Its 2023 and you're going on your first elk hunt. What rifle/cartridge do you choose?

I used a handloaded .405 Winchester in a Deluxe 1895 Winchester with
Redfield Receaver Peep sights. Shot nice bull @ 125 yds using cross sticks.
This was an original rifle made in 1904 , but on todays Canadian market
there are repros available & Hornady makes the ammo.
 
Its 2023 and you're going on your first elk hunt. What rifle/cartridgedid do you choose?
I fixed the question for you....
But I certainly wouldnt be asking the question the first week of Hunting Season as it is weeks to late to decide if the chosen caliber is the correct one.
Just watched some guy in Idaho take a monster Bull Elk with a .308 and 150 grn Hornady boolit.
Me, I would be using a 300 Winmag and 180 grn premium boolits.
Thats just me though.
 
I killed 6 with the 30-06 Springfield, 1 with the 7mm Rem. Mag. and 1 with the 270 Winchester. Hmmmmm, probably the 30-06 would be my choice, 165 grain accubond.
 
I guess for me it depends on what kind of shot is anticipated, as I have a few rifles I would like to use.
If shots are expected to be close I would take the 405 Win, 45-70, 458 win mag or possibly even the 454 Casull, and if I was expecting there to be any distance I would take the 375 Ruger or 30-06...

30-06 would easily do it all, but wheres the fun in that?
 
Mr.Rigpig said:
I guess for me it depends on what kind of shot is anticipated, as I have a few rifles I would like to use.
If shots are expected to be close I would take the 405 Win, 45-70, 458 win mag or possibly even the 454 Casull, and if I was expecting there to be any distance I would take the 375 Ruger or 30-06...

30-06 would easily do it all, but wheres the fun in that?
Click to expand...

The fun is the entire experience prior and following the shot. Regardless of cartridge used, the shot only lasts a micro-second.........not much of a memory.
 
Probably just use something I already have in the 30cal realm with the proper bullet for the type of animal I was going to hunt, I’m more concerned with shot placement and bullet construction. If I had to justify a new rifle it would likely be a .300wm or .270 as I currently don’t have anything in either of those cartridges and a magnum has been more interesting to me lately, probably .300wm due to already having components for .30cal on hand.
 
Northern Shooter said:
It's 2023 and you're going on your first elk hunt. You've decided to buy yourself a new cartridge/rifle for this task. What do you choose?

I know the question of "best elk cartridge" gets thrown around a lot. With each passing decade both the variety and popularity of ideal cartridges seems to change.

I went into this with the classic 338 WinMag in mind but have since found both the selection of quality rifles and in-stock ammunition to be quite limited.

Having the capabiility of being effective on elk at distances of say 400m while also proving versatile enough to be used on other game (bear, sheep goat etc) where opportunity presents itself.

In the 2023 Canadian context (price, availability), what rifle and cartridge are you choosing for this kind of hunt?
Click to expand...

did anyone ask if you actually already had some big game centerfires rifles on hand? just use one of those if so

here's a factory 22" 308 shooting factory hornady precision hunter 178 gr eld-x on a red stag (350-500 lb) at 530 yards, impact about 1820 fps, that would handle bull elk at 550 just fine...better off shooting something you CAN shoot well, not something you close your eyes first then yank the trigger on...make sure you can break clean shots and do 3 shot groups around moa at 400m before you head out...comfort and shoot-ability far outweighs the head stamp, you're better off a little under-gunned with something you shoot well then over-gunned thinking they're made of kevlar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf-W10OaHcg
 
track said:
The fun is the entire experience prior and following the shot. Regardless of cartridge used, the shot only lasts a micro-second.........not much of a memory.
Click to expand...

My use of the .405 Win. in my Win. '95 was a 15 yr. dream I wanted to complete.
Not just the biggest for the job but using a Historic ( Teddy) gun.
 
