Hunting & Fishing Sort Action Elk caliber selection.

[Jackomason]

To be honest I'm taking a breather in some of the thickest woods I've ever hunted, burnt out from the past few days of going over ridges and chasing bulls I naturally got thinking of my hunting rifle rig and what I can do differently to shed weight and still be effective.

As of now I have a bergara ridge in 7mm rem mag, i also have a Bighorn origin that i would like to build into a light weight hunter. So where should I go from there? I want a 7 saum or 6.5 PRC but it seems like most people are opening up the actions + itd be a whole new caliber to get setup with. I had a 550 yard shot on my choice of 5 bulls but wind was crazy (20-30mph) and hard to judge so I didn't shoot. that being said I'd prefer to stay away from a .308 because there seems to always be some wind.

I'm really not picky as long as itll kill with some efficiency. I cant seem to wrap my head around shooting with a 6.5 creed but people are doing it. I'd be fine capping my range around 600 and I'd like to use a blind mag (maybe a B&C lightweight stock). What's everyone's thoughts? Could I do the saum or PRC and stuff the bullets in deep?

 

[coldboremiracle]

I totally get this dilemma. Here is some food for thought;

The last five elk we have shot in my camp, have all been taken by 6.5's or less. To be fair, one of them was a 264WM, but two of them were killed with a 25 Creedmoor shooting 131 gr bullets.

My son shot his first elk at 530 yards with a 16" 260 Remington shooting 120gr bullets. Both Dad and my Brother dropped nice bulls from 500 yards shooting 140 gr bullets from a 260 and 264wm. And two cows fell last winter to my little 25 Creedmoor.

I just built my cousin a rifle that is just like what you are looking for, its a 24" 7SAUM with carbon fancies.

Hope this helps make up your mind.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I know you said you'd prefer to stay away from it, but I don't think you'd lose anything with a light 22" .308 and the 155 scenar.

Or you could buy a used Kimber Montana 8400 WSM rifle and rebarrel it to 7 SAUM or 6.5 PRC/SAUM. The Montana is a blind mag and has a 3.050" mag box so the PRC works fine in it. - at least mine does.

 

[Chili47]

I have so far killed 6 elk with a 6.5 creedmoor. One of those being a large bull. When it comes to any hunting getting the bullet in the motor room is more important than how much energy it has.

 

[stello1001]

I think 7SAUM would be a good choice

 

[Jackomason]

I agree that 90% of the kill is shot placement. Shoot maybe more but my fear is running into that animal that has an amazing will to live. I've had that happen with coyotes a few times where they take 3-5, 22-250s to the chest and shoulder and they keep getting up. The only difference is I cant catch up to an elk in this country.

I'll really have to consider this though. A 6.5 creed comes out pretty close to a .270 down range, right?

On the saum note, are there any internal box mags that are longer than 2.80 that dont require me to relieve the action? I'm already shooting the 162 eldx in my 7mm and I'd be fine running those in a saum so that may help.

 

[codym]

I would go 300 wsm. Have it throated long for the 215’s. I’ve been really impressed with them on elk out of the 300 win going anywhere from 2850-3000. I think you can get that fairly easily out of the wsm and be giving up nothing.

 

[stello1001]

I agree that 90% of the kill is shot placement. Shoot maybe more but my fear is running into that animal that has an amazing will to live. I've had that happen with coyotes a few times where they take 3-5, 22-250s to the chest and shoulder and they keep getting up. The only difference is I cant catch up to an elk in this country.

Tell me about it, I have quite a few stories on this. One I always remember is how a friend of my dad shot a whitetail with his .270. Great shot placement and all done right. We found the buck about 200 yards in the brush dead with a jelly heart. When these things get an adrenaline, they just keep going.

Best thing to do when you know you had proper shot placement, regardless of cartridge used, is to give them about 40 minutes to cool down before you go out looking for them. If they can sense you right on them, they will get scared and want to run for their lives again, thus getting an adrenaline.

 

[HeavyAssault]

View attachment 7164540

That's a nice bit of work!!

 

[coldboremiracle]

That's a nice bit of work!!

