thick timber elk rifle

[baltz526]

a lot of hunters have different ideas what a great timber hunting elk rifle is. where we hunt is a zero to 200yd max range affair, in a lot of the cascade and coast range. the longest shot i have ever made on an elk has been near 200yds, most have been under 100yds. what i'm using is a ruger mark II stainless synthetic 300 win mag with a 2.8x8 leupold ( scope is a recent addition, for the last 11 elk it has been a 2.5x10x44 tasco world class) i'm shooting 200gr standard partitions at 2950fps. this is what i have decided to be the best all around elk combo for hunting the thick timber where i hunt elk (just elk) there are three other rifles i would also call great elk rifles for dark timber, i'm wondering how many of you are using these combos? what are you actually using? i'll bet we see a trend

[Yeti]

Well right now I have thinned the herd a little bit, ok alot. I gave alot of consideration to which rifle I loved to hunt with the most and the Ruger #1 45-70 won. The #1 handles like no other rifle and is perfect for the up close and personal hunting that I love. The 45-70, well it is just plain old fun to shoot and more accurate than most people know.

I have sold my 300wm, 338wm, 7mm-08 and 30-06. I don't really care for "long range" shooting. All but two of my shots on game have been inside 100yd, most inside 50 yds. That is why I made the switch over to bow hunting. I just keep getting too close.


I will slowly rebuild my quiver of rifles. But I will build it based on fun factor more than any thing else. On the "list" are a big bore lever gun, an AR-15, a double barrel of some sort and a 6.5x55. (Almost forgot I badly want a Savage 99 in 250-3000. Grandma used it in MT to shoot everything!)

Different strokes.....

Yeti

[Antlershed]

I shoot a .300 win-mag with a 2.8-10x44 scope. I still haven't shot an elk, but the two western WA deer I have shot with it have been roughly 75 yards and 20 yards. The low power is nice for the timber, but when I hunt the eastside of the state, sometimes I wish I had more scope power.

[nehalemguy]

Have you seen the new Ruger M77 Compact in 300WSM? It has the option to put the scope over the receiver or foward of the receiver scout rifle style. Pretty cool!

E

[Don Becker]

.308 Norma Magnum custom built on a K98 Mauser action w/Simmons 4 - 12x40 AO



Oh, yes, I might sometimes use it for other-than elk . . . :grin:

[fishncliff]

I sight my rifles at 25 yrds. My .06 will be zero at 200 yrds. I shoot about 1.10 inch group at 100 yrds.
I have yet to take a shot longer than 80 yrds at a deer or elk.

[Sled Dog]

For my sportsmans dollar I second the 45-70. I tote a Marlin 1895 GS topped with a Leupold 2-7 compact. Loaded with some quality handloads it is my weapon of choice for fast handling in heavy cover aka Oregon Coast alder jungles.

[Snakebite]

Remington 870 12 ga. Slug barrel with open sights. Rifled choke tube. 3 in. magnum slugs. I put 'em on a paper plate at 100 yds. without even trying very hard.
That oughta do the job. switch out barrels, and go duck hunting later!:smile:

[Huntsmuley]

I use a ruger m77 mark2 300 win mag topped with a leupold vx3 2.5-8 36mm. I shoot 200 grain nosler accubond with 72.5 grains of RL22 at about 2950 fps. Its great for close cover and long shots.

[mtn300]

Only hunted the casacades once but I think I would try the new ruger 375 for hunting thick brushy country. As a matter of fact I probably will buy one. You can shoot some big heavy bullets.

[baltz526]

I use a ruger m77 mark2 300 win mag topped with a leupold vx3 2.5-8 36mm. I shoot 200 grain nosler accubond with 72.5 grains of RL22 at about 2950 fps. Its great for close cover and long shots.

a smart person with a great first post

[Huntsmuley]

Thanks baltz!

[dubl_t]

everbody knows the "best" -200yd elk combo is any 35 Whelen topped w/a 4x Leupold

[strictlyRUM]

The newer 325 WSM with 2.5-8 leupy would be an elk slayin setup. From what I have seen this is an accurate round just a little short on bullet sellection and high BCs. Accubonds are there though! The one I built wont shoot over an inch at 100yds. In a short action 24in barrel you dont get much better than that!

