I've decided I want to pickup a new rifle for my upcoming Elk hunt this year. In the past I have used my A-Bolt 338 WM and to be honest its heavy and kicks like a mule. I hate it.

For whitetail down here in TX I use a cheaper Axis II .243, which is fine but I wouldn't mind upgrading.

My requirements are I would like the versatility to take smaller TX white tails up to the high end Idaho bull elk. Also I would like a threaded barrel to take advantage of my suppressors.

I've really fallen for the new Savage 110 Ultralight Camo line, as its loaded for the price point. Id like to spend less than 1500.00 before optics.

Where I am stuck is caliber. I started with 30-06 as that's what I shot the majority of my life, but I am starting to lean to .308 or even, don't kill me, 6.5 PRC.

If you were me, and had 1500.00 burning a hole in your wallet, what are you buying?

Both.

PRC seems small for elk, but I've never shot an elk. I think 7mm Mag would be a good choice, though probably a little large for small whitetail

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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Both.

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Always the best answer.

You'll get a dozen different opinions, so here is mine: 300 win mag. especially if you reload.

You can load it down with lighter 150s for deer and load it up with 200+ for Elk.

I have a Bergara with a brake, yes it's loud, but it doesn't recoil bad at all. I shot 40 rounds out of it a few weeks ago and it didn't bother me. You mentioned a suppressor, I believe that has similar recoil reduction qualities.

I think a 308 has killed plenty of elk in its day, it would definitely work, but I'd rather have a little more energy if I could handle the recoil.

You'll get a lot of panties in a wad mentioning the PRC, but it will work too. 6.5s have been around a long time and killed a lot of animals. But same as the 308, I'd rather have a little more energy for a big trophy elk.

At least you didn't mention Creedmoor.

I would love a 6.5 PRC. I've shot one and they are great. I've watched 6.5 PRC's down multiple bull elk, and they did a great job.

I have personally killed several cow elk with 6.5 CM, and it has performed just fine. I would like the PRC for the added energy/range if it a bull was my target.

My 6.5 CM is a Bergara HMR. Fantastic rifle. I would NOT recommend it for backcountry elk hunts. It is a heavy beast. One of their lighter rifles would be great, and I think in your budget.

7mm STW.
Edit to add: Don't do a break. Save your money and buy / build a lightweight rifle that fits you well. Save your hearing.
I've shot braked rifles for years and won't do it anymore.

Lent mine to a 16 yo young lady last fall. She smoked a bull at 465 yards. She weighs about 120 lbs.

308 and 223 are the only bullets on the shelfs right now so i will say 308.

I'd go 300wm caliber in something like a tikka t3 lite or a kimber mountain ascent , browning western hunter

There's a Sendero Special 300 win mag on the texasbowhunter.com classifieds page for $1,350. I thought about buying it, but I've got other purchases I need to make right now.

If you go 6.5PRC go with a solid bullet like the Barnes LSX or the new Hornady CX.

I have a PRC and love it. However, I do use a 300 Winmag for elk sized game. I would definitely use the PRC for an elk but with a solid bullet. I have used a 25-06 on elk and the PRC is an upgrade on that.

Well, may be old school, but my dad took 12 elk out of 13 years ( didn't get a shot the 13th) with the venerable 270. Handloaded 150 gr. Nosler partition bullets. Think the longest shot was around 350 yds. No problems. As far as the 6.5 prc, I don't know, but the old military round 6.5x55 has taken a whole lot of moose by the Swiss. Have a sporterized one that dad handed down to me, love that rifle. Low recoil, accurate as hell, never had a deer move much more than a few steps.

TX_COWDOC said:

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Lent mine to a 16 yo young lady last fall. She smoked a bull at 465 yards. She weighs about 120 lbs.

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Glad to see someone else still using the Gunwerks Range finder. Awesome elk!

Another old school vote. 30/06. I have shot a lot of cows and bulls with one and never had a problem. 180 grain sierra pro hunter works like a charm and is very accurate. 2850 fps out of my chrono backed by h4350 is a deadly load. I like the 180 scirocco and accubond. I have a little 308 ranch gun that is loaded with 180 grain core lokts. It never fails to put down an elk.

Don't limit yourself on choices due to a threaded barrel. Buy the rifle you want and have it threaded.
Remember it's all about shot placement. .308, 30-06, .300 WM are three of the most versatile cartridges around. Can't go wrong.
You can load down the .300 WM but it's still not going to be something you want to sit on the bench and shoot all day ......if that matters.
We have a guy who hunts elk with us every year and his cartridge of choice is the .280 Ackley. I have been impressed with it... and he shoots lots of whitetails with it too.
For mostly elk.... hard to beat .300 WM. That's my one cent.
ETA... The 30-06 has downed more North American game and African game than any other cartridge.

jagsdad said:

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Well, may be old school, but my dad took 12 elk out of 13 years ( didn't get a shot the 13th) with the venerable 270. Handloaded 150 gr. Nosler partition bullets. Think the longest shot was around 350 yds. No problems. As far as the 6.5 prc, I don't know, but the old military round 6.5x55 has taken a whole lot of moose by the Swiss. Have a sporterized one that dad handed down to me, love that rifle. Low recoil, accurate as hell, never had a deer move much more than a few steps.

