Need advice on hunting

[ChromeHound]

You are getting a lot of great advice to pick from. I hunt elk with a bow but many of the what others have said apply to both archery and rifle. These are the things I believe are important and most have already been mentioned.

• Learn elk behavior.
• Learn the area you will hunt.
• Practice with what you will hunt with and use a projectile that has a higher percentage of getting the job done even if the animal moves.
• Elk are big and very tough animals. If you don't hit them right, they can go a LONG way.
• Learn to track.
• Elk move after the shot and before the hit. Watch videos and pay careful attention so that you have a clue when they are more or less likely to move.
• Know your limits and decide what's an ethical shot for you ahead of time and stick to it even if it's the last minute of the last day of the season.

Good luck!

That last bullet point is a HUGE one.

 

[jimihaze]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get into hunting and range shooting (200-500 yards) and I'm looking for some advice. I'm 44, been shooting for the last 15 years so I'm not unfamiliar with firearms, but I've focused more on self-defense/tactical shooting. So, going to bench shooting or "hiking/sitting in the woods" shooting with high caliber rifles is somewhat new to me. I've been doing a lot of research on rifles and ammunition and I've found there are so many variables when trying to choose a rifle/caliber. I'm also in pretty good shape and have done a lot of hiking/climbing/mountaineering in the past so weight isn't a big deal for me, but having something compact would be a preferable.

Objective: Elk hunting in eastern Washington state. Range shooting at 200-500 yards.

Budget: $2000.00 +/- I've pretty much settled on the Arken Optics EP5 5-25x56 so that leaves about $1500 for a rifle, bipod, rings, and sling. I already have a spotting scope and range finder as well as the gear necessary to spend hours in the back-country.



Initial thoughts: I decided to select a cartridge that would fit my needs first, then select a rifle. Seems like 6.5 PRC, 300 Win mag, and .30-06 are some of the top choices. 7mm PRC seemed like a good choice as well, but cost per round is pretty high as is 6.5 PRC. I want to focus on good shot placement which takes practice as well as an accurate bullet. 6.5 PRC seemed to fit that bill nicely, but its expensive so practicing a lot would be quite expensive. Also, recoil is a big consideration. How much will I want to shoot something with a lot of recoil? .30-06 seemed to fit the bill for lighter recoil and cheaper rounds, but didn't seem like it would be as accurate as the newer bullets. 300 Win Mag seemed like a good compromise between recoil and cost so I've been focusing on that cartridge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the balance between recoil, cost, accuracy, ect. Also, in regards to bullets, I assume you don't want to shoot anything you're going to eat with a lead bullet, so I was thinking solid copper for hunting and cheaper lead bullets for practice. I'd assume you sight in with the hunting round and then just adjust when practicing with the lead rounds?



Rifle: Initially I had my heart set on the Ruger American Gen 2 as its one of the cheapest options and still a high-quality accurate rifle. However, barrel length seemed to be an issue. The 20in barrel (standard) is available in all the calibers I listed above, but 20in seems pretty short for high caliber rounds? The 22in (Predator) is only available in .30-60 and 7mm PRC. Is 20in too short for 6.5 PRC or 300 Win Mag? Does anyone know if they plan to offer the Predator in 6.5 PRC or 300 Win Mag?

The next rifle I was looking at is the Tikka T3x Superlight. That rifle seems to be available in all the calibers and 22-24in barrels. It is a bit more than the Ruger, but still should be within my budget and I'm willing to spend a little more to get something that better matches my objectives.



I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Did I miss anything? Are my thoughts on track or way off base?



Thanks



Jeff

The vulnerable 30-06 would be a rifle that not many would disparage. This caliber has done it all, & done so around the world! At 118 yrs. old it's probably the most proven in the field & in war. Also it's a caliber you can find at any store that sell's ammo, & the price is easier on the wallet. The '06 has offering up to 220gr. which is considered enough for dangerous game/grizzlly bear. Get a Ruger M-77 w/detachable mag, you'll have controlled feed, a good trigger & a slick action. Two cents from an old geezer.

 

[jimihaze]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get into hunting and range shooting (200-500 yards) and I'm looking for some advice. I'm 44, been shooting for the last 15 years so I'm not unfamiliar with firearms, but I've focused more on self-defense/tactical shooting. So, going to bench shooting or "hiking/sitting in the woods" shooting with high caliber rifles is somewhat new to me. I've been doing a lot of research on rifles and ammunition and I've found there are so many variables when trying to choose a rifle/caliber. I'm also in pretty good shape and have done a lot of hiking/climbing/mountaineering in the past so weight isn't a big deal for me, but having something compact would be a preferable.

Objective: Elk hunting in eastern Washington state. Range shooting at 200-500 yards.

Budget: $2000.00 +/- I've pretty much settled on the Arken Optics EP5 5-25x56 so that leaves about $1500 for a rifle, bipod, rings, and sling. I already have a spotting scope and range finder as well as the gear necessary to spend hours in the back-country.



