I know we rifle cranks have many.... BUT.....What is your absolute favorite elk gun? How is it set up optically? What load with what bullet?

Here is my absolute favorite.
WBY (imagine that!) MK V Krieger Custom Rifle in 30-378. Nightforce NX8 2.5x20x50mm scope



Shoots phenomenally well with 175 LRX !





Has a couple of elk under its belt! 5x7, 6x7.

I don’t go elk hunting, but if I did it be a Sako 338 Win mag.

Custom Oberndorf Mauser in classic style stock chambered to the .35 Whelen. It kills elk very very dead.
Paul.

That's certainly a nice setup, Fotis, but I notice that where you kill your elk and where I kill mine are VERY different. All of mine are up on mountains, and I'm not packing a monster rifle up to where the elk are.

My favorite rigs:
1) Rem M7 in 300 SAUM that Remington put in a B&C stock, shortening the whole package, and calling it the Alaska. It is light and handy and kills well way out there with bullets from 180-200gr. The stock fits me perfectly, making recoil seem milder than it is with the light rig, even shooting big bullets as fast as I can. Last elk taken with it was killed at 437 yds with 190 ABLR. Longest shots have been around 550.

2) Savage 116 in 270, also light and handy, and pushes several 150gr bullets to 3k with excellent accuracy. It is a newer one for me, and it broke a 4 year drought for elk. I've had a successful hunt every time I've carried it. I have much confidence in it. I've never missed with it, including Elk to 450yds.

3) Rem 700 BDL 30-06 that has killed many, many animals for me. My preferred load is Berger 185's. Again, I just have confidence in the combo, out to farther than I will shoot animals. I've made several of what would definitely be called "unethical" and "trick shots" with this rifle. Sometimes, 200 gr Partitions sneak into the magazine. Bastards.

Setting up a 6.5 CM for my wife this year. Hoping it becomes a favorite elk rig around here. There's also a 35 Whelen in the mix that has yet to kill an elk, but has been packed a few times. May try some more trick shooting with a 243 or the AI version this year, using target bullets. The secret is to put some tape on the gun, then write "BIG BORE & HUNTING BULLETS" on the tape. It seems to fool both the deer and the elk.

I agree sir. Those 2 were in the prairie. One time deal........kinda deal......... unless I get lucky with the area again. Usually I am up in the mountains where I have gotten a 10 yard shot (yes 10 yards) and a 778 yard shot. My longest shot on elk.
Hence the 2.5x20 range scope.

My favorite remains a synthetic stocked 340wby. With the now discontinued 210 Partition factory fodder, it would regularly shoot into 1/2”. It still wears a leupold 3x10 vari-x-3. I’ve killed a couple dozen elk and numerous deer/antelope with that outfit. As my supply of 210 factory loads have started to dwindle, I’ve begun load work with 225 accubonds as I could never match the factory loads velocity/accuracy.

Stainless T3 in 7mm-08. Kills ‘em dead.




P

I have only killed two elk and at my age I don't see the chance of getting another. But if I could hunt again I would take the same one that I got my last one with, a Weatherby Ultra Lightweight 338-06, so I guess that is my favorite one.

Whatever I have in my hands when I'm elk hunting. Generally that's a 308 Kimber MT.

I really like my model 70 classic in 338-06. McMillan Edge stock and 2-7 scope.

30-06 something ...

I have to go with my pre 64 M70 300 H&H in an Echol's legend stock / swaro Z3

Mine easily was a Win M70 in .300 H&H....

Killed elk with all sorts of rifles...but that one stood out.

Ruger 77 mk2, 30-06, 180gr federal premium loaded with partitions. leupold 3-9x40. I've used this rig since 1996 and taken close to 20 elk. The last few years I used either a win model 70 ew in 308 win or a ruger Hawkeye wood/blue. also in 308 win, wearing a leupold 3-9x40. Has accounted for 4 elk.

I've killed'em with a .300 Wby, but if I was going now, I'd take my 338-06 FN Mauser. It should whack'em as well as a .300.

It likes the 160 TTSX a lot. I also used 180 NAB's, and 210 NPT's. Not sure which load I would take. It shoots them all pretty well.

DF

I'd like to see a picture of that rig.

DF

Winchester Model 70 Classic Stainless in 338 WM.... killed a lot of elk with it ...

However, trying to find a new favorite with a 26 Nosler I built last year.... hopefully I'll find out this year....

