Sitting here bored out of my mind , drying grain in a crappy Alberta snow squall. Skimming thru the Fire, and decided to come up with a what if scenario.
So the situation is you get one last Elk hunt , you are allowed to bring one off the shelf factory rifle , a scope , and 5 cartridges ( can be factory or hand load). What do you bring??
A Fieldcraft In 30-06 with a Nightforce 3-10 SHV.
Never been elk hunting in my life, but here's for all the marbels, my .Mark V Lazer Mark .300 WBY with 200 grain Nosler Partitions with a 4-12 Zeiss Conquest on top with solid Weaver style claw mount rings and an appropriate EGW Rail for a base mount. I said I've never killed anything bigger than deer or hogs but I'd damn near take that elephant hunting.
Next on deck would be my Ruger Tanger 9.3x62 with the same scope but in the Ruger Mounts and the .250 Accubond with enough of whatever powder it would take to get that bullet to 2600-2650 FPS if possible.
Don't go bear huntin' with a Switch.
Ruger 77 Hawkeye 30-06 and Leupold 3-9x.
Blaser R* 9.3x62 250gr TTSX
Scope I would choose the Swarovski 2-16 z8i rail mount
Same as I killed my first with Rem700 3006 Leupold variX and 165gn barnes.
Kent
Rem 700 300SAUM that I have killed a few bulls with over the years...
Savage 99 284 any reliable scope.
Ruger 77 Hawkeye 30-06 and Leupold 3-9x.
1982 Ruger M77 7mm Rem Mag with Burris Fullfield II 3-9x with Ballistic Plex reticle.
This was my first centerfire rifle, the first I used to take an elk and the one I used exclusively for 20+ years. It has dropped more elk than all my other rifles combined. Only the scope and load have changed. The scope is what it wears now. The load would be a North Fork 140g SS/HP @ 3214fps or 160g SS @ 3048fps.
Just got a SIL a 7mm RM as a wedding present and we might both be hunting elk with them this fall.
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Never had a burning desire for elk so any "what if/last hunt" would likely be my only hunt for them ever.
Probably take my Montana, 7-08 loaded with either Accubonds or TTSX. It currently has a 6x MilQuad tho I plan on replacing it with a lighter option this year.
Interesting responses, like I said I was bored. Most of my rifles other then a 17 hmr and my 39a marlin, have been modified in some way. Most have had trigger and bedding jobs , some action work . In fact I don’t have one bolt rifle that hasn’t had something done to it, I can’t remember last time I would have hunted with a bone stock rifle but it’s been a long time.
So as I was thinking if I had to take a rifle off the shelf and go hunting, I may lean toward a weatherby backcountry in 270 win. Topped with a vx3 3.5-10x40 scope. And likely run 130 AccuBonds or Interbonds, which ever it preferred.
Winchester M 70 .300 Wby loaded with 180 grain Nosler Partitions and mounted with a Leupold 3.5x10.
Model 70 Winchester custom smithed by Barry Davis and Mark Penrod.
G Series stainless action
24” Hart #2 1-9” twist
McMillan edge stock, famous red pad
Leupold VX3 - 3.5x10x40
150gr Barnes TTSX or 160 accubonds (elk don’t mind either)
Montana Sling
Most my elk have been archery, but my guns have killed a lot between family and friends. My 3006 killed 4 in one year alone, as did my 338 that I ended up giving to my nephew he liked it so well. Lately it's been my 708 killing elk, 2 in 1 year is the best so far.
Kent
.300 Weatherby Mark V Fibermark with Kahles 2.5-10x50 loaded with 168 gr Barnes TTSX. Killed last 3 big critters with it. Seems to have a bit of magic. Happy Trails
Elk is on my list of critters, plan on bringing my Remington 700 plain jane 280 and some 140 corelokts, which is currently sporting a Burris 4.5-14X42 E-1 but not sure how long that will last.
Well, just for spits and grins, I'll go with my Winchester M70 Featherweight in 7x57. Scope is a 3.5x10X Minox and the ammo will be my handloads with the 150 gr. Nosler partition at 2800 FPS.
Paul B.
My wife’s Model 70, SS/synthetic, .338 WM, with hand loads (225 TTSX’s @ 2950) using the Leupold 3.5-10 CDS which resides on it now! memtb
Same rifle I use every year. Model 70 Winchester stainless classic in 30.06. with handloaded 150 gr. Barnes TTSX bullets and a Leupold vari-2 3x9 scope.
Last hunt ever, no matter the species, is not a hunt I would take a new rifle on. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't take my tried and true Ruger #1A in 30/06 with Leupold M8-4X scope and 180 grain partitions. Not taking that rifle would be like leaving Sam, my Brittany, at home if it was my last pheasant hunt. Some things you just don't do.
My Ruger Hawkeye SS/syn 1-12" twist 35 Whelen with Leupold 2.5-8 VX3i using 250 gr. NP.
Took my Shiras Moose with it last Oct. Great Elk rifle as well.
What I have:
Marlin XS7 .308 Win., with Weaver V10 2-10x38 in Talley Lightweight Mounts. with 5 Barnes Vor-TX 165 gr. TTSX factory rounds
What I would take:
NULA 20 .308 Win. with Leupold 6x36 in Talley Lightweight Mounts with 5 Barnes Vor-TX 165 gr. TTSX factory rounds
Why I don't have, what I would take? Because it makes not a smidgen of a difference but costs 4 grand more. Thats why.
:-)
Winchester M 70 .300 Wby loaded with 180 grain Nosler Partitions and mounted with a Leupold 3.5x10.
Based on OP’s outline....This ^^^^😎
Never been Elk hunting, but am looking into it. Right now the one rifle I would take is my Mossberg Patriot in 338 Win Mag topped with a Leupold VX2 3-9 x 50 . Loaded with 180 Grain Nosler Accubonds. The rifle is light and packs easy.
The only rifle I currently own:
Ruger American Predator
6.5 Creedmor
SWFA 6X
Ammo not exactly sure yet brand new rifle haven't dialed it in yet.
I'm screwed. I don't have any rifles I haven't altered a bit except my .308 Win, 18.7" barreled GSR. I have a 2-7 Burris Sout on it and have some 150 Partitions to load. I guess I am good.