I wouldn’t hesitate to bring any of the elk rifles listed here on a backcountry hunt. You certainly get more gun with more money, but in terms of basic reliability, all these rifles are good choices. For the bargain-price rifle, I’m fond of the Mossberg Patriot. In the mid-range prices, the Weatherby Vanguard and Tikka T3x are two rifles I have a lot of confidence in. At the upper end of the price scale, the Nosler 21 and Proof Research Elevation are tough to beat.