need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Greetings everyone,
I moved out west recently and am going to start rifle hunting here in MT in about a month (originally from West Virginia). I have hunted for many moons--whitetai--and currently own a 6mm and .308. However, I need a longer range deal that can comfortably take muleys, elk, and perhaps one day even sheep or moose. A gun store here in helena currently has ruger m77 mark IIs on sale for $450 (retail according to them and ruger is $695) I can choose any caliber that they make (if they don't have it--they'll order it for the same price) so I'm thinkin 300wsm (currently my top choice), 7mm rem mag, 7mm wsm, 270?. The .308 that I currently own would probably work but it is my grandfather's ol' Winchester model 88 lever action that he left to me and I just can not seem to get it to group well at longer distances (300yds) and I have changed ammo, plus I would rather leave it in the gun rack except for special occasions b/c of the sentimental value. The sale ends sunday (tomorrow) at 4pm mst. Any ideas--sorry for the short notice--just made up my mind to go for it. Is ruger still as reputable as always? Should I jump at this price? What about the recoil of the 300wsm? if it is to much maybe I could get one of those limb-saver butt plates. any other ideas. I'm going to be researching online as much as possible (ballistic charts and such) THANKS FOR THE HELP

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

That doesn't seem like a bad price at all for a brand new Ruger!! I would jump on the deal, if I had the money. I would look at the 7mm Rm. Mag. It has been around a long time, and will take anything you mentioned with no problem. I am still not too keen on the WSM's yet, but that is my opinion. Go for it!!!

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

7 mag would probably be the best choice, you can find ammo anywhere. I would say if you really want a 300WSM and the thought of not having ammo that you can just pick up anywhere doesn't bother you, go for it.

Ammo concerns don't really factor in too much in my choices, Midway USA carries everything and can get you what you need in short order, if your local gun shop can't get it by the time you need it.

A little pre-planning and you'll always have ammo no matter what you shoot.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Hi guys,
thanks for your input so far. I have been on the federal ammo website and I highly recommend it to anyone deciding about a new caliber. on their balistics tables you could pick and chose any caliber with any or all of the loads that they make and compare velocity, energy, coefficient--I believe thats what wind drift is all about--not sure if I am right about that. and vertical drop. Anyway, according to what I saw the 7mm wsm looked like the winner--it had more energy and velocity at 100--500 yds with less drop and drift than the 300 mag or the 300wsm. the 7mm stw was a close second, and I compared using about 5 different loads and grains for each one--not sure but it looked good to me-- any further input would be welcome--I'll probably get down to the store about 2pm mst and will keep checking back. Thanks again

ps--I am so excited--I'm 34 and haven't bought a gun since I was probably 16.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

That is a great price for a ruger mkII. I would go with the 300wsm. It would be a great caliber and be able to handle bigger grained bullets,because out west your gonna need it. The 300wsm has 20 more fps then the 300winmag.I myself am thinking about getting a thompson encore in 45-70. Good luck with whatever you choose though.

....which part of wv were you from. I live in southwest va,lebanon-virginia, next to the border of wv.I have a lot of relatives from mcdowell county.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Price of $450 on a new Ruger 77 is a good one. As to cartridge, I'd go for a .270 Win., but you seem inclined to the magnums. In that case I'd go with the 7mm Remington
Mag. Fine cartridge for all around hunting on those wide open prairies, or in the timber.
Good luck. :D
BTW, whatever you choose, be sure to get some practice in at those longer ranges, and
in reading the breezes.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

I like the 7mm rem. mag. myself.But I would take the 7mm STW over the shorty's any day .I just don't trust them yet.I am probally like a lot of other "OLD FARTS " around here.:D

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

The gun price you mentioned seems very reasonable. The caliber is your choice and chance to fulfill a dream. Beware though that if you have been shooting a 308 and a 6mm that you will need to spend plenty of time getting used to the recoil of the guns you are considering. My Favorite reach out and touch someone rifle is the 7mm STW. It is only available in the #1 Ruger I believe. Just have a great time making your decision, but buy a few boxes of practice ammo and shoot that rifle before you take it hunting. Have fun.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Didn't you draw a rifle tag for the missouri breaks for Elk ? If so based on the bulls I have seen in that area there are some absolute monsters both antler and body size. You need something that really smacks them hard and at all angles. Except for the thickets along the river where they can hide most of the shots should be pretty long range.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

oldelk,
yes that was me that drew the tag as you have probably seen from some of my messages in other forums, That is the main reason that I decided on a new rifle purchase and b/c this is hopefully the first of many years of western hunting enjoyment.
30-06,
I am originally form the eastern panhandle of WV--a little town called Moorefield--kind of like Mayberry.
Thanks

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

300 wsm is nice and same with teh 7mm rem mag. they will both get it done. 300 win mag is also a good choise.