Jason

[Viking]

.458 X 2 American, vary good close cover gun, good out to about 175yds.
With 400 gr. speers, at 2050 fps. Put it together myself as it is a wildcat.
I use a 2x7 Leupold. I get 3/4" a 100yds all day long.

[Catching Nemo]

Originally Posted by dubl_t

everbody knows the "best" -200yd elk combo is any 35 Whelen topped w/a 4x Leupold

358 Winchester, 225gr Partition, 2475+-fps, M8 4X. Currently in a bolt action but searching hard for a Savage 99F (thought about rebarreling my .308 99F but can't get up the nerve).

[Rank Amateur]

Ha ha ha.....the rifle that you can shoot accurately at "any" distance is the best rifle-timber or wide open country.

[toas243]

1973 Ruger #3 45-70 with iron sites ,got one ,but if your really into it get a Bow Tech Allegiance and shoot 125`s grain monec G5`s

[Just Fish]

The 35 whelen with 250 gr bullet will thunder stuck anything short of cap buffalo at 200 yards and 220 hand loaded 30-06 is also a great elk killer in the timber.

[Bobberman]

Browning A-Bolt stainless 300WSM 180 grain Accubond, Lueopold VXIII 3X9 works for everything so far. I shure would like to get a Ruger 460 for the tight stuff.

[BrianMaguire]

When someone says timber, I think lever, there is just no substitute for the quick draw of the carbine over a bolt in timber or brush. WIth that said a 45-70 in a lever seems like a hard combo to beat.

Then again where I hunt in the timber 200 yards is unheard of, 100 is also quite rare. My last cascade bull with a rifle was taken at 15 yards.

[Twodogs]

My goto gun for years was a ruger #1 in 45/70 i just sold it and built a T/C encore with a 24" bull barrel and a laminated stock with a nikon 1/5X6x42 scope this is by far the best timber hunting scope i have ever used.
I shoot 350gr hornadys at around 2000fps and have never had to blood trail anything that i've shot.

Gary

[High Country]

I'll put in the fourth or fifth for a short barreled lever action in 45/70 hard to beat out to 200yds. The only thing to add is a low power scope since you will be shooting in brush so you can accuratly thread the needle. I personaly like the scout mount setup for fast target aquistion.

[Opportunist]

.35 whelan 250 grain bullet!

[mtn300]

.408 cheytac

[baltz526]

the short list 30-06 200gr partition, 300win mag 200gr partition (i have killed several elk with these two) list of rifles i think are nearly perfect i don't have = 338win mag 250gr partition, 358win 225gr partition, 35whelen 225gr partition, 350rem mag 225 partition, 9.3x62 286gr partition, 375hh 260gr partition, 450 marlin 300gr partition, 45-70 300gr partition. any of these in the right rifle would make nearly perfect elk dropping in there tracks machines

[Freighter Bait]

[ i'll bet we see a trend[/quote]\

Looking more like curve:grin:

[baltz526]

it's amazing how many 45-70 are being used. but 300gr bullets at 2200fps is very impressive

[James in Idaho]

Add another for the .35 Whelen with a 250 partition. Mine likes the 250 better than the 225. Built on a 98 Mauser action, Adams and Bennett barrel, Fajan/Midway camo stock, Nikon fixed 4 power.

Really short range is a kit built .54 Interarms Hawkin, .535 round ball, 80 grains of FFF (the real stuff).

[Salmo trutta]

Originally Posted by dubl_t

everbody knows the "best" -200yd elk combo is any 35 Whelen topped w/a 4x Leupold

That is for sure I know several folks who use the ole Whelen topped with a small magnification scope. They drop em like a ton of lead!!

[goforchrome]

I would vote 35 Whelen.
Lots of nice donor '06s out there.

[Grantspastor]

Ruger M77 in .338 Win Mag (Holdover from the years I lived in Alaska) It's topped with a 3-9 Leupold and I shoot 250 Grain Grand Slam or Partition bullets

[alaskan]

358 Norma, 250 gr. partition. 2.5X8 Leupold. A little faster than the Whelen, but not a big deal at this range.

[MossyOarReelCreek]

REM 721 300 H&H- 200gr Nosler Partitions.

