 |
I have a Ruger Hawkeye in 6.5x55. I really like it as a hunting rifle. Low recoil, drops mulies in their tracks, shoots like a laser, what could I not like? Well, I’m not sure about 6.5x55 on elk.
So, let’s talk caliber....right now, I’m thinking 6.5X55, 6.5-06, 270 Win, 280 AI, or 30’06 AI. My deciding factors are elk killing ability, ballistics to 500 yds, bullet selection/quality, recoil, availability of good brass at reasonable cost, mag capacity, etc.
So what should I be thinking?
6.5x55 is the correct answer, use a good bullet and it is an elk killer. You know your drops on it, from your post you obviously have confidence in shooting it, there is an old saying with a lot of truth in it - "dance with the one who brung you". I used a 243 and a 260 for years and never had issues with either of them, although I was always careful with shot placement with the 243. drover
223 Rem, my favorite cartridge - you can't argue with truckloads of dead PD's and gophers.
24hourcampfire.com - The site where there is a problem for every solution.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,986
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,986 |
With those choices, why bother? None of those are going to do anything the 6.5 x 55 won't do just fine at the ranges you are discussing. If you're going to take a step up, make it a worthwhile one- 300 Win Mag or a 338 WM (my favorite)... excellent ballistics far beyond your stated ranges and enough energy to be sure it won't bounce off anything on any continent on earth. Excellent bullets available also- in factory fodder and for handloading.
Bob
Never underestimate your ability to overestimate your ability.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,156
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,156 |
Anything will work, I’ve done it. 338 win mag was made for elk...
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,156
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 21,156 |
I’m liking the looks of that AALF, specs?
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
Ain’t easy havin pals.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,376
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,376 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,653
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,653 |
Man...I’d honestly use your trusted 6.5. Spend the money saved on alpha glass and alpha boots
GOD Bless America
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,880
Campfire Savant
|
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,880 |
I would want a 30-06 at least, 338 would be better!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,408
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,408 |
Hunting camp chat, after a few whiskey. These new mono's change the picture quite alot. The 6.5 's with a good copper bullet is adequate, 500 yards too is far , imo, for any chambering. Believe it or not we have killed elk with a 22/250- not recommended. Our southern moose are easier to kill than elk, imo. A mature bull will take a vital shot and run, you had best follow. The old guy might be piled up in the creek bottem.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,736 |
It's been said many times, it's the bullet not the headstamp. All the rounds you mentioned will do if you use a good bullet, like the Nosler partition. There are other good bullets too. But, at the end of the day, you've got to make a round choice. I chose the .280 AI. I know it works because I've killed eight bull elk it and the 160gr NP.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,078
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,078 |
Answering the OPs question, .284 or .308.
Cartridge depending upon platform, shot distance, etc.
“Factio democratica delenda est"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 121
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 121 |
Just to be clear, I was set on 280 ai due to the dies being more common and good 7mm bullets.
What I found was 30’06 ai can hit same velocities with slightly better bullets and Lapua brass.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20,824 |
I think you have answered your own question.....
Originally Posted by Judman PS, if you think Trump is “good” you’re way stupider than I thought! Haha
Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit.
|
|
|
|
715 members (1beaver_shooter, 12344mag, 160user, 007FJ, 10ring1, 10gaugemag, 68 invisible),
3,091
guests, and
1,294
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,190,485
Posts18,451,946
Members73,901
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|