Bob

Weatherby 300mag 200 gr spbt 8-36x50

My favorite is my old 700 custom .300WM.. It has close 40 elk to its credit, and I have shot more with other calibers.. I have killed elk with every wt. from 150 to 200 gr. My usually elk load is a 165 gr. bullet over Re 22 for about 3350fps . Right now my favorite bullet is the Accubond!!

M700 8mmMag, H-S precision stock, 2 1/2 - 8x Leupold, 200 gr. TSX/88.0 gr. MagPro/Fed 215. Haven't had occasion to shoot elk much past 200 yards, even around here in prairie country. Thinking of getting a .338-06.

It’s a sweetheart DF...

I know we have played this game before, but here it is. Eating elk backstrap tonight as a matter of fact....

This Pre64 6.5-06 or its lower 30-06 twin for me. Edge stocks, 2.5x8 Leupolds. Minute of elk, easy...
127 LRX and 200 partitions

I took my first bull with a Rem 700 Mountain rifle in .280 with 140 or 160 TBBC. Never found it lacking and took two more with it.
My daughter also used it to take her first elk, a 6x6 in NM.

Bought a Montana 300 WSM when they first came out and between my son in law and myself its accounted for 17 elk.
All with 165 TSX factory load. My SIL uses it now.

I now hunt with a Ultra Light Arms 300 Win with 165 Barnes TTXS that belonged to a hunting buddy. He gave it to me the day before he passed.

All are light enough to carry easily in the mountains, shoot tough bullets that break bones and penetrate on quartering shots, and can easily shoot to my limit of 4-500 yards.

Have I ever told you how happy I am that you bought that FN, I was getting weak..

I also own a 300 H&H Model 70 Classic in an Echols stock that I really like, worked great in Africa. But have never used that rifle on elk. Sure it would do just fine.

The 338-06 rifle I mentioned above has never killed an elk, it will go the next time I draw a tag. I have killed elk with a different 338-06 rifle using 210gr NPt's and 210gr TSX's. I foolishly traded that rifle away when I was trying to become a little more pragmatic. That did not last though.

Piercision 28 Nosler - Kelbly Atlas Tactical, Manners EH1, Bix N’ Andy TS, 26” Proof, Jim See’s 5 Port, Hawkins BDL, Kahles K525i, 195 EOL @3060.

My elk rifles are light, so just about anything Tikka will work. I have been using a stainless Hunter in .30-06 but last year I set up a blued T3 Light in 7mm Rem Mag and Burris 3-9 with an illuminated dot if needed. Backed up by a Remington Mountain Rifle in .280 Rem. I also have a Rem 700 XCR in .300 WSM and custom build 7.82 Lazzeroni Patriot that have seen some mountain time. Nosler in 28 Nosler, but I have never fired it, dont plan on carrying it but if reason arose, it should get the job done. All my mountain optics are 3-9 or 4-12, many are Leupold or Ziess Conquest

Serious ordinance...

How heavy?

DF

My favorite elk rifle is my only elk rifle, and that's my old Rem 700 in 308 Norma mag.

My favorite elk rifle is what ever rifle I feel like hunting with on any day I am hunting elk..
I don't keep rifles I don't love, so I really like all the rifle I have and other then some small bores I would hunt elk with all of them at times, and depending on the place I am hunting. All those that were "just a rifle" have all be sold or traded off.
I concern myself with the bullets that go inside the rifle, (and lather I hope that go through an elk, if I get a shot) but not so much the rifle itself . I feel fine hunting elk with any rifle I own from a 25-06 up.
Rifles I own that I either would not hunt elk with because I think I may get into trouble making a quick kill, or just because I don't have any desire to kill an elk with that rifle are the following.

AK74. 5.45 Russian (21 caliber) and 100% of the ammo I have for it is loaded with FMJs and I am not interested in trying to find soft points, so I don't hunt with it at all. Not legal for elk and I would not care if it was.
222 Remington Bolt Action SAKO. Not legal for elk and I load with only Hornady SX bullets in this rifle so I see no reason to re-zero for a tougher bullet, so that gun/ammo combo is NOT an elk rifle.
AR15s in 5.56. Not legal for elk here, and I would not take one elk hunting in any other state because I have other rifles that I trust more as elk killers
AK47 Same reasons as those listed with the AR15s above
AR15 in 6.8 SPC. With Barnes bullets would kill elk with good hits, but I just have no desire to do it.

Rifles I own that I likely will not likely use, but I know I could if for some reason I wanted to kill elk with them are:

25-06 Mauser. My daughter and both my grandsons have killed several elk with a 257 Roberts I made for her over 30 years ago and done well, so I know for a fact I can do the same things with the same bullets loaded in a 25-06, but I just never have, and I like other rifles for elk hunting a bit better. So I will probably never kill and elk with my 25-06 but I know that I could.

