Cow elk rifle

[brokfut]

I have a tag for cow elk on the Mescalero Apache reservation in New Mexico this November. Have a couple of rifles in the safe that I'm considering. The first is a 280 Ackley Improved with 139 grain Barnes LRX. The second is a 6.5 PRC with 127 grain LRX.
With 3/4 of a century behind me I'm not wanting to pack a heave rifle but want enough to do the job efficiently.
What sage wisdom can you'll provide? Opinions, pros and cons?
I do have a 30-338 Win Mag but that seems to be way over kill for this hunt.

 

[Caseknife]

Either one would work just fine. Which one are you more comfortable with and is lighter weight? Elk are not hard to kill at all with the right bullet placement.

 

[El Jason]

Flip a coin between the two. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

 

[cgasner1]

Take what you shoot best. Elk aren’t bullet proof just need to hit them right. I’ve killed a lot bigger animals that a cow elk with my 6.5 prc

 

[brockel]

If you hit them right the first time elk just aren’t hard to kill.

 

[rookieforever33]

Good luck on your hunt

 

[Addicting]

Either are good options!

 

[Hammsolo]

All 3 are great options. As stated above, take what you shoot best, or love to shoot.

 

[44hunter45]

I've killed elk with 6.5mm,7mm,30 Cal, and 35 Cal.

All dead

 

[Chingon]

I think we hammered about 4 NM cow elk last year with 77gr TMK's. I'd take that over any copper bullets. 143ELDX, 140/147 ELDM's do fantastic on everything from Oryx to bull elk at creedmoor speeds. If you want to minimize tracking I'd pack the 6.5 PRC with factory ELDX or ELDM rounds for more internal damage in the vitals.

 

[44hunter45]

I think we hammered about 4 NM cow elk last year with 77gr TMK's. I'd take that over any copper bullets. 143ELDX, 140/147 ELDM's do fantastic on everything from Oryx to bull elk at creedmoor speeds. If you want to minimize tracking I'd pack the 6.5 PRC with factory ELDX or ELDM rounds for more internal damage in the vitals.

Hit them in the vitals and they go down. In 6.5mm I've used Sierra 140 Gk's in both 6.5x55 and 264 Win Mag.

I prefer Hammers, but the 127 LRX shoots great in MissT's 6.5 WBY RPM with an 8 twist. We haven't connected on elk with it yet, so I can't talk to the on-game performance.

 

[jbseamus83]

I'm partial to the .280, but it's like everyone else has said, take the one you shoot best and are most comfortable with. Either will work fine for a cow.

 

[noharleyyet]

If you shoot both well take the Ackley. Good luck, it’s a beautiful place.

 

[Hams42]

Nothing new that hasn't been said but we kill elk every year in Montana with 6.5 CM, .308 win, 270 win, 7 mag and 325 wsm. They all die.

Look at the ballistics and know your effective range. Take the gun that you have shot the most and that you are the most comfortable with.

Have a good hunt!

 

[BuzzH]

6mm, 90 grain accubond:

243, 100 grain old style nosler solid base:

6mm, 95 grain ballistic tip:

7 RM, 160 accubond:

30/06 180 grain old style nosler solid base, 180 grain:

338, 250 grain partition:

30/06, 180 grain partition, protected point:

7-08, 140 accubond:

7-08, 120 ballistic tip

300 WM, 180 grain partition, protected point:

Point? Pick a rifle, shoot a decent bullet, make a good shot...simple.