Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting New elk rifle caliber choice?

If you were gonna build an elk rifle on a Husky small ring commercial Mauser, would you go with a .308 Norma Mag. or .358 Norma Mag.? Those are your only two choices. Might double as a grizzly rifle in a few years too. Opinions wanted. TIA.

like the 358 but would go with 3006. always worked and getting better!

For me it would make a difference where I was hunting. I've hunted in thick timber and in open areas. I got within in slingshot range (maybe 25 yards) of a grizzly in Idaho while hunting elk in the 70's (He/she had been following me). In a case such as that I'd want as big a hammer as I could shoot. As it was I didn't have a license and the bear decided to move on. What I had in hand was a 308 Winchester with 165 Grand Slams.

My first choice for grizzly would likely be the 358 Norma magnum. But with a heavy premium bullet I'd take the 308 and feel well gunned even for bear in most places/situations.

I love 35 caliber and the 358 Norma would be a big thumper that would get the job done in my opinion.

I'd do it in 308 Norma Mag. I had it's twin, a 30-338 and I never found it lacking.

358 Norma for me. Just for grins. Love the big 35’s.

I’ve killed several bulls at the 400 yard mark and beyond in my normal elk hunting area. So as big a 35 fan as I am I’d go .30 for the sleeker bullets

If grizzly on the table. 358 all the way.

308 Norma

300 WBY AND 168 TTSX. DEAD ELK

I have had two .308 Norma's but no .358 Norma. Since I already did, I believe I would go with the .308 Norma grizzlies or not.

I have other larger bore rifles that fill the .358 Norma's role in my opinion.

Really only one choice....358 Norma! memtb

Did I read someplace that the small ring actions are only recommended for standard rounds? Or was that some hybrid like the FN small-ring with large-ring barrels?

I've been told by a couple of 'smiths that the HVA commercial small-ring is stout enough, but it requires some feed rail work to feed the magnums, plus opening up the bolt face.

I know it wasn't listed as a choice, but you could split the difference and go .338 mag.

I know very little about Mausers but what you say makes sense.

From what little I got to play with the 358 NM that would be my pick. I have dies and half box of DT 180 TTSX (other half is once fired brass) I'll trade you for some components if you go this route! I base that on the "almost" 358NM velocities/kills I made with a very hot loaded 35 whelen Improved,200X2970; 250X at 2550; 250 NP at 2750!; 310 Woodleigh 2415fps ; its a killer and still reaches way out there! Oh yeah!

Yep

I love .358s of any flavor with the Whelen being my favorite. I have everything here to feed a .358 Norma and had plans to build one....Even with that being said for a dedicated elk rifle I think the .308 Norma is the better mouse trap. Better bullet selection, less recoil, better long-range ballistics, and certainly won't bounce off a Grizzly. It is a Norma so you still get some style points.

Less money and less recoil with the 308 Norma, plus the 308 Norma is, IMO one the best .30 magnums. Seriously accurate due to long case neck and better concentric bore alignment. Shorter case than most .30 Std Mags, better able to load heavy for caliber with BC advantages. Lacks in nothing, with modern powders and twist rate, it’ll push 180 gr @ 3,075 fps, 200 gr @ 2900 fps, 212 gr @ 2,850 fps and 225 gr @ 2,750 fps. With high BC bullet technology it is a real winner. Easily can take deer size game up through brown bear from close or long range. While the 358 Norma is a suburb chamber it lacks the versatility of the 308 Norma in IMO and is more in line with shooting a 375 magnum, which is fine if you like recoil, heavier rifles, stout cross bolts for stock protection under recoil, and less bullet choice versatility. The 358 Norma would make a fine, specialized guide gun for big browns, the 308 Norma is a better hunter’s field gun IMO.

with respect please take this kindly, when i go elk hunting with a rifle i like to use more normal cartridges just in case and need to borrow or buy ammo . good luck with your hunt and choice of a cartridge,Pete53