284win or 300wby for Elk

[TRP]

I have my first elk hunt coming up. The guide said most shots are under 300 yards, unless we go to one particular unit where the shots can be up to 500 yards. I'm flip flopping on which rifle I should bring.

I have a 300wby that was gifted to me that I shoot fairly well. Under MOA and sub half MOA if I practice with it a lot. The best load in this gun is 180 partitions, 89 grains of H1000 at 3200FPS.

I have a new 284 that should be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks. Obviously never shot this gun but I have a 6.5 Lapua built on the exact same platform that is an absolute laser out to 1000 yards. I have no doubt that I could surgically place a bullet at 500 yards with this gun. Will shoot 168 VLD or 145LRX whichever load shoots better. This gun is built on a medium length action, 24 in barrel.

Which rifle would you bring?

 

[holl]

Id take the one I had the most experience with and felt the most confident with. Either will work. Id also suggest spending your time practicing from hunting positions (sitting, off a pack, with shooting sticks) rather than trying to work up a load for a new rifle.... good luck

 

[Bill K]

Take the one you shoot the best with on field positions, not off a bench.

 

[markT]

which rifle do you want all your friends to see in the photo when you make your kill? That’s your answer.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Elk are very tough animals. Take the 300 WBY. I shoot them with a .340 WBY. Yes, you can kill an Elk with a .284. But Bigger and heavier bullets Let in more light!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

A

which rifle do you all your friends to see in the photo when you make your kill? That’s your answer.

And see how fast they can get it on Facebook.

 

[B23]

I have a great fondness for the 300 Wby and when I was younger from my late teens to about my early 30's that was the only centerfire rifle I owned and used it for coyotes to elk and everything in between.

Like 10X said elk can be one tough SOB particular if you don't make a very good shot and they spook. They get their adrenaline pumping and you'd be amazed at what those friggen things can endure and how far they can go.

Of the two I'd also go with the 300Wby. If you're hunting with a guide he'll likely have a good understanding of elk so that'll certainly help and he'll be able to coach you through the do's and don'ts. Best of luck on you hunt.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Even more important to me than the caliber is the bullet you use for elk. I have killed a bajillion elk with Nosler Partitions. What ever bullet you use should be high quality and stay together even when hitting a shoulder.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Carry weight should factor into it but if you can shoot the 300 Weatherby well, I would use it.

 

[CJ6]

Elk have been taken with lessor cartridges than you've mentioned........That being said....I'd go with the 300 Wea. You said you shoot it well and are comfortable with it. I like ENERGY on target (accuracy counts too) and you'll get that with the 300 Wea.

 

[farmerjohn]

When you are traveling a long way and spending money on a trophy, the largest caliber that you can shoot ACCURATELY. I've never seen a nice bull "over dead"! Good hunting, John

 

[Mikemci]

Even more important to me than the caliber is the bullet you use for elk. I have killed a bajillion elk with Nosler Partitions. What ever bullet you use should be high quality and stay together even when hitting a shoulder.

Partitions for the win!!

 

[RegionRat]

Sounds like a choice between a 300 WBY you know you can shoot very well already, and one you don't even have in your hands for two more weeks. What you have not told us, is how many sessions you will have under your belt with the new one before you have to leave?

If you don't have several sessions with the new rig, it shouldn't be a question. Use the gun you know well now. Elk can run a long way while dead on their feet... if shot badly with misplaced shots.

Unless we are talking about a trip way out in the future and well after you have shot and verified this upcoming rig, then I would say get that 300 WBY out and practice practice practice....

If you have your heart set on using that new upcoming rig, then I don't see why you can't unless you know you won't have time to learn the gun well enough in time.

In any case, good luck with both.

 

[strut64]

As said above partitions are your best bet as far as bullets go. They are standard against which all premium bullets are measured. Good luck!!

 

[284winner]

I have my first elk hunt coming up. The guide said most shots are under 300 yards, unless we go to one particular unit where the shots can be up to 500 yards. I'm flip flopping on which rifle I should bring.

I have a 300wby that was gifted to me that I shoot fairly well. Under MOA and sub half MOA if I practice with it a lot. The best load in this gun is 180 partitions, 89 grains of H1000 at 3200FPS.

I have a new 284 that should be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks. Obviously never shot this gun but I have a 6.5 Lapua built on the exact same platform that is an absolute laser out to 1000 yards. I have no doubt that I could surgically place a bullet at 500 yards with this gun. Will shoot 168 VLD or 145LRX whichever load shoots better. This gun is built on a medium length action, 24 in barrel.

Which rifle would you bring?

Both equally adequate for elk so just depends on how beat up you want to get at the range. I'd shoot the 168s in the .284 for Elk and if it's only out to 300 yards, I'd consider the 160 Nosler partition.

 

[Downeast]

Nuff said...Wby.

 

[Jr solocam]

I still remember walking up to my first bull elk. It was awe inspiring for a deer hunter.

Either of your rifles is fine, I would choose the 300.

 

[CaptainMal]

Only hunted Elk one time back in 1999. Did take a "rag horn" after passing up a nice one the very first day. Used my Winchester 338 mag.

Sadly but today that rifle is still in the safe, unfired since then. No good for deer as the bullet jackets are a bit heavy and it is like hitting them with a solid, the gun is useless for me today.

If you can shoot something accurately that is not too heavy to carry around, I say shoot that one. Both of your rifles will work.

 

[oldroper]

I have my first elk hunt coming up. The guide said most shots are under 300 yards, unless we go to one particular unit where the shots can be up to 500 yards. I'm flip flopping on which rifle I should bring.

I have a 300wby that was gifted to me that I shoot fairly well. Under MOA and sub half MOA if I practice with it a lot. The best load in this gun is 180 partitions, 89 grains of H1000 at 3200FPS.

I have a new 284 that should be wrapped up in the next couple of weeks. Obviously never shot this gun but I have a 6.5 Lapua built on the exact same platform that is an absolute laser out to 1000 yards. I have no doubt that I could surgically place a bullet at 500 yards with this gun. Will shoot 168 VLD or 145LRX whichever load shoots better. This gun is built on a medium length action, 24 in barrel.

Which rifle would you bring?

I live Co and my biggest bull used 300mag and I've used 300Wby,300RUM and 30-338mag. I've got 284 on long action with 27" barrel. If you could handle 300Wby I'd use that. I've got Rock Creek barrel 270Wby and plan on using that next year bull tag.

 

[Bill Score]

Id take the one I had the most experience with and felt the most confident with. Either will work. Id also suggest spending your time practicing from hunting positions (sitting, off a pack, with shooting sticks) rather than trying to work up a load for a new rifle.... good luck

I agree with this guy, Definitely do some shooting in different positions. I went elk hunting for the first time last year, felt real comfortable shooting off packs and bipods, but the shooting sticks were new to me. Ended up taking a bull off the sticks and me on a knee, not the best position, but the shot was only 47 yards.