Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Please comment concerning my options

I’m looking at the possibility/ probably of an Elk hunt.

I have been told by the outfitter to expect a shot as far as 400 yards on this particular hunt.

I have a;

1) Winchester Model 70 push feed Featherweight - 280 Remington.

2) Winchester Model 70 Classic- 270 WSM

3) Winchester Model 70 XTR Featherweight - 30-06

4) Kimber Montana (early gray stock shooter) - 300 WSM

I’m recoil sensitive and anything above 168’s in the 300 WSM are annoying.

(Too I have several 270 Winchesters in Winchester Model 70’s as well as a “shooter” in a early gray stock Kimber Montana).

My preference is TTSX’s or LRX’s (for the sake of penetration) but I’m open to options.

In reality I don't see a bad one in the lot. Take whichever one you can shoot and have confidence in.

I'd take the 06' or the 300WSM. None of them kick when you shoot at game. just my .02 worth.

just grab one of those and go....

30-06 with Hornady 165 grain flat base bullets will work admirably. Shoot your rifle until you are completely familiar with its capabilities and go kill an elk…

You should keep thinking about it and stay home...

Lol

30-06, premium bullets, 168 TTSX or similar. The TTSX bullets ruin less mean IME. I expect a quality bonded bullet to be close behind.

If you don't like recoil get limbsavers or decelerators put on.

Shoot your rifle until you are completely familiar with its capabilities and go kill an elk…[/quote]
The 3 things that will instill confidence: 1) practice 2) practice 3) practice

With a 493 mile walk and a river to swim ahead of you, you might want to ponder things beyond your fantasies.
Comprender.?!?!?🤣

Just might go that route.
Been running some 168 gr. TTSX’s out of that Featherweight…

I would happily hunt elk with any of those. As others have said not a bad one in the bunch. Since you mentioned recoil I would suggest the 30-06 with 165/168gr TTSX.

be sure and mind screw it death, never mind just have fun hunting idiot

Any one of those will work. Pick whichever you shoot best from field positions and get in shape. I'll reiterate that - whichever one you can shoot best from field positions. Then get in shape. You'll likely need alot more cardio than strength, spend your time doing cardio - general cardio at first, then start rucking about July.

Have fun.

I've shot a lot of elk with a 270, 300 WSM, and a 30-06. I never shot one with the 300 WSM that couldn't have been taken equally well with the '06. For someone who's recoil sensitive, a 270 with 150's or a 30-06 with 165's is excellent. Both are good for 400 yds. I haven't used a 280 but it's just a necked down '06 and will work just as well.

OP, Curiosity on my part, which one of the rifles you posted about would not be suitable and why?

I’d go with any of them. All great options.

400 yards is gravy with any of those listed.

wow, you sound like a really nice guy.

Here I thought that was part of the fun.

apparently!

A lot of hunters will tell you, and I’m one, that you won’t feel the recoil taking your shot. In fact many times I never even recalled the report. Your mind will be locked in on your target coupled with adrenalin that everything is else blocked out. You’ll pay a price sighting in but comes letting your payload fly everything else is blank except squeezing the trigger. Each of your fine rifles will do the job if you do yours.

Rick

The 3 things that will instill confidence: 1) practice 2) practice 3) practice[/quote]

Take them all to the range, shoot all of them out to 400 yards from varying field positions.

I think you will soon figure out which rifle is primary, back up, and so forth. May even decide to move one down the road.

Every combo listed will take an elk.

In that case pick the rifle chambered in the biggest and baddest cartridge you have. Don't practice and don't bother with a good zero. Rely on the "knock down power" to get the job done......

Maybe the real question is “OP, Which bullet are you thinking about running.?”🙂

I’ve found my bullet and load for whitetails the 110 gr TTSX out of either the 270 Winchester or WSM.
For moose my 35 Whelen and 35 Whelen AI works, but I’m not into the recoil all that much anymore.

I’ve never shot an Elk.

Inside of 400 yards I figure velocity trumps B.C. especially when using a bullet constructed like the TTSX.

I haven’t picked my bullet yet.
And there comes a point when I begin to sacrifice S.D. For velocity, but I don’t know how much that matters within that potential distance on that particular animal.

The answer is one of your 270win with 145gr eldx.

.270 with a partition or accubond.

This ^^^^^^

Happen to set my 270 up AB but it shoots Partitions just as well with the exact same load.

Guy could close his eyes and walk into any one of them rifles and do fine.

Iffn' you can handle the 300 with 168 TTSX that would be my huckleberry. Easy out to 4 hundred

Yup, the campfire these days. Nothing but azzholes.

