Four quick questions I am just curious what everyone else is taking afield for Elk this year.
Which Rifle, scope, caliber and bullet are you using for Elk this season?
I am going with my old standby's:
Remington 700 Classic
Leupold 3.5x10 variable with A/O
7m/m Remington Magnum
160 grain Nosler Partitions
Good luck to all
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I am taking two: my refurbished 54-year-old Model 70 in .30-06, with 165 partitions, and a vintage full-custom .338-06 Improved built on an Interarms Mauser action with 200-grain AccuBonds. The '06 wears a 6X Leupold FX-II while the Mauser has a 1.75-6X Leupold VX-II.

TikkaT3x stainless/Synthetic 270 Win
Leupold FX-3 6x42 regular duplex
Factory Hornady Presicion Hunter 145gr ELD-X

Very simple vanilla setup...

.35 Whelen,Weaver 3x and 250 gr Kodiak Bullets.

Back up is a .358 Norma,Leupold 2.5x8 and 250 gr Nosler Partition.

kimber montana 260 with 120 ttsx's, or a suppressed RAP 6.5 with 140 Amax's.

Same old stuff!

Wife: Win. Model 70, SS, .338 Win Mag, 225 grain TTSX @ 2950, Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS

Mine: Win. Model 70, Douglas Match Grade barrel with folding express sights, .375 AI, 250 TTSX @ 3130, Leupold 3.5-10x40 CDS

Remington 700 .270 shooting 150 gr Nosler Partition. Ancient Leupold 3-9.

remington lh 700 6.5x55 leupold 4-12 vx-r 120 barnes ttsx or 140 nolser accubond

RBros 280AI, 145LRX, FX3 6x42 CDS

Ga Precision 260 with 140 Amax and a Nightforce compact 2.5-10x42

In the timber, a 44 Marlin with 285gr cast hollow points @ 1650. In more open country, a 444 XLR shooting 250gr Partition Gold HP's at 2300. For VERY open country, a 30-06 700 with 200 Partitions at 2650.

Ga Precision 6.5 SAUM with 140 VLD and a Nightforce compact 2.5-10x32

M700 ADL SS Mtn "parts" rifle. 1995 action with a new take off mtn contour bbl, VX3i 2.5-8.

Back-up is a 1993 M700 ADL SS Mtn Rifle, Vari-X III 2.5-8.

Both are 270W and using 150gr NPt's.

Casey

McWhorter 7STW 180 gr VLD-h @ 3150. VX-5HD 3-15x44. Should work on a cow.

700 in 7STW, 2-12 VX6HD, 154IB at ~ 3200

Dakota Arms 76 in 270 Win, shooting 130 grain Partitions with a Swarovski 3-10x42 scope. Or a Tikka t3 in 30-06 shooting 165 grain Accubonds, scoped with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40.

Rem 700 ADL
SWFA 6X42 mil-quad
6.5x284
140 VLD

Will have my .300 H&H with 200 grain Speer Grand Slams (old style) and leupy 6x42 in case my primary setup goes tits up.

Ruger Number 1
some 3-9 Burris
.300 H&H
180 gr Accubond

or maybe something different....

Customized pre 64 M70 300 H&H, swaro Z3 3-10x42 180 TTSX's.

Ruger MKII SS/Lam
338 Win Mag
Leupold 3-9X40
210gr Partitions

Backup:
Marlin MR-7
30-06
Nikon 4.5-14X40
165gr Partition

1955 Winchester 70 Featherweight in Basner Stock
Swaro Z3 3-9x36
30-06
180 Partition

Mod. 70 in 264 WM
Zeiss Conquest 3-15x44
142 gr LRAB

Back-up rifle:
Tikka T3
308
150 AB
Sig Whiskey 5 3-15x42

My custom .300 Weatherby Vanguard, Leopold 4.5-14 CDS, 180 gr TTSX
Or if its raining,
My Rem 700 SS in 7mm Rem mag, Nikon Prostaff 4-12, 160 gr Accubonds (I'm taking this one to Québec tomorrow for Caribou )

Kimber 8400 .300WM
3-9x40 Conquest
165 TTSX

Backup:

700 CDL .35 Whelen
4x32 Conquest
225 TSX

FC

Mine:

Rem 700 SPSS 300WM 26" barrel
168gr. TTSX 78gr. RL-22
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. (Old style)

Daughter:

Rem 700SPS 270Win. 24" barrel
130gr. TTSX 55gr. IMR-4350
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. (Old style)

Daughter's boyfriend:

Howa 1500 30-06 24" barrel
180gr. Hornady Custom
Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40

My many years dependable friend, Remington 725 .280 Remington, 3x9 Nikon Monarch 'scope, 160 grains Nosler Partition in front of 54 grains of IMR 4350.

Works just fine for me.

L.W.

I drew a pretty good tag this years so-

Main; Winchester Model 70 SS Classic, .338 Win Mag, barrel cut to 23", iron sights, McMillan AHR stock, Leupold 2.5-8x36, 225 gr TBBC HE/225 NPT-76 gr RL-22,

Backup; Winchester Model 70 SS FW All-Terrain, floated, bedded w-Steel Bed, iron sights, leupold 2.5-8x36, 180 gr NPT-57 gr H-4350,

I hunt elk with a 30-06 and 180 grain Nosler Partitions with Spitzer points, hand-loaded to perform like a .300 magnum (61 grains RL22 – 2,870 fps). It might seem simpler to just use a .300 magnum but I already have the '06 and the hand-load has a trajectory that is close enough to factory loads Federal Premium 30-06, 150 grain Sierra Game King BTSP that I can switch loads without adjusting my scope.

My rifle is a T/C Icon Weathershield. For years I used (and still own) a Winchester model 70 Featherweight 30-06. But I got tired of re-bluing it after returning from Alaska hunts. It wears a Leupold VX-3 3.5x10x40 with duplex reticle.

KC

Mostly stock Ruger Hawkeye 7mm rem mag...... Had to retire the tanger 7mm mag for a bit, needs new barrel.
VX 3 2.5-8x36 leupy
175 nosler pt, 69 gr. retumbo, cci 250, 3.29 c.o.l, 2920 fps chronoed

Husqvarna 1640 rebarreled to .338-06. Leupold 3-9x40.

I built it to replace my old .338-06 which some decided they like more than I did.

mod 70 264 win mag 4.5x14x40 CDS Leupold, 140 Accubond.

Weatherby Mk V UL, in 270 Wby Mag. Swarovski Z3 4-12x50. 140 Accubond handloads, chrono'd @ 3400fps

Sawtooth rifles M700 in 7x57
2-7 VX-2 with a M1 turret
162 gr ELD-X.

Tikka T3 300 WSM, Leupold VX-3 3.5X10X40, 180 Partitions. Zeroed at 300, +3.75@100, +4.5@200, -11@400.

Ruger M-77 Hawkeye Predator, 6.5 Creedmoor,
Weaver 3-15x,
140 Speer Hot Cor,

As a backup, either:
Ruger No.1, 6.5 Creedmoor if it gets back in time, same ammo
Weaver 3-15x

or

Browning BLR, 243 Win.
Factory ammo

Remington Model 700 LH 30/06
6X Leupold

180 grain Winchester Power Points

Primary
Tikka T3 lite stainless, 300WM, Swarovski Z5 (3.5-18), 180gr. TSX reloads at 3021 fps = 3647 ft. lbs.

Backup
Tikka T3x lite stainless, 308, Swarovski Z5 (3.5-18)...and not sure on the ammo yet, will know after this weekend.

And if I get really lucky with a close up shot
Glock 20 with a Jarvis 5.5" custom barrel and Double Tap 200gr. hard cast, lead solid at 1238 fps = 681 ft.lbs.

Rem 700 XHR in 300 RUM with Ziess conquest 3x9x40, 200grn A-Frame
Remington 700 custom mountain in .270 with vortex diamondback HP 4x12x40, 130grn Partition
Tikka T3x in 6.5x55 with vortex diamondback HP 4x12x40, 140grn partition

Was planning on my 1950's era Sako FN 300 H&H mag graced with a 3.5- 10 VX iii cds. Berger 215 Hybrid .
But did not draw this year.

Browning hells canyon speed long range 6.5 creedmoor. vortex 3x9x50. hornady 143 eldx.

Nice to hear the old .300 H & H is still getting lots of play..

If I go for a bull elk, I will have my old .300 Win.. Probably with 165 Accubonds or 165 Part..

If I only hunt for a cow, I will most likely try my .25-06 with 115 Part. or my old 700 30-06 with 150 Accubonds.. Will also have my marlin .45-70 or .30-30 for timber... If I really want meat down I will go back to the old .300.. Getting an elk is no longer necessary to balance the budget.. Now, much goes to the kids who are now raising kids...

Well if I hunt horseback
the Ruger #1 35 Whelen and 250 Hornady's powered w/Reloader 15

Walking the new Lipsey Ruger Hawkeye 275 Rigby and 160gr.
Nosler Partitions powered w/ Reloader 19

Same rifle/scope/ammo I used to take a cow elk last December:

Rem 700 CDL 30-06
old 2-7x Redfield
165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip handloaded

Or maybe the 200 gr Partition load - I have some of those left and elk seems worthy of that bullet, rifle is still zeroed for the 200 gr bullets.

Worked great on elk last year. If I get a shot this year, I suspect it will work great again!

Guy

The old 300 loaded to 300 WSM spec's is updated and refreshing , love the old girl.

Savage model 10 .308 caliber with Carbonsix barrel and vortex amg scope
Backup Winchester model 70 .308 with vortex razor lh

If my buddy borrows my 30-06 then I will take a Winchester model 70 375 Holland and Holland probably shooting a 300 grain Sierra over 79 grains of H 4350. It wears a VX 3 1.5 x 5. Back up is a Winchester model 70 in 338 Winchester, shooting a 210 grain TTSX over 73 grains of RL 17. It wears an old Vari- X 3 2.5 x 8.

Pedersoli .50 caliber Frontier Flintlock, 95 grains of Schutzen 2f behind a Lee REAL bullet with a bore butter soaked .50 cal felt wad, priming powder will be Null-B, English flint with an elk hide buffer. Gonna be fun, last time I hunted this tag it was -35*...

I'll be packing my pre-64 Remington 700. Rebored to 338-06 shooting 210 Partitions and topped with a Leupy VX-II 2-7. Weighs about 7 1/2 loaded.

35 ai wheelen,weaver grand slam,and 250 gr pills

Kimber 84M
338 Fed
SWFA SS 6X
180 Accubonds

Ruger
6.5 CM
Vortex Viper 4.5-14x50
140 Partition

The wife will be toting a REM Mountain Rifle in 7x57 with 150 Partitions pushed by 50 gr of RL19. Scope is a 2x7 Leupold. My gun will be a ,Sako A7 30-06 and 165 Accubonds and 57 gr of RL19 . Got a Nikon scope sitting on top.

Remington 78 rebarreled with a 700 35 Whelen.
225 AB
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40

15 yo son will be using a Marlin X7 7-08
120TTSX
Leupy M8 6x36
This combo has worked great on two cow moose, so should suffice for a cow elk this year.

M70 Fwt 8X57mm
200 Nosler Partitions
2-7x Leupold

HuntnShoot: I should have mentioned (remembered!) that on those rare days when I know I am going into the dog hair timber (thick forests of young and medium aged evergreens where visibility is limited) I take along my Tikka T-3 Rifle in caliber 338 Federal with Zeiss Diavari 3x9 variable scope shooting Federal factory ammo - the 185 grain Barnes Triple Shock bullets.
So far this month I have sighted in two Elk Rifles for "busy" (lazy?) Elk Hunting friends both were in caliber 300 Winchester Magnum - one of these 300's was a beautiful old Browning Safari bolt action with the three step barrel - I have always liked these old Browning's - this one the owner had just put a new Zeiss variable onto.
Thankfully that old Browning had much weight to it and that tamed the recoil of that 300 Magnum noticeably over the other Rifle which was a Browning A-Bolt with lightweight fiberglass stock - that thing kicked!
Good luck all.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

PaulH: You have a great looking Rifle there!
I have never done anything with the 8x57.
Good luck to you.
And your photo reminded me of the first half of my life (49 years!) where I was born and raised there in western Washington (Renton) Hunting all over that country from Tiger Mountain (for Deer) to Lester, Enumclaw and North Bend for Elk and Bear.
Frankly I don't miss the moss, the thick cover and the constantly dripping trees and ferns!
Again good luck this season with that cool Rifle.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Ulvejaeger: Good luck to you this season with those two cool Rifles and thanks for the lesson on the 275 Rigby of recent.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

MHWASH: Good luck to you this season with that 35 Whelen - I have been along on two Elk Hunts here in Montana where my partners used the 35 Whelen. Both Hunts were in the Missouri Breaks country and both my partners killed dandy Bulls with their 35 Whelens - both were one shot kills by the way.
I have a very close friend who lives in Dayton, Washington and he has been seeing several Bull Elk this fall - limited draw tags though I guess in that area.
He has also seen some Moose this year out in the draws of that Palouse country.
Keep after'em and I really hope your young son gets a chance on Elk this fall.
My three sons have done especially well on Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer and Antelope but none have bagged an Elk as yet.
School, college, careers and "girls" have interrupted their Hunting schedules of late.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Sako A7 SS in .300WSM wearing a Meopta Meopro 3-9x50 shooting 180 Partitions. Should do the job nicely.

