Like I said bigbulls this topic has been kicked around and I don' t think it needs to be rehashed. If it works for you then by no means should you change. But firsttimeelkhunter is new to elk hunting and I just wanted to give the guy my opinion. I have never liked the arguement that a 270 will make an elk just as dead as a bigger cartridge. That is true in perfect conditions but in my opinion in less than perfect conditions that is not the case. I' ve just seen elk hit with a 150gr bullet from a 270 in the shoulder and seen em go two miles before they expire. I' ve seen the same circumstances with a bigger, heavier and faster bullet do a much better job. I' d put money on the fact hes not reloading either, so 150gr is the max. Some people can kill elk with great success with a 30-30 cause in their day thats all they had, they learned how to use it. But I feel there is learning curve where someone can do a lot of damage before they learn its limitations. I prefer just to suggest a better tool to limit the damage done by someone learning something new. I just don' t think a 270 is a very good elk rifle, I' ll never pack one for elk and neither will my kids.

I know you were giving your opinion and I was, for the most part, agreeing with you. I was simply stating that it is a capable rifle but a 300 or 338 would certainly be better provided he can shoot it.

Anyway you' re right this has been kicked around enough over the years and probably will be for years to come. We' re just going to have to agree to disagree.

Agree to disagree bigbulls.

You never did say what your ultimate elk rifle would be. If you could only pick one what would it be?

This, ofcourse was being a little sarcastic (sp). If I could have only one elk rifle, being serious, then I would probably use a 300 WSM shooting a 165 or 180 grain bullet or a 338 WSM using a 200 or 225 grain bullet. I don' t like the belted cases of the regular mags. That' s probably why I don' t have any magnums.

My next rifle will be either a 300 or 338.

Not to burst any bubbles, but I am set up to handload. I haven' t started working up loads yet, b/c I havent decieded which gun I' m using yet.

Now, there is an auction this weekend that I' m going to and in the theme of this thread, which would you choose given a good price and same quality?

1. Ruger M77 stainless, laminate in 7mm mag
2. Browning BAR Belgium made in .300WM
3. Tikka Model 695 in .338WM

Choose quick, the auction is this weekend and I' ve squirreled away some cash. Opinions please

Since you already have a 270 I wouldn' t get the 7mm mag cause they are too close to each other. Just going on cartriges alone I would go with the 338. I don' t know what other rifle cartrige combos you have but you already have elk on down coverd so get an elk on up rifle. Unless you have a safe full of rifles (which it doesn' t sound like from reading the elk and 270 post) then in that case I would probably go with the Belgium made Browning.

OK, Reliability of an auto vs a bolt in the mountians? Not being contensious, just seeking opinions. I' m more of a bolt guy, but open to all.

As for guns, I have the .270, I have access, but don' t really like, my father-in-laws 30-06 Ramington 760 pump. I have .22-250, .223, and .22lr. I have just about all the shotgun calibers, and two nice handguns. I definately see your point about Elk and up. How " rare" is the .338? How hard is ammo to find?

Again, Thanks

Ryan

I am a bolt guy also. I haven' t ever owned a BAR so I can' t comment on their reliability. Autos in general are not as reliable as a bolt gun when you get into really cold temps which is certainly possible elk hunting. You should be able to find 338 win ammo just about anywhere you go in elk country no matter what state you are in. Given your current stock of guns I would definetly go for the 338 especially if you are planning on making elk and possibly moose a " regular" hunt. And you will want to!

Had to put in a 2cent piece here.It' s not the gun, but the nut attached to the trigger.I lived next door to an old Indian who when ever he went Elk hutning on the Res. he took only a .22 mag.. He always brought home meat too.

I have seen my dad lose a few elk because of a freozen or jammed auto, Bolts the only way to go, I' ve never seen one fail yet. But I' m only 33