Elk calibers, rifle and stock, and scope

[Bowman]

I am looking at a new elk rifle..
Combined cost $1000-$2000 price.
Thinking Leopold vx-55hd gen2
Browning x bolt 2 speed
6.5 cm for elk
Suggestions

 

[Designed2Hunt]

How far do you want to shoot?
What grain bullet?

6.5 cm seems small for elk. If you stick to shots under 300 yds and have the patients for excellent shot opportunities you might be ok. It's a probability game.
Maybe 300 win mag or 7mm rem mag?

 

[Bowman]

300 to 400 yds max
Grain not sure yet. Any suggestions
Looking forLow recoil or minimum.

 

[NBK]

Minimum 7mm. You can kill an elk with a .22 buy it doesn't mean it is an elk cartridge.

 

[Bobevans]

Agree 6.5 creedmoor is probably too light. At that range 308 is rock solid and most affordable/available. You could splurge on glass. 300 and 7mm probably fine too

 

[Coues]

7mm-08 at a minimum

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

I'm spoiled, .300 Winmag for me. I shoot barnes TTSX 180 gr.

 

[Bowman]

I'm spoiled, .300 Winmag for me. I shoot barnes TTSX 180 gr.

Do you have a suppressor or brake? Which rifle mfg and scope.

 

[HATCHET1]

Lee....No Creed. .. ... I practice....Alot ..and often. ..here to help .

 

[Lungpopper]

Our group has seen a few elk tip over from an assortment of caliber and cartridges.
If you want to give yourself the best chance of a recovery without to much tracking. The bare minimum with the least recoil. Start with the .284 caliber 7MM-08 with the 30 caliber 308 being a better choice because of the frontal mass.
If you can put up with the recoil, the magnums in those calibers are the way to go.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

Do you have a suppressor or brake? Which rifle mfg and scope.

Winchester Mod. 70. no brake or suppressor, recoil never has bothered me, it's not I'm shooting hundreds of rounds with a .22. three rounds to check zero, and one for Elk, or dirty pig. Nikon 3x9x40 BDC.

 

[180ls1]

Most people have a problem admitting they don't like recoil so props to you. I would not trade more gun for something you hate shooting or cant shoot well.

Talking "smaller" elk calibers. I've shot 8 or so with my .270, I found the 130SST to work very well. Remember if you stick with a smaller caliber you want the bullet to be frangible (blow up), otherwise you just poke two small holes in it. Match or eldx ammo would work well, less so a partition type but I've killed with those as well in the .270 and they work. If you get a 6.5 I would highly consider moving up to the PRC. That browning recoil hawg brake works great and will really tame it.

My current elk gun is a 300, it works well and watching my dad crush em with that over the years lead me there.

 

[Stikbrandon]

lee how you been ? Where you livin now ? You got any local ranges near you ? Have any friends out there ? Maybe you can try a 30 cal and see if it’s something you could make work?

 

[QuailSlayer]

Looking forLow recoil or minimum.

That is a very important piece of info. I’ve been in the same camp many years.

Looks like a nice setup in that price range. And a solid rifle you are looking at. I have a Browning in something quite similar and it is fun to shoot. Only thing had to do was bring down the trigger pull weight.

Another setup in 7mm in 280 AI has been the primary rig and also has moderate recoil. For the next elk outing this year, will likely use a new lightweight 6.5prc setup. You’ll do well on your elk outing with the 6.5cr and a good bullet. The low recoil will foster lots of effective practice sessions! I’ve been a fan of the Hornady CX lineup in different calibers but have zero brand loyalty. Keep us posted on what you end up with.

 

[RKE]

I'll go $1,650 on this for you. That should allow you stay on budget. Recoil on this is not bad at all.

Post in thread 'WTS: Fierce CT Rogue 7MM PRC'

Aug 30, 2025

It shoots great. Even with the light-weight, the recoil on it is very minimal with the side baffle break.

It’s for sale because I need the money elsewhere right now.

Pic is of the 1st 2 shots after bore-sighting it.

• RKE

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

I mention earlier recoil never has bothered me, well with one exception. I inherited a Mossberg 30-06 about 15 years ago I never shot it until a couple years ago, man that thing packs a real punch far worse than anything I have ever fired. I tried lighter loads, new butt pad, nothing helped. You want to make an offer?

 

[Bobevans]

The older I get, the smarter my dad was about recoil (and most other things)

 

[Bowman]

I own a 308 mosberg , was a a gift when I was 16 years old, I taken a dozen deer with it. Has short barrel and kicks like a mule.
I have shot a 30-06, when I was young manageable , shot a 375 h and h magman
Not bad , but was in my 20 .
I my research 30 06 has about the same recoil as 7 mm rem. Mag. . I have not made up my mind. I have confidence I can shoot 7 mm mag, I just don't cherish lugging it a round . I wait and see, I may go and try to shoot 7 mm , 7 prc, and 6.5 prc.

 

[mulveymo]

Whatever you get, put a brake on it and you'll be fine. At the end of the day, elk hunting is not comfortable. 300 rm, 300 wsm, 7mm PRC/rm, and 30-06 all are totally managable with a brake and as long as you're not shooting an ultralight gun. 6.5 cm is way too small for elk. Its barely a deer rifle in my opinion. I don't know why, but I've heard more stories of lost game with a 6.5cm than any other cartridge.

 

[Bowman]

I never lost a deer with 308, but I know a guy who shot an elk with 30 06 and it ran off and lost it. , as a bow hunter I seen many bow hunters lose deer, it's awful.
My shots have been normally 200 yards and under. Most kills were with a peep sight.
I like to buy a new high precision good quality
Setup. My bucket list is to get an elk.