Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Which rifle for elk?

Any of those rifles will work just fine. I would stick with the .308, since that is your go-to rifle. Just put good bullets in it and it is all that you need. The 350 would be fun, however.

I would take the 280.

My 350 rem, was a classic until I had the barrel bobbed to 20" hits about 8" low with a 225 Sierra at 350 yds. That is from practice too, not a balistics chart. I think those partitions would work great, plus that is one of the only instances where the B.C. is higher on a partition than an accubond.
Mine wears an old Leupy 4x compact. Its my favorite elk rifle for crawling around in the timber.

Here is my 350 in action. 5x5 raghorn killed at 30 feet in the thick stuff.

Since no one has I'll ask it - Where, how, and in what terrain do you plan to hunt?

All three will work well, but each may have an edge in specific circumstances:

.280 - Open Country
.308 - Steep Country or Extra Hiking
.350 - Grizzly Country or Heavy Timber

If you take a backup consider that the .308 and .350 are near enough trajectory twins.

Truth be told, I'd wimp-out and take your much lighter Montana, almost every time; but you might be tougher than me.

I think this is the first thread ever that has gone several pages without some expurt advising a bigger cartridge!

Shoot whatever one you can shoot well without thinking about it. When it come time to shoot at a Bull, you won't be thinking at all about technique, cheek weld, breathing, trigger break, etc.

Mike �

I�ve been hunting elk every year except one or two since 1982. During that time I�ve not taken or seen taken any elk that could not have been taken equally well with a .308 Win, including my longest shot at 487 yards. All of your rifles are quite suitable for hunting elk. Take the one you shoot best, plus a backup.

So, what do you carry if your elk hunting involves all three?

Which, IME, it usually does,at least where I have hunted elk.You might bump into all of these conditions in the same day in some elk country,and it's a good idea if your elk rifle can manage all of them.IMHO.

This is how I would roll and have the very same rifle. They will not bounce off I promise!

308 Montana

When you say that you don't shoot the 350 as well as the other two rifles, that is a BIG CLUE to leave it home.
Never heard of an elk shot in the chest cavity with a proper bullet from a 308 or a 280 that went far. Have heard of and seen a lot of elk that had a magnum bullet go whizzing by them that lived to see another season.
I once had a 35 Whelen built as my dream rifle for elk. I killed one elk and a small black bear with it, with less than impressive results. Lent it to a friend who shot more elk with it and a cow moose, and the results were underwhelming. I don't think the 35 calibers bring anymore "killing power" or whatever you want to call it to the table than the 308 class cartridges.

I'm mostly a 7 mm fan. My .280 and a plain vanilla .270 Win have cleanly killed many bulls for me. Personally I would prefer more scope and I love 7 mm Ultra, but neither is necessary. Take that .280 and learn to shoot it out to 400-500 yards. 140 gr or 168 gr Bergers will do the job for you.

Hunt with what you are confident in, and ignore all of the internet warrior BS� You knew the answer before you asked the questions. Elk are not hard to kill, make a good shot with your "go-to" gun and eat some elk steaks� KISS (keep it simple stupid)� don't over think it.. cavemen were killing these animals with rocks and spears not to long ago.

Alright, got to ask.

Is "Grizzly Country" a terrain description or is it suggested that rifle caliber should be sufficient to defend oneself in case of an attack?

Most people, I think use "Grizzly Country" to mean any place where you are likely to encounter a grizzly.

Even in brn bear country ok for you lower 48 guys "grizzly bear" country in Alaska my wife and daughter packed 7-08 daughter used 120gr tsx wife used 139gr gmx anyhow I packed a 325 wsm using 200gr Speer hot cor. I was never really worried about bears. I think a lot of folks over think things around here. When I tell my buds down here in the lower 48 I used regular old Speer hot cor they go oh wow uh that's not a very good bullet. I disagree

What are the 3 respective bullets/loads you plan on using?

In the end, you'll take the one you like best.

When I was so much older, I knew all there was to know. Now that I'm younger than that now I think I've got it wired. After the '06, the best cartridge ever invented is the .280 Rem, which I'd rather have than an '06, and with which I could hunt everything on the North American continent. One of these days I'm gonna buy me a .280 Rem.

Some of Rock 'n' Rolls best gunslingers, Bob Dylan being the slow draw:



Two of the top Rock gunslingers dueling:

If your distance comfort level is 250 to 300 yards, your 2X7 or 1.5X5 should be fine. I usually let the terrain that I'm hunting dictate the rifle that I use. If you are anticipating hunting in open areas, I'd choose the 280 or 308. For dark timber or drainage areas with more brush and trees , I'd pick the 380 Kimber or 350 Win Mag. If you can't decide, your 308 Win Kimber should work in well in most all conditions. Don't own one but a CO outfitter we used for a couple of year swears by his 308. For comparison, my elk rifles are 300 Win Mag, 358 Win, and my 9.3X62.

The latter.

In areas where grizzlies live but are not hunted they've started coming to rifle shots like dinner bells to take over the carcass or at least eat the leavings from dressing and boning. A little more powder and bullet are comforting in those areas.