Deer/elk rifle

[ZX9RCAM]

OP still hasn't mentioned possible distance he might shoot.

 

[Hoji]

Tough to make a 400 yd shot with a 45-70.

Only if you’re you. And 400 yards is an impossible shot for 99% of the public that have guns/optics capable of ethically making that shot. The reason; no place to actually practice at that distance. Almost all shooting ranges are 100 yards.

I have never had to stretch a shot that far on an elk. 200 is easy peasy with the right load and realistically you should be able to get them well under that. Bow hunters take them at 25 yards all the time as do hand gunners.

400 yard shots are more of a testament to great marksmanship than it is to hunting.

 

[FireInTheWire]

The caliber your searching for is the 6.5prc. IMHO

 

[deemus]

400 yds is an every day thing in CO, WY, MT, CA and some others. The guys I hunt with make 250-400 yd shots every year.

 

[Sam7sf]

Only if you’re you. And 400 yards is an impossible shot for 99% of the public that have guns/optics capable of ethically making that shot. The reason; no place to actually practice at that distance. Almost all shooting ranges are 100 yards.

I have never had to stretch a shot that far on an elk. 200 is easy peasy with the right load and realistically you should be able to get them well under that. Bow hunters take them at 25 yards all the time as do hand gunners.

400 yard shots are more of a testament to great marksmanship than it is to hunting.

This is true. I had a designated target shooting spot that stretched to over 350. But definitely under 400. Ended up practicing at 80,100,150,200,250 then 300.

 

[FireInTheWire]

So it sounds like 270/308/3006/300 is the way to go. Any particular brand and or make and model to stay away from?

Any of the big names will treat ya right.

Finding elk and shot placement are the biggest factors.

 

[Hoji]

400 yds is an every day thing in CO, WY, MT, CA and some others. The guys I hunt with make 250-400 yd shots every year.

Now read what you posted and compare it to what I posted about ability to actually practice at those ranges. What is different in Big Sky country?

 

[deemus]

Now read what you posted and compare it to what I posted about ability to actually practice at those ranges. What is different in Big Sky country?

Wide open spaces up there. Def fewer places around here to practice. Where I hunt there is a range to 600 yds.

I had a hard time guaging distance in WY last year. Its further than it looks, and a good rangefinder is a must.

My buddy's first antelope was at 540 yds.

 

[deemus]

Any of the big names will treat ya right.

Finding elk and shot placement are the biggest factors.

Except Remington. Don't buy one of those.

 

[Hoji]

Wide open spaces up there. Def fewer places around here to practice. Where I hunt there is a range to 600 yds.

I had a hard time guaging distance in WY last year. Its further than it looks, and a good rangefinder is a must.

My buddy's first antelope was at 540 yds.

Antelope are a lot spookier than deer/elk and require longer shots. You are fortunate to have a place to stretch out your shots.

At 500 yards you can play music, smoke a cigar, and drunkenly sing Irish pub tunes and a deer will not even pay attention to you, lol.

 

[Sam7sf]

But shot placement is key. Don’t wanna shoot the poor things pecker off.

 

[deemus]

Antelope are a lot spookier than deer/elk and require longer shots. You are fortunate to have a place to stretch out your shots.

At 500 yards you can play music, smoke a cigar, and drunkenly sing Irish pub tunes and a deer will not even pay attention to you, lol.

In places like WY, its surprisingly close. Its so wide open up there you can see 2,000+ yards. Its weird when I've been
hunting in Texas where 250 yds is the max shot.

The mulies and antelope often were together, which surprised me. But good grief those antelope can haul ass. Its quite a sight to see 40 antelope running across the rolling hills together.

 

[Charlie]

Seven millimeter magnum.

 

[KBG]

I personally wouldn't choose a 25-06. Simply because I believe a 270 will do everything a 25 can do and more. For just deer a 25-06 or a 243 would work great. But you mentioned possible elk. I would say stick to basic popular hunting calibers. (308,270,30-06) ammo is available, effective, and relatively cheap considering the firepower you get out of them.

 

[Moonpie]

For all around use its hard to beat the 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[baboon]

For all around use its hard to beat the 7mm Rem Mag.

7mm Remington mag would be fine for elk.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

But obviously way more than necessary for deer.

 

[birddog]

Any of the big names will treat ya right.

Finding elk and shot placement are the biggest factors.

Yep. Taking that into consideration and the number of good bolt rifles on the market in either one, I’d consider the cost and availability of ammo a significant factor in the equation.

 

[baboon]

But obviously way more than necessary for deer.

110 grain bullet to the head or neck aint overkill!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

110 grain bullet to the head or neck aint overkill!

Never said it was.