30-30 Marlin. I have several friends who hunt timber with 30-30s and at close ranges the 170 grain 30-30 kills elk fine in the hands of a good shot who can keep cool. I like lever actions too, but I own lever guns in 270 30-06 and 300 Savage, so I would not choose my 30-30 because I like the more powerful guns I do have for elk hunting. But again that's personal preference, not because I think the 30-30 can't do a good job in the hands of a good hunter who knows how to get close.

My 100% original Mosin Nagant. All the accuracy and power I'd ever need for elk hunting and will no anything I want within my effective rage with iron sights, but for what ever reason I never felt any desire to hunt with that rifle.

That about it.

All other rifles I own I would hunt elk with which would be 18 others. And of that number I have killed elk with 14 of them, and with some of them I have killed a lot of elk.

These rifle I really like, and so I feel good hunting with any and all of them.

As long as I hunt within the effective range or each rifle I am happy with any one of them. I don't choose my 62 caliber flintlock to hunt in the grasslands and I don't usually take my 300 Magnum into the timber, so I choose the gun to fit the ares I will be hunting in. I do enjoy hunting with older rifle and iron sights, but my eyes are not pretty old and I don't do as well as I did years ago, so I often take 2 rifles with me these days on hunts, one with a scope and one with irons only. I like using iron-sighted guns more, but if I run short on time I "cheat" and get out the scoped rifle rather then go home without an elk. (That's the pal anyway. Doesn't always work out that way however. Last year I had 7 Wyoming tags and I killed 6 animals over iron sights and the one I missed with with a scoped rifle)

What load do you use Pharm?

Wow great groups out of that rifle. I'll take my 338-06AI again this fall for elk. It wears a 6x IOR scope. Long shots on elk here in Sask are rare. The beasts tend to stick to the knarly stuff that you can barely walk thru. Cheers.

Love the stock on that rifle, BSA. What colors and stock model do you have there?

Started with 140 Partition over Big Game, went to 150 Eldx over Big Game. I use the same rifle for deer and sometimes the shots are far enough that BC barely becomes relevant so I experimented with the Eldx and got great accuracy.



P

270 in a CLR for open country and in a 760 for black timber.

Pre 64 mdl 70 in 270 win handloads with 150 gr partition. All original and each scratch and ding has a story to go with it.




uote=Fotis]I know we rifle cranks have many.... BUT.....What is your absolute favorite elk gun? How is it set up optically? What load with what bullet?

Here is my absolute favorite.
WBY (imagine that!) MK V Krieger Custom Rifle in 30-378. Nightforce NX8 2.5x20x50mm scope



Shoots phenomenally well with 175 LRX !





Has a couple of elk under its belt! 5x7, 6x7.






[/quote]

my favorite elk gun is the only one I've carried on the only elk hunt I've done and the only shot I made at an elk.

Savage Stainless Synthetic 300 wsm.

I was good out to 500 yds, but my shot was at 180 yds. Dropped after 2 steps.

Last one, 180 NPT out of a .300.

On deck and next up, 210 NPT out of a ,338-06.

DF

Favorite is a beat up 300 Weatherby Vanguard old style with a Zeiss Conquest 3-15x50 With Z800 reticle shooting 180 grain Barnes TTSX about 3,175 FPS. Timney trigger at a hair over 2 lbs really tightened the groups up on this gun around 3/4 inch at 100 yds. The reticle matched the trajectory precisely all the way out to 800 yards.

The back up is my old Ruger tang safety 7mm RM with bedding, a trigger job custom Muzzle brake wearing a Leupold 4.5-14 x50 duplex and shooting 15 grain TTSX into a group you could cover with a dime at 100 yards.

Both taken several elk - shortest 11 yards longest 550 yards. Only regret neither one is a lightweight.

Kimber 270 win., 130 Nosler partition over 60 gr, H4831.

Thanks, that is a Brown poundR. I painted it myself about 20 times before I called it good. Its a combo of brown texture paint, dark brown and a matte clear. Its a real tough finish that almost replicates McMillan's dark brown color.

Im using that bullet powder combo in my new rifle because of you. I still need to tweak the load a bit, but preliminary results look promising

Another year for the 6.5 CM, this time in a Mt. Ascent to fill the tag. 130gr Acc. with 44gr. R-16.