2017 aint my year.....

I smoked all my vacation on a trip to Alaska with wife and kids. No regrets, but that means I'll be "hunting" vicariously through yall. SO GOOD LUCK! I'll be hunting from this keyboard.

next year, however, we'll have 3 generations in elk camp:

my dad:
308 Kimber Hunter
4x12-40 Redfield Revolution
165 gr Accubonds

me:
358 Win in BLR
3x9 Redfield Revolution
225 Nos PT's

my 13 year old boy:
308 Savage LWH
4x12-40 Redfield Revolution
165 Nos AB's

and you can bet all 3 of us will consider it the time of our lives. Getting to hunt with my dad and son will be a short, favorable window in our lives.

Thank you VG

Sounds like some nice set-ups, Varmint Guy. Because I'm a lefty, I got into lever guns. They are so damnably handy for fast shots. I can get the 44 Marlin to my shoulder and get a shot off like I'm carrying a nice grouse gun. The XLR is a bit heavier, but it was a gift from my father at his passing, so I want to blood it on a bull if I can find one!

Good luck to you too!

I'll take a different rifle for every day of the hunt.... ... That way, I'll find out which one has the most mojo....

Sako Finnlight 308 leupold vx6 3x18x50 178 hornady eldX

Sako finnlight 300 wsm leupold vx6 3x18x50 178 hornady eldX

It will probably depend on the day but the likely candidates are:

Whitworth Safari 375 H&H
Leupold 6x36 LRD
260 gr partitions

1st Model Newton in 30 Newton
Lyman Permacenter 6x
200 gr partitions

Kimber MT 280 AI
Leupold 6x36 LRD
150 NBTs or 150 TTSX

I will carry my 8400 Montana in .270 Win (Gay, I know. But bought here at the 'fire) loaded with 150NP coming out the barrel at about 3025. It wears a Meopta 3.5x10 from Doug and Co.

I will also bring a '49 M70 chambered in ".300 Magnum" spitting 200NP out of its 26" barrel at about 2880. It wears a glossy VX-II in 3x9-40, and is generally just about as cool a rifle as a guy like me should be allowed to own.

Bsa1917Hunter: You may be on to something?
I started Hunting with centerfire Rifles 59 years ago and over that near 6 decades I have owned two or three Rifles that just seemed to never harvest anything?
Included in this three is the above mentioned Tikka Rifle in caliber 338 Federal!
I have taken it out MANY times on Hunts for Elk, spring Black Bear and a time or two for fall Black Bear Hunting and to date I have yet to even get a sighting of a Boar Bear or a Bull Elk when toting it.
I like the Rifle so much I keep using it but to date unsuccessfully.
Oh well - I am to the place in my life now where my ego does NOT need to make a game harvest every Hunt - my soul does take much satisfaction though from just being out amongst natures finest.
That is most often reward enough for me.
Good luck with the mojo Rifles this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

BLinSD: I am a big advocate of the 270 Winchester.
Nothing gay about it in my eyes.
A few years back I was Hunting Mule Deer and was carrying my favorite Mule Deer Rifle a Remington 700 Sendero in 270 Winchester caliber when up pops a dandy 6x6 Bull Elk!
A lot of "anti-270" propaganda raced though my mind as I deployed my Harris Bi-Pod and carefully put one 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip right through that Elks heart/lungs - he was down in less than 6 seconds from that one shot!
Best of luck to you with the 270 this season and concentrate on proper bullet placement.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I'll have my old Weatherby Vanguard painted olive green with a Timneyj trigger in 300 Weatherby magnum shooting 180 grain TTSX hand loads wearing a Zeiss HD5 3-15x50 with a Z800 reticle. Tomorrow is 1000 yard range day my goal is to put 3 out of 3 minute of elk vitals at 800 yards. It really shoots.

The important gun to get right tomorrow is the Savage 30/06 shooting 150 grain TTSX hand loads under a VX2 3-9x40 that my 12 year old grandson will carry on his first elk hunt. His dad will be his Sherpa since he turned out to be a fisherman but still wants in on the adventure. We will have 3 first time elk hunters this year it should be fun.

That is awesome. Hope you guys have a blast and make memories of a lifetime.

1968 Sako L61R, 338 Win Mag. Bofors steel barrel that shoots North Forks into 0.40" groups at 100. She wears a Schmidt & Bender scope and rests in a McMillian stock.
Love this ol pussycat.

Thanks VarmintGuy. I appreciate that. Good luck to you as well and enjoy your time out in the woods. I know I will!!!!

That's awesome man. I love me a good shooting 338WM. I keep one in the stable for just such an occasion. You'll have to give your 270fwt a go this year too though...

Weatherby back country in .300 Wby with 168 gr TTSX topped with a Burris Signature 3-9x40. It's been about perfect for what I do with elk.

Pre 64 Alaskan, .338 with leupold 2x7 and either Nosler 210 or 250 partitions.
That setup has served me well for 30 + yrs

One more gent carrying a 264WM.

Two of them are headed to Wyoming.

The 7 MSM built on a P64 magnum action, 8 twist Bartlein and Echols Legend.

And my P64 338 Alaskan with a Legend on it as well.

Both of them are scoped with 6X SS.

154 Interbond at 3245 in the 7mm Mashburn

210 Swift at 2934 in the 338.

I’m looking forward to hunting these suckers. They are shooting excellent.

Got a muzzy tag this year.

CVA Optima .50 cal
.45 270 Barnes and harvester sabot

First to always go is my Mauser 30-06 built by Heym, with an old gold ring Leupold 3x9. Second in the truck is my .338 win mag, model 700 with a Burris 3x9 compact. Third in truck is my 7mm Remington mag, Ruger 77 Mk 2 stainless,with Leopold 3x9! I have used the 06 for thirty plus years and never needed a back up, but you never know!

Weatherby 30-378 for cross canyon stuff.

Marlin Guide Gun (45-70) for dark timber work.

Checked zero on both today, and they're right on the money.

Savage 99 16" carbine in 358 iron sights, 200 grain Hornady SP

Savage 99 18" 375 Winchester 299 grain Sierra, Weaver classic 2.5x

If raining, a powder coated 99 in 358, same 200 grain hornadys, Leupold 1.75-6

If long range, a 99 in 28, Leupold 2.5-8, Speer 145 gr BTSP

Excellent thread, I'll be taking my Savage Model 10 with ER Shaw 338 Fed barrel, luepold vari-x 2 3-9x40 and shooting 200 grain Federal Trophy Bonded Tipped loads.

Backup rig, Savage 110, in 30-06, with Minox za3 3-9x40, shooting 165 TBT.

And if desperate for reach, Ruger No 1 in 7mmSTW, with MINOX za5 3-15x40, shooting 160 Accubonds.

Ruger No 1 22-250 Winchester 45 gr jhp....

The 270 will be with me in he deer stand a bunch this fall!

Beretzs, great looking rifles there, love that pre 64 M70/Echols combo, you even have the right pad on!

Hard to say, but likely two of those below:




On top are, from L to R, .338WM, .300WM, 30-06, all Ruger MKII rifles.
The bottom is a .280 Rem., Ruger Hawkeye.
Scopes are Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex reticles, 3-9x except for the .30-06 which is 4.5-14xAO.

All except the .30-06 have been to the range multiple times in the last couple months and are shooting great out to the 600 yard limit of my local range. Probably driving by Whittington Center later today on my way to Los Alamos Nation Laboratory for work. Would like to take a few shots at the silhouette range there but won't have time and will be driving back after dark Friday night. Next range trip will be next Saturday with some of those going antelope hunting with me. Need to decide if the .280, .257 Roberts or .243 will make the antelope hunt. If the .280 goes for antelope it will probably not go for elk.

Primary: Kimber 84L 270Win re-barreled w/1:8 Lilja. 150LRAB/R-26 @~3050FPS.

Backup: Win 70 Classic SS 300Win/200TSX @2950fps in a super grade pattern McMillan.

Blueranger: My "back-up" Elk Rifle (Tikka in 338 Federal) shot the first factory loads (Federal 185 gr. Barnes Triple Shocks) so well accuracy wise that I have not tried anything else in them - I originally bought the Federal factory loads to break-in the Rifle and to get some brass for my handloads.
Realizing now that I am not going to be shooting that Tikka 338 Federal a lot how have the Federal 200 grain Trophy Bonded bullets performed for you?
Accuracy wise and for lethality on game?
TIA
Good luck this fall.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy,

Thanks for starting this interesting thread. I have no idea what rifle(s) I'm gonna use this fall. Guess I'll find out when it happens....

Good hunting,

I am kinda like bsa1917, I tend to use several rifle over the course of the season. This year I have scouted a mature 6x6 that tends to hang out on a large open grassy mountain, so I anticipate a fairly long shot.

So I will be using a custom Mauser VZ24 with a Douglas barrel in 270Win. with a 6x Leupold CDS turret , shooting Nosler 140gr accubonds at 2950fps.

Primary will be my Sako 75 SS 300 Win Mag in Mcm Edge with NXS 2.5-10x42. Loaded with 200gr Partition.

Back up will likely be Model 70 Classic 338 Win Mag Supergrade with Older Vari-X III 3.5-10. Loaded with 210gr TTSX.

7 Rem mag

I could take any of these for elk.. A .270, a .300 WM , or the .340 Wea.. Most likely the .300 will go if I hunt for a big bull.. All have killed elk, but the .300 has taken the most probably about 40..

Sorry for the dog butts!!!!!

Toller butts?

Golden butts!!!

1) 1965 Rem700 Lilja barrel, Leupold VX6-HD 3x18x44,7mmRemMag, 140 gr Nos Accubond
2) 1965 Rem700 Benchmark barrel, Leupold VX6-HD 2x12x42, 6.5-06 A-square, 129 gr Nos Accubond
3) 1953 Win M70 Leupold VX-3 CDS - 3.5-10x40mm, 308 Win, 150 gr Nos Bal Tips

Registered here quite a while ago but haven't really posted so this seemed a good place to start

Savage 110 in 30-06
4x16x44 Vortex Viper
180gr Federal Vital Shok TBT

Hopefully it gets a little work this year!

700 LSS with #3 Gaillard barrel chambered in .270 Weatherby. 130 Grain Swift Sciroccos at 3500 fps. 4.5-14 x 56 VX3L. The scope was never really planned for that rifle, but the gun was there and the scope was there so............................................anyway, it made a fist sized hole on both sides of the elk.

I'll be caring my Rem 700 SA in 358 win for elk this year!

I might be the only one out there with a 358 lol

Although the 30-06 Rem 700 would likely be more practical. it's been a while since I took any game with this good ol' Number One in 375 H&H:



The 3x Leupold is zeroed at 200 yards with 270 gr Hornady round-nose bullets. I'd think that should prove sufficient.



Guy

Probably Kimber 300WSM, maybe Kimber 3006. The 300WSM is grouping nice but has yet to kill anything. Think its time.

30-30 is a good look for deer hunting.

How do you like the fixed 3X on the .375? I'm contemplating the same scope for my CZ .375 when I get around to it. Thinking about a #4 ret.

Love it. Mine is an older scope with the duplex reticle. I'm a sucker for these smaller Leupold scopes, fixed or variable. They've never let me down. I feel like with this super-simple scope, simple single-shot rifle and a classic cartridge, I'm well served.

Have been pleased with how well the smaller scope has worked out both up close and out to 200 & 300 yards.

Guy

Thank you for the feedback. I was pretty well sold, and the more people I speak with having experience with a 3x, the closer I get to pulling the trigger. Leupold was back-ordered on #4 reticles and offered to upgrade free of charge. I might have to do it.

SFC B: That Rifle in 30/06 with that bullet certainly ought to do the trick for you.
Good luck this season and chime in more often.
I have not owned a Vortex scope as yet but have shot Varmints through a couple my friends own.
They are sure happy with them.
Again good luck.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Guy M: That is certainly a handsome Rifle!
Good luck this season.
I used to Hunt Coyotes a lot down in SE Washington state - is that picture taken somewhere there in Paloose Country?
I had a lot of good times there.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Bow, 275fps

You're the second listing a .358 Win. on this thread....

Photo taken at the North Central Washington Gun Club, East Wenatchee, Washington.

Been a happy member there for 20+ years. It's evolving into a real good facility, with a 600 yard rifle range, trap shooting, pistol shooting, Cowboy Action Shooting, and archery.

Guy

Cool.

1) 1990s Remington KS 300 Wby
Swift A-Frame 180s
Swarovski Z3 BRH

2) 700/Shilen 270 Wby
Swift A-Frame 150s
Swarovski Z3 BRH.

NULA model 28 in 300 WM Vortex Razor HD LH, 200 grain eldx.

