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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 11:50:23 GMT -5
So I am thinking of a caliber for elk and would like a short action. I can get 308 brass all day long for free and would like a gun that can handle 400 and maybe 500 yard shots. I am talk to two different people who both have different opinions, one 7mm-08 would be a great round and the other saying you need a 338 lapua for elk nothing smaller. I used to be 20 years old once but now close to 40 and don't think magnum calibers is completely necessary. I used to love the idea of a 300 mag but since I started using short actions really like them more. Don't really want a heavy recoiling gun, already have one and shoulder keeps telling me. Don't really want a break and would like a gun fairly easy to carry.
I like the idea of the 7mm-08 and with me being able to get brass for it all day long for free is a bonus.
Thanks for any insight!
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Post by hillbill on Oct 17, 2016 12:02:35 GMT -5
I have had several and still have a 7-08 which i like very much, elk @ 500 might be a stretch though, with a good bullet like the accubond, barnes TTSX or similar it should get it done out to 400 without a problem with good shot placement.
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Post by dannoboone on Oct 17, 2016 13:12:20 GMT -5
An OP like this one would start a fire-fight on some boards!  There are those who believe anything less than a 300 WM should not be used on deer.....those who believe the .308 is a little light for deer. Convincing them otherwise is as hard as converting an atheist to Christianity! Would a 7mm-08 used on elk be comparable to a .22-250 on deer? My Dad and brother used 250's in the western part of your state for over 30 years and never lost a single deer. Practically all were one shot boiler room shots, and very few made it to 50yds. I would think that with the proper bullet and shot placement, the 7mm-08 could kill an elk just as fast and ethically as that .338 Lapua, or even the cannon loads out of our ML's we use on deer!  |
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Post by Richard on Oct 17, 2016 15:42:36 GMT -5
Chad...........I like the way you think with the 7/08 for elk but when you mention 500 yards.................yes definitely with proper shot placement and the right bullet its "doable!" But would it be my choice?  NO WAY. The elements can play havoc on a bullet that is slowing quite rapidly out at those distances. If you were to say...........elk at 300 or under? I would say definitely yes but you are really stretching it to 500. For me (and yes, I have been there and done that) 7mm Rem. mag would be my minimum choice. I prepped for a 500 yard shot with my 7mmRemMag. and wound up shooting the elk at 45 yards...........go figure? My 7 mag. with a brake is like shooting a .243. A 7WSM would also be a good choice. Just my opinion. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 17:05:41 GMT -5
I just don't think a magnum rifle is completely necessary if a guy takes his time and learns the rifle. I'd rather use my sml with Keith's 302 bomb bullet running 2750fps but I am also thinking maybe a center fire would be nice as well. I don't care for long action rifles much anymore and really starting to not like recoil. Probably going to add a break to my sml and see where that goes.
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Post by hillbill on Oct 18, 2016 7:31:16 GMT -5
your shoulder will like the brake but it's a pain to hunt with, hearing protection is a must have each and every shot, in the field or on the bench.
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Post by deadeye on Oct 18, 2016 9:59:27 GMT -5
I just don't think a magnum rifle is completely necessary if a guy takes his time and learns the rifle. I'd rather use my sml with Keith's 302 bomb bullet running 2750fps but I am also thinking maybe a center fire would be nice as well. I don't care for long action rifles much anymore and really starting to not like recoil. Probably going to add a break to my sml and see where that goes. a magnum is not necessary even though I own 300rum,7mm etc
I have 2 different .308's set up w/ berger 185 hunting vld's doing 2750 & 2850 fps that will do the job a lot farther than 500yds.
any way you go about it- homework needs to be done,bullet choice is critical for the type of hunting you will be doing- imo. the western wind currents are almost always present with some type of intermittent swirling. Practice in the wind!!!!
for the 300wm mag people* how could I have taken 14 elk with archery gear??
a simple 30-06 will work fine also properly set-up. make sure you put your scope through the tall test as you may want to dial. a lot of dialing is advised before you go out there.
Good Luck!
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Post by Hank on Oct 18, 2016 17:53:19 GMT -5
Lots of good comments here... and I agree with everyone of them in some way or another... It doesn't matter how big your gun is,,, if you make a bad shot, you loose the animal.. Yes a 7-08 would kill at 500 yards but you as the hunter must do your part to make sure your shot connects in the boiler room. If you miss your target by more than a few inches you will be needing follow up shots at a running elk at 500 yards,,. I don't think you have a very good chance of connecting on him again,. Once he takes off its over.. Your first shot will most likely be your only shot, so you must make sure it connects. Would a 7mm WSM or 7 Mag be a better choice for someone wanting to shoot to 500 yards at an Elk... Absolutely, but still a bad shot is a bad shot.. A 338 Lapua shooting a 300 Grain bullet can't kill if you hit the hind leg.
If you are going to set yourself up for a 500 yard shot, you need a 500 yard gun... That could be the 7-08 in perfect conditions but there are better choices. Keeping your shots to 300 or less with the 7-08 would be my recommendation,,,, and if a perfect shot presented itself at 500 yards I would probably take the shot,,, but it must be perfect conditions, broadside animal, no wind or very little, a super steady rest and having the time to dial up and make a good shot.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2016 22:16:08 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!! I'm still in research stage before I buy a rifle. Today I was running some numbers and started to lean away from the 7-08 and towards the 30-06. My grandfather hunted elk with one and it's kinda sentimental. The numbers i was getting made more sense for the 500 yard shot. Honestly I'd like a 300 or closer shot but I've been told to practice to 500 yards just in case.
I started looking at rifles today and found a savage model 110 30-06 for $360. My thought was I could build on that rifle, trigger, new stock, and later a better quality barrel. However I decided pass for now and do more research. Hoping I can come along a smoking deal.
Thanks again guys always looking for suggestions.
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Post by dennis on Oct 19, 2016 6:28:22 GMT -5
Unfortunately all the great deals seem to come between after deer/elk/antelope seasons and before Christmas.Hope you find a bargain that will suit your needs.
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NO WAY. The elements can play havoc on a bullet that is slowing quite rapidly out at those distances. If you were to say...........elk at 300 or under? I would say definitely yes but you are really stretching it to 500. For me (and yes, I have been there and done that) 7mm Rem. mag would be my minimum choice. I prepped for a 500 yard shot with my 7mmRemMag. and wound up shooting the elk at 45 yards...........go figure? My 7 mag. with a brake is like shooting a .243. A 7WSM would also be a good choice. Just my opinion.
