From those answers my opinion would be that the 300 winchester or 300 WSM would be right up your alley. Either one of these two would be more than enough gun for elk and moose to 500 yards. Granted the trajectory is not as flat as the ultra mag but once you get past about 300 yards you will have to compensate for bullet drop with both any way. The difference between the ultra mag and the regular mag is only about 2.5 - 3 inches at 400 yards shooting 180 grain bullets.

By practice enough to use the ultra mags extended range I mean it takes a lot of time at the range, and not just sitting at the bench, to be able to consistantly hit a target at more than 400 yards. Shooting at a hundred yards every day will not cut it either. You would need to shoot at 400 and 500 yards to know your bullets trajectory and know how much to compensate for bullet drop and wind. IMO, a lot more than a couple times a month. If you are not able to put in this kind of time and effort then you will never realize the ultra mags real performance potential and IMO would be a waste of money.

The cost of the win mags ammo is also about half that of the ultra mag so you can afford to shoot more with the win mag.

Just a note on recoil........ the ultra mag is no light weight. A 7mm rem mag has about 19 foot pounds of recoil energy where as a 300 ultra mag has about 32 foot pounds of recoil energy. It is very good to see a 12 year old that likes the kick of a gun but I would caution you to shoot an ultra mag first before you decide to plop down your parents money. 32 foot pounds is quite substantial for many adults.


To be perfectly honest with you a 7mm Rem mag has plenty of oomph at 400 yards for the largest of elk and moose so you already have plenty of gun. However I would never stop any one from having another rifle to shoot.

Good luch with what ever you decide.