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RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

If I was gonna get a ruger (nice gun) for elk and mulie hunting i would get the belted 300 win mag. IMO it is a great cartridge for that rifle and for the game you speak of. Good luck

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

I have seen some elk in there that will curl your toes..I mean outright monsters and of course I had a bow in my hands and they were just out of range. At the time I saw them I figured on a 338 being the perfect rifle for something of that size. I would go with the heaviest caliber you can shoot 300 wsm with 180 partitions or 300 win mag or a 7 mag will do the trick but I like the first 2 in that situation. An STW would be nice as well but your not going to find one in a Ruger unless I am really mistaken ..maybe a number 1 you will. Good Luck and let me know how you made out.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

I agree with everyone, that is a great price on the Ruger! I own one of the MarkII's and I absoulutely love it!! I have one in .280 and by far the best rifle I've ever owned and I've had some decent production rifles. Calibers I believe are personal preference as they have all killed deer/elk, but i'm sure you'll love it. I paid $465 for mine 7 or 8 years ago.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Ruger in 280.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

I would like to thank everyone for their comments--I bought the 7mm wsm yesterday (had to order it) and I should have my hands on it some time this week. I'll report back after taking it to the range.

Oldelk,
I sent you a message

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Well HillBilly if I would have know he we are talking about chasing elk and I didn't even know you needed a gun.
I just sold a winchester m-70 300 WSM with scope for $325.

What kind of glass are you putting on it?

P.S. Did you buy it from Capital Sports?

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

1st choice - full-size .300 Win. Mag. 2nd choice full size 7mm Rem. Mag.

Nothing wrong with the .338 Win. Mag. either if you plan on shooting a LOT of elk as well as big mulies.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

thanks to everybody for your help and am happy--more like ecstatic to report that got my hands on the m77 7mmwsm yesterday went to the range with the cheapest shells i could get--win 150 pps-gun performed great--went back to the range today with federal acubonds 160gr five out of first six shots cut the holes--absolutely could not believe it--had less than an inch of paper to move the crosshairs until i was where i wanted to be--over compensated a couple of times-cut three more pairs of holes along the way. by the end of the box had it dead solid perfect with three holes touchin each other--still can't believe it --never had a rifle shoot that good. Thank you for your support--there is more shootin to be done--it was too much fun.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

If you shoot that 7mmWSM a lot, you may want to look at a reloading starter kit package. Reloading those puppies can really save some bucks AND you will be able to work up the optimum load for you particular rifle.
When I got my 7mmWSM chambered rifle, I had already been reloading for a fair number of years, so all that I needed were the appropriate dies. I got the neck size die, because I only have the one rifle chambered for that round and by neck sizing only, brass will last a lot longer.
My rifle is the Winchester Ultimate Shadow, which I really like. I did need a trigger job done, but after that, I am very pleased with that model in 7mWSM.
I firmly believe that with the new generation of premium bullets, the 7mmWSM with 140gr bullets will do the same job for which I used to load 180gr bullets.
In my rifle, the Nosler Accubond bullets have done best, in terms of accuracy. The Interbonds were second and the Barnes TSX came in third.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

The 7mmstw will easily provide more velocity and energy than the 7mmwsm.It adds 200fps to 300fps velocity over the 7mmwsm.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Yes it will shoot 160 grain bullets as fast if not faster then the WSM will shoot 140 grain bullets. Problem is the STW is underloaded by the factories for some odd reason. In fact if they are loaded up to max they are matching the pressure levels of stout WSM loads.

RE: need all purpose Elk/muley western rifle--fast
 

Perhaps we are entering the realm of "how high is up?" My 140gr Accubond is showing 3230fps, on average, out of my 7mmWSM, using a 24" barrel. The groups are tighter then I have been able to get with any number of slower loaded cartridges in other calibers. I am using IMR4350, 64.5gr and Fed215 primers. The groups are consistantly inside 2" at 200 yards, when shooting off the bench (this from strictly cold barrel). As Oldelkhunter has previously pointed out, I am hunting an area not noted for giant elk. Should I continue the quest for higher MV, or be satisfied with the MV that I have attained, coupled with wonderful accuracy??