You know you are all about that 280 AI BWW.

I don't really have a favorite. Because of that I cannot really rank order them. It might be about as bad that I don't have any that I dislike more than any others either. I have never shot a moose or elk. Never had any real interest in shooting one either. I have wound up in situations where I got way too close to moose and wished I had a rifle just in case, but backing out quietly worked just as well. I've killed deer with .22lr, .222, .223. .243, 6.5, 7.7, .270/ a few .30 cals, .44, .50s, shotguns less to 28 and 10. I would have to be really pushed hard to use a smoothbore again though.

I shoot a bunch of deer with a bow and for 15 yard work if it were legal I would much prefer one of my .22lr target rifles. In my hands the .22lr is a much better weapon for that work, but it's not legal here.

I suppose if I had to hunt where there was a few grizzlys I probably would have a minimum of 270 or so, just in case, but I do not, so anything from a .222 on up is just fine. For deer, the bullet choice is much more critical than the caliber.

30/06 for me. It's my do everything rifle---Remington 700 LH with a Leupold 2.5x8 VarX-III.

When I was a youngster this dumb ass thread would have read:

30-30
25-35
30-40 Krag
300 Savage for rich guys and city slickers
12 ga. with slugs
38-55
32-40
32-20
25-20 on the weak side
22 L.R.

Then the 250-3000 and 30-06 (30-03) became the rage and still pretty damn good choice today.

Guesss what? they would still work when used properly

3006 for any hunt. then my other 3006. nothing else needed.

Elk or deer
1. REM 7 mag
2. 257 wby
3. 45/70

Deer
1. The above three
2. 240 wby

Go-to gun is Model 70 in 7mm Magnum, bought it at a gun show in Salt Lake City early 80s and never looked back. Deer, antelope, and elk.
Ballistics as good as the 6mm-284,actually.

I have shot 9 bull elk, all with a .338 WM. I don't know how many whitetails I have killed, but used a .308 Win on all except two, and they were shot with a .30-06 and a .338WM. For mule deer I have used a .338WM, 300 RSAUM, and a 300 RUM.

If I had to pick one for everything it would be hands down a 300 RUM, but honestly, I have never shot a whitetail past 150 yards, so I will stick with a .308 WIN.

I’ve used:
22LR
22WMR punches above its weight
222 Rem
223 Rem
6x45 the efficiency king
243 Win
25/06
6.5 Creedmoor racking up one shot kills with it and gaining respect along the way
270 Win if I could only have one rifle this would be it
7/08
7x57
30/30 Win under rated and more than capable
308 Win
30/06 if I could only one rifle and it couldn’t be a 270
300 RUM should come with 150’ of rope to use as a boat anchor
338/06
35 Rem really comes to life with hard cast Keith style bullets
375 Ruger
45/70 it was fun while it lasted
410 shotgun Brenneke slugs and keep within its limitations and it’s as much fun as a 45/70
20 ga shotgun
12 ga shotgun
45 cal muzzleloader as much fun as the 45/70
50 cal muzzleloader with black powder and round ball it’s fun and efficient, with pellets and sabots it works but dull as chalk

I’m afraid that’s all I’ve got to offer in my limited experience.

It’s not so much what cartridge but what rifle I’m currently playing with. Last year I built a 7mm RSAUM on a Rem seven action and really like the handling characteristics and accuracy, so I used that for deer and likely would have also used it on elk if I had gone. Otherwise elk only I would lean towards a light 300 Win Mag I built on a ti Pierce action. This year I will likely use a 308 Win for deer as I bought a couple Mauser M12 rifles in that caliber a few months ago and I’m really impressed with the handling and accuracy of those....and then there is a lighter weight rifle in 7 Dakota I still need to use on game that is next up for a western hunt, deer or elk.

