Deer/Elk Gun

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I am planning on buying a new gun. I want something that will handle both deer and elk fine. Right now i am looking at and debating between.270 Short Mag, .270, 30-06, and a 7 MM. What would you guys recommend?
 
There is a thread already going on this in the general forum under "Caliber"

I myself use a .270 weatherby magnum. I like it because it shoots very very flat and will put down elk with no problem.

The only drawback is that it costs a little more than normal for shells.
 
The 7 MM Rem. Mag. with 162 grain Hornady bullets or better still the 300 Win. Mag. with 180 bullets.
 
300 wsm Tikka or the sako. Save some cash and buy the Tikka t-3, (sako action) with a fully adjustable trigger. It comes with scope rings for about $600. Shoot some 180's out of it and you can be sure to have enough gun for anything legal in the lower 48 states.
 
Well, if you want the ultimate in hightech, go with a 270 or 300 WSM. If you want something that will put down deer and elk in a hurry, and is reliable and very well priced, go with a 30-06. It may not be as flat shooting as others, but know your ballistics and you'll be fine. Last weekend I took a full size cow elk at 550 yards with my 30-06. See my post in the elk section under; "My 05 WA elk hunt!".

The 180 grain Trophy Bonded BearClaw from Federal entered behind the front shoulder, took out the heart, through the chest cavity, broke the offside shoulder and went through the other side. At 550 yards that's pretty dang good for the "old 30-06".

Another guy shot a different cow with his 270 WSM. He handloads and was using the Nosler Partition tips. He shot it at 390 yards and it hit a rib as it entered the chest cavity. The bulley fragmentated all to hell (didn't even touch the offside ribs) but it sure made a mess of the lungs. The cow was down with 2 seconds after the shot. Likewise with mine. No personal experience with it, just this last weekend.

Two weeks before I shot a 350 lb black bear using 165 grain Sierra GameKings (also federal) at 250 yards. The bullet went through the entire chest cavity and lodged underneath the skin on the offside shoulder. For as dense as those bears are it was perfect. The bullet mushroomed awesome and seemed like it retained a lot of the weight.

Spend the money on a good scope and know your ballistics and it's one heckuva reliable cartridge.

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
I'll go silly on this one and recommend the one I've used for years- .280 Rem. Now that you can get a 160-gr Accubond, it's only improved in my mind.

I've taken numerous elk, deer and even a moose with this gun. The ballistics are very similar to the .06, just a bit flatter and quite a bit for forgiving!

Pred
 
I had a .280 once and loved it. I took an elk, a few deer and even a couple antelope. In a moment of insanity I sold it several years ago and have regreted it ever sence.

Mark
 
I shoot a 30-06 but any of the calibers given would be great. Some would say the .270 is on the light side for Elk but I completely disagree. The .300 ultra is an amazing caliber but if you flinch at recoil it might not be the one for you. If I were going to do it all over, I'd be hard pressed to pass up a .300 WSM. I personally don't think you can go wrong with any caliber you are considering. I bought the 30-06 because the gun was cheap and the rounds are cheap and you can find them anywhere. If money isn't an issue for you a Sako .300 WSM would be an awsome gun!!!!!

Donnie
 
I'm with Predator. I shoot a .280 out of a Remington model 700 KS Custom Mountain rifle and couldn't ask for anything better. It's a 6.5 pound gun topped with a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14X44. It's fun to shoot and doesn't punish my shoulder after a dozen plus at the range. I'd rather have fun shooting my gun and focus on accuracy. And the wife likes to shoot it too (2005 WA).

Semper Fi

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Pleaaaaase trust me on this one. Go bigger, specifically a 300 win mag or ultra. Yeah more recoil, but a lot more smack at 400+.

I have shot an 06 and 270 and think they are great guns. But after shooting a 300 win I will never go back!

The only bobcat who uses a limb saver!!!!!
 
