handloader1

I own a .340 Wby. Mag. which I really enjoy shooting. Good luck.

oldnavy

Thanks guys, I was leaning towards the 300WSM butI wanted to hear more on the 338WM. I also was leaning towards the 180grn Barnes-X. I will probably not go below the 300WSM because I can get use to one load i.e 180 grn Barnes-X and not worry about changing loads for anything here in Colorado. Besides, I use the Lead Caddy while on the range and I have shot a lot of other peoples rifles in 300WSM. The recoil is not a problem while hunting.

Anyway, thanks again. I look forward to reading the topics on this site.

Summitsitter

I made the same decision in 2007 preparing for my first trip to Colorado. I was choosing between .300WSM, 300 Win Mag, and 338 Win Mag. I ended up with the .300WSM shooting 180 gr Fed Nosler Accubonds. Great for long range big game. Way too big for deer back east (.243 for that)

spaniel

IMHO the 180gr is the sweet spot for the WSM. I shoot 200gr out of my standard WM, but you lose capacity with heavier bullets in the WSM.

hardcorehunter

either are fine. I had a .300 wsm Savage that would shoot lights out accurately. Nice round, comfortable recoil

hightop

300 WSM with a 180 Nosler Accubond will take anything in North America Easily.

blaster61

I moved up to the big .300 ultra mag a few years back, which my Dr. and I think it may have caused me to have my right shoulder rebuilt. This year I had a muzzle brake installed and it kicks like my Ruger compact .308. I am dropping 350lb hogs out at 400 yds. down in S. Texas. The bullets are very high so I started reloading the brass I had saved with 97gn of Retumbo with 180 Nosler BT. Very deadly, and loud. Do you know of any good mule deer hunting around Canon City?

Nalgi

you dont need anything else for all north american game. My Win. Mod. 70 and shoot sub MOA groups with the 180 gr. Barnes TTSX.

salukipv1

IMO the .338 win mag is not overkill for mule deer, but my pick for CO would probably be the .300WSM.

I know they say a .375H&H will cause less meat damage than a .270win.

but ya you don't need a .338 to kill a mule deer.

n5638b

One other thing to consider when choosing an elk rifle is the hunting terrain and where you will be taking the shot. I've hunted all over Colorado and where we hunt now is typical. Aspen groves, pines, deep, dark & steep and open parks. Sure, there are parks where a guy could make a 300-400 yard shot, but most of the elk keep to the cover of the woods whenever possible and most of the parks are less than 200 yds across. I sight in 2" high at 100 which puts me about 1" high at 200. The 5x5 I took this year was 200 FEET from where I was sitting. I was under some pines while he was coming through an aspen grove. My 308 shooting a simple Remington core-loct 180 grain bullet over a 41 grain charge of Vihtavouri powder (basic charge) terminated in the heart. It was complete jelly when I gutted him, poured out in blobs. Bottom line, the cannon is not absolutely needed, depending on conditions. I agree with one previous post, if your planning on the long range shots, you need to put a bunch of rounds each year through the rifle so that you are proficient with whatever shot presents itself. And if the big gun makes you flinch at all, maybe a 30-06 or 308
is enough...