Going Out West Next Year

[Sparhawk]

and gonna bag me an Elk...Sometime in Oct 09, so I have some time.

I'm researching rifles. I have fired a 7MM Mag and a 30 06. A friend, who hunts on a regular basis recommends a 300 Ultra Mag.

I prefer the 7MM, a little more versatile but kicks a little more.

Any suggestions on which direction to take?

[HRPuffinStuff-cr]

Holy mackerel is that 300 UltraMag a cannon.

I recently bought me a Remington 700CDL in .35 Whelen for elk, bear and moose. Doesn't have quite the impressive ballistics of the 300UM, but still puts a 250 grain bullet out there with >3000lb-ft of energy at the muzzle. Should take care of business just fine.

Still love my Remingtom 700BDL 30.06 Springfield for whitetail deer, though.

Remington has a really cool ballistic comparison website:

http://www.remington.com/products/ammun ... allistics/

Holy mackerel is that 300 UltraMag a cannon.

GOOD LUCK.

(Bomb me some elk steaks.)

[riverdog-cr]

My apologies in advance for being a smart ass.....

I'd go with a subsonic 22 load so as not to upset the rest of the herd. Of course you gotta get really close and have a good knowledge of anatomy. Right into the old optic chiasm.

Sorry, no experience with elk, but I have killed cows and hogs with 22 shorts.....

Where are you headed? Already booked?

[Sparhawk]

Originally Posted by riverdog

My apologies in advance for being a smart ass.....

I'd go with a subsonic 22 load so as not to upset the rest of the herd. Of course you gotta get really close and have a good knowledge of anatomy. Right into the old optic chiasm.

Sorry, no experience with elk, but I have killed cows and hogs with 22 shorts.....

Where are you headed? Already booked?

As fun as that sounds...I'm thinkin' I won't be getting THAT close...at least not on purpose.

Montana. A friend just got back from 2 weeks out there and met a guide. the deal is $80 a day everything included 'cept your shooting irons. 10 days, on horseback, he guarantees an Elk...but I'm go just for the fun!

I have to get an application for Elf tags and license...have no idea what it takes. Either way, We're headed out there Elk hunting of not...

I'll keep ya posted.

[Whitefish]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk

I have to get an application for Elf tags and license...have no idea what it takes.

Santa's gonna be pissed!!!

[riverdog-cr]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk

As fun as that sounds...I'm thinkin' I won't be getting THAT close...at least not on purpose.

Montana. A friend just got back from 2 weeks out there and met a guide. the deal is $80 a day everything included 'cept your shooting irons. 10 days, on horseback, he guarantees an Elk...but I'm go just for the fun!

I have to get an application for Elf tags and license...have no idea what it takes. Either way, We're headed out there Elk hunting of not...

I'll keep ya posted.

Then again, "A cow, the only animal you can hunt with a hammer." (Carlin maybe)

Great attitude to really enjoy the trip too. You're going to be in a gorgeous place, on horseback, for a week and a half. Elk in the freezer is just a bonus. It'll be a fun year just thinking about it and planning for it.

[fishr]

All of your choices you mentioned are great rounds. Keep in mind, if you have to pick up shells in a small town, the 7mm and 30-06 will be easier to find.

Maybe start shopping over the next year and look for a good deal on a rifle in any of the 3 calibers.

I have a .243, which is way too small for elk, so I'm starting to look around for a new rifle to.

Leaving for a 5 day Whitetail trip in Nebraska tonight!

[CRider]

Toby, I dunno that I'd go 300 win mag...it's a great gun, and would certainly be great for elk...but how often you gonna hunt something that big? You hit a white-tail here in PA with that and you're gonna be pickin up pieces. I'd stick with the 7mm Mag. It'll definitely put an elk down as long as you do your job, and it's still useful for other game that you're likely to hunt here in PA. JMO of course...

[Sparhawk]

Originally Posted by CRider

Toby, I dunno that I'd go 300 win mag...it's a great gun, and would certainly be great for elk...but how often you gonna hunt something that big? You hit a white-tail here in PA with that and you're gonna be pickin up pieces. I'd stick with the 7mm Mag. It'll definitely put an elk down as long as you do your job, and it's still useful for other game that you're likely to hunt here in PA. JMO of course...

I'm leaning toward the 7MM...just partial to it, I guess...and as you said...don't need a bazooka in PA...

[olsaltybastard]

7mm is perfect. .300 Win Mag is more suited to taking bison from a thousand yards.