now obviously, if we bring this subject up were going to get a couple dozen good answers, and dozens of highly suspect suggestions,and we need to discuss both what calibers work and what YOU may consider as LIGHT WEIGHT may not be in my opinion.
but Id sure try to keep the rifle and scope under 7.5 lbs for an extended back-pack hunt. (yes if you shop carefully under 6.5 lbs for the rifle,scope,rings , is potentially a goal you can reach)
as to caliber, Id be willing to go as small as a 257 roberts or a 7mm-08, and feel that I could get the job done, but in a light rifle I like the 270 win, there will always be a compromise or balance struck between the weight and length and ease of transport, of any rifle, everyone likes the lightest weight and shortest length rifle available when carrying it as those extra ounces quickly seem to be pounds after hours of climbing steep slopes in the rocky mountains, and as the preconceived level of power required to get the job done effectively increases , for most people, theres a good deal of both recoil sensitivity and aversion to muzzle blast that prevents the larger calibers from being more popular.
but Id be far happier with a 30/06- to-35 whelen chambered in my rifle when hunting ELK. and while I don,t see any dis-advantage in use of the .338-thru-.416 or even the .458 calibers like the 450 marlin caliber rifles , they don,t seem to be as popular due to the pronounced recoil in a light weight rifle and truthfully the extra powers seldom of much benefit, if the shots are placed well,now thats not to say I don,t see animals drop a bit faster with my 340 wby, or 375 H&H, but a good well placed hit from a 270 win or 358 win is just as lethal it just may take a few seconds longer for an elk to admit it!
several of the guys I hunt elk with think the 7600 35 whelen, is a top choice,
Ive used one and I don,t see a damn thing thats in need of improvement if you hunt the ticker timber areas.
heres a recoil calculator
http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...looking-for-a-good-7mm-rem-mag-elk-load.6270/
many people find a 30/06 with a 180 grain bullet in a 8 lb rifle about the max recoil they can easily tolerate
now if your serious, remington sells titanium rifles in caliber 280 rem, that weigh about 6.3 lbs without a scope,for about $1700, and while expensive its certainly not totally excessive if your into high country elk hunts
The key to its lightweight feel starts with a titanium receiver that's impervious to weather (drilled and tapped for mounts) incredibly strong, and half the weight of steel. Complementing the super-light receiver is a bolt featuring spiral-cut flutes and a 24" magnum contour barrel with light-varmint-style fluting. The action is pillar bedded for outstanding shot-to-shot consistency. Its premium Bell & Carlson stock features their MaxxGuard finish for enhanced durability and R3® recoil pad
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... stic_Black
use of a cartridge holder is frequently a good idea
now personally I think spending an extra $700-$1200 on an elk rifle to save 3/4-2 lbs is not a great trade-off in value but everyone needs to make their own judgment, for myself I have found the lower two rifles light enough, and I carry a 9.9 lb 340 weatherby fibermark when I know IM not going to be more than a mile or two from camp.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?ad ... g.firearms
the siren song of the fly-weight rifle beckons many a hunter who's spent time climbing steep slopes at higher altitudes, I know I sure went that route for several years with a ruger 270 win single shot and a 2.5X Leopold scope
it was light weight, exceptionally accurate, short, handy ,a joy to Carry , and deadly on game with a 150 grain speer over a stiff load of IMR 4831, and a federal 215 primer
http://www.ruger.com/products/no1LightSporter/models.html
but I found I was just as tired and out of breath at the end of each short section of the climbs, up those slopes.
maybe IM masochistic , but I grab my slide action rem 35 whelen , 375 H&H SAKO carbine or BLR 358 win more often ,than the 270 win carbine if I know Im going to be walking all day , or even my 340 wby with its bi-pod that weights easily 10 lbs with bi-pod and scope and sling a and just cover the area a bit slower and glass more frequently, and my success ratio seems to stay fairly consistent, no mater the firearm selected and while theres a noticeable difference in power between a 270 win and 358 win vs the larger 340 wby and 375 H&H every one is lethal in skilled hands
on some extended back pack trips into steep canyons Ive carried a ruger single shot with receiver sites to minimize weight
http://www.ruger.com/products/no1LightS ... odels.html
on other hunts I carried a Remington 7600 in 35 whelen caliber, its heavier but its also extremely effective on elk!
