Finest Elk Looking Rifles of 2022

Elk are huge, powerful animals and any elk searching rifle you choose must be chosen with that truth in thoughts. In terms of one of the best cartridges for elk, the .30-calibers nonetheless rule the roost, however there are many good elk rifles chambered in smaller choices. The magnum guys speak up the power of the massive boomers to deal with less-than-ideal shot angles, whereas the smaller-caliber camp factors to the higher precision and recoil administration that lighter cartridges provide. Each side have benefit.

The opposite issue when selecting an elk rifle is the nation the place you hunt and your type of searching. Backcountry hunters on foot will gravitate towards gentle rifles, whereas these on horseback or who hunt personal floor may have a broader area to select from. Whereas I like ultra-light rifles, there’s one thing to be mentioned for a gun with satisfactory heft. They are typically extra correct and deal with higher than the sub-6-pound weapons. If it is advisable lower weight in your hunt, you’re higher off giving up the Doritos and IPAs than attempting to shave each final ounce out of your rifle’s barrel.

It doesn’t matter what, nonetheless, elk rifles have to be powerful, as a result of they are going to be banged round and uncovered to the weather. This listing of one of the best elk searching rifles covers the gamut of worth factors and cartridge choice, so regardless of the specifics of your subsequent hunt, you’ll discover considered one of these elk rifles solutions.

How I Picked the Finest Elk Looking Rifles

I’ve gone on numerous elk hunts through the years. I’ve chased them within the excessive desert areas of New Mexico, within the coastal rainforests of the Cascade mountains, on horseback within the Canadian Rockies, and everywhere in the intermountain West. I got here up with this listing of one of the best elk rifles—and cartridges—based mostly on these experiences. I needed to focus on what’s labored for me, in addition to showcase rifles which might be at the moment accessible.

Browning has been including variants to their X-Bolt line at a very good clip, and that is one my favorites to this point. The X-Bolt Mountain Professional encompasses a carbon-fiber inventory that’s been stuffed with light-weight foam so it’s each gentle and quiet. That mixed with the fluting on the bolt physique and barrel brings the load of the Mountain Professional down to six kilos, 2 ounces.

Chambered in the brand new 6.8 Western, this rig is prepared for top nation bulls. The 6.8 Western is a reasonably stout cartridge, much like the .270 WSM, however higher engineered to make the most of heavy-for-caliber .277-inch bullets with excessive BCs. Typical bullet weights are 165, 170, and 175 grains at between 2,835 to 2,970 fps.

To tame the cartridge, the Mountain Professional comes with Browning’s massive and efficient Recoil Hawg muzzle brake. Like different X-Bolts, the rifle’s ergonomics are glorious. The three-round journal hundreds simply and feeds with none fuss. The tang-mounted security is simple to control. And the rifle’s 60-degree bolt throw makes for snappy follow-up photographs. The rifle is available in Browning’s burnt bronze Cerakote end to maintain the weather at bay.

The Nosler 21 is a honey of a searching rifle. It received the best accolades throughout our 2022 Gun Take a look at with an Editor’s Selection award. I’ve hunted with them in .375 H&H, 6.5 PRC, and 6.5 Creedmoor. But when I have been to get a Mannequin 21 devoted for elk, I might go to the 33 Nosler, which is arguably one of the best of the proprietary Nosler cartridges.

I’ve seen what the 33 Nosler can do first-hand in Africa, and it’s a devastating spherical. It launches a 225-grain Accubond at 3,025 fps, inserting it notch above the .338 Lapua and 275 fps sooner than the .338 Win. Magazine. For elk hunters who subscribe to the “extra is extra” philosophy of cartridge choice, the 33 Nosler can’t be beat.

The rifle itself is a superbly constructed searching software. The Shilen barrel, Mack Brothers motion, and Nosler carbon-fiber inventory are all premium elements they usually work collectively in good concord. The Mannequin 21 is correct, fast-handling and manages even heavy recoil extraordinarily properly. If the 33 Nosler is greater than you care to shoot, the Mannequin 21 can also be accessible in .280 Ackley Improved, which is a milder however nonetheless totally succesful elk spherical.

