Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Caliber suggestions. New elk rifle

I agree with this. I had an itch for something different last year and rebarelled a .30-06 to .338-06. It's been a load of fun. It loves 200gr BT's & AB's as well as 225gr AB's. Mine prefers RL15. However, the one big mule deer I've taken with it didn't seem to croak any differently than those taken with my 7-08, .280 or 7RM.

Douglas #4 SS Fluted, cut to 24.75" (long story)
B&C Alaskan II stock
Talley LW's and 2.5-8 VX3

If I did it over I'd go with a #3, skip the flutes and cut at 23".

Since you shoot a .260, and mention a brake, am I correct in assuming that you are somewhat recoil-sensitive?

If so, .270 or .280.

If not, then I'd ask how far you'd like to be able to use this rifle. If max'ing out your reach is a goal, go .280 or 30-06. However, if you are more of a "400 yds on in" guy, I'd give real thought to 338-06 or .35 Whelen.

It's pretty hard to screw up on the '06 boltface. The ballistics gack that has Boxer horned up isn't real relevant inside 400 yds or so. But- recoil may or may not be a significant consideration.

I'd personally run a 22" barrel, 23" tops. Any longer gets noticeably cumbersome in the thicker stuff... for me anyway.

Good luck with your build!

All these pages of gyrations later, and the answer was given in the very first response.

As I get older, and keep feeling the desire to simplify and streamline, the more appealing the tried and true basics become.

Thanks for the comments.

Going to stick to the original plan and build a 280ai

Ordered a rock creek #3 fluted.

Right-on, that will be a killer. Are still going with a classic edge?

Yes going to use classic edge

I used a custom 340 Wby for ten or eleven bulls and for close to twenty years. It was 8.5 lbs all up and ready to go and even that got heavy as I aged and dreaded hauling it up the mountain. But I never lost an animal that was hit and the furtherest any went was about 30 yds in a tight little circle. Ranges were from about 100 yds to just under 500. I finally settled on a 210-gr TSX at about 3150fps. This cartridge along with a small handful of others is arguably the best large, soft-skinned game getter going. Long range or short, it doesnt matter, but one must know what they are getting into and be dedicated to investing time to become proficient with it.

But, there are many good choices from 270 up to 375 if you desire, depending on your preferences and hunting style with a bucketful of premium bullets now that if anything has made all of these cartridges even more capable.

One thing that happens here a bit is passing judgement on others' choices when they are radically different while reality says that armament is probably the least important factor. Being in shape, learning about elk and where they'll be and how to get there--hunting--and practicing with your choice at the ranges you feel comfortable shooting to are more important. No matter what one chooses to hunt elk with they have to be hit through the lungs/heart and no amount of magnum machismo will compensate for an inability to shoot well. Over the course of doing the above you learn what works for you and there are many appropriate answers.

Edited to add, I have moved "down" to a lightweight 284 and a 30/06, 350 RM, wanting to carry a little less. But I also have a 375 Ruger I would use if the whim hit me.

If I was to build a rifle for elk I would have to pick between two caliber. First would be the 338-06 next to the 280 Remington the 338-06 is my favorite caliber. I have also taken a good hard look at the 6.5-06, with this being my second choice.