Its been so darn effective that several of the guys in out hunt group have purchased those 7600 Remington slide action rifles in 35 whelen and 30/06 after watching me use mine on hunts in the thick timber, its one of the few rifles that are not extremely expensive (over $700 plus) that Ive found to be darn near perfect as a one rifle elk hunting tool, as you can pick one up on sale at times for under $500
On many trips I back-pack into rather remote areas,
having total faith in the dependability and effectiveness ,
in what I carry far out-weights any concern over rifle weight
Ive carried a SAKO 375 H&H on many back pack hunts
loaded with a 300 grain bullet over a stiff load of WW760 has never failed to drop a single deer or elk Ive shot, I
gladly accept the 8.5 lb weight and moderate recoil, after all you only need that one or two shots a season.
if a pound or two of extra rifle weight, keeps you from checking out the next ridge or canyon,
how in hell are you going to pack out 60-90 lbs of elk meat on several return trips,
from the spot you drop that elk?
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...qH&Weight=300&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
theres about 16 solid and consistent long term members and an additional 6-10 guys that seem to come and go, as members in my elk hunt club.
two of the most popular cartridges in my hunting club are the 358 win (mostly in browning BLRs) and the 35 whelen in remington 7600 and several bolt actions) by far the 250 grain speer
the 358 win in the blr pushes that 250 grain speer bullet to about 2300fps
the whelen pushes that 250 grain speer bullet to about 2500fps
Id remind anyone looking to purchase an accurate dependable hunting rifle that youll want high quality optics and rock solid scope mounts, the best rifle available will be seriously hampered if its not matched to clear and solidly consistent optics!
one of the most common failures I've seen over the decades was not related to the basic rifle function (although that did on occasion happen) but much more commonly loose scope mounts or cheap optics that failed to retain zero or fogged.
for most hunting you don,t need some huge high magnification scope , what you need is decent quality and rock solid dependability.
the newer LEOPOLD and NIKON 30mm tube size scopes are mostly an excellent value for the price.
yes theres hundreds of options, but if your looking for a good value Id suggest you want to select one with top quality optics for the price, a 30mm tube and 50mm front lens in a well known respected brand is a good start point for good low light transmission and clear target,vision. something similar to these linked below would provide an excellent match to a deer or elk rifle to be used for precise shot placement with most reasonable caliber elk/deer rifles, set on the lowest setting they allow you to make very rapid and accurate shots, if you have the time to get a solid field position, jack the magnification up as required.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
https://www.opticsplanet.com/v/12325-browning-blr-scout-style-mount.html
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/519551/weaver-6-hole-weaver-style-rings-matte?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories&utm_content=519551&cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories-_-Weaver-_-519551&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6X4zMqA2QIV2brACh0otQ2aEAQYAiABEgIgfPD_BwE
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917995/weaver-surethread-adhesive-10-ml
my late hunting partner considered anyone not equipped, with a browning BLR in caliber 358 win ,
while hunting elk too be hampered and working under a sever dis-advantage
I loaded for him for almost 30 years , fed 215 primer, 250 grain speer and 44 grains of IMR 4064
that carbine accounted for at least 14 elk over 35 years.
.
theres several guys in my elk hunting club that really prefer to carry a browning BLR, my late hunting partner, RON, preferred a BLR in 358 win loaded with a 250 grain speer over 44 grains of IMR 4064 and a fed 215 primer
consistent 1"-1.2" bench rested 100 yard 3 shot groups were common.
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards its almost dead on at 200 yards and about 10"-12" low at 300 yards, he used that load for over 3 decades and was very successful, most elk were 1 shot kills.
I don,t think either guy ever had in the last 35-40 years a single shot taken exceeding 200 yards
https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2453
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
one other guy FRANK, prefers the 308 win BLR loaded with a speer 200 grain bullet over 45 grains of WW760 was his preferred load.
https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2211
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
he constantly referred to my 340 wby as a "damn CANNON"
we were both successful.
either and both have an enviable record of a long list of very dead elk and mule deer, so much in fact that several of each rifle in those calibers have been purchased due too the consistent successful results.
