Bingo, you've got a .30 cal. A 300 mag is just an 06 a little farther out. If you want more performance go to a bigger gun.
opinions on Ultimate Alberta Elk gun.
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Bingo, you've got a .30 cal. A 300 mag is just an 06 a little farther out. If you want more performance go to a bigger gun.
I guess it depends on where your hunting. In the brush, that .303 will do fine with 180's. In the open, a .300 Win Mag offers a large step up in performance - it has more energy at 200 yards than the .303 at the muzzle, and when zeroed at 200 yards is only 7 inches low to the .303's 11 inches (basic PP ammo - better offerings in the Win Mag). Ammo is cheap and easy to find for a non-reloader. Lots of choices as far as available models goes. I'd take the Winchester or Ruger myself.
I want to be clear here - the rifle choice depends a lot on exactly the type of terrain you hunt for those monsters.
If I was hunting the open grasslands of eastern Alberta (there still is a draw for that area - it is something to see a big herd in the vast open prairie as God made them...) you can hit an animal and have a good chance at following it to its final resting place. Shots are long, but a lighter bullet is fine with good boiler room placement.
Where I tend to hunt is off of rivers in north-central Alberta, the cliffs are steep, the rivers fast and cold and the bush on each side dark and dense. You may only get the one chance of a longish shot as they browse along the river or as they work their way up a embankment up to their safety zones.
You hit them hard - I try to bust the front end (which takes out heart lung hopefully as well)- and as has been said, you keep shooting and be ready to shoot if you are so lucky to have it go down as you approach it. A few ribs that are lost is nothing to try and find one that has swam over the river and beat it up the other side and over the next 2 mountain ranges.
I have seen and helped fellows (good hunters and shots all) try to track into the next province, bulls that were well hit. But many (me included) shoot once and admire our shot. Bad habit to get into. That is why we pay for those bolt actions - to shoot again.
Yes, I just picked up a 340 Weatherby for this duty after decades of my faithful .300 Weatherby - but mainly because I wanted to try something else for a rifle.
In southwest Alberta, you can find the dense forests but with vast open meadows and deep ravines - same methods apply, but a 30-06 or similar may be just the ticket for those climbs...
If I was hunting the open grasslands of eastern Alberta (there still is a draw for that area - it is something to see a big herd in the vast open prairie as God made them...) you can hit an animal and have a good chance at following it to its final resting place. Shots are long, but a lighter bullet is fine with good boiler room placement.
Where I tend to hunt is off of rivers in north-central Alberta, the cliffs are steep, the rivers fast and cold and the bush on each side dark and dense. You may only get the one chance of a longish shot as they browse along the river or as they work their way up a embankment up to their safety zones.
You hit them hard - I try to bust the front end (which takes out heart lung hopefully as well)- and as has been said, you keep shooting and be ready to shoot if you are so lucky to have it go down as you approach it. A few ribs that are lost is nothing to try and find one that has swam over the river and beat it up the other side and over the next 2 mountain ranges.
I have seen and helped fellows (good hunters and shots all) try to track into the next province, bulls that were well hit. But many (me included) shoot once and admire our shot. Bad habit to get into. That is why we pay for those bolt actions - to shoot again.
Yes, I just picked up a 340 Weatherby for this duty after decades of my faithful .300 Weatherby - but mainly because I wanted to try something else for a rifle.
In southwest Alberta, you can find the dense forests but with vast open meadows and deep ravines - same methods apply, but a 30-06 or similar may be just the ticket for those climbs...
I disagree that you need to have a long range gun for Elk. A group of us gather once a year for the Elk hunt where there are several herds that we harvest a few animals from each season. More than not, full size bulls are taken at less than 100 yards. Last year one of the young fellows shot a bull at less than 10 yards ( shoot or get run over), and the year before, I took one at 50 yards.
If you see elk in the open, its because they are on the run. They will stay in the thick bush until they are pushed out.
A standard hunting rifle with good energy will take down an Elk. 30.06, .308, 300, ect. You don't need anything special, and certainly not a canon.
If you see elk in the open, its because they are on the run. They will stay in the thick bush until they are pushed out.
A standard hunting rifle with good energy will take down an Elk. 30.06, .308, 300, ect. You don't need anything special, and certainly not a canon.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
That's not always been my experience. Last year I located a herd of feeding elk in the open, quite a ways back from any motorized access, and I studied them for about 1.5 hours, trying to figure a way to get closer, before finally taking the shot at a bit over 490 yards.
A buddy of mine is an outfitter just southwest of Calgary, he was telling me he likes a .338 win mag with a bullet over 200 grains that expands well. He regularly takes elk out past 300 yards, across canyons where wind is a factor and suggests that the longer, heavier bullet helps with the wind but also assists in dropping the elk quickly. He also carries a .45-70 for the closer stuff, and buffalo, grizzly etc... I have also heard the .325 wsm as being potent to 800 yards on elk, with a redfield scope your sighted to 500 with that bullets' trajectory. However, I have personally gotten within 50 yards of elk without them spooking. I was on a horse, so i suggest you keep the guns you have, spend $2000 on some glue-line horse, a cheap saddle and a couple riding lessons. Take your .303 with 215 grainers or your 12 gauge slugger, go to Kananaskis and get yourself an elk.
