30-06 or 7mm
#11
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 31

if you currently own a 270 win, you have an adequate elk rifle imo. if you want a dedicated elk rifle, neither you nor the elk will be able to tell the difference between an 06' and a 7mmremmag in "killing power". throw a few to your shoulder and buy the one that feels the best. or you could practice some more with that 270 win, get her sighted in with 150 grain partitions, and kill every elk you see within 400 yards. good luck with your decision.
#12

Last edited by Sheridan; 11-28-2010 at 08:19 PM.
#13
Typical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 604

I you reload it is 6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other. They are very similar in on game performance. If you are buying factory ammo I would go with the 06. 7mm Rem mag ammo is approx 50% more expensive when comparing the same type bullet.
I do lean toward the 30 caliber bullets or larger for bigger game like elk if I have a choice. As others have mentioned though you 270 will be a good choice for elk out to 400 yards with the right bullet.
I do lean toward the 30 caliber bullets or larger for bigger game like elk if I have a choice. As others have mentioned though you 270 will be a good choice for elk out to 400 yards with the right bullet.
#14
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Allenton Wis.
Posts: 186

Look at the specs. Velocity between the two are so close it doesn't matter. If you reload they are even closer according to some reloading manuals. The 06 barrel will last longer, ammo is cheaper. If ya reload it is a lot cheaper. I can get all the 06 cases I want for almost free.
#15
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Eastern PA USA
Posts: 1,398

.270 should be fine. Just max load with a premium bullet like a Barnes X.
If you really want something suited for Elk, why not a .300 Win mag.? Really, the .270, 7mm Rem mag. and 30/06 are so close it is hard to see a clear advantage to any of them. 7mm has a slight ballistic edge, but not all that much.
If you really want something suited for Elk, why not a .300 Win mag.? Really, the .270, 7mm Rem mag. and 30/06 are so close it is hard to see a clear advantage to any of them. 7mm has a slight ballistic edge, but not all that much.
#16
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location:
Posts: 218

I have always considered the .30-06 and the 7mm Rem mag equals in most respects.
The .30-06 however is available in featherweight models and is somewhat less costly for ammo....There probably isn't a more versatile cartridge than the .30-06.....you can never go wrong with one of these.
The .30-06 however is available in featherweight models and is somewhat less costly for ammo....There probably isn't a more versatile cartridge than the .30-06.....you can never go wrong with one of these.
#17
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: michigan
Posts: 107

no pun intended, i wouldnt use any thing but a 300 win mag fer starters , unless ur hunt would be guaranteed ur shots would be within 100 yds with a ot 6 or a 270 my friend u need to anchor that puppy down not wound it ,nor track it fer hours , the key word hear is dead is dead , wounding a animal such as a elk with a round that wont take it down and u will regret it

#18
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797

no pun intended, i wouldnt use any thing but a 300 win mag fer starters , unless ur hunt would be guaranteed ur shots would be within 100 yds with a ot 6 or a 270 my friend u need to anchor that puppy down not wound it ,nor track it fer hours , the key word hear is dead is dead , wounding a animal such as a elk with a round that wont take it down and u will regret it 

SHOT PLACEMENT IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Learn to shoot your rifle.
Elk are not armor plated.
Elmer Keith died long ago along with his raking shot. That philosophy was BS to begin with. If you can't shoot it won't matter if you take a 50 cal. with you.
#19

This is a fantastic discussion. I was lucky to draw a tag to hunt elk in western pennsylvania, now they may be 100 pounds shy of roosevelt elk size but 800-900 pounds is not too scoff at. I put one hole in my elk with a 150gr partition in 280 rem puttering along at a pitiful 2800 fps. The shot placement was a high shoulder at 150 yds in brush. The animal stuttered took two steps and feel down. Now I am an AVID 7mm fan, I only own one other centerfire in a caliber in something other than a 7, but....guess what it is....an '06. If you are not recoil sensitive and dont mind 24 inch+ spouts, a 7 mag is hard to beat. A 280, for me is better, I feel just as confident with my 280. But the '06 hole is not much bigger and it does have some nostalgia.