Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Old Shoulder Friendly Elk Rifle

I'm not quite there, but its getting close! I drove rig-up trucks/moved drilling rigs/30 ton tandem, rigging,etc for 20 yrs in my early adulthood. No automatic transmissions, all 4 speed Brownlight and 5 speed standards, reach around and work winch levers, etc) Replaced both knees, left hip ( yep, my clutch leg/knee!) plate in neck. I can take alot of recoil, but I am noticing some subtle changes in my right shoulder. While it isn't freezing up, etc, it gets sore; some days worse than others. So, for the bad days, I am thinking of a lighter weight/lighter recoiling (muzzle brake is fine) but not ultra-lightweight ( I can't shoot them well) rifle for elk. (I was thinking the Kimber Pro Hunter Dissolve in 280AI or '06 w/brake might be too light?) I limit myself to around 300yds anymore also.

For hayfield, etc cow elk, I have a sweet older Mod 700 25-06. I am scrounging up an older Remington 700 Model 78 30-06 that has been set in an older wood, ADL stock. Limbsaver and a brake would do nice. I like the older Model 700 Mountain Rifles and of course the older Mod 70 FWT. Anyone travelled this route for this reason?

Since you like Remington's, have you considered a nice 722 or 7 in a 300 savage? Run some monometals like the 130gr Barnes.. I remember my 722 300 savage was a sweet shooter with no recoil.. That's the route I'd lean because I don't like loud azzed brakes on a hunting rifle..

A modern 6.5x55 would do I'd think. If you handload some 139 gr Lapua Scenars would be a death certificate and fairly easy on recoil. You can also buy loaded Lapua 6.5x55 ammo with the Scenars. Pricy but shoots like lazors. 300 yds no problem at all.

Good luck with your shoulder.

Brakes are LOUD but.... would make an 06 very pleasant and nothing wrong with getting a set of those "headphone" foamy ear pro you could drape around your neck.

Even before I had my right shoulder replaced, I added a brake on my .06. Now with he fake shoulder I am really glad I did. 180gr loads are between my 6.5 swede and .243 recoil wise.

Electronic muffs and plugs at the range. Electronic muffs while sitting when hunting

I mentioned 30-06 as I really like the round, especially with 200s and even 220s, but they do kick. I also have (like most of us) more .30 cal stuff than others. I used a .280 a bit, then had it reamed to the Improved 30yrs ago. Good round, didn't need a brake even in the Mountain rifle. My last attempt at a decent shooting 7x57 flubbed on me. I mentioned my 25-06 only because so many older guys use them out here, even on elk. I never shot anything bigger than mule deer with mine. Keep the ideas coming guys! ( sorry you had to get your shoulder replaced SaddleSore)

Since you want to get the recoil down forget about the 220s and drop to a 165. Since you're talking about 300 yards and closer load those on top of Varget, RL15, N140 or N135 to approximate M1 Garand match ammunition. This is much softer shooting than full blown 30-06 power.

I have a wad of the Barnes 175 LRX and Speer 200gr. That's the issue in todays market, ha.

I put a suppressor on my 721 30-06. The recoil is noticeably lower, maybe 243 level and with 180 grain Interlocks in the 30-06 and full load

Any 26, 27, 28 caliber cartridge whose MV sweet spot is around 2700 fps will do nicely on 500 lb critters out to the distances you've mentioned.

I don't do it often, but I can still run 2-3 rounds of 220's thru my .06 with the brake. No particular need to now days. A few years back I picked up 5-6 boxes of 180 Nosler Partitions for $13/box from SPS

All you need is something like a 7-08 or 7x57 and Barnes 120 grain TTSX. Eat hardy.

I have a pair of M700 243’s that have accounted for 14 elk, most of them in the hands of youngsters. All them with a 100g NPT. One at 375 yds. All the elk died quickly, one did run 80-100 yds. The rest within 20 yds or less. Two of the cows killed were big cows 500+ lbs.

The 243 with 100g NPt’s works. When I get to the point where my lightweight 270’s and 30-06 AI are too much, a 243 will most likely be my choice. Plus they’re a hoot to shoot.

If I’m getting hammered by my rifle, I’m shooting too big of a cartridge, or am using a lousy recoil pad, or using an ill fitting stock. I’ve had a couple rifles with muzzle brakes—never again.

Makes me hurt just reading this. I feel your pain.

Power, who needs it? One experience doesn't make a rule, but I came around a corner on a dirt road a few years ago and here was a nice pickup sitting in the middle of the road, door open and an old guy fiddling with his rifle. I gave him the high sign, ok, no hurry. He walked back to my truck and whispered, there is a legal elk in that clump of firs above the road and none of my damn ammo will chamber in my rifle. I thought for a second and told him I had an iron sighted .30/40 Krag under the seat. After a quick whispered discussion of what would happen to my rifle if a game warden came by, he used the Krag on the standing elk...170 yds steep uphill...thwock, one and done. 180 gr roundnose around 2200, no drama.

300 yards and closer, spells .308 shooting 155 Scenars.


It is an easy button.


My little girl started shooting one when she was less than 100 pounds and really put the hurting on elk with hers.

I have used brakes in the past on some rifles. I tried and ended up "hating and taking off" the ones I call the KDF Style; "holes all around" type. While they do help with recoil, OMG the noise! Between the Oilfield and five years in heavy Artillery in the Army, I have no High Frequency hearing left. My smith makes one of those "three big perpendicular holes" type (I call the Artillery type) that is surprisingly very quiet "when shooting it ". If a friend is off to the side very much, watchout! ha If they stand directly behind you, not bad at all. IF I got a brake, thats the kind I would use. I had one on a M77 SS Hawkeye in 338 Federal years ago. That was a good rifle, but I just couldn't get all excited about the round itself...just my own freakiness I guess. I don't "accumulate" rifles, usually sell one to get one if you know what I mean. I do have a new T3x Lite .243, plus the 25-06, so I'm in no bind. Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep them coming please, I appreciate it.

6mm creedmoor

My little girl started shooting one when she was less than 100 pounds and really put the hurting on elk with hers.


Is her rifle a Tikka? What scope does she use? She is cute as can BE, I have twin girls myself...but they are 47 yrs old, ha

I'm surprised nobody has recommended the other easy button: the 6.5 Creedmoor shooting most any 120+ gr bullet you can load in it.