iron buck Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 I have a spare mauser action that I'd like to make into a standard caliber elk rifle. Synthetic stock, 22" #2 cont. stainless barrel. The action will be blue (chrome molly steel). But I am stuck on what caliber. I am considering 280, 30-06, 338-06. What would you guys pick? Any other options? I just want a sturdy elk hunting platform. I will use a Leuold VariX-III 2.5-8x scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? All those would probably be fine. What do you shoot the best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I could shoot any of the above equally. I routinely shot my 375HH mag, 338 win mag & various 300 magnums. I have no problem with recoil. I just want a lighter weight standard action platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I have a thing for the .338" cartridges. I have been thinking about the .338 Federal or the .338-06. you can feed it 180 gr Noslers for deer or stoke it up to the 225 gr Partitions for elk or whatever. It would fit nicely between the 30-06 and your .35 Whelen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherBadger Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? 30-06 works well. A 7MM Mag probably would do the trick as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted October 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I was thinking the same thing. I like the idea of 338 cal 210 or 225 gr. Nosler partitions. Besides.....if I have it made, I'd like to get something that is not readily available to me. I hand load so making cartridges is not a big deal. The elk I shot last week died in short order from the 180 gr 30-06 rounds.....but he never looked like he was hit. He showed virtually NO REACTION to my first 3 hits, but the first one would have eventually been fatal . It was through the lungs. I think bumping up bullet size/weight would give me a bit more authority. I already have to many rifles, but this one would be built for extreme hunting. A tool. No fancy walnut. Not a fly weight, but built lighter. Lighter than my magnums anyway. Just going to a #2 barrel that is 22" long would help that. Besides, I hav eteh action just sitting on my reloading bench waiting for something to happen to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkhntnfool Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? If you don't want to abuse your shoulder go with something lighter. The 30-06 and 7mm have put many elk on the ground. The 6x6 bull I shot afew days ago went down with one shot from my .308 with a premium 150gr bullet. He may not have reacted instantly but he was dead less than 15 yards from where I shot him. The bigger guns might be nice for a little extra insurance but I can shoot my .308 all day long with excellent accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? if you are big into reloading i shoot a 300 wheatherby necked down to 7mm. it spits out a 160 gr bullet about 3500fps. so if you want some more info pm me. its awesome. you wouldnt regret it if you had it made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I would look at the 300 weatherby. Or whats the new WSG------325? CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ousoonerfan22 Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Nobody has spoke of the .280 yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 26, 2006 Report Share Posted October 26, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Since there really is no ballistic difference between the 270, 280, and 30-06, Its up to you. Those that recommend the full length magnums, the M98 will not fit them without compromising the strength of the action. The OAL is limited to standard length cartridges. Since you may be interested in a wildcat, I have a XP100R chambered in 338/284. It should be sweet in a M98. It will allow seating the bullet slightly farther out to get a few more grains of powder. Capacity wise, it is the same as the 338/06, but in a short and fat case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? IronBuck---I've changed my mind. You already have a 338, correct? That's plenty enough of an elk whacker plus it will work on a grizzly or brown bear----that a few years down the road. I would take that action & make a 280 mtn rifle. Get that stock weigh down to a feather. That way when I draw my sheep tag in a couple years, and with you playing cherpa, you'll not have to lug up that HEAVY ole Tikka up to 13,500'. LOL But really I would think of a mtn rifle rather than an elk gun---especially since you have a 338. JMO-----CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted October 27, 2006 Report Share Posted October 27, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? [ QUOTE ] That way when I draw my sheep tag in a couple years, and with you playing cherpa, you'll not have to lug up that HEAVY ole Tikka up to 13,500'. LOL [/ QUOTE ] LOL! It sounds like the least he could do since you gave him the bull elk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted October 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? LOL..........now AJ, Bob did not GIVE me a bull, he just showed me where to sit I still had to do the shooting Bob I'd gladly do the sherpa duties if you draw a tag. Besides, after 3 years of archery hunting elk in that area I may be able to guide for you as well Just like this one I found for the Colorado big game biologist that shared camp with us 2 years ago. It took 2 pittsburghers to find a ram for him And notice the rainbow in the background. Anthony teh colorado game biologist on left. My buddy John on right. And I got to be butcher, caper & mule on this one to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? 30-378 WBy mag? 7mm STW? I like the screamers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? 7mm Rem Mag - everything from deer to elk, it's all i've ever used for big game, so i'm a bit biased in my opinion. i've seen my father drop a mule deer at 600 yards and a bull elk at 400, both were 1 shot and dropped in their tracks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? [ QUOTE ] 30-378 WBy mag? 7mm STW? I like the screamers. [/ QUOTE ] Ahhhhhh............another member of the "magnumitis" crowd. I like it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Iron Buck......... I'm guessing by "standard" you mean "standard length"?? How about a 9.3x62?? If you don't wanna get that fancy or exotic........how about a (another) Whelen?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron buck Posted November 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I have been thinking about a 9.3x62. It just blends well with a mauser. I have been leaning towards that or the 338-06. Since I already have (2) 35 Whelens I dont NEED a third. Maybe a 375 whelen? But then I'd give up some ranging ability. I don't want to do another magnum. I already have that covered with 7 rem mag, (2) 300 win mags, 300 wby mag, 338 win mag & 375 HH mag. I want to build a lighter rifle than a magnum action allow when loaded & ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ousoonerfan22 Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Sounds like you already own a 30-06 and the magnums so I would choose a .270 or the .280 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Why not try the Federal 338, i.e. 338-08. It sounds like it is a real good round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado_Sportsman Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? I would say that it depends on what you already own. If you have some big magnums and nothing on the light end then the .280 might be a good choice. I'll tell you that by the end of your Elk season a light rifle is worth its weight in gold. The .280 will work well for Antelope, Deer, Sheep, Goats, black bear and Elk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shotist Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? [ QUOTE ] I just want a sturdy elk hunting platform. [/ QUOTE ] Sounds like a 30/06. They've likely killed more elk than all of the other calibers combined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted November 9, 2006 Report Share Posted November 9, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? [ QUOTE ] Since there really is no ballistic difference between the 270, 280, and 30-06, [/ QUOTE ] AJ, where does my 25-06 compare with the other caliburs ? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Re: What standard caliber for elk? Its a little on the small side for elk. It may be ok for cow elk if you used some 120 gr premium bullets, but your .270 Win would be a better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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