338 RUM or 340 Weatherby or another option

[Bambistew]

Why do you need to shoot end to end on an elk?

 

[HighDesertSage]

A 150 gr nosler partition out of a 270 will pass through and leave a nice hole in an elk at 250 yards.

I also strongly believe that the majority of people who feel the need for an elk rifle that "can go from one end of the animal to the other", fail to take into account the type of terrain that elk inhabit when choosing their said "elk rifle". 338's and 340's make for a very heavy mountain rifle. Or, if it is lightweight, you need a muzzle break.

 

[arffdog875]

I agree with the majority your set up now is a great set up, I have the 338 RUM and the 300 RUM, I don't know about the 340, but right now if you were planning to reload for these rifles you won't find any brass and other supplies are scarce at best. If you are going factory, the 338 RUM ammo is like finding bigfoot, you have heard it exists, but few have seen it. The 338 RUM is a great caliber, but shot placement is more important.

 

[sra61]

I was talking with the outfitter and asked him what he hunts with and why. He told me he has a 340 Weatherby because he wants a bullet that can go from one end of the animal to the other. He can drop a bull at any angle with that caliber and a trophy hunt is different from a meat hunt. I thought he made a lot do sense.

Hey man you really stepped in a big steaming pile of it with this one. It's too bad really. The above quote is exactly how every outfitter that hunts the big stuff, that I have ever known looks at caliber, including myself. Most people can learn to shoot the big boy calibers accurately. I shoot 1/2" groups with my .300 RUM with 180 gr. TSX's and really hot (chronoed), my .338 Win Mag shoots 3/4" with 225 gr. TSX's. There's nothing magical about it. Just Shoot. The guys that make their life out there working their butts off trying to find you an elk to shoot don't want to leave anything to chance. A guided hunter thinks he has a lot invested. That's nothing compared to what that outfitter or guide has invested. I really can't believe the fear of recoil. Wow!

 

[HighDesertSage]

Hey man you really stepped in a big steaming pile of it with this one. It's too bad really. The above quote is exactly how every outfitter that hunts the big stuff, that I have ever known looks at caliber, including myself. Most people can learn to shoot the big boy calibers accurately. I shoot 1/2" groups with my .300 RUM with 180 gr. TSX's and really hot (chronoed), my .338 Win Mag shoots 3/4" with 225 gr. TSX's. There's nothing magical about it. Just Shoot. The guys that make their life out there working their butts off trying to find you an elk to shoot don't want to leave anything to chance. A guided hunter thinks he has a lot invested. That's nothing compared to what that outfitter or guide has invested. I really can't believe the fear of recoil. Wow!

It's not the fear of recoil that I have a problem with. That can be mitigated. When I hear comments like "It's really expensive to shoot" and "you only have to shoot a few times a year" is when my blood begins to boil. WTH good does a large magnum do you when you suck at shooting it and blow a hole through an elks hindquarters?! On top of it, most outfitters have a clause in their contracts that state if you draw blood all attempts to recover the animal will be made, but if the animal is not found your hunt is over. It's in your best interest to shoot ALOT and be proficient with your weapon. That doesn't happen when you can only afford one box of ammo a year. Every sporting goods store in America carries 30-06 and 270 rounds. Both of those rounds kill elk dead. If you can afford the larger rounds, and shoot them well, have at it. But to think that you can show up at the range fire your gun a few times, and then go hunting is irresponsible, and probably the reason so many elk are shot and not recovered every year. Ask any outfitter what their two biggest complaints against their clients are. I guarantee being out of shape, and not being able to shoot are consistently at the top of the list.

 

[MKotur325]

I know this topic is fairly well covered at this point, but two things you should consider before taking a .340WBY or .338RUM on an elk hunt. You mentioned that the .340 you are considering has a break on it. Have you shot it w/o Ear plugs? Do you carry ear plugs in the field? Are your hunt partners going to carry ear plugs?

If the answer to any of those questions is no, you should really consider shooting a rifle that does not have a muzzle break. The temporary or long term hearing loss isn't worth the reduced recoil. Having been around several .338 Lapuas with breaks, you DO NOT WANT to know how loud it is without ear protection.

As a general rule, in our group's hunting camp, muzzle breaks are not welcome

 

[putm2sleep]

They both bark ( know the guy who shoots the 338RUM where we hunt, he loads some hot stuff too). note: He (Vern) sounds off every opening morning around 7:50am for 25 years. Its not been every opening morning the last 4 years as it takes him 2 years to draw now?????

Just pick one and go shoot it and post your time on the range so we can see what you picked and how it shoots!

 

[MtnWest]

Get what you want of course but the 300wsm is no slouch. It's no chest puffing mega canon but with a good bullet of sufficient weight I wouldn't recommend shooting a bull with another elk standing behind it.

Instead of another rifle, get another guide that will get you close enough to experience the hunt. It's fairly easy to get inside 200yds of an elk.

 

[ashersdad]

I shoot a .338RUM and absolutely love it. Haven't had it a year but have shot an elk and bear with it. I try to shoot 1-2 boxes a month which gets expensive but is worth it. It is a tack driver. And as mentioned I NEVER shoot or hunt without ear protection.

Having said that, I would shoot what you are most comfortable shooting.

 

[belly-deep]

I don't know what the world has come to when a hunter is questioning a 300 mag's elk-killing capability.

If you can't figure out how to shoot end-to-end on an elk with a 300 mag, you need to think a little more before purchasing a new gun.