1st string
Savage 116 in 7RM
Leupy VX6 3x18x44
162g ELD-X over 59.9g RL23

2nd string
Weatherby Vanguard 7RM
Leupy VX-3 3x10x40
162 ELD-X over 61.5g RL22

Pre 64 30-06 fwt with 200 gr partitions, 2.5x8 Leupold, anticipating close up this season...

I just killed this year's elk with my Sauer 202 Stutzen carbine, .308 Win. and 180 grain Nosler partition handloads. Broadside shot, high in ribs behind the shoulder at about 120 yards. Predictable results.

Cool. Congratulations!

Those are some serious bullets! I am impressed by their performance near and far. Shooting 300 yards isn't really a problem with them either, if ya must.

Guy

Good to hear, expect a close shot in the blow-downs, or maybe up to 200 yards max in the small meadows where I'll be at.

I love that combo as well. Excellent all the way around. Good choice in rifle, scope and bullet...

BSA, for the 3rd year in a row, I'm going with something smaller, a 250...grainer that is! memtb

Geez memtb, you and your wife pack a lot of lead.... .... I had my 338wm out of the safe yesterday, a buddy wanted to check it out. He's talking about going to Idaho for a cow hunt this December. He was telling me a story about losing a nice bull last year, while using his 308win. He said he shot, there was no sign of a hit and the bull ran off. He went to see if he could spot blood, but there was nothing. He looked around the area for a few hours. The farmer (who witnessed the shot) that owns the property told him he didn't hit the bull and to keep hunting, so that's what my buddy did. The next day, they saw birds circling the same area and they went to investigate and found the bull about 300 yards from where my friend thought he hit him. Now my friend is a little reluctant about using his 308 for elk and wants something that will "leave a blood trail". I'm sure the 308 would if you use the right bullet, but he's convinced he needs a "magnum" now.... I told him my 338 isn't for sale too!!!

Did he fill you in on the actual shot placement?

This year I'm using a Fitty Cal!

TC Muzzleloader with a Redfield 2-7.

I had originally planned to take my 300 Win Mag but have decided to take my CZ 550 American 9.3x62 instead. My backup will be my Ruger M77 358 Win. Both are topped with identical Leupold VX II 3-7x33's. We are hunting CO 3rd rifle season near Pagosa Springs and depending on where we end up, the 358 Win may get some use. I am very comfortable with both rifles.

I am in the process of working up a new load using 250 gr. Barnes TTSX's (just can't find 250 gr. NAB's) for my 9.3. I will be trying MD's reloading formula, or a close approximation thereof. If for some reason the Barnes don't shoot well, I will stay with my 286 gr. Norma Oryx's. I'm sticking with 225 gr. Nosler Partitions in my 358.

BSA, I've kinda been a larger bore enthusiast most of my life...started reading Elmer Keith articles when I was pretty young! when I met my wife, she was an avid hunter. So, we started talking of Africa and Alaska. I was already shooting a .375H&H, so we stepped her up to the .338 WM. It took her a little while to get comfortable with it,but it is now her "only" rifle for hunting. I guess she's comfortable! Two or three stock market corrections later.....it doesn't look like we're going to make Africa or Alaska. But...those calibers still work here! memtb

Been monkeying around with smaller calibers.....

And the larger calibers.....

As compared to the .308 caliber...

Had better luck with the larger in a way.

I have been using a 300 savage with 160 grain FTX with good results.

But me thinks a 180 to 200 grain .308 is good elk medicine.

Remington 721 30-06
165 gr NPT
Vortex 2.5-10

Man, I love that #1 in 375. Mine is not so classic.

I killed my last two bulls with this #1 in 7mm STW. It was loaded with the Hornady 162 gr BTSP at 3200 fps MV over H1000. The scope is a nearly forty year old Burris FF II in 4-12x42. My new load is similar with the 160AB.

While I might admire the 375 with the RN bullets. I would not be comfortable using it in my favorite terrain. Both of these bulls were killed right at 400 yds, terrain lazered in advance. I only need to hold a few inches high on the chest for the heart shot. They fell about 200 yds apart during the same week of consecutive years.







Not me, that's my hunting partner Rex with the bull I killed.

98 Mauser in .280, 150 LRAB, Cabela's Covenant scope.
May take 6.5 Creedmoor for backup, if it comes in soon, otherwise, a 1903 Springfield .280 with 120 B-Tips and a Vortex.

Idaho Shooter, I've thought for years that the Roger #1, Laminate, Stainless is one of the prettiest rifles ever produced. memtb

Thanks, evrything I use came in SS and laminate or has been restocked in laminate and/or rebarreled to SS. They would be in Mcmillans if I could afford it. I think the plywood's greatest beauty is in its function. Nothing is as pretty as natures own fine walnut.

On the snowy elk hunt shown above, my buddy was carrying a Belgian Browning BAR in 7RM, blued and walnut. He is a rifle user rather than a rifle lover. And, of course the Browning was blue and walnut. Five days of constant snow took its toll on his rifle. The next year he took another new looking Belgian BAR, in 30-06. We ßpent ten hours horse packing in driving rain and sleet. The wind even drove the rain in throuh the zippers of my vynal duffle bags and soaked the spare clothing and my sleeping bag. His BAR was in a leather scabbard which got thorouhly saturated, and I failed to think about telling him to pull it out of the scabbard in camp. That rifle spent 48 hrs in the soaking wet leather. I have not seen it since, so I do not know if he was able to do anything for the rusty finish.

SS and synthetic or laminate does have its place.

Idaho Shooter: Thank YOU for sharing those outstanding pictures of your Hunts/Rifle!
Good for you.
Congratulations on the dandy Bull Elk and for finding that "honey hole"!
Posts and information like yours are why I enjoy the Camp Fire and put up with the few "buttfubarkis that troll our ranks.
Again good for you and thanks.
Good luck THIS season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I cannot take much credit for "finding" the honey hole. My family has been killing game from this ridge for seventy years. I was first shown the way in, toddling along behind my Dad's horse when I was six and my five year old sister grabbing my coat tail on every hill expecting me to pull her to the top.

This particular canyon filled our freezer each fall for many, many years. And produced saddle galls on numerous horses packing the meat home. I can not begin to count or relate the number of deer and elk my Mom, Dad, several Uncles, cousins, and I have killed within a few hundred yards of where these two bulls fell.

It is that long pack out with the meat which preserved the sanctity of the location, but wolves scewed it up in short order.

Main gun,
Tikka 06 168 ttsx 3.5-10 vx3 CDS
Back up
Tc venture 270 130 ttsx vx2 3-9 CDS
Next year I'll have my 9.3x62 as main elk gun and the 06 as a back up.

Idaho Shooter: Wow 70 (seventy!) years - good for your whole family then!
Those kills back then I bet a lot of them were made with the good old 30/06 and other "non-magnum" calibers?
Wolves... don't get me started!
I hope your family keeps after'em for at least 70 more years.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Memtb: I have always kind of kept it kind of quiet from the "traditionalists" around here but I too GREATLY admire the looks of laminated stocks and stainless barrels!
I have several Remington 700's (LSS's and VLSS's etc) with the laminated gray stocks and stainless barrels actions along with two very beautiful Ruger #1-V's that have stainless heavy barrels and gray laminated stocks. One in 204 Ruger and another in 22-250 Remington.
And these two Ruger #1-V's shoot quite well also.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

If I was going, and hopefully someday I can go. I will take my M70 Featherweight in 6.5 Swede, and my BLR Lighting in 30-06. I don't have a scope on that one yet.

If a guy lives in central Texas, what would be the closest and most reasonable place to go?

I'll be using a Ruger Hawkeye M77 in 300WM with an old Leupold 2x7. Plan on 180TTSX at about 2950. Getting excited, season is coming quick! Wonder if the elk and weather will cooperate....

Viking: My Elk Hunting has been mostly in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Washington state - so I am not familiar much at all with what would be best closer to Texas.
I have two friends who have Hunted New Mexico for the last several years (both archery some years and firearms others) and they do VERY well there in New Mexico and the seasons down there still allow them time to Hunt up here in Montana.
I have another friend who Hunts Colorado on occasion and does well there - with the nations largest herd of Elk there!.
Arizona would be another well Elked state.
Wish I could be of more help.
Good luck when you get out after'em.
Maybe someone else could chime in with info for you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Varmint guy, I have the same thing. I get all my animals when I carry my 700 adl in 270 Win. It just seems I see more stuf when I have it on me, therefore I call it " my meat gun".

This year I will be taking three rifles.

7mm Winchester Model 70 Custom - Swarovski 2.5x10
168gr LRAB - H4831SC

7mm-08 Kimber Montana - Leupold 2.5x8
150gr Partition - RL15

270Win Weatherby Mark V Ultralight - Meopta Scope
140gr Accubond - H4831SC

Ruger M77 tang safety synthetic stock, 270 Win, 150 gr NP over 52 grains H4350, Leupold VariX-3 2.5-8 X 36.

Kinda boring, but gets the job done very well.

Well I've been trying to use :

Mission MXB360
440gr Spynal Tapps & Slick Tricks@ 340 fps

But that didn't work out, so I'm switching to:

Kimber Montana 6.5 Creedmoor
140gr Accubonds over RL16
Leupold Vx-3i 2.5-8 B&C reticle

Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker .30-06
180gr Accubonds over RL16
Bushnell 4200 3-9x40

Practiced up and ready to rock...

Model 70 extreme weather 300 wsm 165 nab stiff charge od RL17 2.5x10x40 elite 4200, back up will be my custom 280ai with 140 nab at 3150 with a stiff charge of RS hunter. 4x 16 x44 Weaver grand slam. We hunt the West End of Washington it’s wet and shots are usually between 50 -100 yards. Both rifles have B & C stocks. Guys in camp run 270, 30-06 And 338 federal.

Goodshot: I remember those "wet" days afield in western Washington (I was born and raised there spending the first 49 years of my life there!).
I will never forget how much rain water a mature fern can hold and dump on you when you pass by even a day or two after it has quit raining.
Good luck this season and stay dry.
Is that 165 grain bullet a Nosler Accu-Bond.
I used to use the 165 grain Nosler Partitions out there on the west side of Washington for Bears, Elk and Deer out of my 30/06.
Be careful out there in the rain.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Browning BLR in 30-06 and a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun as a backup.

Weatherby 300 mag ultralite. 180 barnes factor loads. I use a Leupold Rifle Scope 4.5 X14 40mm VX3 scope.

Pretty much settled on a pair of boat-paddle Rugers - a .300WM with 180g TTSX or 175g LRX and a .338 WM with 225g AccuBond.

Next range session will determine which will get carried and which will be backup.

Mtnsnake: That sounds like a first rate rig.
I have several Leupold 4.5x14x40mm variable scopes on various Varmint Rifles, Deer Rifles and Antelope Rifles - but I have never used one Elk Hunting.
To tell the truth I have been looking for a "good deal" on a used Leupold 4.5x14 to switch it out onto my Elk Rifle (which has a Leupold 3.5x10 scope on it now).
It seems the ranges of the public land Elk I Hunt are getting longer anymore.
How is the recoil on that 300 Weatherby Magnum Ultra-Lite Rifle?
Good luck this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

This year I was going to take a 270 with TTSX 130 grain. Leupold 3x9 VX2

But since this area where I’m hunting is new to me, I’ve changed my mind VX2 3x9. 300 Win Mag 180 grain Partitions.

Both rifles are 700 Remingtons.

The 270 is SS so if inclement weather I may grab the 270. At any rate, both will be coming along for the ride. North East Wyoming. I’ll start carrying the 300. The 270 wears a Kevlar stock and is lighter.

I’ve lost a lot of weight this year, so a couple pounds of rifle difference isn’t a big deal.

My wife Eileen Clarke already made her choice. She used her custom Kilimanjaro (formerly Serengeti) .308 Winchester to take a mature cow at around 200-250 yards on an early elk-damage hunt on a local ranch. The scope was a Leupold 3.5-10x40 VX-III, the load a 130 Barnes TTSX at around 2900 fps. The angle was just about broadside, and at the shot the cow staggered, obviously done for, and went down in 25-30 yards. Eileen put the bullet just about exactly halfway up the chest, just behind the shoulders. (Yes, they were the front shoulders.) We recovered the bullet under the hide on the far side, and interestingly enough it lost more weight than any of the other Barnes X's we've recovered over the years. All its petals were gone, and it weighed 80.5 grains, 62% weight retention, yet killed the elk very quickly. (By the way, she took another cow on a damage hunt a couple years ago, again using a TTSX--a 100-grain from her NULA .257 Roberts. That cow dropped right where it was hit, probably because the bullet ticked the bottom of the spinal column, while also going through both lungs.)

My primary elk hunt this fall will be in the Ennis, Montana area in mid-November. Will be using another .308, a Mossberg Patriot with a 1-6x Eotech scope, and 165-grain Tipped Trophy Bondeds handloaded to about 2750 fps. But also have a local cow tag and may try to fill it too. Have several other rifles ready to go, ranging from 6.5 Creedmoor to .30-06, including my 26 Nosler. Who knows?