Thanks!

And OP, the 7 SAUM is a murder magnum. These are a few elk that met mine, one with a 162, but the rest were with 183 match kings, closest was 435yds, furthest was 970. I dont care about seating depth cuz I run them in my SRS which is a 338LM length action so I can run em long. I shoot em at 3050fps from my 24" barrel.

And this is Junior's little 260 and his first elk.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I really like the 7mm for elk . We've taken a pile of them with my 7 RM and I think the 7 SAUM is is a great choice in a short action.

 

[smarpin]

My brother took his first bull with a 6.5 creedmoor spitting 143 gr ELDX at 2830 FPS. Shot placement was ideal and he crumpled 10 yards from where he was shot. I would say find the caliber you shoot best and feel confident with and you’ll be able to get the job done.

 

[Curt1521]

@Jackomason PM sent!

 

[Marine24]

In a similar dilemma. I have a 6.5 CM but it is a crossover target/hunting rifle and not sure if works well for either. Also have a 338-06, which I'm very comfortable inside of 400 yards. I hunted with a 340 Wby for years but days of heavy magnum calibers is behind me.

Was thinking 280 Remington or possibly 280AI to stretch things out with 160gr bullets.

 

[Supersubes]

The origin bottom cut will take a 2.980 OAL. That’s plenty of length for a PRC or the SAUM. A wyatt’s Internal box, follower and spring kit is $67, and will accommodate 2.990. Pick your bottom metal. The Hawkins is nice. Remington is serviceable and cheap. No need to run it in a long action.

6.5 PRC Kit - Wyatt's Outdoor

Kit includes PRC box, follower, and spring.

wyattsoutdoor.com

 

[Jackomason]

The origin bottom cut will take a 2.980 OAL. That’s plenty of length for a PRC or the SAUM. A wyatt’s Internal box, follower and spring kit is $67, and will accommodate 2.990. Pick your bottom metal. The Hawkins is nice. Remington is serviceable and cheap. No need to run it in a long action.

6.5 PRC Kit - Wyatt's Outdoor

Kit includes PRC box, follower, and spring.

wyattsoutdoor.com

So the action will need to be opened up for this bottom metal? Will that cause any problems going back and forth between calibers?

Edit: In the video he mentions the box measuring 3.060 outside. I just measured my MDT mags that I've been using and they are the same I guess I've never looked but I assume they interface the same with the action. Unless the feed lips just protrude. But that's another topic that I'm sure I can figure out. Thanks for the direction!

 

[Jackomason]

I'm sold on the 7 SAUM, I dont think I'd be giving up much (if anything) from my current load in the 7mm rem mag which is only 2930fps with a 162 eldx. Seems like I could get that with a 22-24" barrel.

I measured my action and it doesnt look like I can use the wyatts, i say this because i already have a .224 valk barrel and a 6.5 cm barrel for this action (both 26" med palma). Not sure if opening the action up would mess with things.

The accurate WSM/SAUM mags will accommodate a COAL of 2.950 which is doable with 162-168 class bullets. So maybe the XLR element 3.0 will be the ticket. I can always use the bravo for a season as well. Either chassis will also save me from buying Hawkins rings to get the right scope height. I think that settles it but if there are any other ideas please let me know!

 

[Mag 300]

I bow hunt traditional for Elk but 62 now and thinking that a rifle hunt would be fun
with that I would go with the 6.5 Creedmoor and the new Berger 156 grain
or an old pre 64 Winchester in 30/06 or 338 mag

 

[shields shtr]

Bowhunting for elk is my thing, but I live in an area where I have taken or been along on quite a few successful rifle elk hunts. Gotten a few with my creedmoor, (6 and 6.5) and plenty with the venerable .300 win mag. I have a buddy that shoots a 6.5-06 with the 147 ELDM and for whatever reason that thing just pancakes them. Can't explain it, but it works. Behind the shoulder is key with the smaller calibers, through both lungs. Keep shots within a practical range that allows your bullet to maintain enough kinetic energy to accomplish the above. Have fun and let er rip.