Although I no longer use it, I believe the .338 was the best elk rifle of our time, and more than suitable for deer and all PG..I shot so much stuff with it that I got bored and moved on..or backwards to the 30-06, and I like my present 8mm/06 Ackley but its just another good choice, no more, no less, like many others, it works..My hunting today has decreased considerably to a cow elk a year with my 3006 or 8mm Ackley, and some mule and whitetail deer with a .308 and an ocassional Coues that I shoot with my 250-3000 and even then I switch these off on what I intend to hunt..caliber has little to do with my hunting,bullet construction does.

1 308w deer/moose/elk
2 300blk (roe)
3 222rem (roe)

The 338 Winchester would be my choice for the do-it-all cartridge in North America. Occasionally I wonder why I bother with anything other than 338 Winchesters and 30-06’s for anything deer size and larger.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Although I no longer use it, I believe the .338 was the best elk rifle of our time, and more than suitable for deer and all PG..I shot so much stuff with it that I got bored and moved on..or backwards to the 30-06, and I like my present 8mm/06 Ackley but its just another good choice, no more, no less, like many others, it works..My hunting today has decreased considerably to a cow elk a year with my 3006 or 8mm Ackley, and some mule and whitetail deer with a .308 and an ocassional Coues that I shoot with my 250-3000 and even then I switch these off on what I intend to hunt..caliber has little to do with my hunting,bullet construction does.

The kind of country I am going to hunt has a big influence on what I will take elk or deer hunting. That said my favorite elk cartridge is the 30-06, if it is really thick country I would take my 35 Whelen as a second rifle. Favorite deer round is my 7x57 with my 7-08 runner up.

My 9.3 kills stuff with aplomb.

I have posted before that I have taken Elk with chamberings from .270 WSM up to .358 STA. If I was going for Cows I would take the WSM but if I was going on a Trophy I would take my hammer the STA loaded with the 270 grain Northfork at 2900 fps. Good Shooting.

My go to rifle for years has been the 7mm Rem Mag and it has worked on anything big enough to die in Co.
Before the 7mm it was the 270 Win. My back up rifle has always been a 25-06 or 308 Win.

Deer

270 Win (several dozen)
30-30 (10 or so)

Elk

270 Win (several dozen)
500 Jeffery (only got one so far 1 for 1)

If I ever decide to hunt trophy elk again, I think Id have to try the 358 Norma because Ive never used it before and it just has to be close to the perfect elk rifle...but as long as I shoot my cow elk every year, it will be with the 30-06 or less.

Shot my last couple of Mule deer with the 8mm/06 then punched it out to an Ackley and shot my elk with it. Its about like the 338-06 or 35 Whelen it seems, but I like the Brno mod. 21 small ring Mauser its in..

Guess Im still playing the game.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If I ever decide to hunt trophy elk again, I think Id have to try the 358 Norma because Ive never used it before and it just has to be close to the perfect elk rifle...

Guess Im still playing the game.

+1

I still love my 35 Whelen for Elk hunting, but I would like to try a 358NM one day. Probably won't be any better than my Whelen, but would help possibly on a long poke, which is the norm where I hunt Elk (little to no trees, but still in the mountains).

It's good to still be playing the game Ray. Makes life interesting. There's a lot to be said for economy and simplicity, but I care more for the game than either of those two.

Deer- .280 Rem
Elk - .300 Win Mag or .280 Rem

Have taken about a dozen elk and more deer.


Bullet placement is more important than caliber.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If I ever decide to hunt trophy elk again, I think Id have to try the 358 Norma because Ive never used it before and it just has to be close to the perfect elk rifle
...

Guess Im still playing the game.

Ray, nice to see you in the game.

I'll grant you that the 358 Norma could be better, or at least more intriguing, than the 338 WinMag.
Then, following those thoughts you could reach for a 375Ruger.

If you've not yet taken an elk with a 375 Ruger, you could do yourself a favor. Bullets, cases, and rifles are all available, even in these times.

A couple of months ago I picked up a Mossberg Patriot in 375Ruger as a backup elk rifle for North America. It weighs around 8-pounds with scope, cerakote barrel and plastic stock. I have never owned a Mossberg but they've tried to renew their offerings in hunting rifles. With their prices I thought that it would be worthwhile to give them a try and support their endeavors.