300 is a great caliber for elk but I've seen what they do to a deer at 100 yards and didn't like it too much, you could stick your fist through the hole where the bullet came out.
I think if your wanting a great caliber for both deer and elk I'd look at an 06 or a .270. That is all I've ever shot and have never had a problem with an animal running off. Then again I don't shoot (have never needed to) at an animal at 500 yards either. 99% of the animals I've taken have been with in 150 yards.
Just my opinion. :D
dutch
" Man who excels at putting worm on hook is Master Baiter"
 
LAST EDITED ON Nov-03-05 AT 02:29PM (MST)[p]I shoot a .30-06, so that gets my vote. I use Federal Premium High Energy 180 Nosler Partitions and I have never been let down. That particular round carries more energy and shoots flatter at 100 yards than the standard velecity premium load from Federal in .300 WinMag.

Another advantage to using a .30-06 is that you can find ammo for it in a "one-stoplight" town at the local hardware store.

.......don't ask me how I know that.
 
I love my .270 and it's my Karma gun. It has shot more big dear then I can ever imainge. (my dad bought it when he was 15) and he is now 65 so it went though the hayday of the Mule Dear in Central/Southern Utah. It's an old Remington Model 721 and for the recoil pad it has a METAL PLATE one day I might put a limbsaver on.
 
My father has used a .270 Win with 130 grain bullets most of his life and has gotten more elk than I can count on all fingers and toes. Banking off of his success, two years ago I got the new version of that caliber, the .270 WSM.

Using it, I have never missed a shot at a big game animal and have taken two muley bucks and one bull elk this year. All were lethal shots. The elk was hit broad side at 250 yards with a 130 grain Interbond. Bullet passed completely through. Massive internal damage and went down quickly.

I have found MY perfect deer/elk rifle and so far, I have no regrets!
 
Looking for a gun for deer only I would look at the 7mm STW on down to the 25-06. Looking for a gun for elk only I would start the search at the 7mm Rem. Mag and end it with the .340 Weatherby Magnum. Looking for a gun for both I would start at the 7mm Remington Magnum and end with one of the various .300 Magnums. Personally I chose the .300 Winchester Magnum loaded with either 180 or 200 grain bullets. I currently shoot the 200 grain Nosler Accubond. People that say the .300 magnums ruin too much meat have either used or witnessed the use of improper bullet selection in the cartridge(s). Hit a deer in the hip joint with a 30-06 and a 180 bullet, or hit it with the same bullet out of a .300 Winchester Magnum...bet you can't tell the difference because it is going to make a mess! Hit them through the slats with equal bullets and I doubt you can tell the difference. Shoot a 150 grain Ballistic tip out of the .300 Winnie and a 180 partition out of the 30-06 and you can probably justify the argument.

If you are averse to recoil choose the 30-06 or 7mm Remington magnum. If you are not averse to recoil, grab a .300 Magnum of your choice. It is best to have precise shot placement, but it is also nice to error on the side of too big than not big enough.
 
The great thing about the .30 calibers is bullet selection if you load your own rounds. Factory loads are great too but a guy can do so much more loading his own. Remington has a 110 grain bullet that can be hot loaded for .30-06 that'll easily take down a big muley and still only drop 3-4 inches at 350 yds. There are factory 125's that have the same bullet drop as a 165 grain but if you take the same 125 and experiment a little with the press you can turn it into a serious deer round and possibly a good round for Elk. I guess its easier for most guys to buy factory loads but if you have any inclenation to be a do-it-yourselfer, its well worth the work!


Donnie
 
AZ makes a great point. If you're into reloading, its tough to find more opportunity than what you have with the 30 cal!

I prefer to shoot for my own accuracy needs and if I can find that in a premium box for 30-40$ that just means I can spend more time in the field. Bullet technology and "factory" ammo has come so far in the last five years; nothing about 1980's even applies anymore. I get <1" at 100 yards and around 2-3 at 300 from factory federal premium ammo shot through my 300 wsm. I think the gun and bullet combo are superior to my ability to accurately shoot it! So, my question is this, why fuss with reloading, unless you like to reload. . . I can spend more time in the field with my 300 wsm!
 
I love the 7mm short action Ultra mag. You still have the power to reach out and make the shot, as well as the knock down power. I have shot both Elk and Deer with my Model 700 and I love it. I've always been a fan of the 7mm...

All around great gun. But that's my opinion
 
The Remington 300 ultra mag with 180 grain Scirocco is the way to go. Yes, it has a little more recoil but it shoots fast/flat...the ballistics are awesome.
 

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