Annual elk rifle thread

[el unit]

My uncle's old ruger m77 chambered in 30.06 took this year's cow elk at 80 yards with a freestanding heart shot. He never killed anything with it, but I've managed to kill a number of animals with it including elk, bears, and even a mule deer on a tv show.

 

[millerkiller77]

Here's my 2023 Elk rifle. Currently being built by HT's favorite Smith, I've changed direction on him a couple times but it will be beautiful in the end.

 

[Kiwi]

I use a Tikka 7mm rem mag for elk and all other species I hunt. Has a VX6 on top and it’s suppressed too. Can’t imagine ever replacing this rifle. While it’s a pain to travel with a rifle these days, planning to take it to Wyoming 2023. Hunting red stags tomorrow for the bbq.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Walnut and stainless looks good too!

Of course, you would have to find the right walnut.

 

[p_ham]

Of course, you would have to find the right walnut.

Some nice Claro, perhaps?

 

[BAKPAKR]

Some nice Claro, perhaps?

That would look nice, especially if it were set off with an ebony forend tip.

 

[Derek44]

Browning white gold medallion in 30-06. 178 gr. ELD-X. Third year I’ve had this rifle and third year bringing home elk. It’s got a spring bear in there as well. I’m growing really attached to this rifle.

 

[midwesthunter]

Heavy barrel Howa 1500 in 300 win mag, topped with a 6-24 Vortex pst, slinging 200 grain Accubonds. Took two elk with it this year.

 

[Addicting]

What are your thoughts on how the LRX performed?

View attachment 255948
For the last 3 years used this Christensen Ridgeline in 300 prc, Leupold 5hd 3-15 cerakote to match receiver shooting Barnes 200 lrx. Ultimate rifle sling from Specialty Outdoor Products. 3 bulls.

 

[Tinner2216]

Remington 300 Ultra Mag... Energy to spare but needs hand loads. Currently 180 grain Nosler accu-bond. This combo has taken about a dozen elk over the years.

 

[44hunter45]

For 2023-

Weatherby Mark V Ultralite in 6.5 WBY RPM

A change in direction for me. I've never cared how much a rifle weighed. Ordered this a Camilla for my granddaughter with the intent to develop low recoil loads for her. She is taking a break from hunting, so I'm restocking it with the Peak 44 "Man Stock" off the Mark V Backcountry 2.0 rifle. I will of course keep the Camilla stock in case she decides she wants to hunt again.

After break-in, this will get nothing but Hammers through it.

View attachment 1672081220899.png

 

[RevJim]

Love my Bergara B-14 Hunter and Leupold 3.5x10 300WM 175 LRX

 

[p_ham]

That would look nice, especially if it were set off with an ebony forend tip.

If only such a piece could be located...maybe a red butt pad and a stainless grip cap to go with it..

 

[mxracer317]

Bergara ridge special purpose in .308. Shot factory 150g accubonds all season on antelope, deer, and elk. Never had an animal make it over 50 yards this year.View attachment 252127

Did you cut down your barrel length when you added your suppressor? Man, I LOVE shooting my 300 win mag with mine, but the barrel length is too long.

 

[Dsnow9]

Did you cut down your barrel length when you added your suppressor? Man, I LOVE shooting my 300 win mag with mine, but the barrel length is too long.

That rifle came stock with the 18”. I used to hunt with a 26” browning x-bolt, after adding the suppressor it was basically as tall as me. That is the number one reason I switched to the Bergara.

 

[jeff_gibbons]

Bad mojo is real. If you don’t get a rifle bloody the first season you have it, might as well sell it. It’s got too much bad juju.

Not superstitious but definitely a little stitious as I just gave away a sweet shooting rifle that was obviously gooched ( 2 elk trips - 0 shots fired ).

 

[Moosecreek]

Great topic! I have had some good success with my beat up Rem SPS 700 in 300 wsm for elk and deer last ten years. I Worked up 180 AB’s very accurate 2960 fps then got bored and ratted canned some camouflage on the ugly duckling.

I caved to pure pressure and screwed a real nice Leupold 4.5-14 hd on it and we were hitting targets constantly at 500 yds . Much fun!! Convinced myself I was getting a bull at long range 2022 season with this bad boy rig.

Funny that plan didn’t happen, I took off with my Dad hunting elk 2nd week and grabbed my daughter’s 30-06 in a big hurry. Cut a nice set of bull tracks that afternoon and shot this 5 point 40 yards bedded in timber. I could have got him with my grandpa’s 30-30 haaaa crazy.. so many good cartridges for so many elk hunting situations.

 

[BAKPAKR]

What are your thoughts on how the LRX performed?

I shot a moose with a 200 gr LRX that came out of a 300 RUM at just over 3000 fps. The shot was strong quartered to me in front of the shoulder. He dropped in his tracks.

 

[Nick87]

Should draw this year and should be carrying the Cooper Excalibur in .300wm topped witha Swarovski z5. very anxious

 

[BAKPAKR]

If I get to go elk hunting this year, I will be carrying a 22” barrel 280AI that weighs just about 7.5# scoped. After carrying my 30 Nosler around last year looking for a cross canyon shot, I decided I like slipping through the woods and brush better.