Initial thoughts: I decided to select a cartridge that would fit my needs first, then select a rifle. Seems like 6.5 PRC, 300 Win mag, and .30-06 are some of the top choices. 7mm PRC seemed like a good choice as well, but cost per round is pretty high as is 6.5 PRC. I want to focus on good shot placement which takes practice as well as an accurate bullet. 6.5 PRC seemed to fit that bill nicely, but its expensive so practicing a lot would be quite expensive. Also, recoil is a big consideration. How much will I want to shoot something with a lot of recoil? .30-06 seemed to fit the bill for lighter recoil and cheaper rounds, but didn't seem like it would be as accurate as the newer bullets. 300 Win Mag seemed like a good compromise between recoil and cost so I've been focusing on that cartridge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the balance between recoil, cost, accuracy, ect. Also, in regards to bullets, I assume you don't want to shoot anything you're going to eat with a lead bullet, so I was thinking solid copper for hunting and cheaper lead bullets for practice. I'd assume you sight in with the hunting round and then just adjust when practicing with the lead rounds?



Rifle: Initially I had my heart set on the Ruger American Gen 2 as its one of the cheapest options and still a high-quality accurate rifle. However, barrel length seemed to be an issue. The 20in barrel (standard) is available in all the calibers I listed above, but 20in seems pretty short for high caliber rounds? The 22in (Predator) is only available in .30-60 and 7mm PRC. Is 20in too short for 6.5 PRC or 300 Win Mag? Does anyone know if they plan to offer the Predator in 6.5 PRC or 300 Win Mag?

The next rifle I was looking at is the Tikka T3x Superlight. That rifle seems to be available in all the calibers and 22-24in barrels. It is a bit more than the Ruger, but still should be within my budget and I'm willing to spend a little more to get something that better matches my objectives.



I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Did I miss anything? Are my thoughts on track or way off base?



Thanks



Jeff

Oh yeah, go w/20" or 22" barrel length

 

[2ndtimer]

The vulnerable 30-06 would be a rifle that not many would disparage. This caliber has done it all, & done so around the world! At 118 yrs. old it's probably the most proven in the field & in war. Also it's a caliber you can find at any store that sell's ammo, & the price is easier on the wallet. The '06 has offering up to 220gr. which is considered enough for dangerous game/grizzlly bear. Get a Ruger M-77 w/detachable mag, you'll have controlled feed, a good trigger & a slick action. Two cents from an old geezer.

Uh, the Ruger M-77 has a hinged floor plate, not a detachable mag. Maybe you were thinking Ruger American? A Tikka T3 would be an excellent option with a detachable magazine.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

Fieldcraft matters. Get in the woods and learn how to move deliberately, quietly and focus on your breathing and how much noise you make. You also stink, pay attention to the wind and how it changes as you move and as the weather changes.

^^^^^THIS!^^^^^
Learn to be a hunter, not a sniper. Close the gap and make clean, quick kills.
My choice is a Model 70 in .270 Winchester with a Leupold 2.5-8 scope.

 

[monks]

The vulnerable 30-06 would be a rifle that not many would disparage. This caliber has done it all, & done so around the world! At 118 yrs. old it's probably the most proven in the field & in war. Also it's a caliber you can find at any store that sell's ammo, & the price is easier on the wallet. The '06 has offering up to 220gr. which is considered enough for dangerous game/grizzlly bear. Get a Ruger M-77 w/detachable mag, you'll have controlled feed, a good trigger & a slick action. Two cents from an old geezer.

I think you mean venerable. The only thing vulnerable about an 06 is my money when I get around them! I had five in the safe at one time. I guess you could say I'm a fan boy!

 

[JRuby]

I have four 30-06 and a couple of 308 winchester not counting the modern sporting rifles. I have had twice that many or more during my lifetime . If I only had one rifle it would be a 30-06 bolt with a quality 3-9x40. The problem I have with the 30-06 is that it can do it all but it is the master of none. If I want a deer rifle a 270 or a 7x57 is better. If I am going after elk a 300 magnum or 338 magnum is better in my opinion. I love the 30-06 because I can hunt anything pretty much with it I am likely to encounter. The 30-06 is the proverbial hammer to it everything is a nail. Sometimes however you need a tack hammer and sometimes a sledge.

 

[2ndtimer]

I have to question your scope choice. That Arken weighs three times what a Leupold VX-3 HD 3.5-10x40 or a 4.5-14x40. Either of which would be a fine option for elk hunting. You will notice the extra pound and a half chasing elk in the hills.
As for cartridge selection, I suggest you consider something in the .270 Win or 30-06 chambering. Much broader ammo availability and significantly less costly than the newer more exotic (and harder to find) cartridges. There is a reason why those two have been around for a century or more.
If you have the opportunity, try shooting a few rifles in various cartridges to help determine what feels best to you. I had a Winchester Model 70 Lightweight carbine with a 20" featherweight contour barrel. It had a Leupold 2-7x32 scope mounted and weighed about 7 pounds. And kicked hard. I much prefer my .270 Win Marlin XL-7, or my Model 70 Ultimate Shadow in .270WSM. And while unsuccessful on my cow elk hunt last year, I didn't feel undergunned with either. Both wear 3-9x40 scopes.

