RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

I just went through a similar turmoil. Right now the largest game I hunt is whitetails, so it was a little simpler for me, but I also learned a lot about larger calibers during the process.

Now, before everyone jumps on me for what I've gathered from others, let me just say this is MY **OPINION** based on what I learned as well as some of what I've known all along ....

First, the general rule is that the smaller the bullet, generally the flatter shooting the round will be. Generally, a .22 caliber will shoot flatter than any other bullet (that's what I thought, but now there's this .17 cal floating around that my varmint hunting pals absolutely love). The downside is that a .22 is too small to realistically be effective on a larger animal, and in fact is illegal in many areas (.243 is the smallest legal caliber in some states I think).

The .243 has taken many, many deer, but pretty much everyone agrees it's too small for elk, caribou and moose.

The story goes something like the military liked the 30-06 round, but thought it was to heavy for a soldier to carry sufficient ammunition and requested a lighter cartidge with similar ballistic efficiniecy. The result was the .308. A 30 caliber bullet with a shorter cartidge length, resulting in less carried weight as far as ammunition was considered, yet still having iimpressive ballistics.

Then the wildcatters came along, necked the .308 case down to accept a smaller diameter bullet. Remington then stretched the case length a tiny bit (.020") resulting in a hotter, flatter-shooting .308.

The 7mm-08 is flatter shooting than the .308 (smaller is flatter, plus the 7mm-08 case was lengthened by .020, resulting in a slightly larger powder charge capacity), but still, there is question as to the caliber's ability on the larger game animals.

This pretty much leaves the "long" cartridges - and there's a HUGE variety of cailbers here. Almost certainly, the 30-06 is the most popular, and is well quallified for large game. The 7mm magnum fans I personally know can tell you nothing but good - and these guys know their stuff. Again, smaller is flatter, and the 7mm is more impressive.

Either of these rounds will take whitetail - actually, these rounds are often far more than needed when the range of the shot is considered. You really don't need to slam your shoulder for a shot that's only 150 yards, but you really wouldn't want to risk a shot at a large game animal at 250 yards with a "short" cartridge either.

For what you're looking to do, I'd have to say either the 30-06 or 7mm mag would be your choice.

I saw a super deal at the local Wally-World type store just before last deer season - Savage "Combo" guns - in 7mm magnum and 30-06 - a gun with scope - for like $389 or something like that. Believe me, I would have loved to jump on that, but I waited too long, and ended up spending wayyyy more money than I wanted to on a Remington Model 7 in 7-08.

I hope this helps.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

I own a 7mm mag Savage rifle and I love it. I have killed many deer and only tore up a couple of them but they were extremely close to me. If you could search around and find one like I have with holes drilled in the end of the barrel you eliminate the kick that most people do not like with the 7 mag. Mine is not a BOSS system just holes drilled in the barrel. I don't think they made them for very long but I can guarantee it kicks less than my dad's 270 Savage and has mor knockdown power and flatter shooting. Just my opinion.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

I went through the same process a few years back. It came down to a 7mm or a 30.06. I went with the 7mm for is longer flatter trajectory and have not been let down. If I were to recomend a deer/moose/elk/caribou/bear rifle it would be the 7mm Rem Mag.

One thing to remember is that all these responses are peoples OPINIONS based on their preferences. See if you can borrow one of the calibers you are interested in from someone and squeeze off a few rounds. This will make you much more at ease when laying out the cash.

Good Luck.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

To the two guys arguing about the .308win winning all of these 1000yrd matches.....it has very little to do with the balistic performance of the round, more to do with the guns and their nature: short actions tend to lock up much more consistantly and are typically favored for work by most gunsmiths (why I don't know), and the .308kicks much less than the .30-06, while it give virtually the same down range performance-the .30-06 does have a little more power, but you don't need power to punch holes in paper.

To address the question, Either get a .308 or a .30-06, the .30-06 would be better for your elk hunts, but the .308 will get it done nicely, the WSM's kick quite a bit more than a .30-06 (much moreso than the .308), but they only give you the same practical hunting range, i.e. they're all only 400-600yrd deer rifles, but the WSM's kick a whole lot harder than the standard cartridges.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

Remingto Model 700 in .30-06. . . .end of story. The 06 is the most widely recognized jack of all trades and you can't beat a Model 700 on price and accuracy at that price.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

You bet your boots you can. Its a Savage 110.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

I WILL 2ND THAT ON THE SAVAGE 110.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

The 7mmremmag shoots flatter than the 30-06 with very manageable recoil.

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

The 270 would be an excellent choice for mulie or whitetail hunting and acceptable for elk if you can keep you distance and shot angles to high % only like 200-250 max range using 140 gr failsafe or 150 gr nosler partition bullet. The recoil is usually a non-issue with the 270.

The 06 or 7mm remmag would work well and while a little more recoil it is tolerable for most shooters. In your case with longer shots I would opt for the 7mm RM over the 06' it is flatter and will allow you excellent range in options for hunting different game in the future.

The 300WSM may kick slightly more than a 7mm RM but pretty equal IMO. It would be another choice, however the cost of ammo & selection available may be a knock.

Do some window shopping and check out the costs of ammo/availablity in the caliber/gun combo you find or like. With any of the ones mentioned I think they would all work for your limited usage and opportunity. Sure some might be a bit better at some things but it sounds like you are getting a rifle to use for the one trip a year and maybe just in case for a once in awhile trip. I certainly don't think one can buy a big flat shooter and expect to be able to take routine 400 yard shots...it must be practiced and be in your set skills to begin with. More than likely you'll keep your shots well within the potential of either cartridge and thus making it a decision that strikes your fancy not ours!!! I know guys who hunt moose and elk every year with a 270 win and a solid bullet(like a failsafe or part.) that have no problem filling there tags, while other may not agree with their choice it boils down to the guy behind the trigger and his ability/choice.

Good Luck!;)

RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
 

Thanks a bunch guys for all the advice.

I would love to grab a used rifle for a couple hundred bucks. They are just no where to be found around here because it is shotgun only for deer season. Any rifle hunting requires a few hours trip to PA or the Northern zones of NY.

I have looked for used guns and have seen a few but they are not much cheaper and the selection is pitifull.

Any advice on where to look in a non rifle friendly area??


I love the looks of MANY of the rifles out there today. The Remingtons, Brownings, Rugers, Winchesters.......they all are great looking guns. I like the Savage guns with wooden stocks and they are within a tolerable price range for the limited amount of use I will get out of it.

I guess the WSM are out for me.......THANKS. I don't want excess recoil and also don't want to pay double for ammo.

I wish I could bring myself to just grab a Wally World package gun for less then $400 bucks but I just think those black plastic stocks look silly and cheap.

Decisions Decisions