[2 bit Hook'r]

My timber elk / bear rifle is a remington mod. 760 pump formerly in 30-06 but bored to .338 cal. Currently it's a .338-06. with a 1.5 x5 Luepold gold ring scope. This scope has a generous eye relief and very wide field of view. I'm using a 225gr Partition for elk / bear at 2650 fps. Every bear has dropped with one shot. To date only one elk has been taken, also a one shot stop (not a large elk). I had this rifle built for a moose hunt, after having hunted with a 760 pump in .270 win. for many years. The .270 has taken a 6x6 bull elk, and has been a good companion for many hunts, but is a tad light for moose / bear.

[cooky]

Remington mountain rifle LSS .270 w/ burris 3X10 scope. Can carry that little rifle in one hand all day long. I love it!

[James in Idaho]

While I like my Whelen, if I was to do it again, I'd look real long and hard at a .338-06. Heck of a lot better bullet selection, and higher BC's for the same weights. But the .35 is a cool looking bullet, something about finger sized bullets! It is a most impressive muskrat round. I originally built it for moose, but grabbed my .270 for a quick morning hunt, 'cause it weighs less. I don't think I would of had to shoot my moose 4 times with the Whelen, but the .270 worked (130 grn partitions btw). And a heavy rifle in .35 Whelen is not a bad idea, it doesn't push, it flat kicks. The fajan stock has helped that issue a lot!

[Dan360]

I have two hunting rifles that I choose from depending on range. If I hunt E. Washington, I use my Winchester M70 Classic Stainless in 300 Win Mag. It gives me more oomph at longer ranges. Plus, when I hunt deer over there, I frequently am shooting 200+ yards. In W. Washington, I am using a Kimber 84M in 308 Win. Shots are 200 or less and the bullets won't blow up at close range. Another good close-range gun would be that new 338 Federal.

[Duckwheat]

I went through a stage where i thought I needed a timber gun. Marlin 444 was the ticket.

It is an amazingly accurate rifle. I was surprised what it could do. I had a 1x4 Leupold on it. I shot a really nice bull once in timber you could not see through. The 1x allowed me to watch him. He was moving like a cat, without a sound. I finally got about 18 inches of chest area when he paused. Killed a bear at about 20 feet with it once.

It is a wicked round.

Duckwheat

[baltz526]

if i was to buy a new gun to replace my 300win mag and 200gr partitions. i would think very hard about a 450 marlin in a bolt action stainless sythetic 22" barrel probably a ruger 77mII with a 2.5x10x44 or simular scope

[scottishsetter]

I shot my 35 Whelan at a spike elk in Wenaha Unit at 50yrds 250 Horn. SP; it spun it 90 degrees and I worked the bolt FAST; all I saw was four feet straight up skyward as I ready-ed for another shot. Packed out one nice spike on a spike only hunt, shot thru a 10" 'window' in a yew wood thicket.Good Luck

[sprigkiller09]

Browning BAR or .280 or .300. Allows quick shooting and plenty of power. I have had great luck in thick timber with my .280.

Kelly

[Critter Getter]

I guess I would have to recommend the heavier weight bullets of any adequate caliber in heavy timber hunting.About 25 yrs ago while elk hunting on the coast I heard a shot about 1/4 mile ahead of me while following fresh elk tracks in the snow.After I followed the tracks aways there was another hunter with a spike elk down . He was all excited as any one would be. He showed me where he had shot right through a 6" alder at about 50 yrds with an 06 using 220 gr bullet. The first shot went through the alder and hit the elk in the front shoulder who was about 6 to 8 ft behind the alder. Knocked the elk down and the fired his second shot in the neck to finish it off. I don't think a 150 gr. would have had the same effect possibly 180 or 200 would have still done the same job as the 220. Anyway I was impressed after seeing that and have usually stayed with the heavier wts. I don't think hitting small little twigs or something would tend to effect the heavier bullets flight path as much either and you never know what might be between you and your target. I have been looking so intently at animals be fore and not even noticed some small little twigs and branches that were there and I was looking right through them and not noticing anything but the elk or deer.

