RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

Ok. here is how i see it... if u have plans for other big game such as elk, moose and maybe even black bear... the 7mm would prefrom good but i would recomend the .300 win mag. I have one and use it on mule deer and moose. and the odd black bear.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

My personal preference is the ole .30-06 --- but you won't go wrong with any of the calibers you mentioned. The .270, .280, and .30-06 are nearly ballistically identical with the only real difference being in bullet weight.

The 7mag isn't overkill --- heck, I've got a .300WSM that I take when I'm hunting the bean fields. Is it alittle much for a deer at 50 yds? Yes. Is there such thing as overkill? No. I'd rather hit one a little too hard than not hard enough!

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

BROTHER, let me tell ya something. If you have access of ranges out to 450 yards. all the guns youmentioned are not too bad of choices. But i think you might like the 7mm. You wont be dissapointed with it on your wall or gun safe. Good luck hunting....wish i had a chance to try out a 450 yard shot. most of my big guns just sit on the wall and only go to the range. So if you have that opprotunity....take it.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

Bama, I suggest you take a look at the 308 Win. Superb accuracy and nock down power for any game you’re great State offers. With the correct bullet selection the 308 is an all around performer from brush to extended power line shots.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

I’ve hunted with my 7 mm Rem Mag for years for deer and have never had any problems although I have moved down to the 270 WSM for something different. All three caliber's you mentioned are good caliber's for long distance.

I would stay away from the boss system. I just saw a hunting show where the camera man didn’t know the shooter had a muzzle brake and when it came to for the shot , the camera man nearly dropped his camera because of the loud noise. I’m sure there were some exchange of words when the camera was off.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

Just keep in mind that light guns, especially magnums, will kick harder than the standard weighted guns. A short barrelled, lightweight 30-06 can kick worse than a standard 300wsm. I own a .280 rem. and its a great performer.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

I'd also recommend a 308.

I'd prefer the 270 over 7Mag b/c the 270 kicks a lot less, and ammo is $5-10 cheaper per box. Also, for deer, the 270 will do anything the 7Mag will do at any range.

In order, I'd prefer these: 308, 30-06, 270, 25-06, 7Mag, 280. But then again, this is just my opinion

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

I fired a ruger ultralight in 270win that produced more felt recoil than any 7mmremmag that I have ever fired.Rifle weight and stock design mean far more than the cartridge where recoil is concerned.


For deer only the 25-06 will do anything that the 270win will do at any range with even less recoil using the same rifleweight and stock design..

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

I love both my 270 and 7mm rem, and the best thing about the two is that the recoil is lighter than the 30. cals. My old 300 would leave my shoulder attached to the tree.

RE: Buying a new gun.....
 

Bama I have a SS Stalker 7mag and would HEARTILY recommend it too anyone for anything except the large bears! It is a GREAT gun and as trustworthy of a "hunting tool" as there is. I likewise have a 280 and it is a superb gun as well, but for a one or two caliber person such as yourself I think the 7mag would be a more useful round. You have your "woods gun" with the 30/30 and a 7mag would be the perfect compliment to round out the "coverin all the bases" aspect of deer huntin. At 450 yds the 280 is "ok" on deer, the 7 at those ranges is still plenty enough to plow through em!

Someone mentioned a M77 7Mag and I have one of those as well. It's been a great gun and was my primary rifle for several years. But if for some reason I could only have one of my 7s it would be my SS Stalker. But that's NOT to say the Ruger is a POC because that is hardly the case, GREAT gun!

Good luck and if you ever find yourself up my way in Jackson, TN stop by The Great Outdoor Store and look me up! ;)
RA