Author Topic: Considering another barrel for elk & need advice (Read 1355 times)

Jal5 · « **on:** December 16, 2007, 05:26:19 PM »

So far I have two NEF shotguns in 16 and 20 ga. (turkey and deer), a 50 cal ML (deer), and a 243 I use for coyotes. Love them all. What next caliber should I buy considering that I want to plan an elk hunt in Colorado sometime over the next two years? I don't have any bigger centerfire rifle than the 243 in any other manufacturer either. Now that I am started on my Handi collection I want to expand my horizons! thanks.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2007, 06:13:59 PM »

270,280,30-06..then you have the 444M and the 45-70 and 450M( if you can find any around your area) for dark timber...and with the magnums coming out next year...well...you'll have the 7mm Mag and the 300 WM... all are very good calibers to choose from...What's your fancy?

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2007, 06:20:21 PM »

What Mac said, but the 7mm and 300 mags will have to be complete rifles, the barrels can't be fitted to the current frame.

Tim

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2007, 07:20:38 PM »

He didn't say he was talking about sending in his 243 for an additional barrel...I thought most every one here knew that they would have to get complete new rifle if they wanted one of the magnum calibers....Sorry..my bad

Mac

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:08:45 PM »

Personally, I would go with the .280Rem... The recoil isn't bad, but it does do a number on elk with the proper load. I got mine for an elk hunt and it killed my bull DRT. Heck, that was back in 2000 before I handloaded and before all these new premium bullets came out. I would guarantee that a Federal Premium with 160gr. Accubonds will smoke an elk with a boiler room shot.

Good Luck,

Jim

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2007, 12:03:14 AM »

My personal choice would be the 280. But the 270 or 30-06 would be good choices too. If your shots are going to be 200 yards or less then a 45-70 or 444 Marlin. The 280 approaches 7mm Mag performance. There is only about 100 fps or so difference with 154 grain bullets. If you are going to use factory loads only then my choice would be the 30-06 - so many choices there.

Jal5 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2007, 02:39:11 AM »

Thanks for all the help. I want to buy a barrel here and will use factory ammo. Leaning towards 30-06 for ease of finding ammo.

How does that compare to 270 & 280 in performance on elk and how or what do you compare recoil to? I 've shot 3.in 12ga butt that's the heaviest recoil.
joe

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2007, 06:08:57 AM »

The 30-06 would be a good choice...lots of ammo to be found for it just about every where.....The 270 & 280 both should do well on elk..with the 270 ammo being easier to find locally between the 2......One thing about the 280 though...they can be loaded up to match and even exceed most any 270 load when & if you ever reload for them since most 270's in a Handi are 22"...as compared to the 26" in the 280...Getting 2800fps with a 160 grain Partition or any other premium bullet is defiantly doable...you can check out some of these prices on the ammo here for all of your caliber selections ...http://cpcartridge.com/cart2/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_39&sort=20a&page=2...Neither rifle will feel as bad as 3" 12ga recoil...they are much easier on your shoulder...

Mac

Bill3006 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2007, 09:46:54 AM »

I think you would be happy with a 30-06 and a good bullet, like a 180 grain Nosler Partition used in Federal's Premium ammunition. That's worked well for my son and me on elk.

Jal5 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2007, 01:35:41 PM »

Thanks guys for all the help. I guess I will start looking for either the 3006 or the 270 in the classifieds. Another way to go for me is a large gun auctioneer near my home, they often have Handis at a good price. I looked at a 45/70 there about a year ago but backed off and could have kicked myself later...it went for about $90.

Joe

nomadichuntergatherer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2007, 06:36:21 PM »

How about the 35 Whelen?. A classic elk cartridge.

modified 10:20 12/17:

Never mind. I just read the thread.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2007, 06:43:49 PM »

Well...here's a real chance for a Ultra Comp 30-06 if it isn't sold...
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,132030.0.html

Mac

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2007, 07:05:06 PM »

Quote from: nomadichuntergatherer on December 17, 2007, 06:36:21 PM

How about the 35 Whelen?. A classic elk cartridge.

Not an option, the 35 Whelen accessory barrel and rifle were discontinued, please see the FAQs.

