Originally Posted by
Colorado Luckydog
I know what you are saying about the bullet offerings and prices but.............if we all based our decisions on this, we would all shoot a 30.06. Just saying.....
CLd,
the answer to this IMO seems pretty simple. The OP is only 17 yrs. old. We know nothing about his finances or his ability to handle recoil. Finances may be a consideration for anyone here, so that deserved mention. The OP knows his financial circumstances and can purchase accordingly. The point is, IMO, the 300 WM and 7mm RM have proven themselves in the game fields over the decades and premium and non premium bullets are readily available in light and heavy loads for smaller and heavier games species. Both said calibers will handle Olympic/Roosevelt elk at his stated range.
Where deer and pronghorn size game is concerned, a practiced shooter w/a .308 winchester can kill said game handily out to 500 yds. Magnums in most cases aren't required. A magnum in this case is a wise choice and simply icing on the cake.
Every shooter should be well versed at shot placement at the ranges they intend to engage game. Practice ='s shot placement skill and practice involves plenty of expense and in this case, recoil, as most of us more experienced folks know. Throwing out range distance expectations is the easy part. The real work is reaching our objective.