Q&A: I am looking into buying a rifle for elk hunting. Any help?
Question by ShakaShark: I am looking into buying a rifle for elk hunting. Any help?
I am looking seriously into getting a Remington 700 for elk hunting. I was thinking either a .308 or 30-06. Which Remington 700 should I get, and why? Also, in which caliber and why?
I live in Southern Oregon, and would be hunting around here as well.
Best answer:
Answer by AKpilot
I would go with the .30-06 for elk. Many consider it the essential elk round. A .308 would also be an acceptable caliber.
I really like Remington's XCR models, especially when hunting in wet or cold environments. Many traditionalists scoff at anything that isn't hardwood and blued steel, but I'd rather be worrying about finding game than worrying about damaging the finish on my rifle.
Add your own answer in the comments!
High Pressure Elk Hunting: Secrets of Hunting Educated Elk
Rating: 
(out of 2 reviews)
List Price: $ 14.95
Price: $ 8.99
Related posts:
- hunting rifle?
- .700 Nitro Xpress T-Rex Elephant Rifle Anti Tank/T-Rex Hunting Rifle
- What is the name of the hunting gun airsoft rifle i want?
- Evanix Hunting Master AR6 / AR4 air rifle Reviews
- What’s the difference between a Hunting and Precision Rifle?
- How to Choose Your Hunting Rifle
- How do you bring a hunting rifle and ammunition aboard an airline flight?
- Death By Double Rifle DVD African Hunting Video
- Crosman 1077 air rifle
- what is the best gun caliber to use hunting elk and/or black bear?
July 24th, 2010 - 01:58
Both the 308 and 30-06 will work well for elk hunting, you might be able to get higher kinetic energy out of the .308 due to slightly high bullet masses available, but both will work. I personally don’t like Remington guns but get the highest quality 700 you can afford. Also look at T/C Browning, and Kimber rifles, but buy for quality above all. If you are planing to hunt deer with the rifle i would go with the 30-06 because of it having less energy. Also check and see which one will cost more to shoot in terms of ammo cost.
July 24th, 2010 - 02:07
300 winchester short magnum, from mule deer to moose
July 24th, 2010 - 02:55
Your best choice is the tried, true, tested, and proven since 1906, the 30-06, because you have a greater variety of bullet weights to choose from with the 30-06.* It will harvest any Big Game in North America cleanly and efficiently.* I prefer using the 180 grain or 220 grain myself.* Purchase a Remington, or Savage Brand Rifle.* Magnum calibers are not needed, or necessary for Hunting any North American Big Game Animals.*
July 24th, 2010 - 03:43
Go for the .30-06, you’ll be able to get slightly more potent loads than .308 (which is very close anyway, and they’ll both work fine). If the options are more than those two, I’d recommend a .338 Win. which can shed a bit more energy into the vitals.
Southern OR is beeyutiful. If west of the Cascades, you’ll really want to get something compact (stumpy barrel) and preferably in stainless steel, or be prepared to be constantly worrying about rust. On the east side neither issue is as much a problem.
July 24th, 2010 - 04:23
I would have to say that the remington model 700 sps stainless is a very nice rifle. I would take a 30-06 over the 308. but i would rather have either the 270. win or the 300. wsm.
July 24th, 2010 - 04:54
In Southern Oregon, you’re not going to find elk West of Klamath Falls. North-east Oregon has the elk. The 30-06 is a big bullmoose gun, a semi-magnum designed to drive a FMJ bullet through an earthen embankment and then through a steel helmet. They work pretty good for this, as we won two World wars with them. The idea that they are correct for game smaller than big moose such as the Noble Whitetail deer, is affectionately patriotic, but whimsical as it really tears up the deer! The 308 was the “instant classic elk gun”, ever since it became available. The 150 grain 308 Nosler Partition bullets are fine for elk, but the 180 grain Nosler Partition bullets in a 308 can double as elk or grizzly medicine, although 220 grain handloads are better for big Brown bears. To use your Elk gun on deer, at typical 75 yard woods ranges where most deer are actually taken, the reduced load/ controlled recoil loads are available, which also maximize the yield of venison. You can duplicate such loads with 42 grains of IMR-4064 on any 150 grain bullet in your 308, which is also typical of 300 Savage power, long accepted as the best balanced ballistics for the deer woods. The IMR-4064 is known for consistent accuracy at a variety of temperatures. If you hunt West of Klamath Falls, chances are most of the deer you will see are the Columbia Blacktails, which top out at 150 lb. Definitely use the reduced loads if you expect much to be left of the venison! Picture of doe and fawn at http://www.remotewoods.com/ Regards, Larry.