I purchased both my 7600 remington and my browning BLR after years of watching both convincingly fill tags.
those two are almost the standard most of the guys use to judge other rifles.
I still use my 35 whelen 7600 pump action,and 450 marlin blr
HERES A NICE ELK (no not one I shot but still nice)
ELK COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE LOOKS MOSTLY LIKE THIS
PRODUCTIVE ELK HUNTING COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE, HAS BEEN MOSTLY SIMILAR TO THESE PICTURES POSTED BELOW
these are rather typical pictures of ELK hunting terrain in my experience
IT RARE TO SEE ELK IN OPEN AREAS,LIKE THIS POSTED BELOW, DURING HUNTING SEASON DAY LIGHT HOURS
when I first started elk hunting several of the older guy had 30/06 rifles , many were converted military bolt guns as that was almost a STANDARD item, and many of the more experienced guys preferred the Remington 760 (a early version of the current 7600), as they were considered just as accurate and much faster on follow-up shots, but once the limited run of 35 whelen 7600 slide action rifles was announced several of us in my elk hunting group,instantly ordered one, and no one I know who has one would easily part with their 35 whelen rem 7600 rifles as they have proven to be excellent ELK hunting tools.!, in fact those rifles are now highly sought after by the more experience hunters that like hunting the steeper and thicker areas, as they can shrug off years of minor abuse and remain accurate and totally dependable
remington slide action
LOWER CANYON
upper canyon
picture yourself slowly walking, in a walk 20-40 yards ,stop and glass,for 10-12 minutes, along the slope on one side of the canyon about 200 yards up from the bottom while your hunting companion walks the opposite slope , you'll find this method quite effective, especially if a second pair of hunters start hunting from the opposite end of the canyon, elk spotting one hunter will generally move making them more easily seen from the oposite slope.
If you can find one in caliber 35 whelen in good shape, at a decent price, don,t hesitate! GRAB IT!!
they are a really good ELK rifle!
every choice, in selecting an elk rifle is a compromise, in several areas, but the 358 BLR and 35 whelen remington slide action, with a decent low power scope, have both proven to be excellent choices in the opinion of almost everyone in our elk hunting camp, so much so that most of us own and use one or the other of those two rifles to use when hunting the narrow canyons and timbered slopes
most of the guys I hunt ELK with have found that they rarely get shots at elk over about 300 yards and that the 30/06,35 whelen and 338/06, and 338 win are about the ideal power range in an ELK rifle, at least in the steep canyon and thick timbered slopes we tend to hunt in.
Once most of the guys saw how accurate the 7600 slide action rifles were many of my freinds purchased one in either 30/06 or 35 whelen,for still hunting the timber, as they are fairly light weight, dependable and reasonably priced in most cases.
when I started elk hunting many of the older guys were using the Remington slide action 760 30/06 rifles and on their advise that was my first elk rifle,I could have stuck with that rifle and saved uncounted thousands spent on (NEWER more powerful rifles)I can,t remember a time that the 30/06 slide action would not have got the job done.
(but then I would have missed a great deal of experimentation with larger calibers)
btw if youve got a good 30/06 ,many of the guys Ive hunted ELK with(including myself) have used the SPEER 200 grain bullets over the years and I can,t ever remember anyone not being happy with the accuracy or results on game, while it may not have the impact effect of some of the larger calibers its dependable and its what most of the guys have me load for them in their 30/06 elk hunt ammo (Ive generally used H4831 and a 215 fed primer)
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=103
I have zero problem using that combo if I use my 30/06 , but I usually grab my 35 whelen on most hunts, where I use my Remington slide action rifles
theres little doubt that a shorter and lighter rifles easier to carry, but you don,t normally use a rifle just for its ease of transport! at least in my case I put a good deal of thought into what it can do in as far as power and accuracy once its actually used!
hell! my 3.7 lb 22LR CRICKET rifle I bought to teach my kids to shoot is easier to carry than my 9.5 lb 340wby , or a 9 lb 375 H&H with its scope and bi-pod , but once you actually get close enough to an elk in a location where you can take a shot the difference in effectiveness of that 22LR cricket PALES in comparison to the 340wby,or 375 H&H so the 340 wby or 375 H&H gets taken when I hunt ELK almost every time!
