Gentlemen...I really don't think I can make a bad choice but would be interested in the informed opinion of others.

My self-imposed distance limitation is 300 yards and I have two rifle choices. All things being equal such as accuracy, my confidence in the rifle, etc., which would you suggest?

A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem shooting Federal Premium 160gr Partions or customized Ruger MkII in .358 Norma shooting 250 Norma factory loads?

Thanks for your input.

The one you can afford to practice with.....

In reality, the 358 Norma is the better hole-maker, but either rifle will kill an elk just fine. It's all about the driver. The one you shoot best will kill the elk best. JMO, Dutch.

Either will kill an elk as dead as the other.

Which shoots more accurately?

Which do YOU shoot better?

Which is lighter? (You'll notice an extra pound when trudging up a mountain side.)

Which one would you PREFER to kill an elk with?

Okay, then take that one.

quote:

A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 7mm Rem shooting Federal Premium 160gr Partions or customized Ruger MkII in .358 Norma shooting 250 Norma factory loads

Either one would work fine. Take the one you are most comfortable shooting out to your 300yd max.

As I have gotten older I take the lighter one. LOL

For me it would be the 7MM Rem mag.....you can flip a coin if that helps.

For an elk only hunt my first thought would be to go with the bigger bullet; provided it holds together at very close range, and I shoot it well.

Depending on the area, and how you hunt of course, your shots could be no more than a few yards. In that situation I like the big bullets that go deep. Thats when a bigger hole seems the best.

If it is more open, and I expect the longer shots,then I'd probably pick the 7mm. In mine I found a load with 160gr XLC's that shoots very well and thats what I'd take. The weight of the rifle may or may not sway me depending. You should be in good enough shape that either rifle would be ok. It really comes down to how well you shoot them and how much confidence you have with it.

I'd recommend practicing with both, and here's why. I was to go on a deer/elk hunt in Idaho in '04 and had decided to use my 7mm RM. I worked up loads and practiced all summer. I had great confidence in my abilities out to 400 yards. Then my scope broke the week before I was to leave!

I had not prepared for this at all! I had only been practicing with one other rifle with any regularity and that was my .25-06. I got the .338 out of the safe, and looked to see what kind of shells I had for it. I had a few of this and that but not enough to practice with really. I took it out, checked zero, and tried to start ranging for 300 yards. It was so different from what I'd been doing that my confidence was gone! It won't happen again! I will, from now on, ready several rifles and practice with them. I'm even considering a second rifle in .338WM and trying to find loads that are identicle for both rifles. As it turned out I passed up a longish shot on a huge bull that I would have taken with the 7mm. Nate

I don't know if this will help you or not, but I have killed 5 elk here in Arizona with my 35 Whelen, and have never felt under/over gunned. I would be more inclined to choose the 358, just because I happen to like 35 cal., but the 7MM will do the job also.

Jerry

Practice w/ each & take both on your hunt. Like Nate said, crap happens & you may need that second rifle. One year I took a bad fall down the mountain & buggered up the scope on my .338-06. After recovering a day, some ice & IBP, I went off w/ my 7mag to hunt.
Both are good rigs for elk out to 400yds. I would go to the .358NM for timber hunting, 7mag for cross canyon stuff.

Since you said that you can't make a bad mistake, I would mention this potential problem. What if you forgot your ammo?" or if you are going to fly "What if your ammo box doesn't meet TSA regulations?"

Because of the above issues I would go with the 7mm because of the availability of factory ammo if for some reason you need to get some.

I am in the same boat as others, I would bring them both if you can.

If I had to pick one, it would be the 358 hands down. Bigger hole = better.

My 2 cents

Either one of those caliber’s will be fine. Which one you’ll feel comfortable with and shoot straight is your choice. Bigger is not always better.

LA7mm ----- The .358 Norma is your huckleberry if you can shoot it as well as the 7mm. I have no problem with either, but the larger bullet at the same speed will prevent some grief somewhere down the road in the normal happenings of Elk hunting. Good shooting.

Another vote for the three five eight

I prefer the 338 myself but when I lived in Northern Alberta there were probably more elk taken with the 7mm RM and 160 gr Nosler Partitions than any other combination.

If you shoot it well take the 358. I went to Colorado once and took a 375 H-H. Got my first elk with it too. That same year I shot a moose a black bear and a sheep up here all with a 308 win. I felt the 375 was being left out so I took it to CO.

man your talking two great calibers here , go with your gut, or flip a coin, regards jjmp

quote:

Originally posted by phurley5:
LA7mm ----- The .358 Norma is your huckleberry if you can shoot it as well as the 7mm. I have no problem with either, but the larger bullet at the same speed will prevent some grief somewhere down the road in the normal happenings of Elk hunting. Good shooting.

The 358 clearly winning the foots pounds battle of energy beyond 300 yards. An important factor in knocking Elk off their feet in my opinion is energy. I’ve experience it with my 7MM and 300 Weatherby which is a little more pronounced than your example.

However I feel the most important factor is how well you shoot each of these rifles. If you don't know some practice is in order.

The one thing that comes to mind is the .358 bullet drop will be around 16" and the 7MM will be around 11 inches at your imposed limit of 300 yards with a zero of 100 yards.
My guess is if you shoot beyond 200 yards I’d be surprised. At the range if you shoot it well the .358 has a pronounced advantage in my opinion. A lot bigger hole and over a 200 foot pound advantage. The only advantage the 7MM has is its flatter trajectory.

Oh what ever you do don't lose that .358 ammo it's not going to be a replaceable in a Mom and Pop store in Colorado. Second advantage of the 7MM.