 

[jimihaze]

Uh, the Ruger M-77 has a hinged floor plate, not a detachable mag. Maybe you were thinking Ruger American? A Tikka T3 would be an excellent option with a detachable magazine.

Only I thought Ruger would have offered that option by now? My bad!

 

[orygun]

I'd focus on finding elk and getting closer before I'd worry about shooting at one 200-500 yards away.

 

[orygun]

I wouldnt go shorter than 24in barrel for an elk rifle.

Please don't tell that to my Ruger. It will feel bad cuz it killed elk with a 22" barrel. Certainly don't say anything to my wife's Ruger Compact, as it's barrel is only 16.5".
We'll just put aside all of the elk killed with a Winchester 94 in 30-30...

 

[Koda]

Please don't tell that to my Ruger. It will feel bad cuz it killed elk with a 22" barrel. Certainly don't say anything to my wife's Ruger Compact, as it's barrel is only 16.5".
We'll just put aside all of the elk killed with a Winchester 94 in 30-30...

Well the OP asked for advice for long range hunting so just favoring the small velocity gain a few inches might give.
That said for more practical ranges a more wieldable rifle will do just fine yeah, agree.

 

[orygun]

People asking advice on "long range hunting" probably shouldn't be

 

[Koda]

People asking advice on "long range hunting" probably shouldn't be

I dont know how to judge that. Whats "long range"?

 

[jimihaze]

People asking advice on "long range hunting" probably shouldn't be

Agreed, it's a skill that's gained thru yrs. of experience. Ethically knowing your own limitations. The terrain you must transverse to retrieve your game, is a huge factor. My longest shot 400yds.(black bear) looked mild enough, but foliage at the bottom was taller than on top. I made my way on my feet and hands, thankfully, plenty of foliage to grab hold of!

 

[NeoBlackdog]

People asking advice on "long range hunting" probably shouldn't be

Drop. The. Mic.

 

[orygun]

I dont know how to judge that. Whats "long range"?

OP said 2-500 yards with little to no hunting experience. 200 doesn't bother me so much, but anything past that, especially with little experience "ranging" comes across to me as very unethical.

 

[Koda]

I have no way to judge the OPs ability to learn. I agree he should be diligent about it.

 

[fishfearme]

So…
To show my cards right away, I bought a Ruger American in 30-06 and threw a vortex on there and got right to it.
My personal preference for hunting is quick and lightweight and to be honest, it doesn't break my heart when I'm dragging the rifle through brush or when it's completely soaked with water from heavy rain because I didn't break the bank.
Recoil when sighting in/practicing has never been an issue for me but that's going to be different from person to person. I would advise against bipods and most add-on options that make the rifle heavier or bigger overall since that shot is sometimes a "hurry up" shot and walking around with a bipod digging into your shoulder gets old quick.
For me it's good up to 400 yards. I personally wouldn't take a shot past that for fear of losing the animal but practice and optics can help with that.
Good luck to you!

 

[No_Regerts]

Elk are almost as big as a horse and all but glow in the dark. You don't need high magnification or accuracy greater than 2 MOA to effectively and ethically kill elk out to 500 yards.

My suggestions:

1: Good binoculars. Seeing elk isn't hard. But, if you are hunting in an antler restricted area, seeing and counting antler points is important and you don't want to do that with your scope.

2: Logistics over ballistics. Ballistic benefits don't come into play under 500 yards. Logistical benefits come into play before you leave the store. 308 Win, 30-06, 270 Win, and 7mm Rem Mag are all very easy to find and load options are greater than anything else. They will all work well in your stated range.

3: Bullets do the killing, not the headstamp. More powder capacity/velocity with a poorly constructed bullet gives you no advantage. You don't need high ballistic coefficient target bullets to hunt at ranges under 500 yards. You need a bullet that will expand predictably through the impact velocity spectrum of your intended shots while penetrating deep enough to reach vitals.

For example, if using jacketed lead-core bullets, a 270 with 150gr Partitions will exit an elk at 400 yards on a broadside shot and not blow up on a 40 yard shot.

If using mono-metal bullets like Barnes, you can decrease bullet weight and increase velocity. You'll need the speed at longer ranges to get the expansion you need.

4: Light done right. A lighter rifle that is balanced well is an asset in the field. Some "light" rifles just have skinnier/shorter barrels and tend to be unbalanced. Pay attention to where a rifle balances. I prefer mine to balance near the front action screw. I keep it under 8lbs field ready. That's rifle, scope, rings, sling, cartridges.