Now Im not against using a longer range rifle, Ive also found a custom single shot falling block rifle in 300 WBY very useful, its just that Ive seldom need the velocity or range potential.
we have all spent time in rather senseless debates, about what rifle caliber or bullet weight is better, or what rifle design or action type is best.
we all are convinced our choices are the best ones, and everyone else is making a mistake,
after watching guys in our hunt club over decades, its all too obvious too me at least that its not the rifle or cartridge selected as much as the,
skill and experience of the guy who is using it that maters.
I've watched one guys dad who is even older than I am convincingly kill several elk with a 257 Roberts with a single shot each time.
I've come to really like using a 340 wby, 375 H&H, and 450 marlin, I can,t remember needing a second shot in 4 decades,
most of the guys think I'm a bit odd, and most use as they always have, a 308 win, 30/06 or 35 whelen.
a few guys like the 358 win, those are by far the more popular choices.....
Originally I was sure my rifle choices made a huge improvement, and for me it instills 100% confidence.
but it does not seem to make a bit of difference... what does make a difference is attitude and persistence!
If anyone really paid any real attention, its been obvious, for decades,
its the guys who are willing to get their butts up and out of camp, and spend every available minute of daylight out in the field,
the guys who spend off season weekends at the range,
and guys that buy and bring topo maps and aerial photos of the areas we hunt,to camp,
the guys who are willing to keep in decent physical condition,rather than try to get back in shape the week before,
we take the trip out west, that are consistently more successful.
Im certainly not suggesting a 30/30 and a 340 wby have similar power or range,
but in the hands of a skilled hunter, who knows his rifles limitations, and selected it,
and is willing to work with-in that equipment's limitations,
either choice, works well.
youll find a great many threads discussing cartridges, a 30/06 with the proper ammo, like a good 180-200 grain bullet, will kill any elk if the guys using it understands its limitations on range and the animals anatomy, and will certainly work well in over 80% of the areas and conditions your likely to see.
that does not mean its ideal, every caliber and rifle compromises in some area of range,recoil or penetration, rifle weight etc. so the person selecting the rifle will make a choice he feels makes the best compromises,
personally I want a bit more power and bullet mass and I'm willing to accept more rifle weight and recoil... most people don,t want those factors.
Lots of guys want to debate the merits and flaws of the 270 win vs the 30/06,
that particular debates been going on well before I was born and I'm 70 plus years old,
Ive used both and I don,t see much difference in performance with proper ammo matching the intended game
I do think the 150 grain 270 bullet is marginally superior to the 130 grain, but your experience may differ from mine.
most of the guys Ive hunted elk and deer with have used the 30/06 ,165 grain for deer and the 180-200 grain for elk,
but Ive seen easily a dozen plus elk killed with both the 270 and 30/06, over the last 50 years,
and the difference in how the elk react to a properly placed shot, is minimal at best.
Id suggest selecting the rifle you like best
one guy Ive hunted with for 30 years loves his 30/06 BLR
another guy has successfully used a ruger single shot 270 win, for even longer
I always have to smile a bit when I see these threads, if your asked to make a suggestion, regarding selection of any type of equipment,
its mandatory that the person asking for advise, provide the rather more experienced person(s) he is asking with ALL the perimeters and legal limitations,based
on the area and terrain being hunted, the game, being hunted, and likely range limitations.
obviously if the area your hunting is limited to a shot gun, or strait wall cartridge or if theres game department caliber or muzzle energy limits, caliber minimums etc.
those limits must be stated for the advise to be a reasonable match to the intended usage, and area.
most of us have several favorites in rifles and calibers, or your recoil tolerance,
but I could no more select the rifle and caliber that best matches your anticipated needs best,
than I could anticipate your , choice in a wife.
yes there are dozens of well, proven combos, most are fully functional in most areas, under most common conditions and ranges.
and its the skill and confidence and experience of the guy using the rifle that tends to mater more than the rifle or caliber selected, in many cases.