So far I'm still in the load development stages but that rifle appears to shoot. I've tried a couple of powders and several bullets in ladders and groups. Everything points to this rifle staying within MOA with proper loads. I'm trying StaBall6.5 powder because I was able to get three pounds. Around 90 grains and the 244grain HammerHunter bullet looks promising. (But the 270grain LRX and 250grain TTSX have also turned in good groups.) Maybe I'll get a chance in June for more testing. If this rifle works out it may make my 338WM jealous. It's win-win in any case because it is a nice rifle for load development and plinking. Lady Tanzan has a Ruger Alaskan 375 Ruger with laminated stock in TZ, of all places.

Another great deer and elk round that doesn't get much press.

8mm Remington Mag.

Its Easy for me. For mainly elk, 338 Wim Mag 210 TTSX.
For mainly deer and maybe an elk, 270 Win 130 grain TTSX. I think you could even switch the two and still be fine. Not over or under gunned with either one

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
When I was a youngster this dumb ass thread would have read:

30-30
25-35
30-40 Krag
300 Savage for rich guys and city slickers
12 ga. with slugs
38-55
32-40
32-20
25-20 on the weak side
22 L.R.

Then the 250-3000 and 30-06 (30-03) became the rage and still pretty damn good choice today.

Guesss what? they would still work when used properly

Yet here you have responded to it multiple times so you must be enjoying it..

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
When I was a youngster this dumb ass thread would have read:

30-30
25-35
30-40 Krag
300 Savage for rich guys and city slickers
12 ga. with slugs
38-55
32-40
32-20
25-20 on the weak side
22 L.R.

Then the 250-3000 and 30-06 (30-03) became the rage and still pretty damn good choice today.

Guesss what? they would still work when used properly

Yet here you have responded to it multiple times so you must be enjoying it..

It is what makes the forum go around and around.

For white-tailed deer, in my experience:

1) 338-06 AI
2) 9.3x57
3) 300 Weatherby
4) 375 H&H
5) 416 Rem
6) 6.5x55 Swed
7) 6mm Rem
8) 30-30 Win
9) 280 AI
10) 30-06
11) 12 gauge foster slug
12) 300 blk supersonic
13) 223 Rem 60gr Nosler Partition

Shot placement is everything. Any of tge above would work on deer. I personally wouldn’t use the 300 blk or 223 Rem on anything bigger than a 100-lb central Texas deer at short range, though.

Hopefully my 8-bore will be ready for next season and I’ll carry it around for deer and hogs to start conditioning. I’m sure it will be effective if I can shoot it well.

RC

It shoot the 280 grain A frame around 2615 f/s so it has what it takes for USA.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
If I ever decide to hunt trophy elk again, I think Id have to try the 358 Norma because Ive never used it before and it just has to be close to the perfect elk rifle...but as long as I shoot my cow elk every year, it will be with the 30-06 or less.

Shot my last couple of Mule deer with the 8mm/06 then punched it out to an Ackley and shot my elk with it. Its about like the 338-06 or 35 Whelen it seems, but I like the Brno mod. 21 small ring Mauser its in..

Guess Im still playing the game.

Ive always tried to use different calibers on big game, using the same caliber for a lifetime would be boring IMO..

One gains a lot of knowledge by using different calibers and bullets, not for everyone but I figured long ago being in the hunting business and using different guns and bullets was positive move and enjoyable as it added another factor to enjoying the hunt. Add to that paying close attention to what others used and being a bullet digger on all game. Its all part of the game, if your lifestyle will allow it and hopefully when passed on it helps some who are interested, that would be nice.

Well to sweeten the pot and rain on parades and thinking back over the years, Ive killed a lot of elk and bigger stuff with the .338 and all with one shot best I recall..

