Look for Caliber

[m gardner]

The best elk rifle I ever had was a 338-06. It would shoot the 185 grain Barnes Tripleshocks at 2950 fps which made it flat shooting out to 400 yards. It was in a 6.5 pound rifle which kicked the snot out of me so I'm back to the 270 win. I usually saw magnum rifles carried by non-residents who had read more about elk hunting than had done it. The younger crowd likes the magnums more these days too. The 30-06, 270, 300 win. mag and 7mm rem. mag are probably the most popular in that order. The 7mm by the way was designed by some elk hunters and guides around the 160 grain bullet and is surely a good choice. The only problem is elk hunting requires lots of walking where there is little air and a light rifle is best, which will kick you most.

Mark

[WaCoyote]

sub 270 other than 264 mag 0 (0%)

270 19 (12.8%)

7mm-08 0 (0%)

7mm rem mag 18 (12.2%)

308 6 (4.1%)

30-06 20 (13.5%)

300 winny 25 (16.9%)

300 other mag- ultra/30-378/ etc 27 (18.2%)

338 win mag 10 (6.8%)

35 whelen 3 (2%)

350 rem mag 0 (0%)

45/70 1 (0.7%)

264 mag 0 (0%)

375 H&H 1 (0.7%)

broadhead 12 (8.1%)

large lead slug (50cal) 5 (3.4%)

30-30 1 (0.7%)

32 Winchester Special 0 (0%)

Other 338's 0 (0%)

Just as I suspected so far. The 7mm mag and the 300 win mag are right at the top along with the old 30-06. So there you have it. Like Slider said 300 yadayadayada Mag is great but think of ALL the 300 mags; weatherby,wsm, saum, rum, etc etc. That category is about the same in popularity as the 300 win mag.

The 338 is half of the 270.

Edited March 14, 2009 by WaCoyote

[okiedog]

Interesting! That is the kind of info I was looking for, thanks. I think I have talked myself into the 300 Win Mag. Now for the rifle choice, I'am about 99% sure on it. I think I'am going with a Savage Weather Warrior with the accutrigger and accustock.

Thanks for everyones input.

[njbowhntr]

I will add a new one for ya. I love my 7mm STW. And being you are already planning in reloading whatever you purchase, then it is definately a no brain for me that is.

7mm STW all the way.

[Strut10]

I will add a new one for ya. I love my 7mm STW. And being you are already planning in reloading whatever you purchase, then it is definately a no brain for me that is.

7mm STW all the way.

+1

Nasty, nasty round, the 7-STW.

You want stuff to die waaaaaaaaaaaaay out there, the 7-STW is for you. Mine is not for sale.

[Modillo]

hey man i use a 7mm rem mag my self, its all i use on just about everything, in some areas its too big, or almost to small, but it will still get the job done if you can shoot it with out flinching, the important thing is that you dont get the infamous shooters flinch. the 270 is perfect deer and elk round, dont listen to people who try to tell you it can kill a big mule deer, they are full of non sence. they would probly tell you that the 30.06 is a antiquated pos. and we all know its is not. the 270 is an all around platform to do you canada hunts and your white tail hunting. this is just some advice, only thing is i can really say to you is make sure that it is really what you want. if your standard 270 can take a caribou at 500 yds then you can take an elk at the same distance with no problems. its got more power then most would acknowledge. the 7mm, is a beautiful calibor. but try this, shoot it offhand WITHOUT a sled. then make your decision.

[elnor]

Wayne van Zwoll wrote an article for "Bugle" recently on surveys he's done of 730 elk hunters at RMEF "Elk Camps" (national conventions). Among other things, it contained the following breakdown of the top cartridges that respondents reported using:

---

.30-06 148

.300 Win. Mag. 118

7 mm Rem. Mag. 105

.338 Win. Mag. 72

.270 56

.300 Wby. Mag. 39

---

Others were below the top six, including my personal fav 300WSM.

Read the entire article here: http://www.rmef.org/Hunting/RifleCart/Rifles/HunterSpeak.htm

[WaCoyote]

sub 270 other than 264 mag 1 (0.5%)

270 27 (13.5%)

7mm-08 0 (0%)

7mm rem mag 23 (11.5%)

308 8 (4%)30-06 29 (14.5%)

300 winny 31 (15.5%)

300 other mag- ultra/30-378/ etc 33 (16.5%)

338 win mag 14 (7%)

35 whelen 3 (1.5%)

350 rem mag 1 (0.5%)

45/70 2 (1%)

264 mag 0 (0%)

375 H&H 1 (0.5%)

30-30 1 (0.5%)

32 Winchester Special 0 (0%)

Other 338's 2 (1%)

Edited March 18, 2009 by WaCoyote

[280Ackleyrized]

My friend, if you want the latest remchester testosterone ultra magnum go ahead. But for the uses you have listed, and with the stated fact you will be reloading, the 280 Rem is my choice. Standard or AI is up to you. The AI can run 140 grainers in the 3200fps range( 7mm mag velocity huh?) with LESS powder(less expense) and less shoulder impact on the stock end. The standard can still break the 3000fps mark with the 140 as well. Plenty of medicine for ANY whitetail walking on this earth. And when elk time comes around, just step up to the 160 grain. Of course I should state I am a die hard member of the Nosler Accubond Society. Before you go discrediting the 280 Rem or other folks start discrediting it, remember this. There will NOT be published load data for this round showing its full potential due to the fact that there are still old remington semi autos out there that will not handle the chamber pressure that bolt guns will. So to keep the lawyers happy, full potential loads arent published.

[WaCoyote]

Thats a great recommendation because every major manufacturer chambers that round and it's real easy to come by. IMO it'd make more sense to buy a 7mm or 300 win mag. Besides balistically the 7mm mag and your 280 AI are pretty damn close.

That said, thats a GREAT cartridge but the average Joe wouldn't even know where to find one.

A quick search on gunbroker shows 1 for sale for a mere $3699.00. Now, I'm not saying buy from gun broker I'm simply showing the availability your choice.

Besides he said he was going with the 300 Win Mag. Hardly what you would call

the latest remchester testosterone ultra magnum go ahead

Edited March 29, 2009 by WaCoyote

[280Ackleyrized]

Thats why I suggested the good ol' std 280 rem(7mm Express). Guess Im just one of those that hasnt been bitten by the magnum bug yet. And besides, I HATE belted cases. Im not recoil shy but see no reason to be subjected to unneeded recoil. JMO. But hey, if everyone liked the same things, this would be a boring world.

[JimT]

I'd go with the 7mm mag or the .300 win mag............

[bearcat]

If I were replacing a .270, I would move up to at least a .30 caliber or larger. I love my 7mm Remington Mag., but it is so close to the .270 in diameter(.284 vs. .277). The 7 mag is indeed more powerful and versatile than the .270, but not enough so to trade the .270 for it. Basically, it shoots 150 and 160 grain bullets slightly faster and flatter than the .270 with 130 and 140 grain bullets. I would step up to either the .300 Win. Mag. or my favorite 300 Rem. Ultra Mag. The .30 caliber magnums are hard to beat for go anywhere, kill anything cartridges. The .338 Win.Mag would also be a great choice, but ammo is more expensive and is more than needed for anything less than elk or larger.