[baltz526]

i have been hunting elk in the cascade general season and meet a camp where every hunter had a bar 338 win mag. that would be a very effective timber gun

[River Bum]

.300 win. mag. or 338 win. mag. I prefer the .300 Win. mag. to give better range, but you cant replace the heavier chunk of lead in heavy cover.

[Thad Jensen]

Just got mine a few weeks ago. 375/300 win mag. 270gr. Triple shock at 2850 fps.

[57chevy]

Sako .300 win mag. Had it for years and have killed many elk. It is not to nice on the deer though. I have not had to shoot it over 150 yards yet for an elk or deer. When it hits them, it is like they get bodyslammed down on the ground and they stay down. I guess it is what feels comfortable for each person, and for me, this is it.

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by Rank Amateur

Ha ha ha.....the rifle that you can shoot accurately at "any" distance is the best rifle-timber or wide open country.

I agree. Never understood why a certain rifle is better suited for timber, or why heavier bullets are supposedly better for timber than open country? If your elk rifle shoots great at 300 yards why would it not work at 50? A 300 win mag or 30-06 doesn't work "less good" when there are more trees.

[baltz526]

Originally Posted by SeanD

I agree. Never understood why a certain rifle is better suited for timber, or why heavier bullets are supposedly better for timber than open country? If your elk rifle shoots great at 300 yards why would it not work at 50? A 300 win mag or 30-06 doesn't work "less good" when there are more trees.

in a coastal or cascade rain storm a 458win mag would be a good choice

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by baltz526

in a coastal or cascade rain storm a 458win mag would be a good choice

Sure would be. I'd rather use a 7mm08 even in the rain then lug a heavy rifle up and down the coast range.

[FireCat]

For getting up close and personal with elk in the 200- range I like my trusty custom 340 weatherby with a 2.5-8x Nikon scope and 225 grain Barnes XLC
My elk long shooter is a custom 7MM Mashburn Super Magnum. 3100fps with the 175g Nosler.

The Elk that fell dead to these guns in the 70,s and 80,s still fall dead to them today.

[The Kodiak Kid]

i use a 300h&h with 220gr sierras at 2800 with stout load of RX5

[Sandstrom 22]

I WOULD USE A 338 BROWNING BOSS..... sweet gun.. If you can get your hands on a 308 model 99 Savage it would be a good idea.:grin: LOTS OF $$$$$$$$$$$

[Flatfish]

I believe Remington did a limited number of pump rifles in 35 Whelen. If holographic sights are legal, done deal.

A 338 winnie makes a lot of sense as a fine all around elk rifle. Makes em go to sleep right now.

Premium bullets are cheap insurance.

[pathfinder]

Ruger m77 338 win mag w/ burris scope, it will go through big piles of brush...I've had it for 13 years and will never change. I shot 225 nos partition. my max range is 450 yds and very accurate.I practiced up hill , down hill across canyons, You can't go wrong w/ a 338 win mag !

[Prawnasorus]

Older Remington BDL 700 7mm STW (rechambered), stainless barrel, Leupold 3x9, 160 grain winchester failsafe handloads. I hunt over east and have never shot an elk past 150 yards. Many have been through brush.

[Hunter Of Gun]

The 35 whelen or the 375 H&H. Its the only way to go.

[SImudBogger]

Originally Posted by baltz526

what are you actually using? i'll bet we see a trend

seems to me that every one on here just posted whatever rifle they hunt with. sorry, but a .280 and a 7mm mag are not brush guns.

any .30 with a stout bullet, .338 or .340 wthby. .35 whelen would be good if ammo was cheaper

[SeanD]

Originally Posted by SImudBogger

seems to me that every one on here just posted whatever rifle they hunt with. sorry, but a .280 and a 7mm mag are not brush guns.

any .30 with a stout bullet, .338 or .340 wthby. .35 whelen would be good if ammo was cheaper

Why is a .280 or 7mag not a brush gun? Why would the same gun you use everywhere not work in the brush?

[SImudBogger]

Originally Posted by SeanD

Why is a .280 or 7mag not a brush gun? Why would the same gun you use everywhere not work in the brush?

Brush guns are traditionally larger caliber, slower moving bullets that aren't as affected as much by brush than, smaller, lighter bullets.

I actually carried a 7mm-08 my first year elk hunting on the coast. very light and short.