BUT, the last number of years I,ve used my 30-06 and never lost a head of game, BUT Ive chosen to shoot elk and larger game twice and on ocassion 3 time before they yelded, that has to say something for the large bores..and it only makes since..more powder, more lead, faster bullet has to count for something, not condeming my 06, it suits me fine and is my caliber of choice..

.270 Win
.300 Win

Elk .325 WSM - 200 gr Nosler Partition
Deer .308 Winchester - 150 gr Nosler Accubond

No need for anything else

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Caliber comparison is a waste of time..Its the shooter that makes the difference..

^^^This^^^

Assuming cartridges make a difference as opposed to ability to destroy big games' heart and/or lungs with anything including an arrow leaving a string at ~300 FPS, a wise hunter would have to look at exceptional sectional densities of .284 caliber bullets that created the impressive legacy of the 7x57.

If I were given a big game rifle do-over, I'd buy a .280 Rem and never look back.

I can tell you that a 160 grain Partition fired from a 24" barreled 7MM Rem Mag will one-shot-kill the biggest, meanest bull elk than has ever lived. The rub is a .270 Win bullet placed in the same spot would produce the identical outcome.

I could not find fault with an elk hunter armed with an '06. Even better would be a .308 Win carbine. Then we gotta consider the old rancher who fills his tag every year with a Model 94 .30-30 Win.

It's all about what bullets destroy, not cannons launching them

I will add that Ray was all over it with proper bullet selection. When you're needing penetration, my advice is to go bonded.

1. 270 Win
2. 500 Jeffery (less range but they don't get up!)

For Elk:
.338-06 AI
.300 H&H
*.300 WSM
*.280 AI
*7mm-08
Swift Scirocco II or Hornady ELD

For Deer & Antelope:
30-06
.308
*7mm-08
*6.5 Creedmoor
.270
25-06
*.257 Roberts
Sierra Gameking HP

* Favorites!

7mm rem mag
.375 H&H
.243

260 and a 35 imp would work for me.

Of the 10 various cartridges in bolt action rifles that I have and consider in the deer / elk class; I would choose the 325 WSM and the 338 Winchester. In my opinion, either of these would be sufficient at any distance or circumstance that I would pull the trigger.
The others would certainly work and may have various ballistic / trajectory advantages but I have confidence in the 8mm and .338 diameters.
Otherwise, I would just grab one and go. My personal cartridge choices are also tied closely with the rifles they are housed in. The 338 Winchester has my vote for favorite all-around / do-all North American cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
the deer/elk class cart thread is a good one but how about you RANK them in order of of most likely to kill with it of the guns you used to take game with??? In other words your hunting buddy shows up and says come on...here is a tag, lets go! of the battery what CART would you chose not GUN...some have unliked carts but in great guns but if all the guns were identical...

Seems Bartsche would go for a 8x57

so of those in the gun safe/rack/behind the door that you have used...

how would you rank them in order of i'd rather hunt with this cart over this one ect.

Thanks for playing

I've taken (or hunters in my presence have taken) elk with .375 H&H, .338 Win, .300 WBY, .300 H&H, .300 Win, .30-06, and .264 Win. and a .50 muzzleloader. All of the elk died. Some elk, though hit perfectly in the vitals of the thorax, act like they're not going to die, but they give up after a minute or so.

Just got back from a cow elk hunt using a .30-06. Had mistakenly taken the "deer" loads of 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips @ 3,000 fps instead of the usual "elk" loads with a 180 Partition. The very big grandma dry cow at 75 yards was hit with one shot square in the shoulder quartering toward the gun. She staggered 20 steps and dropped in a heap. The "fragile", "shallow penetrating" B-Tip left the shoulder flopping and the heart-lungs were effectively destroyed. Yeah, would have felt more confident with the Partitions, but there was nothing to indicate "inadequacy" with the lightweight Ballistic Tips.

My "favorite" elk gun is a fine old Sako .300 H&H (180 Accubond @ 2960 fps), but if you wouldn't let me carry anything other than a .243 I'd still happily take on any elk in the woods.