Big Game Rifle: Is There Really a
“Best Elk Rifle”?
 The debate about the best big game rifle, particularly rifles for elk hunting, will never end. (Share your opinion below.) Elk are bigger than deer and big elk can get very big! Elk are very strong animals with a strong drive to survive. They are known for running after a lethal hit. Regardless of the size of the game or caliber of the gun, shot placement is critical. A good lung shot is the most preferred and deadly, regardless of the caliber of the elk rifle. Whatever elk rifle you choose, make sure you
sight it in properly
and that you
do good rifle practice with it
each year. (Click on those links for our discussion of those topics.)
One Size Fits All?
Many people, if they could only own one big game rifle, would choose the 30.06. There is a wide variety of ammunition available for it. Premium, high power bullets make it effective as an elk rifle. As a deer hunting rifle, it has a long history of being the most popular caliber. Another big game rifle that has wide acceptance as a good caliber for elk hunting is the 300 Winchester Magnum. Among elk hunting rifles, the 300 Win Mag holds its own. I see less elk travel distance with my 300 Win Mag than a 30.06, but there are bigger guns that may be even more suitable for elk and other big game. Potential penetration from 30 caliber rifles will be less than the .338 or 8 mm calibers, for instance. People do hunt elk with smaller caliber rifles. I know a guy whose only big game rifle is a .243, including for elk. That would not be my choice and he gets a lot of ribbing for it, but he has killed a number of elk with it and has never lost one. I would feel irresponsible recommending a .243 or .270 as an elk rifle, since a bull can weigh a thousand pounds and don’t die easily.
Take Your Best Shot,
Then Take Another One!
Big bulls often need a follow up shot, regardless of the caliber chosen. The second shot doesn’t always present itself but, if it does, take it! An old elk hunter once told me “three quarters are better than none”, meaning, take the second shot even if it is in a meaty leg area. A little meat loss is better than losing an elk that travels and disappears after the first shot. Unless you’re into only very close up hunting, choose a big caliber for elk hunting that you can shoot well and can operate quickly for a second shot, if one is presented. With practice, bolt actions are plenty fast enough and are the most popular because of their accuracy. Other excellent calibers for elk hunting rifles are the 8mm Rem Mag, 308, .338 Win Mag, 300 and 338 Remington Ultra Mags, 340 Weatherby Mag, .375 H & H and others in between. Bullet weights from 165 to 240 grain can all be acceptable for killing elk, depending on the caliber. Since I only have experience with a few big game rifle calibers, I want to open up the discussion below to anyone who wants to chime in, disagree or fill in the gaps.
Stock and Barrel Composition
A big game rifle that is light in heft weight (not necessarily caliber) will have a more memorable kick. Once you “remember” it, you might never shoot the light gun with accurate consistency again. A lighter gun is nice for carrying in rough elk terrain, but a little bit more heft might make a more accurate shooting gun for many, because of the more manageable recoil. (Take a look at the Safari Sling to make carrying your elk rifle easier in the ready position. I have chosen never to carry my big game rifle on my back again.) Elk hunting is rough on a rifle. Put it on your backpack, mountain bike, four-wheeler or horse and it takes a beating. Weather can take its toll on big game rifles while elk hunting, too. Many hunters still prefer blue metal and wood stocks, but stainless steel and synthetic stands up to the bumps, snow and rubbing of traveling to, from and in elk habitat. All of my guns are ugly, so I don’t have to worry about it too much. Buying a good used gun that has taken a cosmetic beating takes the stress out of protecting it, as well as the bank account. Choosing a big game rifle caliber for elk hunting should involve some research into the widely varying opinions, tried and true knowledge, experience as well as scientific data. What works for you and what hasn't? Please share your experience, opinions and knowledge about big game rifles below. 
Other Rifle Hunting Topics on This Site:
Sighting In a Rifle
Rifle Practice
Free Paper Targets
Use Google Custom Search to search this site:
Return to Home Page, from "Big Game Rifle" page.
Back to top of page.
Do you have a favorite elk rifle?
