Dedicated Elk rifle??

[rmarshall]

Ok all I have been contemplating on getting a new rifle, I currently use my 270 win and 140 Accbonds for elk, my family and I have had zero issues with harvesting elk with a 270 or 7mm-08. I just keep thinking maybe it's time to load heavier weight bullets in the 270 or 7-08 or go for a 280 rem, 30-06 or 300 WSM. I already have a bunch of 7mm caliber bullets that's why I throw the 280 in there, but If get a 30-06 or 300 WSM I have to basically start from scratch. I have some brass in both calibers but no dies or gun for that matter. Just curious to hear ya'lls thoughts or experience. I don't love recoil so a 280 rem loaded with stout 150 or 160's might be ideal. Or at least less recoil than the 06 or WSM. thanks
If any one has a great deal on a stainless of any of the calibers let me know..

 

[Tsimms]

I shoot a 280 Ackley improved and absolutely love it. had two of them for 20 years now.

 

[Calbuck]

A 7 rem mag doesn’t kick too hard and will take elk and deer no problem, plus easy to find factory ammo. Just a thought.

 

[AgentVenom]

Love my .338 WM for bigger stuff.

 

[alexanderg23]

If I was wanting a dedicated elk rifle, I’d buy something in 300wm.

 

[ramsdude47]

280 ai or 308.

However 270 and 7mm rem are definitely more than good enough

 

[brsnow]

I can’t tell a difference between my .270 and .280 AI, I use a .308 most of the time with elk. It is my lightest rifle to carry.

 

[KineKilla]

I use my 270 for deer and elk, no problem. I also bought a 7mm Rem Mag in Stainless and love it for deer and elk as well.

If you have the components already, I'd stick with the 7mm caliber. Otherwise just sell that stuff to buy more stuff for your 270.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Your 270 Win should easily push 150 grain Partitions 3000fps. No need to buy another rifle that won’t have that much different ballistics.

 

[Clrems77]

I second the 300WM. More than enough energy and speed to close the long gaps, easy to find very accurate off the shelf ammo and with a break, it shoots like a .308.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Well heck, I guess I have 3 “dedicated elk rifles. Two are 300s, one a Weatherby and one a SAUM. The last is a .325wsm.
If you having good luck with your .270, why change? A lot of great bullets out there for it. I’d look at the Barnes.

 

[mcseal2]

I used a 270 with 140gr Accubonds to take my best bull. It worked well. Before my moose hunt I had a light 300 Win built for everything bigger than deer. I really like it. The 300 pushing 180gr E tips at 2900fps with a brake has felt recoil slightly lighter than my 270 with the 140’s loaded to 2950fps without a brake.

 

[LightFoot]

I have a 300 WSM with radial brake. It is not bad, even on the range. For a lightweight and [more than] capable package, the 300 WSM is hard to beat.

I am planning a 280AI build, too. You can run 280 Rem and AI in it. Popularity for the cartridge has skyrocketed. Lots of variety in bullet selection. I would go 160 grain or higher. I am going to try the 168 Berger when I get mine built.



>>>----JAKE----->

 

[JakeSCH]

I'm in the same boat, except i've had tons of success with my 308 and sub 400 yard. However this year I am stepping up to a 300 WM to stretch the shot further if needed. I've had to pass on animals over 450 because terminal ballistics was getting close to the limits.

 

[blacktail sniper]

I shoot a 280 Ackley improved and absolutely love it. had two of them for 20 years now.

Same!! in fact just worked up a load of 168 ABLRs for it was shooting 145 HHs but wanted to try sthing bigger and why not fast at 2860 they are shooting in the .2-.3s so not going to complain

 

[Ridge Ghost]

If you are wanting a bullet in the 150gr range, why not just keep the 270 and shoot 150gr partitions?

 

[elkguide]

If you have had success with your .270 Win, why change?

Now if you want/need an "elk rifle" from my experience it would be a .300 Win Mag.

 

[Teaman1]

Love my 300 wsm, only shot one elk with it though. 180 grain accubond through the lungs, he trotted about 10 yards and tipped over

 

[j33]

If you're buying a dedicated Elk gun I would bypass the 30-06 and go straight to a 300 WSM. I just upgraded my 70 year old 303 gun and bought a 30-06 this winter mostly cause I got a good deal otherwise I would have gone with a 308 for a single do it all rifle for smaller and large game.

I've never shot a Elk, only several deer and moose FYI all with my little 303

 

[LaGriz]

My 2 cents,
I agree that the .280 Rem or .280 AI are both truly awesome choices. I have taken 3 bulls with my .280 and one was a one-shot kill. My rifle likes only the 160 grain loads. That being said, your tested and proven .270 is not a whole lot different. Since you are admittedly recoil sensitive, I would like to suggest a .338-06 or a .338 Federal as a dedicated elk hammer. Recoil on the ,338-06 is not terrible depending on the other variables. The .338 federal has the advantage of being more ammo friendly ($) & slightly kinder in recoil. A 200 grain bullet from either will provide terminal performance that might justify a change in weapons for this species. I'm thinking of a Savage, Kimber. or similar lite-to-carry rifle in stainless and synthetic configuration, fitted with a 2X7, 3X9, 2X10 would make a nice addition to your battery.

Best of luck!
LaGriz