A Christensen Mesa, in 6.5 Creedmoor with an SWFA SS 6x. Shoots 127 gr LRX lights out,

Winchester model 70 EW in 308win, leupold 4-12x40, Fed premium 180gr partitions. I used a 30-06 or 270win for 40 years until someone gave me a gun rag containing an article by JB entitled "The 308 is Great". Since then I've used a 308 for hogs, deer, and elk.

Kimber MT in 308 ,old, and reliable 6x M8 Leupold, 165 gr tipped Trophy Bonded at 2830fps

Ruger Hawkeye SS 338 Win Mag 225 AB's at 2,925 mv

NECG open sights, no scope.

Grabbing an oldie to take. Rem 700 30-06 bedded into Mcmillan classic. 6x SWFA guiding 180 accubonds at 2800 fps. Maybe this will be the year again.

Have used the same package for several years now.
700 Remington 8x68S
3-12x50 Schmidt and Bender
200 grain Partition

Kampfeld Custom 700, 300 WBY
Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 w/ dial to 650
Weatherby 180 grain NABs

Not this year but next year if I may still play: a custom .284 with a long box and a new paint job with a Z3 Swarovski 3-10x. I've used R17 under a 140-gr TTSX successfully for a long while but am going to work out the Fed 140-gr TB a bit and see if it plays nice.

My magnums have gone into that good night.

George, you ever messed with the 145 LRX?

Just got back, took my M70 custom 7mm rem mag and shot a decent 6x6 with it. Load was 145 Barnes LRX at 3200 fps. 380 yds, first shot broke the shoulder and second shot put him down by knicking the spine. The processor skinned him so I didn't get to examine the bullets, but he didn't go anywhere so I was happy.

What - Rifle,Scope, Caliber, Bullet Are You Taking For Elk?

Winchester Model 70 in .30-06

Nosler Accubond 180 grain

Leupold 3-9 X 40

I have an either sex tag for New Mexico

No I haven't; that would be another interesting bullet.

Vapodog: Good luck there in New Mexico - that is one western state I have not Hunted anything in!
I have several friends who trek from Montana down to New Mexico to Hunt Elk virtually every year.
They have had excellent luck and love the terrain and numbers of animals (no big Wolf populations!).
New Mexico is on my "bucket list".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I fly out tomorrow for the first leg of my trip to Montana for an elk/deer hunt. I'm taking a 700 in 7 SAUM with a Leupold 6x42 LRD, firing 162 A-Max bullets. I've used this rifle a good bit over the last couple of seasons and it's a no-nonsense combination that has proven to be very effective.

The above combo performed great at first light opening morning. Dropped a raghorn bull in its tracks at a little over 200 yards.The max load of H4831 really lights up the dawn!

Late to the thread - because I just decided for my MT elk hunt next week.

Kimber Montana 84L 270 Win
Leup VX-3i 3.5-10x40 CDS in Talley lightweight lows
150 Partition fueled by Re 26

Kimber Montana 84M 308
Burris E1 3-9x40 in Talley lightweight lows
180 Horn Interlock

The 308 will also be going deer/bear hunting in PA in late November and a few Tennessee hunts in November. Might even end up in Alabama in January.

That's an awesome combo for sure...

I'm sold on it! A 127LRX from my 6.5-06 provided similar performance on my last bull (avatar), but
the 200 gr gives me a little more peace of mind. It also put 5 into 1 inch at 100 yds sighting in for the hunt.

406SBC: Best of luck to you while you are here in Montana!
The weather looks good for the opener coming up this weekend.
Again the 160 grain Nosler Partitions out of my 7m/m Remington Magnum seem about perfect for the open spaces I Hunt so often.
Just had a "yard Deer" eating birdseed out of my bird feeder then he walked over and drank his fill out of my birdbath.
Hustled out the Nikon and tried to get pics of him (a nifty 3x3 Muley that is just butter fat and rather bold) drinking at 20 feet distant - didn't get the camera in gear until he was 60 feet away and polishing his horns on one of my shrubs.
Enjoy your time in the Big Sky.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

As I have for the last several years, I use a NULA 28 in 7x61 Sharpe & Hart, 26" barrel, Leupold 2.5X-8X. Two weeks ago, I used a 150 Barnes TSX BT and H4350 to take a northeastern New Mexico 6x6 bull, but have also used the 160 Partition and H4831 on other bulls. Loads are pretty much equal in performance.

7X61 COOL! One of my early mentors shot that caliber.. Saw one 8 years or so ago built in the 60’s style it had only a 24” barrel.. The guy had the dies and some brass but could never get him to bring it to the shop.. Had to leave so missed out..

Lotech & WyoCoyoteHunter: Many years ago I was Hunting Mule Deer high on a mountain range west of Cody, Wyoming. The sun was just rising and at my back when I crested a hogback and peered over it.
Ahead of me was a long herd of Elk feeding on the short grass and illuminated by the bright sun.
I was kind of stuck there because I wanted to Hunt a draw on the far side of them.
So I stood there and waited - soon I noticed a glistening piece of brass just ahead of me on the ground - I picked it up and it was THE one and only piece of 7x61 Sharpe and Hart brass I have ever found afield.
I looked around for more but found none.
I imagined that an Elk Hunter years before had shot an Elk from that very spot I was standing.
Lotech keep up the good work with that classic cartridge!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy- After fifty+ years of handloading, fiddling with rifles, and hunting, I recently bought my first 7mm Remington Magnum, a Remington 700 Sendero with a 26" barrel. I've shot it very little so far. Seems to be accurate enough, but I thought the Remington round would show a ballistic advantage over the 7x61. It may eventually, but so far that hasn't happened. It appears that the 7x61 is really quite an efficient cartridge, more so than I had previously thought.

Lotech: That is indeed an interesting observation.
My current Remington 700 Classic in 7m/m Remington Magnum is not "easy" on brass!
How about the 7x61?
I have begun a search for that 7x61 brass I found so many years ago to check if it had a manufacturers designation - haven't found it yet.
It was beautifully patina'ed and not bent up at all (IIRC).
I have owned several Remington 700 Senderos and they all shot/shoot quite well.
I just last week did my sight-in verification with my 700 Sendero in 270 Winchester, and it shot like it always does - very well!
Now to get that big Whitetail in the crosshairs of my Leupold 6.5x20 variable with it.
I am going to go read up some on the 7x61 Sharpe & Hart right now.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy- I size 7x61 like I do all other belted brass (and maybe a lot of non-belted stuff as well, now that I think about it): just enough to provide minimal resistance when chambering. After about six or so loadings, it will require a die adjustment so that the shoulder is very slightly set back and that needn't be done again. I'll discard the brass after maybe ten loadings, but, frankly, I've yet to find a case worn out. Norma is all I use as they are the only manufacturers of 7x61 brass, though some people form cases from 7mm Rem. Mag.

Norma has not provided loaded ammo in a long time, but I spoke with a rep several years ago and he said it would be easy to do if there is ever a demand again.
I can't see that happening. The Remington cartridge is much too popular.

Cool infor guys.. My mentor was a Camp Perry shooter.... He was the best shot I have ever known in my 70 years.. He died far too young.. Very talented shooter and stock maker.. I was thinking of him early time morn before I got up.. He would be over 90 today, wondered if he would still the shooting the 7x61.. In the 60’s he killed 3 deer at 800 yards with his bull gun.. He had an military range finder. It was about 4 feet long as I remember.. He ranged the deer and killed all three for a group of hunters who needed meat.. The old days...

Nice pair for a traveling hunter...

I see you decided to stick with the 270.

WyoCoyoteHunter: My friend Steve and I owned one of the four foot long rangefinders back in the 60's and 70's!
IIRC it was military surplus and did some additional things we did not understand .
It was very accurate out to the limits of our shooting (600 yards or so - we "proofed" it with a 100' steel tape and lots of leg work!).
We used it for years while Rock Chuck and Prairie Dog Hunting.
It had a shoulder strap that was needed because it was somewhat heavy.
Yep "the good old days".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Same thing I have carried and shot many elk, antelope and deer with for years. Rem 700 custom with a Dan Lilja bbl, 7mm Remington mag with 150 gr Swift sirroco bullets. Leupold 4.5x14. I did get a new sig kilo 2200 range finder.

Took the suppressed Predator, and by golly, it worked.....

My two:

Nosler M48 300WSM
4.5-14x Zeiss Conquest w/ turrets
180gr Accubond

Winchester M70 30-06
4x Zeiss Conquest
168gr TTSX

I’ll be packing a Kimber MT 325 WSM w/ SWFA 6x MQ and 200 gr Accubonds for the opener.

Not sure what I’ll be carrying for elk after that though. Too many elk rifles, too little time.

Well for the first hunt in late September/early October it was a Ruger M77/50 with a Weaver 4.75 fixed launching a 295 gr powerbelt.
For 3rd season in November it will be another M77 with a Leupold VX3 2.5x8 in 338-06 with a 210 partition.

Bellydeep: My local pawn/sport shop has a BEAUTIFULLY stocked Kimber Rifle in 325 WSM caliber on consignment sale - I have toyed with the idea of buying it.
But have not "pulled the trigger" on it as yet.
Has that 325 WSM performed well for you in the past or is it newish to you?
Good luck on the opener.
I think I will be concentrating on a giant Whitetail Buck I have scouted for the opener this Saturday - then later in the season I will get after the Elk.
Saw some Elk yesterday here in western and southwestern Montana as we made an extended trip circling around chasing guns from Butte to Missoula to Hamilton to Dillon and points in between.
Sadly many of them were on private ranches (which is much of what was observable from the freeways and highways we traveled).
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

JohnDog: Good luck to you on the second (third season) Hunt.
I have been living in SW Montana for the past 20+ years and this state does not have designated "muzzle-loader" seasons. There are a few very small Hunting "areas" that are designated muzzle-loader only Hunting due to proximity to populations, roads etc. But those seasons coincide with the general "Rifle" season.
The state I moved from had separate muzzle-loader only Hunting seasons areas - but if the Hunter chose to Hunt those muzzle-loader Hunts then they were not allowed to Hunt with Rifle or with archery gear.
Do I interpret your state of Colorado allows a Hunter to Hunt both the muzzle-loader season and then the Rifle season?
If that is correct then good for you on the multiple opportunities!
My friend Floyd here in SW Montana just loves his semi-custom Rifle in 338-06 caliber.
He killed a wonderful, big Bull Elk with it last season - and I understand it was a one shot kill!
Anyway he and his partner were coming down from a Hunt in the foothills here (maybe 10 miles from his home) in the middle of the day when they spy this whopper Bull trotting towards their moving truck!
Anyway they pull of the dirt track they were on (not even a road) grab their Rifles and ammo reload them and wait for the Bull to approach!
Boom, one shot one kill (I am not sure what bullet he uses but will ask) AND they eventually slid the Bull, whole, right into the bed of his truck.
I am "guesstimating" that Bull would score at least 340" B&C!
Lucky, yes, but Floyd puts in his time afield so he deserves "an easy one" now and then if anybody does.
Again best of luck to you this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VG,

Thanks for the good wishes (I'll take all the help I can get!)

In Colorado you can get what the CPW designates as a B tag, which you can have along an A tag (kinda your primary tag). And you can get them for different seasons, methods of take, etc. For example you could get an anterless archery elk (B) and then a 3rd season bull rifle tag (A). So you can hunt in August and November if you'd like. Lots of different options if, like you can just get a B tag. My understanding is that CPW does this to better manage harvest outcomes, but there are others here that can probably explain it better(or correctly)

In my case it is kinda of a moot point this year since my first hunt was a hunt in Arizona. In Colorado we can only use open sights on our MLs, so the scope is something that gets added when I head down to hunt with my friends in AZ.

I really like my 338-06. I had a local smith rebarrel a M77 that I picked up. Don't know if it kills elk any better than my 30-06 or 270, but it is my "Elk" rifle! Scratches the rifle looney itch that pops up once in while.

I'll think of your friend Floyd the next time I'm packing elk chunks out of the backcountry!,

John(dog)

Kimber Montana, 280 Ackley with a Kahles 3 X 9, BDC reticle. 150 grain Scenars at 3050. I struck out during archery season so I'll be hunting cows with a B tag like JohnDog described above.

Narrowed down to 2:

Remington 700 ADL in 30.06 w/ Leupold 2x-7x shooting the 165 gr Speer Hot Cor

Marlin 444S in .444 w/ Weaver 1x-3x shooting a 305 gr. NOE FPGC cast

70s vintage Ruger #1A, 7x57mm Mauser, Leopold VX2 4x scope, 140 gr Partition (Federal Premium).

The rifle is pretty new to me and I haven’t shot anything with it yet. Hopefully this weekend will be the christening.

Good luck to you as well.

Bently. I am partial to my custom 7 mag but the biggest elk I have ever shot was with a Ruger #1 in 7x57...