Tim

Datil · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2007, 12:56:03 AM »

Don' over look the 7-08 and 308 both would be good for you.
Just my 2 cents Marv..

Odinbreaker · « **Reply #14 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:01:02 AM »

Maybe we will see a 338 federal chambering this year. That would make a good elk rifle

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2007, 06:01:10 AM »

Quote from: Odinbreaker on December 18, 2007, 02:01:02 AM

Maybe we will see a 338 federal chambering this year. That would make a good elk rifle

Not in 2008, but maybe in 2009, see the 2008 sticky.

Tim

burntmuch · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:18:01 PM »

Sorry the 30-06 ultra comp is sold. I hated doing it, but I felt guilty having it sit next to my 7 mag. The 35 whelen fills a gap though.

Jay

Jal5 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:34:37 PM »

thats Ok I didn't need the extras just the barrel...I am sure another one will come along sooner or later!

MSP Ret · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2007, 02:42:17 PM »

you may see another 30-06 before you see another 30-06 Ultra Comp barrel, that's for sure....<><....

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2007, 04:09:13 PM »

Boy Tim, your just full of good news.
No 35 Whelen, 338 Federal, and new guns are needed for the belted mags. I think a 7mm Mag would be perfect with 160 grain Nosler Part.
30-06 would be a great choice. Unless your going to reload and then 30-06 and 308 are equal. till you get into the really large grains, 190+.
Other than that I have two words for you.
Buffalo Classic!
Yes Tim I know it's a new rifle. But it would be worth it.
It really is not that heavy and it carries really well in the field. Well balanced, good for short medium and longer ranges. out to 200 yards, sighted in to 100. Mild recoil.
The shorter 38-55 would also work under 250 yards.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** December 18, 2007, 04:35:24 PM »

Just the facts maam, just the facts!!

The BC would be debatable as to being good to carry in the field, the 22" Handi 45-70 will do anything the BC can do within practical 45-70 ranges and carries better for most folks, I have 2 of each, would choose the Handi over the BC for hunting, but there's another thread going on that topic.

The 30-06 or the 308 would be great choices, I've killed elk and deer with both, can't say there's much practical difference in them.

Tim

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #21 on:** December 18, 2007, 06:18:17 PM »

LOL.
and I thought I said there is no difference from a handi in 06 or 308 on game and they will go the same speed with the same bullet if you reload. Actually there is the 308 barrel is internally .5 of an inch longer due to the case length.
The handis I have played with and the BC the BC seemed to carry better and the Handi seemed butt heavy and moved my hand back from the for end to the receiver. But that's why they make different options.
Heck in Roosevelt's time they hunted Elk with 30-30, 32 Win and the whole line of the Centennial line for the 1876 Winchester rifle that we would think way under powered or too short of range. My friend's brother in law killed a 5X6 with a Win 94 Trapper in 30-30 two years ago. Shot placement is paramount.
Truth is pick a round sight it in to 100 to 200 yards depending on the ctg and practice!!!!

nomosendero · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2007, 05:01:24 PM »

Yes & the 30BR would have even more internal barrel length than the 308, but slower anyway. The 1/2" matters less than the additional powder the 30-06 provides. It is true that the lighter the bullet, the smaller the difference, but there is a difference. Even with the 150, the difference is close to 100 quite often. The 180 gr. will show 150fps diff. & sometimes more, especially if you have a long 180 like the Accubond or TSX that robs the 308 case more in a short action. We might as well be accurate here, I love the 308 & this winter I will probably shoot my 700VS even more than my AR, but my 06's will outrun it.

Yes, I have that Speer Manual that some want to cling to, sometimes we can have a slow barrel, sloppy chamber, loading to slightly different pressures, alot of things can determine velocity. BUT I HAVE A BIG STACK OF MANUALS & ALL of the others show the 30-06 to be faster, in a couple of cases the 30-06 shows to be very optimistic compared to the 308, it would be unfair & flat wrong to state those 2 as gospel too!!!

The 308 has it own advantages to offer, but to say it is faster or even as fast is just not the case.

Jal5 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 20, 2007, 12:38:31 PM »

thanks for all the help.
now to find my 30-06!