Elk Rifle/Medium Range Hunting Rifle?

[Hoss50]

I drew another cow elk tag which is awesome. I took my 257 weatherby last year and it did well for me, but I am thinking about stepping up a little in size since I have an excuse to upgrade another rifle. My dad was the king of cheap scopes so I have alot of rifles that need upgraded. Scope, muzzle brakes, potentially triggers, etc. Accurizing.

 

I have a Ruger M77 with the switch safety in 7mm Rem. Mag and a weatherby vanguard in 300 weatherby sitting in the safe. Both need new scopes and some load development at minimum , and the 300 will need a muzzle break.

 

Which way would you lean? The 7mm was my dad's first rifle, but the weatherby is the rifle he shot his only elk with.

 

I am looking to build 1 for more of a medium range hunting rifle say to about 500-600 yards but have a little more energy out at that range than my 257 weatherby has. I love my 257 and I will shoot it to 500 with no issue but not on and elk, even a cow elk. It did great at 300yds on my cow last year but I wouldnt shoot it on an animal that big past about 300.

 

Harley

[452b264]

You could build a 7 mm rem. or a 300 win. off the vanguard action (very strong actions) or just use the 7 mm Ruger if it shoots well. Good luck on your hunt.

[apache12]

7mm-08. Fun to shoot. Plenty for cow.

[Hoss50]

A new rifle won't fly with the wife. Upgrading one might though. A 7/08 would t do anything my 257 weatherby or 6.5x55 wouldn't though. I like the caliber but I am looking for some thing with more oomph in the 300-600 yard area which is why I am trying to decide on which I should upgrade. 7mm Rem mag or 300 weatherby mag.

 

Thanks though

Harley

[trphyhntr]

keep the 257

[Hoss50]

I am. The 257 will never leave. I love that gun. I just want to work with another rifle to hunt larger game at farther ranges if possible. The 257 did good last year at about 280yrds on my elk but I wouldnt feel comfortable taking a much longer shot on an elk with it.

[PRDATR]

If you're up for the Weatherby I would go with that.

[forepaw]

Keep in mind that what to us are now cheap scopes, may have been the standard on medium-range rifles when your dad was young. Some of the made in Japan scopes, including Tasco scopes, were actually pretty decent. Some of the small, off-brand Japanese companies turned out some fairly good optics back in the '60s and '70s. Not in the same league as alpha glass, but not bad either - and affordable. But then, few people would think of shooting an elk at 600 yds. Most of us tried to follow Jack O'Connor's advice - mount a good scope, in strong rings as low as possible on your rifle, sight it in, and leave it there. Steel tube Weavers were pretty standard, and Leupolds were the cat's pajamas. If someone had a pre-64 Model 70 with a Latigo Quick-set sling, and a Leupold scope, they were considered to be ready for anything, at least in AZ.

 

forepaw

[trphyhntr]

I just like 257 weatherby lol. 120gr partition

 

[452b264]

I would build off the Vanguard. Just my two cents worth.

[lancetkenyon]

Get a good piece of glass, and a Picatinny base for each rifle and swap the scope back and forth.

Load up some 160-175 gr. .284 bullets for the 7RM, and some 180-215 .308 bullets for the .300 Weatherby. Do some development on each, and carry whichever one you prefer. Both of those will get the job done a lot further than 500 if you put the bullet where it needs to go.

I have loaded for 3 different Ruger M77 tang safety 7RM rifles, and all 3 have loved Rem or Win brass, Rem 9 1/2 mag primers, 62.0 gr. RL22, and 168 HVLD seated .0500" jump.

[Hoss50]

Dad's choice in glass was whatever was cheaper. Simmons or Bushnell, sometimes Tasco and not the good ones. We didn't have alot of money back then but he wasn't all that interested in saving for better glass either. He didn't know any better though either. He was not brought up hunting and all his buddies shot cheap glass too, so he never really understood what the difference was.

 

I am going to try and pick up some decent glass, and see how both shoot I guess. I am leaning towards the 7mm but I have not made up my mind yet. That 300 weatherby is just a brute though so I may have to muzzle brake it before I shoot it more.

 

Harley

[Hoss50]

I just like 257 weatherby lol. 120gr partition

I love my 257, and it is my go to rifle. It shoots 115gr bergers lights out over some H1000. Sub-moa at 500 yards even. I need something with more oomph though too, and I need to start working up better equipment for my boys when they are ready. I have 2 small boys that will need rifles soon enough.

[trphyhntr]

I'm gonna shoot a .300 wby this year though lol. Have the gun, just need a scope

[firstcoueswas80]

Im just sayin'here, but when I decided I needed a little more juice then my 257, I went with a 7mm.....