Bentley: Years ago I had a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester action made into "the ultimate" (for me anyway) Mule Deer Hunting Rifle.
I chose the 280 Remington caliber and the custom barrel was made 25" long.
That Rifle absolutely loves the Nosler 140 grain Partitions and with it I have killed a truckload of Mule Deer, Whitetailed Deer and Antelope along with one 5x5 Bull Elk using it.
That medium size Bull was killt with one shot (in full disclosure - that one shot kill came after ONE complete miss as the Bull ran past me at 300 yards or so in a fairly heavy patch of cover) and later I retrieved the bullet which performed/mushroomed perfectly.
Anyway I have had much experience with those 140 grain Nosler Partitions and they are fine bullets on game as well as accuracy wise.
Good luck this season!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Bellydeep: Thanks for the comeback. First blood then this season with it!
Best of luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

New guy (sorta). Going to Utah after cows in 3 weeks. Can't wait! Bringing my now 43 year old Vanguard VGX in 7 mm Rem Mag, with Leupy 4.5-14 scope and shooting my own ammo with 160 gr Partitions. I bought this rifle brand new in 1974. If wet or snow conditions, I will be carrying my Savage 116 Weather Warrior in 30-06, shooting factory ammo.

Bill

I'm taking my 1951 Marlin 336 in .35 Remington with 200 grain Corelokts.

Oh, and my Savage 110 in .30-06 with 180 gr partitions

Mine is pretty simple, It just goes bang and sends the appropriate amount of lead downrange to the intended target. My backup is pretty much the same but it goes bam! sending the appropriate amount of lead to it's intended target.

Thems got to be some of the fugliest rifles I've ever laid eyes on not to mention the poor inherent accuracy. How much u want for the one on the left?

Remington 700 BDL 7 Mag
175 Gr. Nosler Partition
Weaver 3 X 10

Backup

Springfield 1903 30-06
Nosler 165 Gr. Accubond
Leupold 4x

I’ve noticed that many of you have a “back-up” rifle. My wife carries my back-up...if I ask nicely, maybe she’ll let me use her Win. Model 70, .338WM! After she kills her elk!!! memtb

I carry a Skeleton Ruger in .300 Win Mag topped with a VX-3 3.5-10x40 duplex
Load is 72 gr RL22 over a 180 TTSX

My wife and kids shoot 140 grain accubonds with a stiff load of Varget out of a couple different 7mm-08s. One is a Ruger Frontier with a 16.5" barrel, the other a Savage Axis...both are topped with Vari-X IIs.

My backup rifle this year is another Skeleton Ruger that was a .30-06 but I sent it off and had it re-bored and chambered to .35 Whelen. Tagged out this year on elk so likely won't bring out the Whelen until spring bear.

MedRiver: Congratulations on "tagging" the Elk already!
Three of my friends have used Rifles in 35 Whelen caliber to harvest Elk while I was witnessing.
The 35 Whelen is indeed a dandy Elk cartridge.
My friend and former workmate just harvested a HUGE cow Elk with one shot from his Remington 700 Sendero in 300 Winchester Magnum.
It was the last day of his stay here in Montana and he loves Elk meat.
He's on the road back to taxington as we speak.
Good luck next spring on the Bear.
I have been packing a newish Tikka in 338 Federal the last few years for Spring Bear but have not seen one "big enough" (medium plus!) to fire upon as yet.
That Leupold3.5x10 is a great all around scope - I "can" use it on 3.5 power in the thickets if need be and the 10 power at the top end comes in handy.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

.35 Whelen Remington 700 with a Leupold 3-9x40 CDS shooting 225 Gr Accubond at 2,700 fps in the timber and brush. .300 Weatherby Mark V Fibermark with Kahles Helia C 2-10x50 launching168 gr TTSX handloaded with Mag Pro for longer range country. Or I might just take my 7mm Weatherby Magnum and call it good. Happy Trails

336 ,35 Rem as well. Factory Hornady. Weaver K4.

Remington 700 SS 30-06
2.5-8x Leupold
165 TTSX

Backup
Kimber Montana 308
2-7 Leupold
150 NAB

Had the .338 and .300 at the range yesterday for one last long-range session before the hunt. A couple shots each on a 4" target at 400 and then steel at 500 and 600, both from the bench and field positions. Decided the .338 will be my primary rifle, in part because I will likely be shooting backup and those 225g AB's make such nice holes. (My primary goal this year is to help Daughter #1 get her first elk.)

Those rifles are too fugly to sell - just wouldn't be right to take advantage of someone.

Remington Model 78, 30-06, Jewel trigger, Leupold VariX-1 3X9, Federal Fusion 150 grain. Took everything off my custom that took a dump on me two years ago that would transfer. Not really thrilled with a 30-06 but it will have to do for the foreseeable future.

Looks like we have similar tastes in rifles. I hunt with paddle stocks in .22, .223, .300 win, and .35 Whelen. My .223 is one of the most accurate factory sporter weight rifles I have been around. My .300 was a little more picky but will shoot the 180 TTSX around 3/4 MOA. Lots of other bullets are around 1.5 MOA. Just getting to know the Whelen (.30-06 that I had bored out).

Tikka T3 ss 30-06, 168 ttsx 3.5-10x40 CDS

Well, our two guns and ammo combination didn't get the job done on the elk mainly because neither of us saw a legal elk but the guns and ammo dropped 2 wt,s. Wifes 6 pt (Texas count) dropped in his tracks at 140 yds. My 9 pt ran about 50 yds. No trophies but good eating!

Did not matter what i carried now, saw no legal elk to shoot in my home state.

Boomwack: Sorry you did not make a connection there in your home state.
I would still be interested in what you carried.
Better luck next time out.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

More to the story....















Simply stated....it works!

Thats the hard part of elk hunting, or just hunting, No guarantee.

I carted my trim Ruger hawkeye in 7mm rem mag stoked with my ol' reliable 175 partition/retumbo load all over the place. Up hills, canyons, timbered flats and fields. Not one shot fired.
Should have carried my 'bob to mix it up a little. Changing rifles does seem to help now and again....

WBY 30-378 with a nightforce scope Nosler Accubond
It has served me well for the last 4 years

Rodak: Welcome to the Campfire and that sure sounds like a first rate Elk Hunting rig!
I have been wanting to try a NightForce scope on one of my own Rifles for 25 years now.
I used to run with and trade guns with the guys in Seattle when they were the exclusive distributors of the NightForce line - I bought many accessories from them but never a scope. They were expensive even back when they were new.
I have shot many Rifles with NightForce scopes on them and am impressed.
Again welcome to the fire and enjoy that great Elk set-up.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Leeper - built Ruger single shot in 303 Brit with a 1-4X Leupold, 180 grain Sabre Tips. :>)
Cat

Sako Deluxe in 300 WBY. 180 grain Nosler BT at about 3200. Swarovski Z-6 3-18X50 scope with BR reticle, Bedded, Vais brake and decelerator pad...

Two of the last three Elk I've taken were with my 45/70. I have an H&R Ultimate Hunter and I load it with 325 gr Hornady FTX bullets going out at about 2270 fps. Two years ago I took my bull at 225 yards and this year I got a nice 5 point at 213 yards. Now that is the extreme end of that guns range, but it sure drops them quick even at 200+ yards.

This year I hope to use either my 9.3X74R Ruger #1 with a 1.75 to 5 power scope or my Mauser 9.3X57 with a 1X-5X.
That's what I'll carry anyway. If I USE one of them I'll post a report later. So far I have not USED either one.
No shots fired at elk by me yet this year.

Cpt. Canuck: I have a close friend here in SW Montana that Hunts with a 45/70. He does REALLY well with it.
He waits for fresh (quiet) tracking snow then heads for the thicker stands of evergreens and "tracks them down" in their beds often!
I am not sure which bullet he uses - maybe I should expand my horizons and try something similar?
Keep after'em.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Most likely the 6.5 CM. The .308 Win. has proven its value many times.

Remington BDL
Remington 8mm magnum
Leupold 3.5 x 10
180gr Barnes TSX

Interarms Mark X .35 Whelen.

Remington 700 BDL SS
McMillan Classic
Leupold VX-3 3.5 x 10 x 40
300 Win Mag
Fed Prem 180 gr. Trophy Bonded Bear Claws

Keahi: I have been so happy with the Leupold 3.5x10x40mm variable scope on my Elk Rifle - I have even used the "range finding" feature on it a time or two over the last 32+ years that I have had it on my favorite Elk Rifle (Remington 700 Classic in 7m/m Remington Magnum).
If I were to step up to a "more powerful" Elk Rifle it would be to the same caliber you shoot - 300 Winchester Magnum!
I have not had problems with my 7m/m Remington Magnum its just that more and more Grizzlies are inhabiting the places I Rifle Hunt Elk.
Hope you had a good season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Kampfeld built .30-06 running 150 gr TTSX's over 58 grs of IMR 4451. Leaving for a cow elk hunt next Monday in Van Horn TX. Should be fun.

I thought that was your jack rabbit rifle...

Well as I said earlier my plan was to try out one of my 9.3s and I also had held some hopes that if I could get into the trees with some elk moving through the area, I'd try my 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer in 6.5X54. My 9.3s both have low power scopes (1X-5X) and my 1903 has irons only.

But my vehicles stabbed me in the back and I was unable to go at all after the 2nd day of my season. Both my 4WDs were broken at the same time and I could not get either one fixed in time to go back out.

So this year my elk hunt was a total bust.

My wife got a nice buck antelope with her Mauser 30-06 and I got a nice Mule Deer buck with my Mauser in 8X57. But no elk in 2017.

In 39 minutes 2017 will be a thing of the past.

szihn, bummer.. we have not hunted elk much.. a couple mornings.. My friend shot a fine 6x6, but I was too late.. I still have time but little ambition for elk.. Maybe it will happen.. Got my elk the next to last day in 2017 so I still have a chance.. My license is good til Jan. 31.. Mulies with an 8x57.. Haven't heard much of them since I was a kid.. Best of luck in the new year..

I carried my Browning A-Bolt in 30-06. It sports a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x10 scope. I shoot the 165 grain Sierra HPBT in reloads at a muzzle velocity similar to a 308 Win. I tune my reloads for maximum accuracy not muzzle velocity.

Achadwick: Indeed "shot placement" (accuracy!) has the edge over velocity IMO for Big Game Hunting.
By the way I have a nifty customized "Mt. Rifle" Remington 700 in caliber 308 Winchester.
In which I shoot the quite accurate and VERY lethal Nosler 165 grain Partitions - I have killed all kinds of Big Game with it including a Boone & Crockett All Time Records Book Mt. Goat.
If you ever have any doubts or questions regarding the 165 grain Sierra's you are using be sure to try the 165 grain Partitions.
Keep after'em.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Szihn: Sorry to hear about the "bad luck" with the vehicles.
Reminds me of many times over the last 58 years I have been Hunting Big Game when "vehicle troubles" (boats, trucks, 4 wheelers & planes) have caused me grief with their foibles.
Worst incident, I believe, was a Missouri Breaks Elk Hunt my partner and I were on when under load the Dodge Diesel truck we were using broke a motor mount sending the fan into the radiator!
In short the misery we suffered included a world record (at the time!) $685.00 tow bill and countless hours on the phone a ridge top near our wilderness camp trying to co-ordinate hurried shipments of radiator, fans, fan shrouds and motor mount parts to Glasgow, Montana!
Plus we had to use a 4 wheeler to try and Hunt from for 8 days while parts arrived to Glasgow and the local mechanic there put the truck back together.
Then when the truck was ready my partner had to hitchhike the 65 miles to Glasgow to get his truck while I waited in camp.
On the way back to camp at night in the freshly repaired Dodge diesel my friend hit an Elk in the dark wiping out the grill, one headlight, the turn signal light and his Warn winch!
THANK GOD the Elk did not make it to the radiator!
We taped up the grill and headed back home (520 miles!) cutting our tough to get tags for, ill-fated Hunted short by a week.
Take the good with the bad - they say.
Better luck next year.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

99f in 300 Savage 3x9 Redfield, 165 gr Hornady interlock btsp @ 2650 fps.

Just acquired a stainless, lefty Tikka TX3 in a 300 WSM. Will mount a Leupold (gasp) FX3 6x36 with LRD in Talley’s tapped to 8x40’s. Since I have 30 cal 168-grain E-tips and R17 on hand the load will be comprised of those. Am adding a LimbSaver or Kick-EEZ pad and that should do it.

Earlier posted I’d take my custom 284 with the a Swaro Z3, 3.5-10 in Talley’s. Load there will be a 140-gr TTSX again or the same weight Fed TTB over R17 again.

As to which hunts which days, it’ll most likely be by by-guess or by-golly.

Incidentally, my tastes in cartridges does not correlate to short, fat women.

George,
I’m interested in your results. I have a new to me 300 SAUM and some of those 167 grain ETip seconds, and some R17 also. Should be pretty close to your 300 WSM....

Tikka 06 168ttsx

I didn’t draw this past season but if I had I would have used my 7mm-08 700 Mtn Rifle, like I did in 2016.

162 A Max? Veddy soon a 7mm-08 in my hands. Like the scope. Load?

Most likely my bow, better odds of drawing a nonresident tag for Elk in New Mexico. Would love to take my 9.3x62 FN mauser on a rifle hunt during the rut.