The Weatherby Vanguard strikes an incredible stability between efficiency and worth and is likely one of the finest elk searching rifles you should buy for below $1,000. The Bronze mannequin encompasses a burnt bronze Cerakote end on the receiver and barrel and is mated to a black artificial inventory with a little bit of bronze webbing—it’s a color-coordinated surprise.

Extra importantly, it comes chambered in all kinds of cartridges together with the enduring .300 Weatherby Magnum, which is the preferred of Roy Weatherby’s creations. The belted magnum, based mostly on the .300 H&H, with its signature double radius shoulder has been dropping huge sport because it was launched in 1944.

To get probably the most from the cartridge, this Vanguard comes with a 26-inch barrel that’s threaded ½-28 to accommodate a brake or suppressor. The hinged floorplate journal holds three rounds and as with all Vanguard rifles, it comes with a 3-shot sub-MOA accuracy assure.

The inventory on the Vanguard is properly designed, with textured panels on the grip and fore-end for a safe buy in moist and slippery circumstances. The grip additionally has a slight palm swell on the appropriate aspect, which fills the set off hand properly. One other function I like is the three-position security, which permits the bolt to be opened with out placing the rifle in “hearth” situation.  

This helpful rifle is a high-country elk-killing machine. With the inventory folded, it stows away simply in a pack for max portability and luxury, making it an incredible alternative for hauling into the mountains, particularly for the reason that naked rifle solely weighs 6.8 kilos.

I let a very good pal of mine “borrow” my Sig Cross in 6.5 Creedmoor, and he’s proceeded to kill six elk with it up to now few years. He’s made it clear that I received’t be getting the rifle again any time quickly. However that’s nothing in comparison with one other pal of mine who hunts and guides for elk. His Sig Cross has accounted for 18 bulls during the last three seasons, one-shot kills all.

One factor the Sig Cross has going for it’s excellent accuracy. After I bought mine, I used to be amazed on the bug gap teams it churned out, which is outstanding for a lightweight rifle and a chassis folder in addition.

However Sig bought it proper with the Cross, and should you don’t thoughts the rifle’s tactical aesthetic it’s a hell of a alternative. Sig additionally provides the rifle in .308 Win. and within the .277 Fury. The .277 Fury is an intriguing possibility, although ammo availability is a matter. The .277 Fury is a .308-sized cartridge that develops spectacular muzzle velocities. The cartridge case has been modified to deal with larger chamber pressures and is able to driving a 140-grain Sierra Gameking at 2,950 fps.

The Mossberg Patriot is an everyman’s elk rifle, a totally succesful searching software at a cut price worth. I’ve hunted with Mossberg Patriots from Alaska to Mexico and have had nothing however constructive experiences with the platform.

The rifle’s accuracy has been good, in my expertise, together with with the heavy hitting .375 Ruger I took on a pair Alaska bear hunts. I might anticipate the identical from the .338 Win. Magazine., which is likely one of the all-time nice huge sport cartridges. For many years, the .338 Win. Magazine. was one of many prime two or three picks for hunters on the lookout for one cartridge to hunt the world. Although the cartridge isn’t as well-liked because it as soon as was, it’s one of many finest elk searching calibers, and it’s nonetheless worthy of consideration for a hunter looking for a do-it-all huge sport spherical.

The Patriot comes with a removable field journal that’s easy and idiot proof. All rifles within the sequence sport Mossberg’s user-adjustable LBA set off, which will be set from 2 to 7 kilos, although why anybody would set the set off above 3 kilos is past me.

In .338 Win. Magazine. the rifle has a 24-inch barrel threaded 11/16-24, and the barrel and motion are Cerakoted for cover in opposition to the weather. This specific mannequin additionally comes with open sights that may be adjusted for windage and elevation. Having backup iron sights on probably the greatest elk searching rifles is a consolation in case your scope goes down on the mountain.

Although the Patriot lacks a few of the refinements discovered on the costlier rifles on this listing, it nonetheless manages to be engaging, dependable, correct, and rugged—all at one of the aggressive worth factors you’ll discover.

The Seekins Precision Havak Professional Hunter 2 is likely one of the finest values in a high-end technical elk rifle. Glen Seekins, who designed the rifle, is an avid mountain hunter and precision shooter and the Havak PH2 is a superb expression of these two passions.

