CODODGE2500MAN

I am looking for a new rifle to use for deer and elk this season. I'm leaning toward the 300 over a 7 mag or a 30.06.

Suggestions, thoughts, advice?

Thanks

Fronty Owner

depending on what you have now. I would go 300 win mag or .338 win mag.
a .300 win mag if its the only rifle your gonna own, the .338 if you have something like a .270 or so.

CODODGE2500MAN

I have a great gun collection for a beginner (22lr, 38sp, 40, 45, and (2) 12ga), but I had to borrow my brother's 30.06 for the last season. He said I could borrow it again, but he's going to be mad if I get the first and second animals with it.....

SIXSLUG

I blew hell out of a whitetail this season with my .300 Win Mag. A .30-06 is more than enough out to 300 yds. A .243 is probably enough gun for most deer on this continent. Don't fall for the magnum hype. Depending on the country you hunt, choose a caliber accordingly. Also take into the consideration the type of game. Do you ever hunt Elk? Moose? Caribou? If yo u don't and your shots are under 300 yards get something you will enjoy shooting and shoot often. Also, if you're not already an NRA member consider joining up. Now's really the time and its $ well spent. Sorry, got a little carried away!

Kurt

Fronty Owner

a .243 or .270 will do nicely on most deer with proper shot placement. anything bigger needs the .300 win mag or larger (again shot placement matters alot) will take the larger than deer animals.

dslpwr81

Absolutly love my 300 RUMs. I have one stocker and a custom build 300 Ultra. Unless your shooting a wild cat, you pretty much cant out perform the 300 RUM with the 200gr Accubond. You say too much for deer? Nope. Hit them right and theres just a little tiny hole on the exit side. I've used it to poke Antelope at 700 yrds and there is still just a little pin hole exit. Elk or Moose, front shoulder and they drop. Not that expensive to reload. If your really serious, go to Long Range Hunting.com and look up 50 driver. He is a bad*** , crazy wildcat gun smith. He lives down the road from me and he will fill you with all the info you may need. OK, now I'm getting carried away. Sorry. Anyway, I would get the 300 RUM. Theres nothing it cant do....well to a point.

cincydiesel

Consider your availability to purchase ammo. Unless you plan on reloading your own. The 7mm, 30-06 will be easier ammo to find than 300. A 7mm would be my choice of the ones mentioned. I have killed everything from whitetail to large bull elk with never a problem with any type of ballistic issues. I have killed elk to ranges of 350 yards with a over the counter 175 grain remmington core ammo. I own and shoot both the 7mm and the 300 mag

dslpwr81

Oh, another note on the 300 RUM. With that 200gr Accubond at 96 grs Ret. powder, even if you make a not so great shot on a animal, its down. I really hated to just admit that, but theres not kicking or movement. Done! Hit bone with it on a small game animal like the front shoulder, and yes you will lose the shoulders......just as you would with a .243. Like Fronty said, shot placement. So why concern if the caliber is too big? Any caliber is capable of damaging meat.

Fronty Owner

I have a 7mm Rem Mag, the only complaint I have is your topped out at 175 gr. your pushing it for moose and alaskan bear.

CODODGE2500MAN

a remington model 770. it's only about 540msrp, so it might be a great beginner gun to start me out with.

Thoughts?

cincydiesel

He stated for deer and elk. However, I agree with the moose and big bears

cincydiesel

Remington makes a great gun. I've taken a real liking to Savage Arms bolt action riffles.

annabelle

I would say you are safe with a .300 mag for anything in North America......I like a Remington 700 BDL or a pre 64 Winchester.......I have friends who like the Rugar 77 and the Savage.

Adaminak

If you can do it with a 300 super-dooper whizbang magnum, you can do it with half the drama and for half the price with a 30-06. Let's be realistic and use the math: Using a properly constructed 180gr bullet, the 300 Winchester is roughly 250fps faster than the '06, and the 300RUM roughly 450fps. The difference in point blank range for a kill-zone of 6 inches is less than 30 yards between the three (289 for the '06 and 315 for the RUM). This extra 30 yards will cost you several hundred dollars extra for a rifle, and a box of RUM ammo starts at $60. 30-06 ammo starts under $20, and reliable hunting ammo is available for under $40. At $20/box, you can shoot your new rifle a LOT, which is the best way of guaranteeing a good hit and a dead animal.

I could go on for awhile about minimum calibers for moose and bears, but it'd become a rant, and doesn't meet the OP's question. CDODGE2500MAN: Go with the 30-06. Your wallet, your shoulder and your ears will thank you.

jnicewan

30-06 for me, just like ADAMINAK said above me, those were the same major considerations i had when i selected the 30-06. one other thing i will mention is more places will carry and have a larger selection of ammo for 30-06.