RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

A savage 7mm mag with a nikon scope could be bought for under $600. Would be a great rig for the applications you mentioned. Not the fanciest but very reliable and accurate out of the box. Have had a Savage 7 mm mag for over 20 years and never had a problem with it and it has assisted me in harvesting whitetail deer, elk and bear. Check out the 7mm mag's ballistics. I think that you'll be impressed.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

I agree with ox1443,the 7mmWSM it is probably the best of the WSMs. Unfortunately it is also the least popular.Many question its long terms viability, ammo availabilitycould definatley be an issue in a pinch. Ithink the 06 with the right ammocouldtackle the elk/moose to 400 yards butwould not be my choice for the 500 yard shot on a deer. The 270 WSM like the 7mmWSM would fill your requirements nicely provided the bear is not a grizzley.

I would choose the 300 RUM if the bear is a griz.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

Short Mags are not more expensive as the prem. 300win mag. Now I can see some Ma and Pop place might not carry the Short Mags. As far as prices goes all ammo has gone up just like fuel,copper and etc.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

7mm rem mag or300 win mag. If your wanting to possibly hunt grizzly and/or want more of a elk/moose hammer then the 338wm would be worth considering. It can be used for deer sized game as well.

The wsm'salso would workhowever if buying factory ammo I would personally stay with the 2 that have proved they have sticking power : 270wsm or 300wsm. While the 7wsm and 325wsm are also good choices I wouldn't buy either unless you plan to reload.

I wouldn't suggestany of the RUM's cartridges unless you reload.

As far as which gun the only way to pick one is handle the ones that fityour wants and price range.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

Sounds like a good place for a .300 win mag or a .300wsm!

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

I would recommend a good, accurate bolt-action chambered in 7mm Rem Mag., .300 Win. Mag., or .300 Weatherby. The reason for a magnum is the extended ranges you mentioned. If you were only shooting out to say 300-350 yards, a .30/'06 or .280 Remington would be sufficient..

I suggest you look at a rifle based on the Howa 1500 action, such as a Weatherby vanguard. These are very reasonably priced, and have an acuracy guarantee. I am personally prejudiced toward Leupold scopes, unless you can afford a Kahles, Swarovski, Schmidt & Bender, or Zeiss!

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

If you go to the field with a 7mm Rem Mag from just about any manufacturer today, you will carry a weapon that handles bullets of high Sectional Density for terminal energy like the 175 gr. for Mr. Moose, a broad bullet selection for everything else, reasonable recoil, unlike the 300 WM, and ammunition availability just about everywhere. If you don't mind the extra recoil, the 300 WM may also be a good choices because it does pack more punch- but ammunition is not quite as readily available. I remain a Rem 700 fan.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

If you already have a .30-06, I would not be getting a 7mm WSM.....to me this is like getting a bigger cartridge and a smaller bore....the 7mm WSM is dying/dead I believe, the jury is still out o nthe .325wsm, though looks like it'll stick around, I'd take a .300 WSM over either, simply because its a good all around and its a huge success, no worry about it fading/dying. but IMO the .300 WSM is way to similar to a .30-06.....both .308's both would be good all arounds, ie deer/elk.

So I'd get a magnum!

I was thinking .338......win mag, RUM, weatherby

I'm a fan of the bigger .338's but the win mag will do fine too.

to me your .30-06 will handle the deer perfectly, so the elk/moose I'd want something bigger....and by bigger I mean bigger bore, and bigger case.

Perhaps in a browning Abolt in .338 win mag?

Or wow! perhaps the new .375 ruger in some ruger model? or even a .375H&H in a CZ 550.....

tons of guys btw use the .338 win mag on deer.....and love it! even the .375 is said to do less meat damage to a deer than say a .270! something to consider....and on a moose, elk/brown bear, both would be perfect!

So get a true magnum! not a short magnum.....if you did get the .300wsm, but again its like owning 2 different .30-06.

RE: New Gun for elk/moose/whitetail and mule deer
 

300 WSM or 325 WSM in either a Tikka or Savage with the Accutrigger..