anbo_1

A .308 with 180 grain premium bullets (I.E. Partitions or Failsafes) would be adequate. Keep those shots under 175 yds though. Muzzle brakes can allow larger caliber guns to be shot by people who otherwise might not be able to. My 7 Mag with BOSS has the recoil of a 7-08. The best way to minimize flinching is Practice, Practice, Practice.

Anbo_1

FlatTop

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30-06, 300 mag or 7 mag... I think the 308 is a horrible round for elk hunting,
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That extra 50-75 fps muzzle velocity of the -06 over the .308 makes all the difference! :-)
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Hey Mark, I have seen 3 elk shot in the shoulder with a 308 and all three were never recovered. I'm not arguing ballistics and power here cause I know the 308 and 06 are somewhat comprable. Just calling it like I have seen it. Later.

PaJack

Take a look at the .280 Remington...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Recoil is less than a 30-06 and a 7mm mag. and it had proven itself on elk!

Hunt Safe!

Jack



Edited by - PaJack on 01/14/2002 12:52:12

Mark in NE

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Hey Mark, I have seen 3 elk shot in the shoulder with a 308 and all three were never recovered. I'm not arguing ballistics and power here cause I know the 308 and 06 are somewhat comprable. Just calling it like I have seen it. Later.
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Admittedly, I'd be less than comfortable attempting shoulder penetration with a .308 with anything other than premium 180 grain ammo...although, that should, in theory, translate to the -06 as well, given identical bullets...

stubblejumper

The interesting part about not recovering animals is that you never know for sure where the bullet struck and how it performed.I have seen a few animals recovered after long tracking jobs that were not hit where the shooter was positive he had hit them.

boltman

I'd start him shooting your 7mm mag and see how he does. The 7mm mag is a pretty light kicker and I really don't think many people could tell the difference between it and a 30-06 or 308 for that matter. Lots of folks will tell you they can but if you put a blindfold on them and had them shoot each one very few could tell the difference. I wouldn't worry too much about his inexperience shooting, teach him the basics and let him burn lots of powder before the season and he'll do fine. I've seen plenty of so called seasoned hunters who couldn't make a 300 yd shot if their life depended upon it, but will sling lead at a deer showing himself at that distance never to cut a feather. Of course, these same guys will have sighted in their rifles on a milk jug sitting on top of a fencepost 20 yds away and upon hitting it proclaim their rifle is ready for anything up to 500 yds (don't laugh, I've seen this done). The difference is that a beginner can be taught to shoot correctly while many old timers never learned to shoot correctly and refuse to learn. I'll take a properly taught beginner anyday over an old timer that thinks he knows everything.

coloradojones

Thanks to all of you for the great advice. I think, before I invest any $$ in a new rifle, I'll take my son to the range & see how he does with my 7mm mag. If he does O.K. with my rifle, it would probably be simplest and most convenient to get him a 7mm mag. If it's too much gun for him, we'll probably look at something a little milder. Maybe we'll take along my brothers' 30-06 ADL to try out too.

JagMagMan

First if he is a new hunter I would not have him take 300 yard shots.
If you can have him shoot several different calibers before buying, that would be great. Just because he is a good size young man does not mean he can handle hard recoil. Different people have different tolerances to recoil!
For normal shooting distances the .308, .270 will do fine for elk with the proper bullets and good shot placement!
As I've said before, if you listen to some people, it is a wonder the &quot;old timers&quot; did not starve to death, they didn't have &quot;magnum power&quot;! I do agree with Boltman though, to me there is not much difference in the reoil of the .308 and the 7MM magnum. They are my two favorite calibers! But that's just me! Good luck!

Edited by - Frank on 01/15/2002 15:14:48

coloradojones

Just a final note: I found a great deal on a Marlin Model MR7, bolt action, in .270 caliber. This seems to be a quality rifle and I got it for a good price ($299). I added a Bushnell Banner 3x9 scope for $90 and I believe I have a very good beginners rifle for my son. He will be using Federal Premium 150 grain Nosler Partition bullets which should give him enough punch for deer and/or elk. Thanks to all of you for your assistance.

8mm/06

Good deal!! it is my understanding that Marlin had a pretty good gun in their MR7 and the only reason they discontinued production was that they couldn't compete with the higher production and lower prices of the other comapanies that already owned the biggest shares of the market.
Great caliber choice, nice scope......can't wait to hear about your son's trips to the range this spring. Excellent rifle to start his collection. Those 300 yard shots are a definite reality with that 270 and the Noslers should hold up well out that far. Well placed 270 shots have taken more than a few elk.