I hunted with many guys than own and hunt with several different rifles, and two guys Ive hunted with for decades have stuck with two rather different rifles
(a 358 win BLR and a single shot ruger #1 in 270 win) both have long records of successful hunts
but Id sure try to keep the rifle and scope under 7.5 lbs for an extended back-pack hunt. (yes if you shop carefully under 6.5 lbs for the rifle,scope,rings , is potentially a goal you can reach)
as to caliber, Id be willing to go as small as a 257 roberts or a 7mm-08, and feel that I could get the job done, but in a light rifle I like the 270 win, there will always be a compromise or balance struck between the weight and length and ease of transport, of any rifle, everyone likes the lightest weight and shortest length rifle available when carrying it as those extra ounces quickly seem to be pounds after hours of climbing steep slopes in the rocky mountains, and as the preconceived level of power required to get the job done effectively increases , for most people, theres a good deal of both recoil sensitivity and aversion to muzzle blast that prevents the larger calibers from being more popular.
but Id be far happier with a 30/06- to-35 whelen chambered in my rifle when hunting ELK. and while I don,t see any dis-advantage in use of the .338-thru-.416 or even the .458 calibers like the 450 marlin caliber rifles , they don,t seem to be as popular due to the pronounced recoil in a light weight rifle and truthfully the extra powers seldom of much benefit, if the shots are placed well,now thats not to say I don,t see animals drop a bit faster with my 340 wby, or 375 H&H, but a good well placed hit from a 270 win or 358 win is just as lethal it just may take a few seconds longer for an elk to admit it!
several of the guys I hunt elk with think the 7600 35 whelen, is a top choice,
Ive used one and I don,t see a damn thing thats in need of improvement if you hunt the ticker timber areas.
heres a recoil calculator
http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...looking-for-a-good-7mm-rem-mag-elk-load.6270/
many people find a 30/06 with a 180 grain bullet in a 8 lb rifle about the max recoil they can easily tolerate
now if your serious, remington sells titanium rifles in caliber 280 rem, that weigh about 6.3 lbs without a scope,for about $1700, and while expensive its certainly not totally excessive if your into high country elk hunts
The key to its lightweight feel starts with a titanium receiver that's impervious to weather (drilled and tapped for mounts) incredibly strong, and half the weight of steel. Complementing the super-light receiver is a bolt featuring spiral-cut flutes and a 24" magnum contour barrel with light-varmint-style fluting. The action is pillar bedded for outstanding shot-to-shot consistency. Its premium Bell & Carlson stock features their MaxxGuard finish for enhanced durability and R3® recoil pad
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... stic_Black
use of a cartridge holder is frequently a good idea
now personally I think spending an extra $700-$1200 on an elk rifle to save 3/4-2 lbs is not a great trade-off in value but everyone needs to make their own judgment, for myself I have found the lower two rifles light enough, and I carry a 9.9 lb 340 weatherby fibermark when I know IM not going to be more than a mile or two from camp.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?ad ... g.firearms
the siren song of the fly-weight rifle beckons many a hunter who's spent time climbing steep slopes at higher altitudes, I know I sure went that route for several years with a ruger 270 win single shot and a 2.5X Leopold scope
it was light weight, exceptionally accurate, short, handy ,a joy to Carry , and deadly on game with a 150 grain speer over a stiff load of IMR 4831, and a federal 215 primer
http://www.ruger.com/products/no1LightSporter/models.html
but I found I was just as tired and out of breath at the end of each short section of the climbs, up those slopes.
maybe IM masochistic , but I grab my slide action rem 35 whelen , 375 H&H SAKO carbine or BLR 358 win more often ,than the 270 win carbine if I know Im going to be walking all day , or even my 340 wby with its bi-pod that weights easily 10 lbs with bi-pod and scope and sling a and just cover the area a bit slower and glass more frequently, and my success ratio seems to stay fairly consistent, no mater the firearm selected and while theres a noticeable difference in power between a 270 win and 358 win vs the larger 340 wby and 375 H&H every one is lethal in skilled hands
on some extended back pack trips into steep canyons Ive carried a ruger single shot with receiver sites to minimize weight
http://www.ruger.com/products/no1LightS ... odels.html
on other hunts I carried a Remington 7600 in 35 whelen caliber, its heavier but its also extremely effective on elk!