If you lose your ammo on the way the 3006 / 270 might be easier to replace.

It’s funny I thought the 280 would have more of a following?

What’s the deal?

BTW best of luck.

Which rifle are you the most at home with, fits you the best, have the most confidence in, are more likely to shoot with in practice? Forget the 'numbers'. Numbers don't kill elk, luck and good shooting does.

I dont know what is wrong with people now days. A guy is just asking other hunters opinions on what riflle they would use. He shouldnt have to listen to these smartass remarks from some moron that probably doesnt even hunt elk. Most of us on here would like to help another hunter out, but there is always a few that think they are funny and smart, that just show their ignorance. If you cant help the man out, keep your big mouth shut. Just my opinion. Good luck on which rifle you decide on.

Yep, where I hunt I could take a different one every day. The OP's list is a good one. Any would work, given the proper bullet and if the rifle is sound: reliable and accurate. I'd be thinking about other things like what I was going to do after the elk was down. Is the OP prepared in that manner? Good sharp knife (knifes) bone saw, game bags, pack frame, headlamp and flashlights and a good gps, just to name a few. The rifle is always the least of my worries.

I'd go with the most accurate in your hands,

Perhaps under ideal conditions of weather, angle, time, position etc. for a dedicated shooter. This serendipity probably does occur sometimes.


mike r

My fellow coworker is an Alaskan guide AND ALSO is a Colorado Outfitter.
I did ask him about the points you mention and he assured me that he had all those bases covered.
His suggestion was for me to run the trigger, and he would do the rest.

I’ve been here since 2009, and have watched the ‘fire’s culture devolve into what you are commenting about.

The best thing one can do is to remember who you are and not to allow anyone else to effect your own authenticity from your own self awareness.

I, over the years, here and elsewhere have always enjoyed a good sparring session. Now days, I’ve got better things to do.

The 280 is a fine choice.
I suspect that the less attention to it that you have picked up on is due to the facts you stated above.

Forgetting the “numbers” I’m most familiar with my Model 70 Featherweights.
They are heavier, and settle down better for me than the Kimbers.

I’m kind of answering my own question here.🤣

Your post makes a lot of sense, especially in light of what others have said “any of them will work.”

Take them all to the range, shoot all of them out to 400 yards from varying field positions.

I think you will soon figure out which rifle is primary, back up, and so forth. May even decide to move one down the road.

Every combo listed will take an elk.[/quote]

Agreed.

That's absolutely true. However....if you're planning on 400 yard shots, you need to shoot a LOT of practice rounds under field conditions. That can make a shoulder sore.

All the options listed will do just fine.
Personally, out of that herd, I'd go with the .270 Montana.

Very nice. Sounds like he's taking the heavy load off your shoulders. Like Beretzs said, any of your rifles will work. Now it's just down to which one you prefer and shoot the best. It may also boil down to which one carries best, which one feels best in the hands on an all day/week hunt and that could also boil down to weight of the rifle. Good luck on your hunt!!




I remember reading that quote, and at the time was thinking that I've taken rifles out and on the first day of the hunt I found out I did not like them. It's not always about how they shoot. They can shoot lights out, but not pack or carry worth a schidt. There may be other oddities that you find out you don't like about the rifles. An unbalance rifle always seems to piss me off. A scope too big or heavy, causing the rifle to seem top heavy is one of my pet peeves. Over the years, you figure out what works and what does not work for you. A well balanced 9.5 pound rifle that carries better than an unbalanced 7 pound rifle is a good example that weight is not the only criteria to be considered as well. But if you find a nice well balanced 7 pound rifle that carries like a dream, that rifle should be considered.

If it were me, I'd so some positional drills in all field positions. Add some time constraints, and see how the rifles handle under pressure. Which ones do you shoot the best, under those conditions? A couple years ago, a member here (Carl Ross) started a positional shoot. You can look it up. I believe it was called the "positional drill, "postal" match. Print up some of those targets and see which rifle works best for you. That practice will help, when it comes time to dropping your elk!!

Now, I said anything on your list would work. But if I had to choose one as a primary, it would probably be the XTR FWT 30-06. You like TTSX, so try some 165's and 168's. As a backup, I'd proably pick a 270 featherweight. If you don't have a 270 fwt, I'd pick the Montana 270 winchester. Work up some good loads, and bag an elk.

I've taken elk with all those and more, they all worked. For elk my preference is something .30 cal. Prefer 165+ grain bullet but have used even 150 gr CoreLokt at 400 yds. 98% 1 shot kill with only a couple that got a finishing shot.

The .280 worked but sold it for lack of factory ammo availability.

