opinions on Ultimate Alberta Elk gun.

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Hey guys, I am new to Alberta so this will be my first year hunting in this area. Talking to all the hunters here I keep hearing stories of big distance kills and the need for a long range rifle for up to 500yards (which seems crazy for a BC bush hunter like myself). I am not a hugely experienced hunter, nor have I ever taken elk before, so I am not 100% sure of what to expect or believe. I have mostly used my 303 British or my 30-30 as my deer gun, but ive decided that I need a little more firepower for the Elk I am planning on taking this year.

I don't currently reload, so I would like a cartridge that is easily accessible. My thoughts were a winchester/tikka/ruger in 7mag, or 300 win mag. Can I get some expert (internet) opinions on what would be a good rifle and scope for this purpose? My budget is around $2000 for the entire set up.
Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

(ps. Savage guys don't waste your time on me, it wont work) :p
 
For what it's worth, most of the hardcore elk hunters around where I live prefer a 7mm; but most of them also hunt sheep.
Personally I've always liked a 300winmag with a 180gr lead.

I think a 338winmag may be a good choice for a dedicated elk gun? 'Course your 303 would work, too. Depending where you're hunting, the stories of 300yd shots being a forlorn hope are real. Lot's of pressure in most wmu's.

The biggest problem I've run into hunting elk here is when you DO have a shot you know you can comfortably make it's usually a case of do you REALLY want to haul it out of there???

It's all fun though, best of luck this fall.
 
I would stick with your guns that you have they have enough dropping power to take down an elk or similar large game, as for range, u can call elk in close so don't worry about a 500 yard shot. My boss brought in his last elk to 100 yards before dropping it, aslong as you have time to wait u can get em close.
 
The guns you have and are comfortable with are going to limit your range for sure, but if you are patient they may suffice with well placed shots...

Last year I picked up a Stainless Ruger Laminate in .338 Win Mag and topped it with a Redfield 3x9 scope. If I recall correctly the rifle was about $800, the scope about $350, a set of used dies and brass another $80. That is well within your price range set out.

I don't find the recoil to be excessive and it is definitely an accurate gun. This is definitely now my go to elk and moose gun especially if I figure the ranges are going to stretch out there a bit further.

Previous to this I was using a .280 Rem M70 featherweight and my close range gun is a Ruger #3 in .45-70.
 
Jwirecom109 said:
I would stick with your guns that you have they have enough dropping power to take down an elk or similar large game, as for range, u can call elk in close so don't worry about a 500 yard shot. My boss brought in his last elk to 100 yards before dropping it, aslong as you have time to wait u can get em close.
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Are you suggesting I DONT buy a new gun? Whats the fun in that? haha

Truth is I could probably use what I got, but its about time I get something new for the hunting season ahead. Also, having the option of reaching out a little further if need be is not a bad thing.
 
Buy a 300 in whatever flavour with 180 gr bullets. That will hold you for a long time.

Even tho I have used a 30-06 for more Elk - I always like how the 300 gives a margin of comfort when things go bad.

Then again -- any 340, 338 is also very nice.

If you are lucky to get out to hunt when they are calling you may be able to draw one in. If you have to hunt when you can - they will probably be out of rut and you wil be forced to stalk and shoot. Thats when a good rifle with a little reach and practice comes into play.

I dont care what anyone says - they are tough buggers and if you dont bring them down - you may never see it again - even with a good kill shot.
 
One of the nice things about something like a 300 Win or short win, or a 7mm rem, is that if you lose your ammo almost any Can tire, Walmart, Co-op, what ever you have, is likely to have a box or 2 on the shelf. Plus any of these 3 are powerfull enough, fairly comfortable to shoot. Pick a gun combo that you won't mind carrying around all day if you have to.

Like anything else, practice, pick your shots. But when you get a shot, don't stop shooting until the damn thing drops. Even then, be ready for a follow up shot. Farshot isn't kidding, you may never see the damn thing again.
 
I have seen Tikka T3s on sale lately for $599, and have also seen the following sales on scopes:

3-9x40 Conquest $499
Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x33 $445.94

You can't go wrong with that rifle in .30-06 topped with either of those scopes. You will have enough money left over for some really nice reloading equipment.
 
I have shot numerous elk with my ruger 280 150gr noslar partition . has worked very well for me 300yrds has been the furthest ive shot anything with it . They have always gone down hard .
 
farshot said:
Even tho I have used a 30-06 for more Elk - I always like how the 300 gives a margin of comfort when things go bad.