The carbon-fiber composite inventory is gentle and robust and consists of some options carried over from the precision rifle world. The grip angle is sort of vertical and it has a big palm swell which fills the hand. The waffle-pattern cross hatching on the grip and fore-end offers a safe buy, and the fore-end itself is pretty broad with a flat backside. This inventory design permits the rifle to be shot properly from each supported and unsupported positions within the area.

Seekins makes the PH2 in two motion sizes, quick .308 size and .30/06 lengthy motion size. Seekins opted to run the 6.5 PRC within the quick motion. For some rifles that presents a difficulty as a result of the shooter is proscribed when it comes to the cartridge general size that may match within the journal, however Glen designed a pleasant carbon fiber journal that holds three rounds of 6.5 PRC and might accommodate a 3.14-inch cartridge general size (COAL). (An ordinary .308-sized AICS journal is proscribed to a 2.96-inch COAL.) This offers the shooter some leeway with handloads and manufacturing facility ammo operating longer, heavier bullets.

Two of one of the best 6.5mm searching bullets that pair properly with the 6.5 PRC are Hornady’s 143-grain ELD-X and the Berger 156-grain EOL Elite Hunter. They’re each extraordinarily correct, have nice terminal ballistics, and hit tougher than .300 Win. Magazine. at 500 yards and past. I’ve shot extra sport over the previous few years with the 143-grain ELD-X than another bullet and have had nothing however glorious outcomes.

Different good options on the PH2 embrace the engaging spiral fluting on the barrel, a 20 MOA Picatinny rail that’s secured with 5 8-32 fasteners, a 5/8-24 threaded muzzle, and a Timney set off set to 2.5 kilos.

This finances searching rifle is one other nice possibility for elk. The Ruger American may not have a lot in the way in which of visible frills, however below the hood it encompasses a stunning variety of cool improvements.

One of many extra notable is the dual-cocking cams on the bolt, which is likely one of the causes the 3-lug motion runs so easily. The 2 cams distribute the hassle of the 70-degree bolt raise making for a smoother trip. The American’s full-diameter bolt physique additionally helps on this effort. The integral bedding block is one other intelligent function that creates a stable help for the motion and contributes to the American’s nice accuracy.

The set off is consumer adjustable and will be set to interrupt at about 3 to five kilos. The tang security is simple to control and slides between “hearth” and “protected” in a constructive trend. It comes with a Picatinny rail that runs the size of the motion making the mounting of an optic a easy affair. Unscoped the rifle weighs about 6.2 kilos, loads gentle for rigorous hunts.

In gentle of its patriotic identify, you couldn’t go mistaken getting it chambered in probably the most American of cartridges, the .30/06. I’ve used the .30/06 on plenty of elk and moose hunts through the years and it is a wonderful decide for large sport, particularly if you go along with heavier bullet weights. The 180-grain Accubond is an ideal alternative, however even one thing lighter just like the 165-grain Federal Fusion will get the job performed. 

It doesn’t take a lot for a hunter to fall below the sway of Tikka rifles. These Finnish bolt actions have a well-earned popularity for his or her accuracy, reliability, and sensible ergonomics. And among the many finest elk rifles they stand out for his or her budget-friendly worth.

Tikka has at the least 17 totally different fashions of their T3x line, a number of of which might make a nice elk rifle. I’ve shot the T3x Lite Roughtech and might attest to its sterling qualities, although you may’t go mistaken with any of the T3x rifles in Tikka’s lineup.

The three-lug motion on the T3x sequence is clean and straightforward to run. Cartridges feed flawlessly from the T3x’s glorious removable field journal. The journal is rugged, straightforward to load, and will be inserted and eliminated with out trouble even when sporting gloves.

In .270 Winchester, the Roughtech will be had in two barrel lengths—20 and 22.4 inches. The printed weights are 6.6 and 6.8 kilos respectively. Except you’re searching in loads of dense timber, I’d go for the 22.4-inch model. A caveat is should you hunt with a suppressor, then the 20-inch mannequin will deal with higher. The barrels are threaded 5/8-24, so they’ll accommodate most muzzle units. The T3x Lite Roughtech ships with a radial muzzle brake.

