New Gun - What should I get?

Mr.G · 03-31-2005, 11:39 AM

Ok, here's the deal. Kinda shopping for a new gun. Already have a .22-250 for shooting whitetails. Am now looking for a "Big Game" gun. This rifle would primarily be used for big muleys and elk. Other possibilities are sheep and mountain goats. So the rifle would need to be relatively lightweight but durable. Calibers I am looking at are some of the short mags - .300 WSM, 7mm WSM maybe a plain old 7mm too. Does anyone have any experience with any or all of these calibers and can anyone recommend a good rifle/caliber combo that would fit this description? Looking for bolt-action only - no semi-auto. Would not be opposd to a good single shot either I guess.

Thanks for any help in this matter.
Mr.G

Wolf killer · 03-31-2005, 12:00 PM

Have you considered a 270-winchester?

I have hunted elk & deer for many years with a 300-win mag. I have never felt under or over-gunned. The 300-wsm should give the same results on elk & deer. I have never use a short mag rifle.

good luck,

Wolf Killer

BDOA · 03-31-2005, 12:04 PM

Mr.G
All of those guns will do just fine for what you are looking at.
I use my 300 with a light load for sheep, not for the killing power, but for the flat shot. Sheep are a soft animals, they die real easy.. maybe the falling down the mountain has something to do with it..lol

If the price is the same, go with the biggest you can get, I have both 300, and 7mm. I would say take the 300.

I would stay clear of the winchester models, unless you can get it with a clip. I will never buy a gun that does not have a clip, and I would never buy a single shot.
The laws here are that the only way you can have a rounds in your gun is if you are walking. So a clip is nice for when you jump off the quad to get a shot at an animal.
I would look at a muzzle break if you are buying a carbide, if it is available, and I would buy synthetic, and stainless.

hope that helps you some.

MA Jay · 03-31-2005, 12:09 PM

I've always been partial to the .338 win mag myself. Maybe because it was what my Dad uses, but you'd be hard pressed to find something better, IMHO of course.

idahoelkinstructor · 03-31-2005, 01:10 PM

Between what you have mentioned, I would go with the .300 WSM.

121553 · 03-31-2005, 02:28 PM

Wolfkiller, you live dangerous man.

Go with a 30-06.

moosehunter21 · 03-31-2005, 02:49 PM

Look here: I live in northern bc and hunt mulies and moose and i have a friend who uses a .270 and he has a hard time with the mulies. I believe that you Mr.G should get a .300 win not the .300 wsm

James B · 03-31-2005, 05:31 PM

Has a hard time with mulies? with a 270? Boy he needs to go back to hunting school. A good 270 round will still retain around 1700 lbs ME at 400 yards. Darn bullet proof critters. They will be hunting us soon.

As tough as the game is getting I quess the 30-378 should be your minimum choice. The deer might take the little 300 WSM and wrap it around your neck

. Or worse.

killer243 · 03-31-2005, 06:56 PM

i would go with the 300 wsm out of what you chose. but i would look at a 7mm mag, 30-06, and 300 win mag first.

ike1371 · 03-31-2005, 11:08 PM

remington 700 7mm.