Its been so darn effective that several of the guys in out hunt group have purchased those 7600 Remington slide action rifles in 35 whelen and 30/06 after watching me use mine on hunts in the thick timber, its one of the few rifles that are not extremely expensive (over $700 plus) that Ive found to be darn near perfect as a one rifle elk hunting tool, as you can pick one up on sale at times for under $500
On many trips I back-pack into rather remote areas,
having total faith in the dependability and effectiveness ,
in what I carry far out-weights any concern over rifle weight
Ive carried a SAKO 375 H&H on many back pack hunts
loaded with a 300 grain bullet over a stiff load of WW760 has never failed to drop a single deer or elk Ive shot, I
gladly accept the 8.5 lb weight and moderate recoil, after all you only need that one or two shots a season.
if a pound or two of extra rifle weight, keeps you from checking out the next ridge or canyon,
how in hell are you going to pack out 60-90 lbs of elk meat on several return trips,
from the spot you drop that elk?
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...qH&Weight=300&type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
theres about 16 solid and consistent long term members and an additional 6-10 guys that seem to come and go, as members in my elk hunt club.
two of the most popular cartridges in my hunting club are the 358 win (mostly in browning BLRs) and the 35 whelen in remington 7600 and several bolt actions) by far the 250 grain speer
the 358 win in the blr pushes that 250 grain speer bullet to about 2300fps
the whelen pushes that 250 grain speer bullet to about 2500fps
Id remind anyone looking to purchase an accurate dependable hunting rifle that youll want high quality optics and rock solid scope mounts, the best rifle available will be seriously hampered if its not matched to clear and solidly consistent optics!
one of the most common failures I've seen over the decades was not related to the basic rifle function (although that did on occasion happen) but much more commonly loose scope mounts or cheap optics that failed to retain zero or fogged.
for most hunting you don,t need some huge high magnification scope , what you need is decent quality and rock solid dependability.
the newer LEOPOLD and NIKON 30mm tube size scopes are mostly an excellent value for the price.
yes theres hundreds of options, but if your looking for a good value Id suggest you want to select one with top quality optics for the price, a 30mm tube and 50mm front lens in a well known respected brand is a good start point for good low light transmission and clear target,vision. something similar to these linked below would provide an excellent match to a deer or elk rifle to be used for precise shot placement with most reasonable caliber elk/deer rifles, set on the lowest setting they allow you to make very rapid and accurate shots, if you have the time to get a solid field position, jack the magnification up as required.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362146064/leupold-vx-r-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-9x-50mm-matte
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...aff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-50mm-matte
https://www.opticsplanet.com/v/12325-browning-blr-scout-style-mount.html
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/519551/weaver-6-hole-weaver-style-rings-matte?utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories&utm_content=519551&cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Optics - Scope Rings, Bases, Mounting & Accessories-_-Weaver-_-519551&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq6X4zMqA2QIV2brACh0otQ2aEAQYAiABEgIgfPD_BwE
https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/917995/weaver-surethread-adhesive-10-ml
my late hunting partner considered anyone not equipped, with a browning BLR in caliber 358 win ,
while hunting elk too be hampered and working under a sever dis-advantage
I loaded for him for almost 30 years , fed 215 primer, 250 grain speer and 44 grains of IMR 4064
that carbine accounted for at least 14 elk over 35 years.
.
theres several guys in my elk hunting club that really prefer to carry a browning BLR, my late hunting partner, RON, preferred a BLR in 358 win loaded with a 250 grain speer over 44 grains of IMR 4064 and a fed 215 primer
consistent 1"-1.2" bench rested 100 yard 3 shot groups were common.
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards its almost dead on at 200 yards and about 10"-12" low at 300 yards, he used that load for over 3 decades and was very successful, most elk were 1 shot kills.
I don,t think either guy ever had in the last 35-40 years a single shot taken exceeding 200 yards
https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2453
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
one other guy FRANK, prefers the 308 win BLR loaded with a speer 200 grain bullet over 45 grains of WW760 was his preferred load.
https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2211
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=
he constantly referred to my 340 wby as a "damn CANNON"
we were both successful.
either and both have an enviable record of a long list of very dead elk and mule deer, so much in fact that several of each rifle in those calibers have been purchased due too the consistent successful results.