Different good touches on the Roughtech embrace a modular grip system to customise the grip profile and a receiver drilled with additional holes to mount a Picatinny rail much more securely.

Amongst old-school hunters, the .270 Win. is taken into account gentle as an elk cartridge, however with the broad choice of premium searching bullets accessible, it’s greater than as much as the duty. Nosler’s 150-grain Accubond Lengthy Vary, and Barnes’ 140-grain TSX BT are each glorious choices.

Along with making the world’s finest carbon-fiber barrels, Proof Analysis additionally cranks out excellent full rifles. The eye to element and fit-and-finish of each their barrels and rifles has no equal amongst manufacturing facility produced firearms.

Situated in northwest Montana, it’s little shock that Proof has a very good really feel for what constitutes an incredible elk searching rifle, they usually have a number of choices value contemplating, relying in your finances.

Essentially the most attainable is the Proof Elevation, which has a feature-set that justifies the three-grand-and-change worth. It’s constructed on a Zermatt Arms Origin motion, which is likely one of the best-made bolt-actions on the market. The manufacturing tolerances on Zermatt’s merchandise are extremely exact, to the purpose the place firms doing builds on their actions don’t even have to do QC checks on the size. When mated with Proof’s carbon-fiber barrel and positioned in Proof’s carbon-fiber inventory, you find yourself with a decent, stiff, and dependable searching rig that stacks bullets on prime of one another.

In 7mm Rem. Magazine., the Elevation comes with a 24-inch barrel with a 1:8.4 twist and 5/8-24 threaded muzzle, and weighs about 6.5 kilos with out a scope. It has a hinged-floorplate journal, rocks twin swivel studs on the fore-end to mount a bipod, has a TriggerTech set off, and is obtainable in a pair totally different colour choices.

The 7mm Rem. Magazine. has a protracted historical past of success on elk and different huge sport, and is likely one of the consummate western searching cartridges because of its flat-shooting trajectory and fabulous terminal ballistics. I’ve used 140-grain bullets on elk up to now with good success, however with the Proof’s sooner twist fee (the SAMMI normal is 1:9.25) you may take a look at a few of the heavier .284-inch bullets too. Hornady’s 162- and 175-grain ELD-X bullets may have no hassle stabilizing with the 1:8.4 twist and can knock the tar out of any elk you hit within the vitals.

For the traditionalist, this is likely one of the finest elk rifle and cartridge combos accessible. Immediately’s Mannequin 70s are constructed to a degree of high quality higher than something Winchester has performed in a long time and are worthy heirs to the M70’s legend.

Whilst you can nonetheless get a Mannequin 70 in walnut with blued metal, the Excessive Hunter is best suited to exhausting use and severe searching. It comes with a Cerakoted end on the barrel and motion and has a rugged Bell & Carlson artificial inventory performed up in True Timber Strata camo.

This mannequin features a radial muzzle brake and—chambered in .300 Win. Magazine.—has a 26-inch barrel with gentle fluting in a sporter contour.

The rifle has a hinged journal floorplate and holds three rounds of the venerable .300 Win. It consists of Winchester’s constant and crisp MOA set off, a three-position security positioned on the bolt shroud, controlled-round feed and extraction, and a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad.

Amongst all of the cartridges included on this story, the .300 Win. Magazine. is the usual by which all different elk rifle rounds are judged. The .300 Win. Magazine. has continued to evolve through the years—largely resulting from requests from the navy to squeeze extra efficiency from it as a sniper spherical—and these adjustments have saved the cartridge as correct and lethal as something on the market.

FAQs

Remaining Ideas

What qualifies as an incredible elk rifle has shifted through the years. Advances in bullet expertise, cartridge design, rifle accuracy, and taking pictures expertise have broadened the spectrum. Fifty or 60 years in the past we compensated for awful bullets, mediocre rifle efficiency, and normal lack of taking pictures savvy by insisting that finest elk searching rifles must be fire-spewing magnums, .30-caliber and up. Something much less could be foolhardy. We now know higher—at the least most of us do. The traditional boomers nonetheless carry dwelling the venison, however we dwell in an period the place loads of rifles, and cartridges, are reliable instruments for searching elk.