Elk Gun

by Chris V.
(Washington State)

I guess one can hunt and kill elk with a 243, 308, 06, 7 Mag, 300 Mag and up. I watched a video of a woman shooting and dropping an elk, one shot at some 600 yards with a 243! Another vid shooting an elk with 243 DRT ammo also dropped it on the spot! Recently I've come back to my senses on hunting elk with pea-shooters and feel elk guns start with a 7 Mag, like my favorite 7 WSM for light kick and range. But for elk I choose even bigger. Comparing thirties, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Mags... well they're all 30 caliber and shoot an elk correctly at 100 yards with any of them and break out your blade. But if I had to pick one of them, it would be the 300 Win Mag. I read the 300 RUM does a real number on elk out yonder, but still I'll pick bigger! Why? Because today good hunting opportunity is rare and can be expensive. Seasons short and regulations limiting and competition fierce. When I pull the trigger on an elk, I want it to go down on the spot. A friend once made a perfect lung shot on a smaller bull elk with his 06. It ran off into the brush dead on its feet, then came a shot from some other hunter and my friend found his elk 100 yards away with a tag on it! Today My friend hunts elk with a 375 Ruger. I've hunted Washington, Montana, Alaska, Canada, Europe and Africa. One thing clearly stands out. Hit game correctly with a big caliber bullet and they go down quicker. Bullets are another subject and they do matter. I've shot big game beyond 500 yards, but my furthest elk was at 175 yards. Hit him in the lungs with a 250 NP out of my 338 Winchester. The bullet made a loud smack and the bull dropped like a sack of potatoes! For elk I favor the 338 and 375. Those calibers mean business. Depending on range the 9.3X62 hits hard too. Currently my favorite elk gun is a blued and synthetic stocked Mossberg Patriot in 338 Winchester. It's lightweight, inexpensive, tough and accurate. Its 22 inch factory fluted barrel is a perfect match for 338 Winchester ballistics and in my opinion this rifle has been overlooked. I've owned custom rifles, but today view the gun as a tool and concentrate more on the hunt. This gun shoots MOA and I would comfortably shoot an elk out to 400 yards, but expect most shots under 100. My Merkel 9.3X62 out to 300 yards and if longer shots were expected the 338 RUM, which may be the best all-round cartridge for elk near and far. My elk pick is the 338 Win Mag. Should I get really serious about elk hunting, a 338 RUM is in my sights.

Comments for Elk Gun

Click here to add your own comments

May 19, 2020
Elk Rifle
by: Anonymous

When I started hunting, I was told to use a rifle I felt comfortable with, Borrow a few different calibers to find one you like. Then go to the store and shoulder a few in that caliber. The one the fits you will probably be the right one for you. I don't know about the rest of you ,But I don't have deep pockets to buy a rifle for every trip. The two rifles I liked best were a made over Mauser, and a Winchester both in 06. I once owned a 300 win mag in Savage, But that thing was a killer on my shoulder, and it jumped out of my forearm grip. I couldn't" hold it without a sling. I could drive a tack with it, But I wasn't going to use my arm for a week after shooting it. I did some customizing to it in order to control it. Finally I got it where I wanted it.......
But for easy pickens, I like to do what I described at the beginning,

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The Best Elk Rifle?.

Shop Our Store

Elk Tips Outdoor Gear Logo

406-431-0876

Newsletter Opt-in:
"I just get so excited talking about elk.." ~Tristan, CO



Search This Site Here:

Hunting Gear Reviews

ASAT Camo
ElkNut Outdoor Prod.
Bugling Bull Game Calls
HECS Stealthscreen
Montana Decoy
StringSling Bow Sling
Skull Hookers
Safari Sling Rifle Sling
Clip-Shot Mini Camera Mount

ASAT Camo

Free U.S. Shipping


Bugling Bull
Game Calls


ElkNut Productions

Free Shipping on
ElkNut Products Here


HECS Stealthscreen:
A New Type of Concealment!

HECS Stealthscreen

$199.99,
Including U.S. Shipping


Montana Decoy Elk/Deer
Available Here!

Montana Decoy

$59-$109.99 Free Shipping!


The StringSling:
Best Bow Sling Design!

String Sling Bow Sling

$29.95, Including U.S. Shipping


Clip-Shot: 1 oz. Camera Mount

$21.85 Free U.S. Shipping


Skull Hookers

Skull hooker

$34.99 & 59.99 Free U.S. Shipping!


The Safari Sling:
Best Rifle Sling Design!

Safari Sling Best Rifle Sling Available

$27.99 Free US Shipping


Share your elk hunting pictures and stories on our Facebook Page!

Go to Forums


Forum Topic Discussions:


How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?

295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.

325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...

30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?

(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)

Submissions

Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...

Smelly Elk Areas? by Jimmy (New Mexico), I've come across many areas that just stink of elk, literally. I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories...

DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."

Elk and Deer Hunting and Mountain Bikes, by Skip Shepherd (Tucson, AZ)~ At 67 I am thinking a lot about investing in a mountain bike to get back into remote areas...


Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.

Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...

Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...

Recent Submissions:

Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."


Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....

First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!

First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.


Questions

Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."


Share Elk Hunting Secrets


Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…


Best Big Game Rifle?

Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."

7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."


338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."


Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "


.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."


Arizona Elk Hunting

Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...

First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...


Elk Hunting Colorado

Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"

Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."

Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"


Idaho Elk Hunting


Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?


Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.


New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)

I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...


Elk Hunting Nevada

Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:

"Any good places known in unit 222?"

Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)

"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"


Questions from Novice Hunters

Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)


Big Game Recipes

Popcorn VenisonPopcorn Venison with Maple Syrup?

Elk or Venison Steaks Grilled to Perfection Here's how to turn them into steakhouse steaks!

Spice-Crusted Grilled Venison Roast Recipe This Spice-Crusted, Grilled Venison Roast recipe works great for any red meat roasts, including elk, deer or beef roast...

Corned Elk Recipe You can easily make corned venison and elk, moose or corned beef from these instructions...