Northern Shooter said:
It's 2023 and you're going on your first elk hunt. You've decided to buy yourself a new cartridge/rifle for this task. What do you choose?

I know the question of "best elk cartridge" gets thrown around a lot. With each passing decade both the variety and popularity of ideal cartridges seems to change.

I went into this with the classic 338 WinMag in mind but have since found both the selection of quality rifles and in-stock ammunition to be quite limited.

Having the capabiility of being effective on elk at distances of say 400m while also proving versatile enough to be used on other game (bear, sheep goat etc) where opportunity presents itself.

In the 2023 Canadian context (price, availability), what rifle and cartridge are you choosing for this kind of hunt?
Click to expand...

It's not clear from your post as to whether you already have a 3006 or 308, or whatever, but at this point in the year I would hunt with the centerfire hunting rifle you have right now. Buying a rifle and getting dialed with it takes time. As others have mentioned I would not feel undergunned with anything in the 6.5 swede class on up.

After the season take your time and pick out your ideal 338wm (what I have used for a long time successfully) and get good with it for next year.
 
track said:
The fun is the entire experience prior and following the shot. Regardless of cartridge used, the shot only lasts a micro-second.........not much of a memory.
Click to expand...

I agree, but Not really the point I was getting at though. Its all part of the bigger picture, Rifle/calibre/bow whatever being a part.
Using that train of thought a person should only own 1 firearm, in a super boring, mundane, do-all calibre. I disagree. My choice of firearm for a particular hunt gets as much thought as any other piece of equipment or destination.
 
SuperCub said:
117 years later and the 30-06 still checks off all the boxes.

Our trouble is is that we're too cool to shoot something as common and mundane as the 30-06. :)
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they say wise man became wise with the age and despite all of it, it seems the 30-06 like the 9.3x62 were right since day one.

in france everybody recommended the 300 win mag for red deer and i used 7x64 or 9.3x62 as well as the 300 weatherby with success but the 30-06 was prohibited to use for hunt now that have changed and the 30-06 is the new hype there which make a lot of sense.
 
SuperCub said:
117 years later and the 30-06 still checks off all the boxes.

Our trouble is is that we're too cool to shoot something as common and mundane as the 30-06. :)
Click to expand...

Yup. The still excellent 30-06.

For a first hunt I'd focus less on cartridge, certainly use enough to do the job at hand. I'd focus more on a rifle that I like, is reliable, accurate and that I shoot well. Something like this 1984 Sako AV Finnbear Deluxe in 30-06 would (does) fit my bill.

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https://nechakooutdoors.ca/winchester-model-70-338-win-mag/

thegundealer.net/product/winchester-model-70-alaskan-338-win-mag/

https://oleysarmoury.com/used-browning-bar-338-win-mag-built-1991/ (for your other please google it for me thread)

https://www.reliablegun.com/en/used-ruger-m77-bolt-action-rifle-338-win-mag-24-blued-barrel-with-sights-1-rings-tang-safety-walnut-stock-good-condition

https://www.reliablegun.com/en/used-browning-a-bolt-safari-bolt-action-rifle-338-win-mag-blued-wood-stock-williams-rifle-sights-bushnell-scopechief-ii-3-9x40-3rds-worn-scratched-finish-on-stock-good-condition



google is hard
 
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medvedqc said:
they say wise man became wise with the age and despite all of it, it seems the 30-06 like the 9.3x62 were right since day one.

in france everybody recommended the 300 win mag for red deer and i used 7x64 or 9.3x62 as well as the 300 weatherby with success but the 30-06 was prohibited to use for hunt now that have changed and the 30-06 is the new hype there which make a lot of sense.
Click to expand...

I somewhat scratch my head at that. The 7x64 will do everything the 30-06 does. 175 SP or RN at 2700+ fps will handle big game perfectly. 140-150's at 2900-3000 fps for medium game. If one hunted the 7x64, i wouldn't see the need of change unless you'd want another rifle.
 
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