You can pick up a Sako A7 topped with a Burris 3X9X40 for way under yor budget limitations and still have lots of cash left over for ammo. Decent rifle at a decent price and will kill just about anything game wise in North America. Last time I looked WSS had them on for around $1100.
This is the best advice you have gotten so far.
Find your limitations, elk will soak up any magnum if hit wrong and run you to death trying to find them. Doesn't matter if it was a .243 or a .416 Weatherby.
Lots of elk die every year under 100yds, so don't think you have to shoot wayyyyyy out there.
I have seen elk die with a .308, .270, .280, .300 Win Mag, etc.
Longest shot I know of on a elk was a friends dad with a .270 on a big cow elk at 500yds. The 130gr TSX took off into the mountain side after punching out both shoulders.
I witnessed a big bull elk die at a little over 400yds at the hands of a Savage 99 in .308 with 180 Power Points. That bullet went through both lungs and the elk went 25yds and fell over.
If I was to recommend a cartridge I would pad it by saying this: get a cartridge you can shoot accurately with a bullet weight between 130-250grs at 2600fps+ and use a good quality bullet for the speed that it is moving.
My top three for a newbie:
.270 Win. w/ 130-140gr TSX/XP3/E-Ti/GMX/Accubond
.30-06 w/ 165-180gr TSX/XP3/E-Tip/GMX/Accubond
.280 Remington w/ 140-160gr TSX/XP3/E-Tip/GMX/Accubond
Done listen to the "magnum for a comfort zone" BS. Nothing wrong with a magnum but a good quality bullet is more important than the amount of powder behind it. Shoot them through the lungs, elk shoulders are tough.
I've always thought of elk hunters as a little bit crazy. That's a whole lot of packing after the shot! 
All I can add to this is I only know one real elk hunter. He goes down for a week at a time, sometimes to areas I know and someimes not. He says his shots can be in your face or out to 400 yards. When I asked him what cartridge he uses, the 7mm Remington Magnum is always his answer. Though he told me a few years ago he wanted to try a 7mm or .300 Ultramag, and as far as I know he should have one by now.
All I can add to this is I only know one real elk hunter. He goes down for a week at a time, sometimes to areas I know and someimes not. He says his shots can be in your face or out to 400 yards. When I asked him what cartridge he uses, the 7mm Remington Magnum is always his answer. Though he told me a few years ago he wanted to try a 7mm or .300 Ultramag, and as far as I know he should have one by now.
Thanks for the great reply, I think you gave very accurate advice. I am not a newbie at shooting, but I haven't been a hunter for very long. I can handle a rifle pretty well and I dont think any of the calibers you mentioned have too much over a 303 british. Really I am just asking what would be the optimum caliber if you want versatility with range, and you could cleanly and humanely take an elk up to 500 yards. Obviously I will try my best to call an elk as close as I can get it, but because of the stories I hear of long range kills I want to be prepared. At the same time I don't want a bazooka if I can get away with something much more pleasant.
What time of the year you going hunting for elk. Hard to call them after the ruts over.My first elk was so close all I could make out was his eyeball in the scope the rest was just hair. Never had a real long shot even thou I had a 300 mag and at times a 375.Even the 308 did well for elk .
Unless you want to hunt with a group to "push" the elk out of the bush (a dubious proposition), I feel you are better to have a rifle that can meet any requirements you may face.
It always goes without saying that you practice, know your limits and pick your shots.
I kind of understand the idea of not developing a flinch etc by shooting something you are not happy with, but I always feel that if you dont try to expand your abilities and try new rifles and hunting techniques you will never know what you are capable of.
A bigger gun is not evil and it wont tear your body apart. It may be a good choice - or not. After my 45 years of hunting this wonderful world, I am amazed how some feel that one must pick the perfect rifle for the type of game. Kind of like a perfect bottle of wine for a meal. And that choice appears to be trending to try and use the smallest possible caliber for the animal.
Variety is the spice of life, and if you wish to shoot a 378 magnum at a pronghorn, why not?
Any rifle can kill anything.
I guess I have seen more go wrong with too light of a rifle than too heavy.
It always goes without saying that you practice, know your limits and pick your shots.
I kind of understand the idea of not developing a flinch etc by shooting something you are not happy with, but I always feel that if you dont try to expand your abilities and try new rifles and hunting techniques you will never know what you are capable of.
A bigger gun is not evil and it wont tear your body apart. It may be a good choice - or not. After my 45 years of hunting this wonderful world, I am amazed how some feel that one must pick the perfect rifle for the type of game. Kind of like a perfect bottle of wine for a meal. And that choice appears to be trending to try and use the smallest possible caliber for the animal.
Variety is the spice of life, and if you wish to shoot a 378 magnum at a pronghorn, why not?
Any rifle can kill anything.
I guess I have seen more go wrong with too light of a rifle than too heavy.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Ok then, I see the need here for a big bang stick!
To see any real perceivable difference in impact and range over those I have already suggested, I would recommend a .338 Winchester.
A 225gr bullet TTSX or Accubond at 2850fps is an excellent long range thumper, and follows the drop of most BDC reticles very closely.
Good luck!
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
That's certainly not what I would choose, but variety is the spice of life!