I purchased both my 7600 remington and my browning BLR after years of watching both convincingly fill tags.
those two are almost the standard most of the guys use to judge other rifles.
I still use my 35 whelen 7600 pump action,and 450 marlin blr
HERES A NICE ELK (no not one I shot but still nice)
ELK COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE LOOKS MOSTLY LIKE THIS
PRODUCTIVE ELK HUNTING COUNTRY IN MY EXPERIENCE, HAS BEEN MOSTLY SIMILAR TO THESE PICTURES POSTED BELOW
these are rather typical pictures of ELK hunting terrain in my experience
IT RARE TO SEE ELK IN OPEN AREAS,LIKE THIS POSTED BELOW, DURING HUNTING SEASON DAY LIGHT HOURS
when I first started elk hunting several of the older guy had 30/06 rifles , many were converted military bolt guns as that was almost a STANDARD item, and many of the more experienced guys preferred the Remington 760 (a early version of the current 7600), as they were considered just as accurate and much faster on follow-up shots, but once the limited run of 35 whelen 7600 slide action rifles was announced several of us in my elk hunting group,instantly ordered one, and no one I know who has one would easily part with their 35 whelen rem 7600 rifles as they have proven to be excellent ELK hunting tools.!, in fact those rifles are now highly sought after by the more experience hunters that like hunting the steeper and thicker areas, as they can shrug off years of minor abuse and remain accurate and totally dependable
remington slide action
LOWER CANYON
upper canyon
picture yourself slowly walking, in a walk 20-40 yards ,stop and glass,for 10-12 minutes, along the slope on one side of the canyon about 200 yards up from the bottom while your hunting companion walks the opposite slope , you'll find this method quite effective, especially if a second pair of hunters start hunting from the opposite end of the canyon, elk spotting one hunter will generally move making them more easily seen from the oposite slope.
If you can find one in caliber 35 whelen in good shape, at a decent price, don,t hesitate! GRAB IT!!
they are a really good ELK rifle!
every choice, in selecting an elk rifle is a compromise, in several areas, but the 358 BLR and 35 whelen remington slide action, with a decent low power scope, have both proven to be excellent choices in the opinion of almost everyone in our elk hunting camp, so much so that most of us own and use one or the other of those two rifles to use when hunting the narrow canyons and timbered slopes
most of the guys I hunt ELK with have found that they rarely get shots at elk over about 300 yards and that the 30/06,35 whelen and 338/06, and 338 win are about the ideal power range in an ELK rifle, at least in the steep canyon and thick timbered slopes we tend to hunt in.
Once most of the guys saw how accurate the 7600 slide action rifles were many of my freinds purchased one in either 30/06 or 35 whelen,for still hunting the timber, as they are fairly light weight, dependable and reasonably priced in most cases.
when I started elk hunting many of the older guys were using the Remington slide action 760 30/06 rifles and on their advise that was my first elk rifle,I could have stuck with that rifle and saved uncounted thousands spent on (NEWER more powerful rifles)I can,t remember a time that the 30/06 slide action would not have got the job done.
(but then I would have missed a great deal of experimentation with larger calibers)
btw if youve got a good 30/06 ,many of the guys Ive hunted ELK with(including myself) have used the SPEER 200 grain bullets over the years and I can,t ever remember anyone not being happy with the accuracy or results on game, while it may not have the impact effect of some of the larger calibers its dependable and its what most of the guys have me load for them in their 30/06 elk hunt ammo (Ive generally used H4831 and a 215 fed primer)
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=103
I have zero problem using that combo if I use my 30/06 , but I usually grab my 35 whelen on most hunts, where I use my Remington slide action rifles
theres little doubt that a shorter and lighter rifles easier to carry, but you don,t normally use a rifle just for its ease of transport! at least in my case I put a good deal of thought into what it can do in as far as power and accuracy once its actually used!
hell! my 3.7 lb 22LR CRICKET rifle I bought to teach my kids to shoot is easier to carry than my 9.5 lb 340wby , or a 9 lb 375 H&H with its scope and bi-pod , but once you actually get close enough to an elk in a location where you can take a shot the difference in effectiveness of that 22LR cricket PALES in comparison to the 340wby,or 375 H&H so the 340 wby or 375 H&H gets taken when I hunt ELK almost every time!
