New to the community, and looking for advice on an elk gun
Getting back into hunting after 20-years (moved to Florida and got into offshore fishing, got that out of my system, back to hunting). Owned/sold all of my previously owned Weatherby/Sako rifles, starting over.
In late October we have a guided elk hunting trip to Idaho, thinking about purchasing the following rifle for this and future elk hunts:
I only ask because many people report that it’s eyebox is small and uncomfortable compared to other models. But if you’ve used it before and liked it that shouldn’t be an issue. No experience myself with NX8, but other NF models have been great.
If you’re looking at the 7 Rem Mag, also look at the 7PRC. There are a few good comparission videos on Youtube.
The Banish supressor is a good choice, the 30 is fine if your rifle doesn’t have a 24" barrel. It is 2" longer at the 7" config.
I have a buddy who swears by heaven and earth that Huskemaw is the pinnacle of scope glass and features. Its out of my budget, but if you’re looking at NF then it may be worth your time to check out Huskemaw as well.
I am more of a 300 WM for elk. 180 vs 150 gr bullets mean something. To be honest I shoot 165 gr coppers in my WM so I would not be against 150 coppers in the 7. But I feel so much more confident will a 300 magnum for elk. Could be an 800 lb animal that is the hardest thing to bring down in the lower 48. I know I harp on this a lot. If you can shoot a 300 you should imho. Of course recoil is a concern and better to be accurate with what you shoot but that only helps to a point. And a 300WM is accurate as any softer rifle -recoil not withstanding. You did say you will shoot suppressed.
Yeah, a 300 WM is not that difficult of a gun to shoot if it’s in an appropriate weight, good modern stock design, good modern recoil pad, and especially if you add either a muzzle brake or suppressor.
I’m sure the mathematics will say that it does recoil more than a 7RM or PRC, but it’s not in a different League or anything.
I’ve got a couple of .270’s which are harder on the shoulder than my 300 WM.
I have had a Swaro Z5 and a couple of 30MM Zeiss scopes. I keep going back to Leupold VX5/VX6 for hunting rifles. Note, I like a plain duplex reticle with a dial up turret for hunting. If I wanted a ballistic reticle I might look at NF. Leupold is also about the lightest scope you can get in a comparable zoom range. Nothing against the 7 Mag, tons of elk and other big game have been killed with that cartridge, but the 300 WM give you just a little more flexibility in bullet choice. Like a previous member commented, don’t discount the PRC. It pushes heavier bullets than the 7 mag with similar recoil (and is beltless - which will feed better if you use a DBM). BTW, the Sako Adventure is a beautiful rifle, good luck with whatever you choose.
So, I just looked at the rifle, it does not come in PRC. If you reload or can find a good source of handloaded ammo (Choice, Pendleton, etc.) I would go 300WSM, if not 300 WM. I am sure Sako has feeding down - Jim seems to have zero issues with his Sako 300 WM. Couple of videos where he hunted elk with it.
As you stated the rifle does not com in the PRC, based on your and other members posts I am leaning towards the 300M.
Boy the scope decision is not easy! I am trying to find a south Florida gun shop that has the mid-higher end scopes in stock. All my rifles 20 years ago had Leupold scopes. Today, there are so many more really good looking/well made scopes. Hard decision…
Not against the 300 wsm except for the 10 to 1 ratio or more of 300 wm type ammos available. The 7mm RM probably even more so. My buddy shoots WSM in a tikka - awesome rifle but he really has to search for his ammo and does not always find it. He could not get his 180’s last year and had to switch to 165 and do some tweaking. Unless of course you reload.
As for scopes I got a leupold vx6 in 3-18 x50. It is really nice. I think the 34mm tube scopes are huge on a lighter rifle and I have a bit of a metal block. But a 5 to 25 would be nice for some stuff. I am not shooting elk past 450 I should say so no need for the higher powers. I need my copper bullets to open up.
Stan, when you decide on a optic, check out Patrick at https://predatoroptics.com/, he has saved me hundreds on every scope that I have purchased. My last 30mm VX6 was around $1200.
I have the 4x32 NF in second focal plane and love it, no issues. As far as hunting elk, I would go for a rifle that can effectively deliver a larger grain bullet than a 7mm Mag over the counter will shoot. The 7 PRC with 180gn or 195gn bullet, but only if hand loading.
My rule on elk is a rifle with enough power to shoot through the length of the elk, 300 Win Mag or bigger.
If you are an exceptional and experienced shooter, you can kill an elk with just about anything with proper shot placement.
Lager calibers give more margin for error but come with more recoil. 338 Edge or 338 Lapua would be optimal. With the technology in muzzle breaks, recoil can be managed well, but requires hearing protection.
In short, there are always trade offs to consider, go with the rifle you are most confident in and send it! Good luck!!!
Singing my song. I also have an 8mm RM which is not a 338 but it packs a wallop. But for me 300WM works. Between me and my brother a dozen bulls and several cows with 300’s. I parallel an elk to like a cape buff. You want to anchor it and not have to spend a day looking for it. Of course not dangerous but man they can go. A couple years ago, I shot a cow - hitting lungs and shoulder. She ran into the thick stuff on three legs and I could not find her in the dark after blood trail was lost. Found her next morning and lost about 30% of meat including tenderloins which are first to go. Heart and liver gone of course. This was Feb in Oregon with an overnight temp of 23 degrees. I found her at about noon the next day and she was still warm inside. If you want to have good meat - put them down fast and get the hide off, obviously.
I went with the following:
Sako 90 adventure 300 WIN MAG
Nightforce NX8 4-32X50 Jack, Patrick was awesome (saved $$) https://predatoroptics.com/
Back country supressor (Jim, I dropped your name, they noted it in their system)