Elk can be very tough, taking a barrage of bad hits while traveling great distance before expiring. I have witnessed too much of this, most often with multiple shooters. This is where the toughness stories originate shortly before the game wardens arrive.

They are a large target so some trigger time should give you plenty of confidence for harvest. Elk is my favorite to fill the freezer. Would easily give up ten

deer for one elk. Good Luck

BSA,
Thank you for all of that, means a lot, and I am grateful for you contribution.
Very kind.

And to the other posters, I appreciate that you’ve taken the time and offered me sound and reassuring counsel from your experiences.

It doesn't matter which you use. Take whichever one you're most comfortable with and shoots the best.

As mentioned, think less about rifle/bullet combo and more about your fitness plan.

I would ask the question where exactly do you intend to hunt and what rifle season? The last of which is real important due to previous hunting pressure and weather concerns. I have hunted central to western Colorado in second and third rifle season. Mostly in Grand Mesa/Gunnison National and White River National. The San Juan Mountain Range and accompanying aforementioned areas are heavily forested and elk herds will change their habits on a dime when pressured or weather forces a behavioral change. The difference is a shot could be from 400 yards to 50 yards depending on time of hunt. Truthfully in the latter rifle season into November bulls remained in higher elevation worn out from rut and fighting. The longest shot I had at anytime was 225 yards with a 338 Win Mag, 250 grain Hawk bullet. Have killed with 444 Marlin at about 125 yards with the old 280 grain CorBon SPX load, that was the fastest I’ve seen an elk go down. Nowadays I just shoot a 308 Win with 165 gr Partitions. Point is be prepared if hunting in timber for a relatively close encounter. Bulls are very evasive in late season Colorado and love the timber. Barnes ttsx and lrx are excellent at long range, pass throughs happen at close range and are fatal, however elk can take a pass through without major vital hit and gallivant a long way into the deep timber. It’s hard to compromise between an expanding bullet dumping its energy quickly and one that pencil holes through without the dump. That’s the challenge between 100-500 yards. Good luck.

Dude you live in Alaska, people shoot moose up there with 308's and much less. Gun doesn't matter. I'd just concentrate on being in shape if you're not already.

400 yards is a long shot by hunting standards. Very few people I know can make a shot like that in the field. On a bench, or range with stationary steel target, and measurable weather conditions is a completely different situation. Whatever you pick, practice a lot and be sure to practice at the elevation you will be hunting.

Been here since 2001 . Campfire degraded since about 2015. I just keep adding ignores.

you typed a lot of extra stuff

150 gr Nosler, partition or BT

game over

You have a lot of good answers and whatever you choose will get the job done. I have a 1954 model 70 in 30-06 that gets 3100fps with factory 150TTSX….there ain’t an elk alive today that combo won’t kill as long as I put the bullet in the right spot.

Good luck and hope you have fun

I would take the rifle with the prettiest wood.....

I've taken a bunch of elk both bulls and cows with a .270 win loaded with 150 gr Nosler partitions and so have both my sons. I've also taken them with a 7mm08 loaded with 140 gr Nosler partitions also. Longest shot I've taken that was verified with a range finder was 324 yds, it was a downward shot and broke the spine and took out a lung and still exited the other side, that was a good sized 5x5.

Any of those cartridges you mention will work fine if loaded with a good bullet. So use the rifle you shoot the best...Bullet placement is most important with any of those cartridges.

This last fall I took a 5x5 at 181 yds with a 50 cal muzzleloader, hit just above the shoulder, upward shot, took out a lung, severed the esophagus and exited the other side. Left a huge exit wound. Was using a Hornady 290 gr FTX with 120 grns of Blackhorn 209 powder. My son was watching it through binocs and said it had a fountain of blood shooting out with every breath, bull walked about 10 yds and fell. I was surprised at the performance of that muzzleloader.

Regardless of which rifle you take I'd feel confident in both the Barnes TTSX or LRX, they've worked great on elk for me.

For my personal deal if I was only bringing one rifle to hunt, it would have an easy to detach scope and iron sights.

I'm a recoil woose also. My present elk rifle is a 30-06 shooting 180gr Hornady interlocks, three for three with one shot each. It just kills them. I won't shoot big game over 300yds much and have only done that one time so the outfitter could kiss my patoose! I would be paying him and I know what I'm capable of! Also three for three with one shot each with my 6.5x06 AND 140GR Hornady interlocks. Think one of these days may get back to elk again because got myself a 4 wheeler to get in and pack with, I'll be 78 yrs old before long! Anyway, because of success with the 6.5x06 I've though about trying my Mod 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55. Put the bullet where it belongs and I'm betting the elk would just fall down! Then too, that mod 70 Featherweight is a lot lighter than my 6.5x06!