RBros Carbon Hunter 300 Win Mag, Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50, Barnes TTSX 180 grain .......... Good Luck to everyone this year !!!

Well,as it stands,if we apply for both elk and deer next fall it will be the Kimber 30/06. 180 grain Ballistic tip or 165 grain A-bond.

Too many damn bears where I hunt = 358 Norma Mag w/ 4x Nikon and 250gr. Unless I have time to work up a load for some old 300gr Barnes originals.

Leftover Cow tag for me. I'm leaning toward my T3X 6.5 Swede. 143gr ELDX @2860 fps.

Gunwerks RevX in 7mm Remington Mag and a 5-15x56 Nightforce ATACR.

The usual, 308 MT, Leupold 2-8x36, 165 Sierra.

This year my Rem 700 ml shooting 250 grain Barnes mz’s Leupold 3.5x10 with cds turret.

I kept my promise and killed a rag bull and a cow with the 6.5x284....but this coming year I have an Afognak bull tag, so the .300 H&H will take center stage, for that hunt at least.

My general bull and hopefully extra cow in Wyoming will probably be killed with the 6.5x284 again...

T, you have that hunt squared away? Good intel etc? That’ll be a cool hunt

I havent been elk hunting yet, but am going to be going on a cow hunt very soon. Plan on taking my 270Win Remington 700 ADL (wood tech stock) with 130gr Federal Trophy Bonded and a 3.5-10x50 Vortex Diamondback. Still trying to decide on my backup rifle, it’ll probably be a Remington 7 Stainless 308 with 2-7x Weaver and 150gr Barnes TTSX or Accubonds, or 700 ADL in 30-06 with 3-9x40 Bushnell and 165gr Partitions.

Yes sir....The guy that I am going with and I have both been doing lot of research, and have a bush flight service booked. We've talked to several biologists in the area, as well as several bush pilots and others that have had this tag in the past. It'll likely be the toughest hunt I have been on yet, due to the terrain, weather, bears and the size of those elk, and that's how I like it.

We know about where to concentrate, but will pay extra to buzz the island before we land and look for the herd. If the weather cooperates (maybe even if it doesn't), we'll bivy somewhere up on the hill and hopefully knock two bulls down opening morning. We'll then spend the next 9 days packing. That and not get eaten by a bear, be the plan.

Nice be lookin forward for pics and story!!

Most likely the new Tikka laminated 6.5 CM with 143 ELD-X's. But still considering 140 Acc's or 120 GMX's. Great groups today in the mist and wind using 143 ELD-X's with H4350 and R-17.

I will take my custom Remington 700 338-06AI shooting 210gr Swift Sciroccos. It's topped with a 6+42 IOR.

I'll probably use a different rifle for each day of the hunt... Switch it up a bit and see which one is the lucky one of the year...

You guys flying with Roland? More than likely the first load of meat you get out will probably be your only load. Guys that usually do that hunt find 2-3 others to go in with them and help with packing. Some big big bears on Afognak, doesn't get a lot of pressure ie hunters it's draw permit as well. But guys are hesitant to put in due to a lot of Native corporation land and very high trespass fees to hunt on that land. I hope you got a bear fence as well, I will never hunt that island because I do not want to deal with them bears, yeah ph uck them bears..

Once again, I'll be using my .300 Wby Vanguard, this year topped with a Leupold VX 3i 4.5-14x40 CDS, and shooting my Barnes 180 gr TTSX handloads
Unless it rains, then I'll use my SS/plastic stocked Rem 700 in 7mm RM under a Nikon Prostaff 4-12x40 BDC scope, shooting my 150 grain Accubond handloads.

Andrews Air Service. I am not sure if that is Roland or not.

We do plan to get a bear fence, no doubt. The bears do get a lot of free elk meals from hunters, no doubt so we'll be prepared for that. Every elk hunting story I have read about the island have mentioned losing elk meat to bears.

As far as the native corporation land, we've got the tag for the SW part of the island and the biologists and Andrews Air have told us that most of the elk are not on that land anyhow. There's little need to pay for that trespass fee apparently. All our research is pointing towards the Malina Lakes, which supposedly are not in the native lands.

Rolan owns Sea Hawk air but Andrews is top notch as well. Can't wait to read your story on this elk huntt!

All four in my hunting group got Colorado RFW (Snake River Ranch) cow tags. I've taken 4 elk off that ranch in 5 trips, son-in-law has taken another in his 2 trips there, so we're anticipating good things.

Guessing the lineup looks like this:

Son-in-law - Custom 1903-A3 or 1917 (I forget which) chambered for .300WM
Daughter #1 - lefty Ruger Hawkeye, .308 Win/130g Barnes TTSX
Her boyfriend - Winchester .300WSM
Me - Like last year, it will likely be two of these:


From L to R, .338WM, .300WM, 30-06, all Ruger MKII rifles.
Scopes are Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex reticles, 3-9x except for the .30-06 which is 4.5-14xAO. Would have to check but I think the .30-06 now has the same 3-9x as the others.

Tikka T3X
6.5 Creedmoor
Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40
Federal 140 Accubond or Barnes 127 LRX

Same as last year. Pre 64 Featherweight 30-06 with 200grn partitions for AZ bull.

This year I may use iron sights.

I think I will go out with my Mannlicher 6.5X54 if I hunt in the trees. I'll use Hornady 160 grain Round Nose or the PPU 156 grain round nose in that rifle.

Or maybe my M95 Winchester in 270. I load it with 150 grain Remington Core-Lokts (the last of them I bought in 1971) I have killed elk with this load before and I have never had one stay in an elk. Good wound size and 100% penetration every time so far.

But if I hunt in the open, or the the weather is cloudy or overcast, raining or snowing, (when my old eyes need a scope) I will likely use my 9.3X57 Mauser or my Ruger #1 in 9.3X74R
The Mauser is zeroed with Nosler 250 grain Accubonds and the Ruger with 286GR Nosler Partitions.

Stalwart selections all around. What scope?

OK, I'll play: custom build on an Interarms Mk. X action, 1.75-6x32 Leupold VX-III in S&K mounts, .338-280 Improved (aka .338 Howell), 200-grain Nosler AB. Also, semi-custom pre-64 Model 70, Leupold FX-II 6x40 in Buehler rings and mounts, .30-06, 168-grain Berger Hunting VLD.

Mudhen: Best of luck to you this season - I am getting excited myself!
That .338 Howell (.338-280 Improved) is one "wildcat" I've never heard or read about - I'm going to do some looking up on it.
Again best of luck.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

MikeS: Isn't that the same rig (pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 30/06) as Jim Carmichael used to take so many Elk with over so many decades?
I retired my pre-64 Model 70 in 30/06 about 18 years ago - it had killed so much game on so many Hunts I decided it needed to be retired.
Great and safe guns those pre-64 Winchester Model 70's!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

.50 caliber muzzleloader, no scope. TC Triumph.

Tikka t3 30/06 168 ttsx
Leupold vx3 3.5-10 cds in tallley lows.
Back up.
Sauer 100 , 9.3x62, 286 gr.
Monarch 2.5-10 in Talley’s.
Daughter
Tc venture 270, 130 ttsx
Leupold vx2 3-9 cds

2.5x8 Leupold. Added a McMillan Edge this year.

Tikka T3 Superlite 300 win. Meopta 4.5-14 Hornady Superformance 165 gmx

Christensen Arms Mesa 6.5 with 143 gr ELD-X topped with Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50
or
Bergara B-14 Hunter 30-06 with 150 gr TTSX topped with Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50
or
scrap those and set up my Savage Weather Warrior 7mm mag with 139 LRX with Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50

Scopebite65: I have the same "problem" when I go Colony Varmint Hunting - I literally have dozens of centerfire Varmint weight Rifles and have to rotate them so all get used and cleaned often enough.
I only have 7 or 8 Elk worthy/suitable Rifles and scope combos so its easier to decide there.
My main Elk Rifle is somewhat similar to your final choice it is a Remington 700 Classic in 7m/m Remington Magnum with a Leupold 3.5x10 variable scope with A/O.
I use the wonderful Nosler 160 grain Partitions in this Rifle and its accounted for several one shot kills on Elk and Black Bear.
Good luck to you this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I’ve got a 7mm mashburn in a Remington 700 with a bell and Carlson medalist and a 3.5-10vx3i and a 700 mountain in 308 that are both competing to go with me. The mashburn is more accurate and hiss harder however it’s a bit heavier.

The 308 likes about 2800 FPS worth of 150 grain ttsx

The mashburn likes 150 swift scirroco’s to about 3180

VarmintGuy,
One thing that is not an option is the Trijicon. Who knows, I might just get a 300 wsm and leave the others at the house😂

Scopebite, which Trijicon reticle do you favor?

I use the Accupoint 5-20-50 green mildot. I have two of those and just picked up 2 of the 2.5-10-56 with green mildot. I have used Leupold, Nikon & Vortex and IMHO, nothing even comes close. That's not a knock on them, just a compliment to Trijicon. I use the 5x on my longer range rifles. I am putting a 2.5x on my short range/woods rifle and 1 on my muzzleloader.

"All of them".

375 Ruger with 260 gr Accubonds. Since I'm also deer hunting in the same unit the same week, I will most likely carry a 270 loaded with 150 gr Partitions, which will also be fine for an elk at the ranges I'm willing to shoot.

T3 Lite Stainless
7mm Rem Mag
Leupold VX2 3-9x40 CDS
162 ELDX

I’m hoping to better last year’s bull, taken with the same combo.








P

I don't know but Jim Zumbo did.

Damn! That's a thick bull. What a brute.

If I go this year it will probably be this ol’ beast again. Carries nicely in the mountings and is a very good shooter with those 220 grain Hornady RN’s. Last several elk I have kilt have all been with either open sights or a peep.



i really like the cartridge. One of my favorites.

Preparing for my first elk hunt this fall. Planning to get a cow tag in Montana and have applied for antelope as well.

Browning X-bolt 7mm-08
Leupold VX-6, 3-18x50
140 Accubonds (if I can get them to shoot consistently; I'm about to pull my hair out working up a load)
120 TTSX is the backup plan ( I have a great load for them at 3150 fps with Big Game)

Alternate rifle is a Browning A-bolt 30-06
Leupold VX-3, 3.5-10x50
165 Accubonds over IMR 4350 or possibly 180 Accubonds over RL-16

Mike74: You are exactly right - thank you for correcting my mental mistake.
I meant Jim Zumbo but typed Jim Carmichael.
I attended an Elk Hunting seminar some years ago, given by Jim Zumbo, here in Wise River, Montana just a short time before he got himself in trouble with the shooting world!
He seemed a humble, intelligent yet experienced Elk chaser back then.
Got to interact with him several times that fall as he was spending some time in Dillon, Montana (where I live) as well.
Wonder what Mr. Zumbo is up to these days?
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Pharmseller: What a dandy trophy you harvested there!
Good for you.
And best of luck this season bettering that accomplishment.
I have plans on taking one more Bull before I cross the great divide - and I hope its nearly as good a Bull as your pictured Bull.
What state was that from?
It sure looks like good/typical Elk habitat.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Country 20boy: My good friend from Washington state took his wife Elk Hunting some years ago with her 7m/m 08 Rifle - she had a cow Elk tag as well and she harvested her Elk with one heart/lung shot from that Rifle!
I forget which bullet she was using.
Good luck getting that rig tuned up - if not there is that wonderful "fall back" set up you have on hand!
Good luck on the cow Elk and on the Antelope draw.
We should be learning real soon if we have been successful on that drawing?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Voiceman: I was "Mule Deer" Hunting several years ago with my Remington 700 Sendero in caliber 270 Winchester.
I was using my favorite Deer/Antelope bullet at the time (the Nosler 130 grain Ballistic Tip) when along came a dandy 6x6 bull Elk.
I was able to kill that Bull with one carefully placed heart/lung shot!
I don't recommend that bullet for Elk only under the best of circumstances - and in this circumstance it worked out well for me.
Your 150 grain Nosler Partitions would indeed be a much better choice.
Good luck.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VarmintGuy: Your story parallels one of mine:
I was doing a solo, DIY, backpack Bighorn ram hunt years ago in one of the Unlimited tag areas north of Yellowstone Park with my Mauser Mark X in .257 Ackley.
I was using my favorite Deer/Antelope bullet at the time (the Sierra 117 grain GameKing) when a dandy dark antlered, ivory tipped 6x6 bull Elk stopped broadside about 75 yards in front of me to bugle.
One carefully placed heart/lung shot tight behind his shoulder dropped him right there.
I don't recommend that bullet for Elk except under the best of circumstances, and in this circumstance it worked out well for me.
In later years I used that same rifle/bullet combo to make similar kills on several Bighorn rams, a Dall ram, and a Mountain caribou bull.
I also agree that 150 grain Nosler Partitions in a .270 would be a fine choice for elk.

I'm not going elk hunting until 2019. Be that as it may. If I were leaving tomorrow for elk camp it would be my Kimber Select 30/06. 180 grain Ballistic Tips and a VX3i 3.5-10X .

