I have been kicking around the idea of either building me a rifle from an old rifle or picking up a used rifle what you all think about the following for shootin paper,deer, and maybe one day elk......264 win. mag,7mm rem mag....also I already have a .308 win. also I guess I could include 300 win mag. I could always load these light for deer.

chris

If you put it in that order (paper, deer, maybe elk someday...), then why do you want a magnum? Any magnum is WAY more power than you need for deer, and certainly punching paper, unless you frequently shoot from LONG range. The magnum will just burn a lot more powder to wreck a lot more meat, and it's not going to be the most pleasant thing to your shoulder at the range after a box of ammo or so. I've seen what a .30-06 will do to a deer, and I personally don't want to or think anyone really needs to do more with a high velocity mag. Your .308 is perfect deer medicine, and is just fine with the right bullet for elk at medium-long range (300 yards for sure, more if you place your shot right).

However, if you must build a magnum, my suggestion would depend if you handload. If you do, then I'd go with the .264 Win Mag. It's not going to beat the snot out of you, it shoots very flat with the high BC bullets typical of the 140gr+ 6.5mm bullets, and while the factory loads aren't real common and tend to be a little anemic, handloading will let you bring out the true potential of the cartridge (get a 26" barrel, 24" MINIMUM). If you don't handload, then I'd suggest the 7mm Rem Mag, simply because it's a great performer, and the ammo is everywhere, fairly inexpensive, and offered in a wide variety of bullets for just about any application.

To be perfectly up front. I'm not a huge fan of magnums, unless there is a genuine need for the extra power and/or velocity. They cost too much, kick too much, and are harder to shoot well without developing bad habits (i.e. flinching). But they do have their place, and some people shoot them well and even enjoy them. I, personally, would recommend something more along the line of a .280 Rem (Ackley Improved. if you handload). It'll do almost everything the 7mm Rem Mag will do, burning a lot less powder and with a lot less recoil. But that's just me.

Mike

thanks for the response you have sparked my interest with this .280 ackley improved. I am looking into the cart. doesnt look much different then a 7mm rem mag ballistic wise. Can you buy a rifle in this cart. or would I buy a used long action rifle and take it to my gun guy to change barrell etc. to .280 ackley

thanks chris

Pretty sure if you get a rifle chambered in .280 rem you can get the chamber reamed to .280 A.I.

Nosler makes a .280 Rem AI, but it's a real pricy semi-custom rifle. Thompson/Center makes Encore barrels in .280 Rem AI. Otherwise, you'd have to either rebarrel a rifle and have it chambered in .280 AI, or like swampdog said, you can have a rifle already chambered in .280 Rem reamed out to AI and set back. The .280 Remington is simply a .30-06 Springfield necked down to 7mm. The Ackley Improved version is just blown out (fire formed) to increase the shoulder angle to 40 deg (typically) and reduce the case taper which increases case capacity.

Mike

I go along with the 280 Rem Ackley Improved. Great caliber.

the 280 is pretty sparse here in kentucky. What does everyone think of the 7mmwsm? I could load my own bullets for deer and target shooting and it would be good for elk if that day ever comes to hunt elk. What does everyone think of this caliber

if you are going to go with a wsm cartridge i would go with the 270 wsm or the 300wsm.