Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Long Range Elk Rifle

I have packed 30-06 and 300 Win mag all of my life.Until 4 years ago when my STW was build.Now you can't get that big 7 out of my hands.Actually it's now my favorate cartridge.For good reason.

Mark, I hunted with Virgal Burns. He is a good friend and I've hunted with him the last 4 years.

Seems to me you took a nice buck with him last year didn't you?

Mark D

My vote is for the 300 Roy. You can buy a vanguard for $450.00 and put the rest of the money into shooting it. And, you should use it on everything so you know where it will hit when that "long range" elk shows up. Though you will see way more elk to shoot in the heavy stuff, which is why the lever guns still sell.

I'm with siskiyous6 - 300 Win or Roy

I've had all the hard recoiling guns I can take, and the 300 Win or 308 Win are now my go to guns.

If you REALLY want a 338 caliber, go with the 338 RUM. Brass is readily available, and the ballistics are close enough to the 338/375 wby that the elk won't notice.

Mark, yep a really nice mulie last year. I have had good luck with Virgal every year. He has a very good area in the Bob. Lots of game and they will hunt with you as hard as you want.

Ive had a 338 lapua. Darn nice round. Brass a bit spendy. All rounds mentioned are good. Cost of some more than others. I live in Alaska and finally settled on a 8mm Remington Magnum.
I can load 180 Grain bullets that push 3300 ft per second. 200 Grainers to 3100 plus,and custom 250 grain bullets to a bit over 2800 ft per second.
With the advent of the 325 WSM more 8mm bullets should show up.
Still anything from a 300 win to the 338-378 will do. You have to have a larger action for the lupua and the 338-378 due to case head size.
What ever way you go, enjoy.

My long range rig is a custom chambering based on the 338 lapua necked down to .284, fires a 200 grain wildcat at just over 3300 fps. with a bc of .9, this bullet does wonders out there a ways. groups average .8" at 300 yds off the bipod.
it weighs 15.5 pounds loaded, but sets up rock solid on the bipod. here's a pic

RR

RR,
Is that one of Kirby Allen's creations? Its a sweet lookin rig <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

HBB

yes it is
RR

I need to quit lookin at pictures like those of your rifle and reading about how well they perform before I give in to temptation and have Kirby build me one too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

HBB

Anyone who thinks they should be shooting elk, or anything else, long range. Put paper plates at those distances, and keep all your rounds on them. In different light and wind conditions. If every round is in them, from field positions, you may be able to play the game. 95% of hunters can't, at long range. Don't be a wounder. The animals deserve better. You aren't carrying a benchrest with you into the mountains, and a bipod doesn't help much, if you have adreneline running, or are just short of breath. Or, just plain are not a good, practiced shot. If you aren't shooting 2-300 rounds a month, every month, from your hunting rifle, don't kid yourself you are an expert long range shooter. You are not.

This is so funny <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



Hell, if you can't stay in the paper plate at 50 yds you shouldn't be elk hunting. That criteria will eliminate at least 50% of the elk hunters and we can eliminate most of the rest of them by checking the paper plate at 100yds.

I always love to hear from the experienced expert who think you can run 200-300 rounds a month down a long range gun barrel and still have a gun barrel that will shoot when it comes hunting season.

And I would just have to say that the advice on not using a bipod because it doesn't help much is just a pearl of wisdom cast before us swine.

To get to 200-300 rounds downrange a month and still have an elk gun, you pick one with similar ballistics if that matters to you, and practice. Shoot a bit with the real one and you are good to go.

Has always worked for me. Makes paper plates easy.

Bipods work well, but I prefer a pack myself.

As to the issue of adrenaline- only a fool thinks that folks here attempt shots if they are not workable. Wobble area is one of the factors to look at on each shot.

I'm still more worried about those 50-100 yard mart mart shooters. Heck last week a local of ours, that we have told better, wanted to check his gun zero before season and called, out of ammo wanting to know if I had any 270 ammo. I asked what kind, he said he didnt' care, he'd go buy a box of what he used later on..... I dont' own a 270 anyway.. But then again another aquaintence has a 270, let his BIL shoot at a buck and they couldn't find it, come to find out he was out of ammo and grabbed 3 rounds from someone else, then came to my range and shot one of those last 2 rounds at paper.... at 100 the round was dead on, about 16 inches low......

And you want to toss stones at those of us that can? Please.

I see everyone likes the 340, 338Rum, 300 ultra and 338-378 but no one said anything about the 358 STA or a custom 358 Ultra mag. These are both great long range elk rounds and they have great knock down power. I have a 358 STA and 2 358 ultra mags. The STA puts a 225 gr. out at 3006 FPS thru a 24" BBL. and the the Ultra mags put a 225 gr. out a 26-27.5" BBL. at 3180-3250 FPS. Just another though for a rifle.

Hoeram

I shoot a couple 338 RUMS and an 358STA from time to time. The 358 is a great cartridge butthe rifle I have built around it is not long range worthy. This stems from not having developed a load for LR use and that it kicks like hell in the nine pound rifle. However, it is going to Montana this month for elk and then to Alaska for bear in the spring. Sighted in @200 and I know it shoots to 300 @ 2 moa just fine, plenty fine for the intended type hunting.
Nathan

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I always love to hear from the experienced expert who think you can run 200-300 rounds a month down a long range gun barrel and still have a gun barrel that will shoot when it comes hunting season.

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Not an expert here, just experienced. I do shoot several hundred rounds a month.
Barrels are threaded for a reason, Greg and Tim love my checks!
All types of hunting carry responsibility for taking game ethically. If you need a new barrel before hunting season comes around, get one or do not use the rifle.

Greg as in Greg Tannel? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm... seems to me if a guy wants to kill an elk, let alone have an opportunity at 500 yards he'd better be WHERE the elk are. I can't fathom hauling a 15lb rifle up any elk mountain... nice in theory but not in practice.