That would be Carmichel, not “-ael”

Thanks! I've always been confident in the 150 gr Partitions. They're doing 2900 fps, and I know they'd function fine on an elk at the ranges I'm willing to shoot. But this hunt will mainly be about the deer, as the elk will be scarce in that area until a month later or so. But I'm prepared if a cow elk wanders in front of me. 😬

Seekins Havak PH1 in 28 Nosler (195gr EOL), 4.5-18x44mm LRHSi

Pre '64 Mod 70 .270 Win. sightless with 150 NP's

Winchester fwt 6.5x55 with a vx3i 3.5-10x40,130 gr tsx,not fancy or slick just a good setup

I have my grandfathers 30-40 carbine,use to use it for my brush gun and 180 npts

Use it!!!! Glad to hear ! I may also haul my 1895 win src in .30 Army for backup!

It’s accurate as heck and still hits hard,ever since 1896

sandpit,

Actually, the .30-40 was designed in 1892, and the 220-grain load accepted by the U.S. Army as the standard cartridge in 1894.

But yeah, it's been taking big game for quite a while....

Oh oh, may have to now consider a 6.5 CM.

I drew a cow tag, and that's a start.

this year I have two elk tags:

in Colorado it will be a customized pre 64 M70 300 H&H/180 TTSX

in Montana it will be a customized pre 64 M70 280 AI/ 150 TTSX

The plan is a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps Silhouette 45/70. 405 hard cast bullet over 38gr imr 3031. Iron sights

Ruger 338-06, 200 AB. Timber gun
MRC 1999 308 Norma, 190 Hornady. Open area gun.

Yesterday I pulled the barrel off a pawn shop Sav 111 7mmRM

Today I put a Shilen select match 13" twist 5R 308 #3 taper barrel in the lathe and dialed it in.
It is going to be a 300 Win Mag.
I cut threads.

I started drilling, boring, and reaming the chamber 1/2" at a time.

The trigger is here.
The stock is here.
I still need the recoil lug.

Nula
300 win mag
Leupold vx6
190 grain Berger

Think I’ve settled on a combination of scope and load for this rifle. NF 3-10x42 SHV, 127 LRX with RL16.

I'd be willing to bet that turns out to be a heck of an accurate rifle. Good luck with it!

60# Hoyt Carbon Defiant ......... no rifle elk tag this year.

Centershot: Good luck with the bow!
I just drove north through eastern Idaho and saw two large wildfires east and south of DuBois last week.
Smoke is bad here in SW Montana - I hope things clear up by your archery season.
I am hoping my new artificial knee is strong enough for me to be able to help out in our high country hike in Elk archery camp this year!
I missed last years archery Elk season due to knee pain (for the first time in 40+ years!).
There is NO place on earth I would rather be than in the high Rockies during archery Elk season (although the few archery Elk seasons I have spent in "the Breaks" have been awesome as well).
Again good luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Krag fodder! (Last Wednesday morning).

IF I get to go this year (doubtful due to the fire @ my house), I'll only have two rifles to choose from and will take them both - Win Mod. 70 w/ a Pac-nor 6.5x55 SE and a Newton 1st Model in 256 Newton. Only two that didn't suffer damage.

Bbear: I am hoping your luck will change come this Elk season.
So sorry to hear about your house fire and your damaged guns.
I pray all the family are safe.
Stay strong and get after'em when you can.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I was just wondering about you... how’s everything???

Spoke to Cooper yesterday, hope to have my Model 92 in 280 AI by the end of the month so I can get a couple months of practice with it.

After shooting some 175g Barnes LRX last weekend, I'm thinking my .300WM will be primary again this year. 2-shot scope check @ 300 yards resulted in 1" 'group'. Let the barrel cool and then went to 600, where it smacked a clay pigeon while I was trying to work out the elevation in the scope's BDC reticle.

Barnes TTSX, MRX and TTSX have always provided very good accuracy in my rifles. The LRX seems to be another.

Same here. The 175LRX beat out the 165, 168 Barnes and the 178 and 200 grain ELD-X in my 300 WSM.Off to Wyoming in October.

Details
Kimber Montana 300 WSM
Nightforce 3-15x50 NXS
Barnes 175 grain LRX

Backup
Barrett Fieldcraft 6.5 Creedmoor
Nightforce 3-15x50 NXS
Hornady 143 grain ELD-X

35 Whelen and 200 gr Tipped TSX will be this years elk gun.

Either:

Borden 300 WSM with 165 AB's
or
Borden 280 AI with 140 AB's

Kimber Mountain Ascent 280AI shooting Barnes 150 TTSX's. It's topped with a Swarovski 3x9.

Can’t go this year due to medical issues BUT, if I was, it would be with a Remington 700 LS Mountain rifle, 30/06. R-P nickeled brass, 58 grs, H-4350, WLR Mag primer and a 180 Accubond at about standard velocity. Leupold VX-3 3.5-10X, B&C reticle. It’s worked for all my bulls from 23 yards to 475.

Navlav8r: Dang sorry to hear about you missing this years Elk Hunt!
I know how you must feel as I had to miss last years Elk Hunt (for the first time in 50+ years!) due to a bad wheel (left knee) myself.
Just got a brand new artificial knee though and I am bounding around like the three tiny Mule Deer fawns that just passed within 10 feet of me as I was sitting here in my library/computer room.
Cute little guys/gals - they were trying to eat lawn grass but I am not sure if they are weened enough yet to do that - two of them drank from my bird baths though.
I really like the Leupold 3.5x10 variable I have on my main Elk Hunting Rifle - and will use it again this fall if I don't get "lucky" during our long archery season here in Montana.
I also like nickel plated brass - and have used it for years in several of my Big Game and Varmint Rifles.
Hope you perk up soon and get after the Elk next season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thanks VG, me too. When the “C” word is used in the same sentence as your name, priorities tend to rearrange themselves and I’ ve been dealing with it for a year and a half with surgery and radiation. Hopefully, next year I’ll have a first season high camp hunt with an outfitter friend with a timberline hunt near the Continental Divide in Colorado. 😊

Gotta start getting shape😀

Haven’t decided since I will be in guide mode, more than a hunter/shooter this season...Likely take my 300 Roy. It’s light at 10lbs all up. My hunter is an accomplished marksman, so I’m not anticipating having to follow up his shot. I will be loaded up with my usual 180g NAB’s at 3200 FPS just in case. 😎

My youngest daughter (12) wants to use the 6mm Creedmoor, but since it's my long range rig I talked her into using my VZ-24, 6mm Remington. A 105 grain Speer or 100 grain SBT aimed through a simple Vortex optic should do the job for open country cow elk I'm sure. My middle daughter (16) and I will be running the RAR 6.5 Creedmoor, a 130 grain ELD-M directed by a Vortex Tactical should be the ticket for my deer and her cow.

The girls have been shooting these rifles all summer and taking some pretty long shots with them. Not that a long shot is what we're looking for, but building confidence at long range helps to solidify the fundamentals needed to make a 150 yard chip shot.

6 CM, 90 grain Swift Scirocco bullet, Leupold 3x9 Ultralight, Lone Peak Ti action, 22” Proof Carbon 1-7.5 bbl., Alpha brass.

Remington 600 Mohawk, Leupold 3x9-40 from 1997, 6mm Remington 100 grain Partition on a cow hunt.

Went out yesterday shooting. Shot this old Krag and it is still amazing. Using Hornady 220 RN and 44 grains of RL 19. It’s good with my funky eyes to at least 150 yards no problem. However I also took one of my Husqvarna 146’s in 9.3 x 57. Has an old Redfield 2 1/2x on it. Got it shootin’ pretty dang good too!! 48 grains H 4895 and 270 Speer Hot-cor. May haul it up in place of one of the flinters I was considering. Think it would work well to 200 yds and it does have glass on it for my failing eyesight. But I seemed to do ok with both yesterday.

Only problem with the 9.3 is my bum right shoulder. It really murders me. That Krag is a cream puff to shoot!

Here’s my Husqvarna 146, 9.3 x 57. If you look close, right in front of the heel of the stock about 10 o’ clock from that little name plack thingy ( came on the rifle when pirchased). There are seven little brass pins! Seven elg in the old country???? . Who knows! Mfg in 1938.

But this one is kinda growing on me for this season.

Seven Nazis

Mebbe seven russians in Finland! 😉

my husky H 5000 in 30/06 and 220gr ammo it's topped with a Leopold vx 3, 2.5x8 scope
next up is a Winchester model 70 classic in 6.5 swede with a Leopold vx 2, 2x7 129grainer's

I will be taking two as well

Tikka T3 270 win,
leupold vx6 2x12 cds
Hornady 145 ELD-x Factory

Browning Stainless Stalker 300WSM
Leupold vx-3 2.5X8
180 hornady interlocs

300 win mag Nula with a Leopold VX-6
190 grain Berger

I'm going radical this time: Two 30-06s, both shooting 180 grain Partitions. No magnums, no small bores. One is a post-64 Model 70 (Sears Model 53) and the other is a Bergara B-14 Hunter. Glass will be 3-9x on both.

Hadn’t considered a back-up rifle....I’ll just use my wife’s rifle. It’s a little short, and a little less caliber...
but, it’s been working for her! memtb

Strayhorse: What a cool Rifle - place that bullet carefully!
And best of luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Kaywoodie: Thanks for sharing that great photo of your Rifle with us.
I don't believe I have ever seen one before!
And good luck to you this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thank you VG! Good luck to you as well! 👍

This is my designated elk/moose setup.

It’s a Bruno ZG-47 that’s been rebarreled to 9.3X62 Mauser. Barrel is a 21” McGowan that’s been profiled to match the original barrel so as to use the original iron sights. I replaced the the trigger with a Timney and the safety with a Pacific T&G 3-position.

The scope is a Leupold Vari-X III 1.75-6 in Alaska Arms QDs.

I carved the stock and rust blued the metal.

All new unfired rifles 300WM. 7mmSTW. 280AI, and 6.5-06 will be in my truck. I will drive the 900 miles. I will target practice, then I will shoot an antelope, .... by then I will know which rifle to use on opening day for elk.

Like the way you think

You forgot a .338!

When I first answered this question.... I said same as last year! It just came to me exactly “how” accurate that statement was, I literally “will” be carrying the same bullet...never fired it! 🤔 memtb

Day 1:

30-06 has some good mojo

Day 2:

338wm. Just because this one loves going elk hunting.

Day 3:

7WSM. Time to break her in...

Day 4:

7mm08. If Pharm can do it, so can I...

Day 5:

30-06. Old faithful. Hopefully she brings home the groceries when all else has failed.

Day 6:
Getting desperate. All else must have failed. Time to go to war!!!!!

308W...

BSA....An interesting, well thought-out “game plan”! Good Luck....hopefully, you don’t get to day #6 ! memtb

A very nice rifle, Mauser98! Very nice!

Ha ha. Thanks buddy. I usually don't fret too much over what rifle I'm taking. Just that all my other chit is ready. I think there are other things that are far more important. The rifle and load is the easy thing..

Like your CrossFit classes and yoga on Thursday..

BSA what is that 338?

jmo1754, BSA got a lot of class.....I’m guessing a Win. Model 70 !😉 memtb

Bingo and thanks. Pre 64 H&H receiver, Brown PoundR stock, 24" stainless Gre-Tan barrel, 4 round mag capacity, midnight blue cerakote, 8 pounds all up.

Looks sweet

And I will second that motion. A stalwart configuration.

Well, that rig won't work. The scope is in QD rings and might fall off. Plus, it doesn't have enough magnification.

The barrel is too short, which will cause a needless loss of velocity. The bullets are bound to bounce off as a result. Provided, of course, they even make it to the target.

And a Bruno Mauser? Too heavy - your shoulder will fall off before you get 50 feet from your vehicle.

The Timney trigger and PTG safety are nice touches, though.



On a serious note, that's a very nice looking rifle. Great job on the stock. Good luck on your hunt!

I too particularly like the stock work.

Harry McGowan made up a couple of LH rifles on 700 actions (about the only LH ones readily available in those days), a .375 H&H and a 6.5-06 with a pencil barrel for sheep. He specialized in barrels, but he did nice stock work too.

Norm

I'll be carrying a Verney-Carron Impact Plus takedown bolt action rifle in 9.3x62. Leupold 3-9x50 scope, handloads with 286gr. Lapua Mega bullets @2350 fps.

nice mauser!!

Tiika t3x 7mm 08 with a load of 47.5 grains of big game, cci mag primer, and 140 accubond. Backup is a 30.06 rem 700 sucks with a50.5 grains of imr 4064, cci reg primer, and 168 ttsx. 3x9 40 lupy scopes

30.06 Rem pump with 165 Grain Interbonds.

Still don't know. Here ore the options I am thinking about:

Ruger Hawkeye .280 Rem, 140g bullet, TTSX or North Fork SS/HP prototype
Ruger MKII .300WM, 175g LRX or 180g North Fork SS
Ruger MKII .338WM, 225g AccuBond

If I was going on an elk hunt this year, which, by the way, I am not. I would bring these two rifles.

