The Ruger in 06 will be perfect for Utah Elk and Mulies, this elk was taken between Blanding and Monticello with a thirty ought, hand loaded with a 180 grain Nosler partitions. Mount a good Leopold 3x9 and some practice and good to go.

You watching too many movies or it's that dang rainbow 6 loco.... Dang nitro that's a biggun.... ...Chuck Norris aint got Sit on you...

This is a buddy of mine from Blanding, he was the lucky guy who drew out on a tag for Elk in an area that had been closed to elk hunting for 25 years, so I made up all of his ammo for that hunt. I weighted out the bullets we dug out of the elk and they all retained 80 percent of their starting weight just like they were advertised to do.

Thanks for all the input.Her husband is actually a new hunter. They have just settled down in Utah and he has some buddies who hunt and will hopefully show him the ropes.You guys have provided some great info.

I like the Ruger American too but I’d take .308 over 30-06. Might just be me. I shot 06s for years and years. But I’m a short action man now.
I’ve had 7-08, .308, .243 and now 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 might just be the best of all of em. But I ain’t let the air out of nothing yet with the Creedmoor.

That guy in the picture looks like he’s responding to Johnny loco saying something about Powermax in 30-30. I believe the translation is “I’ll whip your ass”.

I love my X-bolt they don't get much love and I don't know why. Super accurate, light, low recoil and feels good. Tons of options.

I think the A-bolt was so popular that people just don't like new stuff sometimes.

All these rifles would work but they're all so blasé and boring. This fella obviously needs a FWT Model 70 in 7x57 with a 6x42 Meopta mounted in a set of Talley LW's loaded with 175gr Nosler Partitions or 160gr Barnes TSX

OR maybe that's just what I'd want my ol' lady to buy me

Only if you roll your own ammo. I've had a ruger m77 7X57 since '84 and shoot 150 partitions in it. My brother got a M70 featherweight super grade a couple years ago and I'm loading 139 gr Hornady SP for him.

Always been a fan of the 275 Rigby.

One of the very few rifles I truly regretted selling was a stainless M77 RSI in 7x57 that was barrel stamped .275 Rigby
Sounds like your brother has a really nice rifle. A supergrade 7x57 is real high on my rifle bucket list.

I'm howling.

7mm-08 is the modern version of the 7x57, and it's a lot easier to find good ammo

So you wear shoes ? pffftttt. . I go bare foot. Saves that extra pound for when I carry my 45 -70 at 10,000 feet. But that's just me. But I also don't carry bullets and beat the Dahl sheep with my butt stock after sneaking up on them.


To the o.p. in all seriousness if your gonna be hiking and climbing every pound will count. Lot's of options there just go light as you can without sacrificing accuracy.

For $500 a new Weatherby Vanguard would be my pick. Under that price - Ruger American. Over that price the options are pretty endless you can get a very nice used rifle for $600 that anyone would be proud to own. Not some beat up piece.

If i were to pick a caliber on a new rifle for this dynamic duo of game animals it would be the 7 Mag. Without a doubt. This has got 7 Mag written all over it.

CDNN has a couple Ruger M77's sub $500 that would work. They have a .280 and 30-06. I would probably go for the .270 with Green Hogue stock. $449 you'll be in that under $500 with shipping and transfer fee. I can't remember what CDNN charges to ship.

If those calibers work... For the money you can't beat a M77 Ruger at those prices.

Some of us are not interested in the modern version...

If it were me id go with either a 7mm or 300. If he had the coin I am selling my 300 sender, with the break it kicks about like a 223.