If I were to pick from your list I believe I'd go with the 280 Rem and 160gr Speer Hot Cores. Use to use those Speer in a 7mm mag and loved them. Never shot an elk with it but I am certain a well placed hit would make the elk fall down right away! Second choice on your list would be the 30-06 with the 165gr load. I'd prefer the 180gr bullet but no doubt in my mind if you hold up your end, the 165 gr will hold up it's end.

Not an elk hunter (killed one cow at 150 yards, .260 Corelokt 140 gr), but I have killed many dozen caribou, various rifles from .243, to .338WM to ranges in excess of 500 yards.

Any of your rifles would be good choices - take the two (primary and back-up) you like/shoot best.

Since you are recoil sensitive, you should buy another rifle- 6.5 Creed comes to mind.....

Agree

"If I were to pick from your list I believe I'd go with the 280 Rem and 160gr Speer Hot Cores. Use to use those Speer in a 7mm mag and loved them. Never shot an elk with it but I am certain a well placed hit would make the elk fall down right away! Second choice on your list would be the 30-06 with the 165gr load. I'd prefer the 180gr bullet but no doubt in my mind if you hold up your end, the 165 gr will hold up it's end."

That was my thought as well on both cartridges. About the only differences I have would be the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam for the .280 and the 165 gr. Nosler Accubond in the 06.

Many here have taken a lot more elk that I have but one was with the .300 Win. Mag. at a laser measured 530 yards. One with the 30-06 at about 100 yard with the 165 gr. Accubond. the rest were with the 225 gr. Barnes TSX from my .35 Whelen. Shots ranged from about 75 yards and the longest at 350 yards as measured by my guide.

Just some notes on the .300 Win. mag. I'm not as recoil shy as some but also know wwhen to quit. On the hunt with that long range shot, I literally spent on average two to three days at the range shooting from 100 yards out where the 500 meter rams were on my clubs silhouette range. Some shots were from the bench to establish holdover and the from various positions. Mostly off hand at 100, sitting at 200, 300 400 and 500 meters. I did some kneeling but probably not as much as I should have. Just never liked the position. Did not work with prone. The shot was about 8 AM, not one bit of wind. I'd bellied up to the last small bust that was maybe a foot and a half tall. The elk were lasered ay 530 yards walking in a straight line heading for the Apache Reservation. When hunters show up they move out. I picked the last cow in the line and aimed with a bit of daylight between the crosshair and her back and touched one off. Several things happened in rapid succession. I did not feel the kick of the rifle and all I heard from the shot sounded like, "poof." The elk went down hard, kicked a bit then lay still. When I heard that shot I thought, "Oh, I had a squib." My point being if you can do the practice like I did you will have a sore shoulder but you'll never notice it on your elk. Just a further thought. I think when I took that shot on that elk, I was concentrating so hard for a good hold and trigger squeeze that I blocked all outside interference. I've notice this at the ranges as well when I'm sometimes trying to get the best possible group from a known accurate load. BTW, that 300 Mag load was a 200 gr. speer HC at just short of 2900 FPS.

I think it was the late Bob Hagel who commented on recoil. he said something like this. "Shooting a rifle with heavy recoil is like prize fighting. Once you step into the ring you know you're gonna get hit. It's the same thing shooting a rifle with heavy recoil. Yoo're gonna get hit."
PJ

That means a lot to me, thanks.

I'd take your Kimber MT 270. A lighter rifle is a real blessing elk hunting. I'm personally not really a fan of mono's, and you'll generally get quicker kills with a more fragmenting bullet, but either way the Barnes are good bullets. Practice out to 500 yards, but more importantly make sure your boots are comfortable, you're in shape, and you're packing the best binoculars you can afford.

Sheesh, way to make it sound easy Brad...

I'll add make sure you have quick access to your bin's/RF and your pack fits nicely.

Oh, and a few feet of 550 cord for odd's and ends..

And last but not least, "find an elk to kill."



Merry Christmas Scotty!

Merry Christmas to you Brad.!
Thank you for your love, shared experiences, wisdom, and insight over the years.

My very best to you, Sir.

Scott.

Thank you for taking the time invested in writing all that.

In speaking with my outfitter/coworker at dinner last night I mentioned to him that I have been giving serious thought to my 280.
He smiled and then proceeded to tell me his first Elk kill was with his own 280.

Some of the solid advice here has pointed out the wisdom of taking 2 rifles. It looks like I’ll be bringing the 270 Montana and the 280 Win. Featherweight.

Merry Christmas buddy!

