270 WSM, but better engineered to take advantage of heavy-for-caliber. The 6.8 Western is a fairly stout cartridge, similar to the. That combined with the fluting on the bolt body and barrel brings the weight of the Mountain Pro down to 6 pounds, 2 ounces.Ĭhambered in the new 6.8 Western, this rig is ready for high country bulls. The X-Bolt Mountain Pro features a carbon-fiber stock that’s been filled with lightweight foam so it is both light and quiet. Best Elk Hunting Rifles: Reviews and Recommendations Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro in 6.8 Westernīrowning has been adding variants to their X-Bolt line at a good clip, and this is one my favorites to date. I wanted to highlight what’s worked for me, as well as showcase rifles that are currently available. I came up with this list of the best elk rifles-and cartridges-based on those experiences. I’ve chased them in the high desert regions of New Mexico, in the coastal rainforests of the Cascade mountains, on horseback in the Canadian Rockies, and all over the intermountain West. I’ve gone on countless elk hunts over the years. Winchester Model 70 Extreme Hunter in.Mossberg Patriot Synthetic Cerakote in.Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard Bronze in.Browning X-Bolt Mountain Pro in 6.8 Western.This list of the best elk hunting rifles covers the gamut of price points and cartridge selection, so no matter the specifics of your next hunt, you’ll find one of these elk rifles answers. No matter what, however, elk rifles need to be tough, because they will be banged around and exposed to the elements. If you need to cut weight for your hunt, you’re better off giving up the Doritos and IPAs than trying to shave every last ounce from your rifle’s barrel. They tend to be more accurate and handle better than the sub-6-pound guns. While I admire ultra-light rifles, there’s something to be said for a gun with adequate heft. Backcountry hunters on foot will gravitate toward light rifles, while those on horseback or who hunt private ground will have a broader field to choose from. The other factor when picking an elk rifle is the country where you hunt and your style of hunting. The magnum guys talk up the ability of the big boomers to handle less-than-ideal shot angles, while the smaller-caliber camp points to the better precision and recoil management that lighter cartridges offer. 30-calibers still rule the roost, but there are plenty of good elk rifles chambered in smaller offerings. When it comes to the best cartridges for elk, the. Elk are big, tough animals and any elk hunting rifle you select needs to be chosen with that fact in mind.

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