My open country rifle would have to be a Model 70 270 WSM 140 gr. Hornady Interlock. Topped with a Nikon Monarch UCC with a Harris Bi-pod.
For the heavy timber, I would have a Marlin lever action 450 with 400 gr. Barne's solid copper bullet or a 350 gr. A-Frame bullet.

Here is a photo of my 450



https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...82105ca44e63cde56efb79aa&oe=5C232BF1

Rem M700 - 300 Win Mag - VX3i 4.5-14x40 - 180gr Accubond

Blaser R8 in 300 Weatherby with 180 TTSX's loaded at max book. Scope is a VX-6 2-12 with illuminated reticle.

Browning A-bolt 300wm. Leupold VX-III 3.5x10 200gr partitions, always works.

CoyoteHunter: I have Hunted in Montana every year since 1969 (first as a non-resident then 21 years ago I became a resident!) and every year I have purposely taken note of the what the "skookum" (NW Indian word for smart/knowledgeable/successful) Elk Hunters carried into the field for Rifle calibers.
I am convinced that the various 300 Magnums (300 Win Mag., 300 Weatherby, 300 WSM, 300 RUM, 300 H&H Mag!) have the edge among the "skookum" Elksters hereabouts.
That Ruger 77 in 300 Winchester Magnum would leave nothing to be desired in my neck'o the woods for "Elkin"!
Good luck this season.
By the way since this thread started I have since begun debating about my initially declared use of my old trusty Remington 700 Classic in 7m/m Remington Magnum with Leupold 3.5x10 variable scope and handloaded 160 grain Nosler Partitions to a relatively new to me Tikka T-3 in caliber 338 Federal with Zeiss Diavari 3x9 variable and Federal factory ammo (185 grain Triple Shock projectiles).
One of the reasons I am considering this second Rifle of mine is because I have a hug dog hair forest in mind that I will be at on the morning of the first "tracking snow" as I have learned that a number of Elk "hide there" - the snow will hopefully allow me to close in on them - the 338 should do well in that type environment.
And another reason is I bought this Rifle to Hunt spring Black Bear with and thick country Elk and I have as yet to harvest anything with that Rifle.
Again good luck to you.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I always take my Marlin 336 with iron sights in .35 Remington with 200 gr Core Lokt. Oh yeah, I take my .30-06 for backup.

I'm not shooting over200 yds.

LAW Professional .280AI with Zeiss HD5 3-15x42, shooting Hornady 162gr ELD-x and a Kimber MT 8400 .30-06 with Leica ERi 2.5-10x42 shooting Nosler 165gr Accubonds. Can't wait...

T/C Venture 300 win mag with hand loaded 180 gr Accubonds 6.5-20 Leupold LR scope and Leupold 1000 yard range finder for open country and Browning BLR 358 Win with hand loaded 200 gr Hornady spire points for wooded hunts.

DropShot: You have THE caliber!
Some may "question" the Leupold 6.5x20 variable power scope for "Elk'in" but I have personally killt a 6x6 Bull Elk with a Rifle (Remington 700 Sendero in 270 Win.) that was equipped with a 6.5x20 variable power Leupold scope.
I was on an intense public land (open country) Mule Deer Hunt when I came across said 6x6 Bull Elk.
I carefully placed the 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet into the heart/lung juncture and that Bull died quickly with just that one shot.
My old friend and workmate Russ Stahlman (original owner of Stahlmans Gunshop [Fall City Firearms] Fall City, Washington) had a Moose Hunting Rifle in caliber 338 Winchester magnum that was equipped with a Leupold 6.5x20 variable scope.
He Hunted Moose in Alberta, Canada in terrain that seemed to always only offer "long shots".
He switched to this Rifle/scope combination and did well with it for several years before his passing.
Good luck this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Due to some physical problems I can no longer hunt elk, etc. But if I could I would take my old tried and true Remington 725 in .280 Remington with 3x9 Nikon Monarch 'scope, using 160 grains Nosler Partition bullets.

Good luck to all who hit the elk country this Fall.

L.W.

Two weeks!!! Woohoo!

Decided to take my 1895 Win. .35 WCF along! It’s a proven elkslayer. Will still pack along that Husqvarna shown above, but the 95 will probably be the main go to rifle. Got a good load worked up that should be dandy on a cow! And it sports a Lyman #21 peep and I can see it real well with these tired eyes.

Good luck to all!!!

VarmintGuy -

One more trip to the range (hopefully) before elk season, but based on last Sunday I'm pretty sure the .300WM will be my primary.

Kaywoodie: I was Hunting Elk up on the Idaho/Montana border west of my home here in SW Montana about 4 or 5 years ago when along comes a four door truck full of Elk Hunters from Washington state (taxington!). I was back at the VarmintMobile having lunch and they pulled in and started up the normal Elk Hunter banter.
It turns out they were members of a "Hunters Society" thats members Hunt Big Game with 100 year old+ lever action Rifles!
I asked to see their Rifles and they were most proud to show me their firearms - I recall specifically that one of the Rifles they showed me was an 1895 Winchester in caliber 30/06!
Another was a Winchester Model 1886 - IIRC the caliber was 45/70.
Anyway I wished them luck and I wish you luck this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Leanwolf: That 280 Remington Model 725 Remington would indeed be one of the classiest and rarest Rifles in the woods should you be able to get back out in the woods in the future (and I hope you do!).
Enjoy your rare and cool Rifle.
I do know how wonderfully those 160 grain Nosler Partitions perform on Elk and Black bear!
That bullet deserves consideration by all who Hunt with 280 Remingtons, 280 Ackley Improved Remingtons as well as the various 7m/m Magnums!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Thanks VG!!!!

Back at ya!!!

Cow elk starting next Monday . 7mm08. 140 accubond at 2,850. Wish me luck...

Took a 5x6 rosie herd bull the other day via .300 H&H and 200 grain original grand slam.

Plan to take a bull and cow Rocky Mountain elk with my standard 6.5x284 NORMA with 140 berger in the coming weeks.

Good Luck Tinman!!! 😉

Thanks Kdude!

Rem 700 CDL 30-06 - 3-9x40 - 180gr Accubond

Also, I take the old Marlin 35 out in the thick stuff if I need to.

Steyr-Mannlicher, 6X, .270 Win, 130gr Partition

#1. Faux Ti 700 SS
7 SAUM
4-12 Leo
150 Partitions

#2. 700 SS / McMillian
308
6x42 Leo
168 Hornady ELD

Will do final shoot tomorrow - leaving Weds after work for a WY/CO hunt. Be taking my trusty Kimber Montana 308, NightForce SHV, stoked with 180 Sierra GameKings. My Montana 280 AI with Burris Veracity and 160 NAB will also go. Depending on the situation, one of the 2 will go for a walk. Likely carry the 308 most days.

Packing this weekend. I'm like a 6 year old at Christmas.......😎

Stay away from hotels!!


I did my final shoot yesterday to verify everything after swapping scopes, bases, etc. Taking the walnut stocked Fieldcraft in 6.5 CM with a 3-10 SHV shooting 139 Scenars with a backup of my Kimber Montana in 338 Fed shooting 200 Hot Cors. Hitting the road Monday, meeting a friend in Denver on Wednesday, headed up mtn on Thursday. Can't wait!!

V.G., I bought my Remington 725 .280 Rem., back in 1962. Since, I've killed elk, Mule deer, antelope, and Black bear with it. Works very well so long as I shoot accurately. Of course, one can say the same about most rifles ... "as long as I shoot accurately."

The history of the Remington 725 is interesting. Back around 1957 or so, Remington developed the Model 725 to challenge the Winchester Model 70. It was a fine rifle, but it became too expensive to manufacture and market. So, they dropped it and developed the Remington 700, which was less expensive to manufacture. There are not too many of the 725s out there.

L.W.

You beat me to this!

I'll be using a 700ADL 338-06 that I picked up a few years back as a spare. Needed some work and I didn't have much use for it, but this year I tuned it up a bit, put on a Weaver Grand Slam 4.5X14 and the results have been so good it will be my primary this year.
Going with my usual my pet loads, 210 Nosler partition over 53 grains of Reloader 15.

Not sure anything fits elk hunting to me more than a 338-06 and a 210 Partition. Up there with the 30-06 and a 180 Partition.

Well, if I can do my part, the rifles and loads are ready. Shot pretty good today.

280 AI
7 Wby
300 WSM




I may have responded to this already.

I have a 6.5 PRC barreled action due in tomorrow. If I can get it bolted together, and wrung out before I leave thursday night for elk camp, I'll use it this year. If not, the new Creed gets the nod.

Huntsman22: Thats cutting it close but I have been there before and it can be done.
Good luck.

Leanwolf: It would be interesting to know how many 725's were manufactured.
I have a friend who has one in 264 Winchester Magnum!
I just returned from the "renowned" firearms information source (Blue Book Of Gun Values - 39th edition - latest edition).
They state that there were only 16,635 Remington 725's made in standard calibers and only 2,784 of them were in 280 Remington!
By the way there were only 52 (fifty two!) Rifles made in Magnum calibers of the 725 "Kodiak" - 24 were in 458 Win. Mag. and 28 in 375 H&H Magnum.

Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Got it put together just before dark tonight. Had some minor problems. The action screws were too short. I made a short one outta the long one, and found a too-long one in the bolt bin, to chop to the long one. Now there is a blued and a stainless on 'er. Then the Wyatts box wouldn't feed and I had to tweek the chit outta it. I had the dang thing apart a dozen times before I was satisfied with the function. I'll run it tomorrow, and head for the mountain tomorrow night

Good luck Don.

Combo worked great once again, this time on a spike shot in a fog/snow storm Monday morning at 9500 feet. Only 20 yards though so most anything would have worked...

Huntsman22: Well after all that you deserve an accurate Rifle and a good Elk this fall.
The Elk in my neck'o the woods started moving onto private ranches about 10-15 days ago.
Saw a great 6x6 on a ranch not 5 miles from my home last Saturday as we were returning from an Antelope venture..
Would have been a 400 yard shot from the paved county road!
I pulled over and myself and my two Antelope Hunting partners watched him and his herd (80 animals) for several minutes - some bugling still going on.
There were 4 branch antlered Bulls (the one nice 6x6 and 3 "raghorns") and 5 or 6 "spike" Bulls in that group of 80.
We began musing on what caliber to "take the shot" we would prefer.
The 300 magnums won out on that long "imaginary" poke.
Perseverance pays I am glad you got the Rifle operational.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy.

MikeS: Its rare in my neck'o the woods to get a 20 yard shot in Rifle season.
So you are probably right most any caliber would have worked there.
In my Elk Hunting areas though, the Grizzlies are becoming quite commonplace and have a habit of showing up at both archery and Rifle kill sites of recent.
So I stay with the "minimum" (in my mind!) which is the 7m/m Remington Magnum with 160 grain Nosler Partitions - in case of Bear encounters.
My other option this year is my 338 Federal with good game bullets - haven't heard of any of my cohorts who have shot Grizzly with the 338 Federal as yet but I sense it would be good Grizzly "medicine" with a couple of well placed shots.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Sako A 7 in 30-06

I have a week left to decide.

1. SS Classic M70 300Win in McMillan Supergrade shooting 200gn TSX's, I've killed 9 elk with this rifle, 7 of them w/200TSX's and 2 before that w/200gn Partitions.

2. SS Classic M70 Fwt 270Win in McMillan Fwt pattern shooting 140gn TSX @3050. This rifle is exceptionally accurate and dependable. I've killed a boatload of deer, 2 caribou, let my cousin kill an elk with it but I've never shot an elk with it. It's probably the last rifle I'd part with.

3. SS Classic M70 Fwt 270Win in Brown Precision stock shooting 140gn TSX @ 3050. I bought it used ~18mo ago and finally made the time have it ready for this fall. This rifle is every bit as accurate as the other Fwt, but, I haven't killed anything with it yet.

4. Kimber MT w/1:8 twist Lilja shooting 150gn ABLR @ 3050. This rifle worked well on an elk and 2 deer last fall.

and a report: one shot at about 120 yards, one dead elk. High lung shot, bullet exited. Elk ran about 40 yds. Both lungs were very well centered. What I expected.

Nice! Big holes in animals are very effective! memtb

Horse1: I would go with "option" number one - the Model 70 in 300 Winchester Magnum!
Proven "Elk medicine" that one.
By the way what caliber is option number 4 - 270 Winchester?
Good luck and enjoy your blessings with so many options.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

No more wondering for me. Work schedule has had me too busy to focus on elk and until yesterday I was thinking I had two more weekends at home. Nope, Leaving this coming Sunday. Have a Unit 3 second season cow tag, which will be worthless unless the migration is on, which is unlikely. Three days to hunt that tag followed before my cow tag for Snake River Ranch is good for 5 days there.

Plan to get to the range one more time with the Ruger MKII boat-paddle .300WM and 175g LRX, which will be my primary and stainless MKII boat-paddle .338WM and 225g AccuBond for my backup.