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Agree. 7mm-08 If you'd like a short action.

Gunny456 said:

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ETA... The 30-06 has downed more North American game and African game [and Nazi's] than any other cartridge.

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FIFY #aggie1944

CEPhD said:

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jagsdad said:

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Well, may be old school, but my dad took 12 elk out of 13 years ( didn't get a shot the 13th) with the venerable 270. Handloaded 150 gr. Nosler partition bullets. Think the longest shot was around 350 yds. No problems. As far as the 6.5 prc, I don't know, but the old military round 6.5x55 has taken a whole lot of moose by the Swiss. Have a sporterized one that dad handed down to me, love that rifle. Low recoil, accurate as hell, never had a deer move much more than a few steps.

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Agree. 7mm-08 If you'd like a short action.

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+1 for the .270, which I believe is one of the most versatile rounds for hunting medium to large sized game, but my 2nd choice for you would be .308

It's going to be harder to find ammo than a rifle.

I took a .308, knowing that my own limitations would keep me from needing the range of a .300 WM. Use a solid copper or premium bullet (Barnes TSX/TTSX, Partition, AccuBond, Bear Claw, etc.) for elk.

I use the same rifle for deer with 150gr blue box Federal, gray box Winchester, or green box Remington ammo.

.300 WM, .30-06, and 7mag are all fine options, too. But I'm partial to the .308.

TX_COWDOC said:

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7mm STW.
Edit to add: Don't do a break. Save your money and buy / build a lightweight rifle that fits you well. Save your hearing.
I've shot braked rifles for years and won't do it anymore.

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Shot my 7stw at 700 the other day with 30-40 mph cross wind. The difference in the drift was substantial compared to the other rifles I shot (6.5 gap, 7mm lrm). If you reload the stw is a bad dude. For OTS ammo availability, I would grab a 300 win mag

30-06

That 280 AI is a great round , I have a 280 Rem , I love it and it did a good number on a bull elk in 2018.

CEPhD said:

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jagsdad said:

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Well, may be old school, but my dad took 12 elk out of 13 years ( didn't get a shot the 13th) with the venerable 270. Handloaded 150 gr. Nosler partition bullets. Think the longest shot was around 350 yds. No problems. As far as the 6.5 prc, I don't know, but the old military round 6.5x55 has taken a whole lot of moose by the Swiss. Have a sporterized one that dad handed down to me, love that rifle. Low recoil, accurate as hell, never had a deer move much more than a few steps.

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Agree. 7mm-08 If you'd like a short action.

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The older gentleman that owned our lease had a 7mm-08 Browning lever action. Let me use it a time or two when out working at the place with him. You are right, it is one sweet round. Don't know at my age if I need another rifle, but that's one I wouldn't mind blowing the rent on!

Quote:

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My 6.5 CM is a Bergara HMR. Fantastic rifle.

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I knew you had good taste!

https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/premier/canyon-rifle/

Canyon in .300win, 6.5PRC or 28 Nosler. Yes, above your budget #OutdoorBoard

I don't have one yet, but I'm really intrigued with the 6.8 Western. Similar to 7MM mag performance out of a short action, but with high BC bullets long heavy bullets and fast twist barrels. Developed by Winchester and Browning, so there's a good chance it will stick around. May not have a lot of advantages at normal hunting distances, but will carry it's energy further if shooting long distance. Should be a killer all around cartridge if ammo availability and price become reasonable.

If you are open to .300 Win Mag, HoytAg on here has a couple of really nice rifles for sale for a really good deal. Under your budget.

.300 Win Mag was my only rifle for 15 years. Excellent choice for anything in North America

300WSM > 300WM for elk or any western spot and stalk. Why, because that's what all the mags claimed in the 90s when the WSMs hit the shelf.

6.5 PRC but switch to Bergara…

Start with the bullet you want to shoot, know the velocity threshold where it works, and work backwards. Might want to check out the post shot photos on the rokslide 77gr TMK thread.

The ability to shoot well in field conditions, and getting ready to shoot quickly are much more important than whether you have a .270 win or a .375 insecurity eraser.

I like that! Glad you pointed that out sir!!!

Yep.....all about shot placement.

aggieforester05 said:

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I don't have one yet, but I'm really intrigued with the 6.8 Western. Similar to 7MM mag performance out of a short action, but with high BC bullets long heavy bullets and fast twist barrels. Developed by Winchester and Browning, so there's a good chance it will stick around. May not have a lot of advantages at normal hunting distances, but will carry it's energy further if shooting long distance. Should be a killer all around cartridge if ammo availability and price become reasonable.

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Been looking at the 6.8 hard, but have read elsewhere that certain bullet manufacturers (Barnes/Hornady/etc) have come out and said they are not going to support it. So it sounds like it's going to be limited to what Winchester/Browning can get their hands on or produce themselves.

I love that thing. Makes the long poke effortless.