I haven’t used a 280 but I’ve killed a lot of elk using a 270 with 150gr bullets and a lot with a 30-06 using 165’s. Both are elk gitters. The 280 sits right between them and will work as well as either of them. If you can’t do it with any of the 3, the fault is yours, not the gun’s.

"Some of the solid advice here has pointed out the wisdom of taking 2 rifles. It looks like I’ll be bringing the 270 Montana and the 280 Win. Featherweight."

Good choices.

Load them with 130/150gr Barnes TTSX, and go kill an elk.

I am a Barnes fan, by the way.

Isn’t that what is happening at our border?

Hold your hand over your eyes and randomly pick one and go. You’ll be fine

Your outfitter said! Well I live and hunt in Central Oregon and have never needed to take a shot at 400 yds. You do and it's one of two things. 1} maybe just pumping your ego or 2} need to learn how to hunt. The only need to take shot in hunting is a dangerous game animal attacking at close range. Every other shot is made by choice! Depending on where I look out of my house I can see from about 30 yds, next door neighbor to anywhere else better than a thousand yds! I limit my shooting to 300 yds and have only done that one time just to say I did it. Certainly was not a need to shot!

Any one will work. If that outfitter suggests shot to 400 could happen, he's a straight shooter. Expect to shoot across a drainage that's at least that. The 200 yard broadside thing could happen too. Practice shooting in alot of positions as mentioned. If I had to pick from the cartridges mentioned I'm going 06 with a 165 interlock. Why take a 270 or 280 when you have an 06? And if recoil bothers you, that's gonna be the least of your worries. Find an elk and get ready to take in some unbelievable sights and enjoy a memorable experience.

358 WSM, I Haven't had an "easy" elk hunt yet, easier and tougher, yes. A real short hunt for a cow elk last January, just one day, but it was a rough day, lots of hiking in steep country. A crawling stalk for a couple hundred yards and finally a 30-06 shot from 405 yards when we ran out of cover. Three of us packed her out of there back to the road. My goodness! One day, but a great hunt and great meat. Enjoy!

With a freezer still half full of elk meat I didn't see a need to hunt elk again this season. Got my cow elk last January. I think I'll be trying to re-do that same cow elk hunt in about a year. Should need meat by then.

You've got several great rifles to choose from. Pick a favorite, enjoy your practice time with it and enjoy your hunt. Looking forward to your hunt report!

Regards, Guy

Elk hunting is something I live for. I'll bet you were hunting in the same unit my buddy did this last January. He got his cow elk as well, and I think the shot was similar in distance. I wasn't there, but he sent me a video of the cow he shot. I helped one of his buddies about 10 years ago on a coastal hunt, and it was some work. Elk hunts have always been work, even if you don't get one. I work a pretty physical job (in the shipyards), and I always say that elk hunting is harder. I always go back to work sore as hell. My boss/elk hunting partner always says, "it separates the men from the boys". One thing about it, if the OP doesn't have to worry about packing the elk out, that makes it a much easier hunt. Less worry and stress too. But with us, that is what they make pack frames and buddies for. ha ha..

The 300 WSM is by far your best choice for obvious reasons, more killing power from the muzzle out to any range vs the others, a hunters primary responsibility & objective is to KILL by putting game on the ground STAT, without all the bs of waiting for it to bleed out after the shot and the absolutely cringy nonsense of "following the blood trail", you're not bowhunting, modern firearms and cartridges can & will absolutely smash big game animals to the ground with one shot, providing the hunter makes the appropriate choice in cartridge to game selection, far too many hunters choose lesser cartridges, shoot a big animal, then wonder why it ran off .... That's not supposed to happen

With recoil being a factor in your decision and the 165 gr recoil max in the 300 WSM


I'd suggest going a bit lower in weight to reduce the recoil even further and speed that bullet up for maximum energy transfer, at 400 yards (or any distance) the 300 WSM excels far beyond your other choices



The 153 gr Apex Afterburner bullet has a bc higher than most 180 gr 30 cal bullets and can be loaded to a screaming 3350 fps in the 300 WSM with about 6-7 common powders usually found on the shelves everywhere, recoil is about on par with the 30-06 dragging 180 gr potato shaped bullets at barely 2700 fps, factory loads usually slower, very unattractive, lol !

Simply put ..... with the 153 gr Apex Afterburner bullet at 3350 fps in your 300 WSM .... You blow away all your other guns/cartridges in velocity & impact energy at 400 yards with negligible recoil

The kind of stuff that builds confidence and improves your shooting skills

I load the 153 gr bullet in my 300 RUM at 3550 fps for a mild load with LRT....can run it much faster but it shoots so dang good right there

153 gr Apex Afterburner bullets