iron buck Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 I drew a first season rifle tag for unit 75 in Colorado. Time to start geting in shape & shooting. I can't decide which rifle to use. I have 3 that fit the bill for elk handily but can't decide. Which would you guys use & why? 1. Ruger Mark II M77 300 win mag with 3.5-10 Leupold Varix-III. Shooting 180 gr factory coreloks into .75" 2. Weatherby Mark V 300 WBY mag with Leupold Varix-III 2.5-8x. Shooting 200 grain nosler partiotion handloads into 1" goups 3. Remington M700 338 Win Mag with Leupold Varix-III 2.5-8x. Shooting factory 225 grain core lokts into 1.5" groups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I would take the Ruger because of the higher mag scope and the smaller group unless one of the other rifles is significantly lighter. Then I would take the lighter rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Oh, to have your problems, Bill.............. I'd take the lightest one. Can't see as that any elk hit from any angle would know the difference betwixt the 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinguide Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help i was amazed at how many 338 i saw when elk hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJL Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I'd go get a NEW 325wsm..............you can never have too many guns. In reality .........I'd probably take the one that will look best in the picture............ good luck jjl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I would take the one that I could shoot best. Then I'd take the next best shooter as a backup. ....popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I agree...take the best shooting one first...then the next best for a back up. Any of three cal. would easily drop an elk...take the one you like the best. I'll be taking my Ruger M77 MkII in .300 win mag for elk...and prob. a Winchester M70 in .300 WSM for a back up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help BTW...if your interested, I got a Model 70 super shadow in .270 WSM for sale...lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superguide Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Close your eyes and pick one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I would pick the one that you shoot best, and your favourite to shoot. Can't go wrong with that combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted May 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I shoot alot. And I shoot all of the rifles mentioned equally well. Recoil is a non factor. I actually prefer the 2.5-8x power range over the 3.5-10. If I'd take my Ruger I'd most likely switch the scope. Elk are BIG animals. I'd have no problem shoting them out to 300 +/- yards even with the scope set at 2.5x. And in all honesty.........I never shot any big game animal with any scope turned up past 6x. Of the 3, the Remington has a slight weight advantage. But even at that it just over 8 pounds scoped. So .......still no light weight. I am going to pick up some 225 grain & 250 grain Nosler partitions & see what kind of load I can develop. If I can get the group down to 1 MOA from the bench........I think the BDL will get the nod. I have a few months to work this issue through before I have to commit. This will be fun Hey snap.........good luck out there. I will be coming home before your hunt begins. I hope we both end up with some elk to take pictures of! I'll have to pass on that 270 WSM. I already have more magnums than I need. As this post begins to point out LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I am kind of partial to the model 700's, but I would take whichever of the three that feels the best to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help All will work just fine. When I went to CO I took my .300 Wby Mag as the primary gun and my .338 Win Mag was in case I needed another gun. Take the one you shoot best, is the most comfortable to carry, and has good optics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help [ QUOTE ] I already have more magnums than I need. As this post begins to point out LOL. [/ QUOTE ] No such thing!!!! Bigger, faster, better, more!!!! Gotta love a safe full of big belted bullet belchers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted May 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Ok Don............Never enough. BUT for now I am good LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Hey Bill, if'n you sweet talk Don a little he may let you take his 375 Weatherby...... assuming of course he ever gets it back..... hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help FYI, Charlie............. the smith called yesterday!!!!!!!! IronBuck may as well take it. Don't know if the doctor will release me for a bench session behind the .375 any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help [ QUOTE ] IronBuck may as well take it. Don't know if the doctor will release me for a bench session behind the .375 any time soon. [/ QUOTE ] You shoot that thing now...you'll need another back operation! BTW...not really sure I want to sell the .270 WSM anyway. Its still new in the box...not really hurting anything sitting in the safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 31, 2006 Report Share Posted May 31, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] IronBuck may as well take it. Don't know if the doctor will release me for a bench session behind the .375 any time soon. [/ QUOTE ] You shoot that thing now...you'll need another back operation! [/ QUOTE ] Pretty much what I was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Dons 375 WBY might make me have back problems also I think I've decided on taking the 338. Now..........you guys think 225 grain or 250 grain partitions would be the way to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 1, 2006 Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I'd have to check my Nosler manual to be sure..........but I'd think the 250's would have better numbers (energy and trajectory) downrange. I'd think the 225's might be a little short. Maybe not. Whatever the case, it'd probably come down to which one the gun liked best. Ever consider the Barnes TSX?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help Never tried the Barnes. And I do not have a Barnes manual. What weights do they come in? How about velocities? My 700 is a bone stock BDL with 24" barrel. I don't need this gun to be a speed burner.........just an accurate hammer of Thor LOL If I am lucky enough to run into a bull from bayonet range to 300-400 yards, I want to be able to knock his lights out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Elk Rifle Dilema-Need help I started using the TSX in my 7 STW and have gotten some very tight groups right off the bat. The .338 bullets come in..... 210 gr. BC = .471 SD = .263 225 gr. BC = .386 SD = .281 250 gr. BC = .425 SD = .313 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.