Recommendations for Rifle and Scope for Western Hunting

[Deadfall65]

As stated above you can’t hardly beat a Bergera b14 for the money and if you can find a leuoold vx 5HD for around a thousand you should be right at the $2000 mark.


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[cva34]

Why do you need a special rifle and scope to kill an elk? I’ve killed 10 elk. 2 with a bow and , 1 with a 22-250 and 7 with a 243. Save the money you plan spending on a new rifle and apply that to a better area/better outfitter.

Gota agree; pick your shots /hit where ya aim/(right projectile)(ITS WHERE YA HIT EM THAT COUNTS) Be Really comfortable with Weapon in HAND

would i recommend 22-250 (NO!) but with (right projectile) I have no doubt it will work fine... Have i killed Elk?..NO! But back in Farm/cattle days I Put a few Cows/Horses/Bulls 1k size out of Misery broken legs etc..at various range less than 50y..With my 22 long rifle..in the chest 1 shot and they fall over dead in a minute or so...If I could get close enough for a between eye was instant.

I'll go out on a limb and say over the years more Deer and Elk been Killed with the OLD 30-30...than any other calib....not recommending just saying from out here on MY LIMB

[Raider4044]

Why do you need a special rifle and scope to kill an elk? I’ve killed 10 elk. 2 with a bow and , 1 with a 22-250 and 7 with a 243. Save the money you plan spending on a new rifle and apply that to a better area/better outfitter.

Gota agree; pick your shots /hit where ya aim/(right projectile)(ITS WHERE YA HIT EM THAT COUNTS) Be Really comfortable with Weapon in HAND



would i recommend 22-250 (NO!) but with (right projectile) I have no doubt it will work fine... Have i killed Elk?..NO! But back in Farm/cattle days I Put a few Cows/Horses/Bulls 1k size out of Misery broken legs etc..at various range less than 50y..With my 22 long rifle..in the chest 1 shot and they fall over dead in a minute or so...If I could get close enough for a between eye was instant.



I'll go out on a limb and say over the years more Deer and Elk been Killed with the OLD 30-30...than any other calib....not recommending just saying from out here on MY LIMB

Come on guys, he just needs an excuse to buy a new rifle! Don’t ruin it for him. [emoji6]

[Traildust]

Tikka topped with a Meopta......spend the rest on Kuiu from head to toe!

[Mossback]

Before I bought my .300WM last year, I fondled Bergara, Christensen, and Browning HC. I really thought I wanted a Christensen, but kept going back to the Browning. Ended up with the HC Speed and have no regrets. I topped it with a Leupold VX-3 and am very happy for the money spent. As a matter of fact, I just ordered another VX-3 for my new 6.5 Grendel. All in I was right around $1800. I’ve since taken a Gemsbok and an Aoudad with it. Pretty light for an off-the-shelf gun at 7.5lbs, and has been very accurate shooting 180gr Barnes. I don’t rifle hunt much, but it’ll do everything I need it to.


*edit* I previously had a Tikka and it didn’t compare to the Browning, especially the cheap plastic magazines that came apart unexpectedly.

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Bring an extra mag for that Hells canyon as well with you. One of our guys on our annual trip 2 years ago had a HC mag that wouldn't feed, they are cheap plastic as well. He now owns a .300 Tikka alpine. They all have issues. I would either buy one of the new Tikka wideland or alpines, a bergara premier ( I have this in a .300 its a tack driver) and put a leupold vx5 with a custom dial for 180 nosler trophy grade accubonds. Those Accubonds flat do work on elk.

[txtrophy85]

I would suggest a lighter weight rifle with a brake on it.

I have an Accumark but its a tad heavier than i want to carry in the mountians ( i carried it for 3 years ). So i had Weatherby build me a Ultralightweight in .300 Win. Light gun, very accurate and packs a punch.


I'm also a fan of the Christensen Ridgeline and do like the Browning Hells Canyon Speed.

.300 win mag is a great Elk Cartridge btw...very versatile. Took mine to Africa and made short work of everything I shot, including a big Sable

[wytex]

No need for a 300WM and get a variable scope but not a high magnification scope, you don't need 20x plus power for western hunting.
Lighter weight rifle is great for mountain hunting.

[bman940]

I haven't read one rifle suggestion I don't at the very least semi-agree with. I also say go lighter and practice. I love my .300 Win. and I have toppled numerous meat elk and too many deer to count. I agree with a variable power optic with BDC marks. Practice using them and it will become second nature. One of my favorite Meopta scopes that fit your budget is the Optika5 3-15x44 Z-Plus reticle. Dial it all in with Strelok Pro and you are off. Good luck with all the options laid out for you. I don't think you will go wrong trusting your gut.

[Outback]

Where I hunted a few weeks ago, the elk I killed was near the property line at 385 yards and I didn't have time to wait while they ran off and eventually died. I needed DRT and was glad I had my .300 win mag. I actually wished I had more gun and I was told that if he crosses the fence we can't retrieve him.

Whatever you get, practice shooting off sticks

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[okiepighunter]

look for a good used rifle at the right price and spend as much as possible on good glass!

[lunatic'hunter]

Another advocate for the Tikka.

.308 with Leupold VX3i