I dont care what anyone says - they are tough buggers and if you dont bring them down - you may never see it again - even with a good kill shot.
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This sounds like great advice, thank you. Would you opt for a shoulder shot to disable the beast? or just stick with a good ol 30cal in the boiler maker?

bjjzak said:
One of the nice things about something like a 300 Win or short win, or a 7mm rem, is that if you lose your ammo almost any Can tire, Walmart, Co-op, what ever you have, is likely to have a box or 2 on the shelf.
Click to expand...

Thats what I really like. I dont have the time to get into reloading, and for the amount of cartridges I go through in a hunting season I doubt its really worth it.
 
Best gun with lots of room for error, in way of distance bs power is a 338 win mag. Lead bullets are good but barns bullets are better. I use a 225 ttsx and my hand loads are crony at 2850 to 2900 fps giving me about 4000 ft/lbs of energy. Hard to beat for power. IMO. A 300 will do the same job as will a 30-06 and a 308. But 338 is the way to go.

As for rifle. I guess I can't suggest one. Being mine is a savage.
 
Far be from me to disagree with the experts after all I've only been hunting for 60 years, but, I started out shooting Moose and deer with a 44-40 then moved to a 303. Later I bought a 308 and I have been using it for EVERYTHING since. My 308 to date has taken about 25 deer, 5 moose, 4 elk, two black bear and 1 Grizzly. and I can't remember a shot over 125 yards. All were one shot kills and the longest runner was a muley who made it about 70 yards before collapsing. I handload and use the same bullet on all --- 165 grain Hornady SP --- 41grains of 3031 which gives me 2695 ft per sec. I sight in 1 inch high at 100 yards which puts me dead on at 150.

I have always heard that the best hunters were ones that (A). knew their limitations. (B). Knew the capabilities of their weapon. (C). Practiced with their hunting load and weapon.

Find out which weapon you are going to use and practice with it. Don't overgun yourself -------- I can't count the number of people I have seen on the range with the newest biggest baddest elk,moose, bear gun who start shooting it and the recoil makes them flinch to the point that most are shooting with their eyes closed.

Dave
 
where do you plan on hunting elk?

cause it takes almost ten years to get a prairie bull draw....nowhere else can i think of an elk hunt where you need to be able to shoot 500 yards in reality.

are you planning on hunting them in the rut? and calling them in?

I love a big bore lever rifle for calling elk and moose. 45-70 marlin is my weapon of choice for bugling bulls.

I would use something different for a prairie bull...but im more than a few years from that hunt yet.
 
My last shot on elk was 492 yards. No way to get closer without sending the herd into the next area code. Grab yourself a Ruger Hawkeye AW in 7RM and get a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. Then invest in a bunch of ammo and practice. You'll be gtg for hunting season.
 
To be 100% honest, I am relying on my work buddy to take me wherever it is he gets Elk every year, but being new to Calgary im depending on his previous experiences. He is using a browning xbolt in 7mm with a bushnell 6500 and has great success with it apparently.
 
So the consensuses is 500 yards. Only four common calibers come to mind. 7mm rem, 300 Win, 338 win, 8mm Rem. Personally, I'd go for the 8mm Remington mag and never look back. Of course I would never buy a Remington Rifle so there be the only problem. Dedicated rifle, the 338 Winchester of course will do it no problem.
 
I'm a big fan of the 300 win mag. I've hunted extensively with it, killed a number of Elk sized animals with no muss and fuss.

Mine was an older Sako AV with a 3x9x40 Zeiss Conquest, great combo.

FWIW, I wouldn't buy a rifle that weighs less than 7-7.5 pounds before mounts and scope in 300 winny. That leaves out the Tikka T3. Recoil is very manageable with an overall weight in the 8.5 pound range, less so in the 7-7.5 pound range with scope.
 
Elk hunting in Alberta can present the hunter with some pretty big open country and sometimes long shots are all you'll get. I have 6 Elk now to my credit with the closest taken at 15yds and the farthest at 410yds.

Personally I would rather be overgunned for the close stuff than undergunned and have to pass on the long stuff.

Your on the right track....7mm Mag, .300 Mag, .338 mag. Choose the one your recoil tolerance allows and never look back. With a well constructed bullet any of these calibers will take Elk cleanly and will do so at the less than perfect angles Elk so often present themselves.
 
Tikka T3 LS 300WM/300WSM or 7mmRM or Sako A7 would be good of the ones listed. 180gr Accubonds or TTSX's for the 300 caliber or 160gr for the 7mmRM get my vote. 30-06 with 165-180gr bullets be another good choice.

270WSM with 140gr Accubonds has impressed me!!

Leupold VX2 or Bushnell Elite 3200 or Burris 3-9x40 FF2 is all you need
 
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