Now Im not against using a longer range rifle, Ive also found a custom single shot falling block rifle in 300 WBY very useful, its just that Ive seldom need the velocity or range potential.
we have all spent time in rather senseless debates, about what rifle caliber or bullet weight is better, or what rifle design or action type is best.
we all are convinced our choices are the best ones, and everyone else is making a mistake,
after watching guys in our hunt club over decades, its all too obvious too me at least that its not the rifle or cartridge selected as much as the,
skill and experience of the guy who is using it that maters.
I've watched one guys dad who is even older than I am convincingly kill several elk with a 257 Roberts with a single shot each time.
I've come to really like using a 340 wby, 375 H&H, and 450 marlin, I can,t remember needing a second shot in 4 decades,
most of the guys think I'm a bit odd, and most use as they always have, a 308 win, 30/06 or 35 whelen.
a few guys like the 358 win, those are by far the more popular choices.....
Originally I was sure my rifle choices made a huge improvement, and for me it instills 100% confidence.
but it does not seem to make a bit of difference... what does make a difference is attitude and persistence!
If anyone really paid any real attention, its been obvious, for decades,
its the guys who are willing to get their butts up and out of camp, and spend every available minute of daylight out in the field,
the guys who spend off season weekends at the range,
and guys that buy and bring topo maps and aerial photos of the areas we hunt,to camp,
the guys who are willing to keep in decent physical condition,rather than try to get back in shape the week before,
we take the trip out west, that are consistently more successful.
Im certainly not suggesting a 30/30 and a 340 wby have similar power or range,
but in the hands of a skilled hunter, who knows his rifles limitations, and selected it,
and is willing to work with-in that equipment's limitations,
either choice, works well.
youll find a great many threads discussing cartridges, a 30/06 with the proper ammo, like a good 180-200 grain bullet, will kill any elk if the guys using it understands its limitations on range and the animals anatomy, and will certainly work well in over 80% of the areas and conditions your likely to see.
that does not mean its ideal, every caliber and rifle compromises in some area of range,recoil or penetration, rifle weight etc. so the person selecting the rifle will make a choice he feels makes the best compromises,
personally I want a bit more power and bullet mass and I'm willing to accept more rifle weight and recoil... most people don,t want those factors.
Lots of guys want to debate the merits and flaws of the 270 win vs the 30/06,
that particular debates been going on well before I was born and I'm 70 plus years old,
Ive used both and I don,t see much difference in performance with proper ammo matching the intended game
I do think the 150 grain 270 bullet is marginally superior to the 130 grain, but your experience may differ from mine.
most of the guys Ive hunted elk and deer with have used the 30/06 ,165 grain for deer and the 180-200 grain for elk,
but Ive seen easily a dozen plus elk killed with both the 270 and 30/06, over the last 50 years,
and the difference in how the elk react to a properly placed shot, is minimal at best.
Id suggest selecting the rifle you like best
one guy Ive hunted with for 30 years loves his 30/06 BLR
another guy has successfully used a ruger single shot 270 win, for even longer
I always have to smile a bit when I see these threads, if your asked to make a suggestion, regarding selection of any type of equipment,
its mandatory that the person asking for advise, provide the rather more experienced person(s) he is asking with ALL the perimeters and legal limitations,based
on the area and terrain being hunted, the game, being hunted, and likely range limitations.
obviously if the area your hunting is limited to a shot gun, or strait wall cartridge or if theres game department caliber or muzzle energy limits, caliber minimums etc.
those limits must be stated for the advise to be a reasonable match to the intended usage, and area.
most of us have several favorites in rifles and calibers, or your recoil tolerance,
but I could no more select the rifle and caliber that best matches your anticipated needs best,
than I could anticipate your , choice in a wife.
yes there are dozens of well, proven combos, most are fully functional in most areas, under most common conditions and ranges.
and its the skill and confidence and experience of the guy using the rifle that tends to mater more than the rifle or caliber selected, in many cases.
I hunted with many guys than own and hunt with several different rifles, and two guys Ive hunted with for decades have stuck with two rather different rifles
(a 358 win BLR and a single shot ruger #1 in 270 win) both have long records of successful hunts
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