My go to, have to get it done, total confidence rig is a .300 WBY that Karl at Kampfeld Customs built. It's setup with a 26" fluted #3 Bartlein, McMillan Hunter (Sako), and Swaro Z5 3-18 with custom dial, in Talley lwts and is a drill with WBY 180 NABs.

If I can ever post pics again, I will start with it.

It's a killin’ sumbitch.



P

Washington otc, this hammer.

My favorite, and the first new centerfire rifle I ever purchased, is a Ruger 77RS in .35 Whelen. In factory loads, I've used the 225g. Federal TBBC and they're a good load. I've come to prefer either the 225gr. Accubond or TSX. If I'm not carrying the Whelen, I like a 700 Mtn. Rifle in .280 running 140 or 160gr. Accubonds or Partitions.

This reminds me of my .280 Remington built on a 98 Mauser with a 26" Shaw barrel. When I first had it built I didn't want to spend the money to have it blued and a friend had some browning fluid left over from a Muzzle Loader build he gave me. I browned it and that barrel looked like a 26" Turd. I later had it properly blued and it looks a lot better.

I've never been elk hunting so I don't have an elk rifle. However, my favorite rifle and the one I'd most likely take elk hunting is my old push feed Model 70 in .270 Winchester. I've had it the longest and killed many more deer with it.

10.6lbs.

My Montana Rifle Co. M 1999 chambered for the .338 RUM.

7mm Weatherby Mk V with 140 TTSX @ 3400 fps took my first Elk. Took my Red Stag bull with my 300 WSM, 165 Accubond @ 3050 fps. I would have no reservation using one of my 280’s on the next big carcass.

I haven’t went after elk, but if I did I would use my 6.5-300

I’ve had several “favorite” elk rifles over the years including a .308 M700, a .35 Whelen M700 Classic, but the current Champeen is a .300 Weatherby Mark V Fibermark with a Kahles Helia C 2.5-10x50 shooting 168 gr TTSX handloads. Usual recent backup is a 7mm Weatherby similarly dressed but with a Leica Visus 2.5-10x42. The reason the .300 Roy is the top dog is that it has produced bang-flops on everything I have shot at. Just lucky...

Ruger Hawkeye SS/Syn, 35 Whelen, 1-12" twist, 250 gr. NP, Leupold 2.5-8 VX3i.

My wife uses an identical rifle/scope, but shoots 225 TBBC.

Both loads absolutely dump elk.

My Mark V 340 Roy custom, 26 inch Douglas.premium barrel, McMillan stock, launching 250 gr Nosler Partitions @ 3050 fps. JM

Wait a minute: you use a rifle with a synthetic stock???

RM

I 30/06ed them for a few years but the last two have fallen to my 270Wby. 130Etips have produced convincing results. Rifle is a Voere Black Forest, same same as A Kleingunther K14. It was a 7mm Rem Mag with a rotten bore when I got it so I duplicated the contour with a Shilen blank and went 270Wby. Full length bedded into the original wood stock and wearing a VXII 3-9x40 in PRW rings on a one piece base I made from bar stock after being unable to find mounts. It’s probably right about 8lb with three shells and shoots great with 130s of any brand I’ve tried.

300 WSM early MRC SS action and barrel, average accuracy but under 4"@300 yards with 180gr Swift A Frames.
Nothing gets up.

My favorite is an older Remington ADL 30-06 shooting handloaded 180 grain Barnes triples. It has done the job for me on elk, black bear & hogs. I did replace the factory trigger with a Timney set just below 3 pounds pull a while back.

Settled in on a 270Win, with a 150NP and around 55gr. of H4831. Been up and down the spectrum over 20 years. Funny, the elk were harder to kill in my youth thus necessitating the 338WM. Now years later, they seem to have grown easier to kill.

This rifle was the prototype.

Rem 700 action/McM A-5/Leupold 4.5-14 with DCT/.264 Win Mag/140gr VLDs.

1102 yds.



This is the latest version with a more refined stock and action.

"Favorite" is a word that needs to be defined here.

For me if that means the rifle I have had the largest number of elk kills with it is beyond doubt my Mauser in 375H&H. Probably 40% of all the elk I ever killed were killed with that rifle. 60% with all the others combined which is a number that I have to think about hard to count.


BUT...........The rifles I have had the most fun with and felt the most satisfaction from killing elk with are many others, with the top one being my 62 caliber flintlock.

Others that give me a real thrill were my M-1 Garand, My Browning 95 in 30-06, my 1st elk when I was a kid, shot with my Dad's 300 Savage model 99, and although they are not rifles, three 44 magnum handguns and my 454 Casull handgun, and one with a long bow and a wood arrow.