In your opinion, what is the best North American big game rifle? What is your favorite elk rifle or rifle caliber for elk hunting? There are many opinions about rifles for elk hunting and other big game. Please share yours! Our visitors are very interested in reading about this topic.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
.300 Wby mag
I have been using Rem 7mm mag and it has been a really fun rifle for elk; flat with punch. But my new joy is the .300 wby mag. Pricey ammo, but the accuracy ...
300 Win Mag 180gr hand loads
Knocks a 60" bull Moose down at 500 yards, so I'm sure it will do well with Elk. I guess I will really find out this Sept 2010. 2nd year of Elk draws in ...
The 300wby mag
The 300wby mag is one of my favorites because it is a flat shooting bullet and is very powerful.
Opinions??
I have read some of the comments below on this topic and am really just starting to look at and get familiar with different types of guns. I did some ...
Elk Rifle
I grew up hunting in Montana, and have taken about 25 elk in 35 years of hunting. Lots of mule deer and antelope too, with a couple whitetails thrown in....
elk rifles
When I was a wildlife manager in the midwest I worked at and/or supervised a deer check station for about ten years. During that time, I saw thousands ...
7mm
Kills them dead
270 Elk Rifle
I have found the 270 is a good choice when using Berger or other high-end bullets. Of course shot placement is a key to success. If you don't have a clear ...
Elk Down !
I choose to hunt with a .45.70, it is a good overall brush gun where most elk are found, and has enough impact to put an elk down if the shot is placed ...
300 Remington Ultra Mag
I'll throw in the 300 Remington Ultra Mag. I used to hunt with a .308, (Remington 800 VLS, heavy barrel, all the goodies) but at just shy of 15 pounds ...
Elk muzzleloading riffles
Hunting during the early muzzle loader season in Colorado can be challenging enough. Aside from unsure weather patterns day to day. The use of rifle scopes ...
elk rifle
I killed my first elk with a .270. All that is needed is a well placed shot.
Rifle
I certainly agree that the 30-06 is the most popular rifle. I have used it for the past 10 yrs. Used a 308 before that sad to say it got stolen out of ...
Norma
OK I am not an Elk hunter but I am a Moose hunter. The 358 Norma with 250 Noslers is pretty sweet. Mine is in a 7 pound Ruger with a 2.5X Leupold and ...
My Favorite Elk Rifles
Well my favorite big game rifle is my old Pre-64 Model 70 in .300 H&H. However for obvious reasons there are places and weather I don't wish ...
Elk Rifle
I use a 7mm rem mag. So far it has put elk down with one shot.
325 wsm is my choice
One heart/lung shot from a 325 wsm 200 grain accubond is a perfect elk stopper and then some,8mm magnum short action easy to carry power house that packs ...
It's not the caliber, it's the bullet
Regardless of caliber (7mm and up) used for elk, always choose a bullet that will not mushroom too much and will penetrate well.
As stated, elk ...
The Ultimate Big Game Rifle
I would have to say the Winchester Model 70 30.06
180 grain magnum load.
One well placed shot does the trick each and every year.
Elk Rifle
The best one is the one that you are the best shot with in a descent caliber capable of downing an elk even when you still miss your 10 ring by 4 or 5 ...
M-14 Rifle .308
I like hunting with an M14 battle rifle for several reasons. I hunt in Wyoming on the eastern side of Yellowstone park and also around Teton National ...
Best North American BIG Game rifle.
I like BIG GAME and that is not found in the mid west. Sometimes it is the other things in the woods that place you in a lower point on the food chain ...
Elk Rifles
This has probably been stated as long as there was such a thing as hunting, but shot placement still rules the day. I would not feel handicapped one bit ...
7 MM Magnum
I have used a Winchester 70 bolt action 7mm Magnum for over 30 years , Killed many Elk in that time. This was my choice of Caliber for many years , they ...
Please subscribe to "Website Updates" in the form on the upper left of this page to receive "new page" alerts. We will let you know the topic of any new pages added. You may also subscribe to any of the RSS feeds listed on the left to receive automated updates.
|
