This has probaly been covered, but I am new and like discussions. So if you could have only one rifle caliber for elk and whitetail ONLY. what would it be. is there any balance? like not overkill for the deer but not under kill for the elk.

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it's not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of fight in the dog.

I like the 338/06 but then I don't take long shots either.

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Doug Humbarger
NRA Life member

I think a 30-06 works nicely on both or prehaps a 300 win mag.

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don't cuss farmers and ranchers with your mouth full

I think the 30-06 would be a good choice but I like the 300 H&H..for what you describe, better a bit more than not quite enough.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

A 200gr partition or grand slam from a 30-06 makes good elk medicine. Drop down to a 165 or 150gr hornady for deer.

The 7mm rem mag works well for both animals and shots flatter than the 30-06.

I probably sound like a broken record, but I'd take a .300 Winchester as my only rifle for these animals. I've absolutely hammered elk with this cartridge, and I've ironed-out scores of Hill Country whitetails and a couple of Sonoran Coues deer with it. With good bullet selection it works with great expediency, and at close and long ranges.

AD

Used my 7 Rem Mag this way for a long time. an '06 is good, but I'm beginning to think I need a 45-70.These days I use a .54 Lyman Great Plains percussion rifle for this purpose. My deer and elk hunts occur at the same time and place--So I load too hot for deer to have enough for elk--but not an altogether bad dilemma. Just having fun, Chuck

I just went for a 300WSM for all non dangerous game.
olivier

I would pick a 300 win mag.

Any of the 300s(magnums) sure-shot

.270 Weatherby. Yeah! Thats the ticket!!!

300 Win Mag or 300 Weatherby...or 300 H&H(for Ray) or 308 Norma.Actually there is a Rem 700 Classic in 300 H&H in the local paper,better check this out,mmmm......

I used my 308 for years and had no problem with either of these animals.
I have sense gone to a 338.(just because I wanted one) and have had about the same results. I just don't shoot deer in the meat unless I have to.
I would also agree that any of your 300 mags are a great choice.
X-Ring

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Sinner, saved by God's unfailing grace!

X-Ring,
Make that two of us.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

The 30/06 is the best first choice. Allan Day and I went around on this just a month ago.

But as long as the rifle has similar ability to the 06 it will be fine.

The thing is that the writer is in Arkansas and there is not a lot of sense to carry around a heavy 24" bbl 300 mag for deer.

For someone who can look out the window and see snow on the top of a mountain in July maybe another cartridge is a little bit better but not much.

If the shooter reloads then the .300 WSM would be a little bit handier a rifle and it could be loaded down.

The latest rifle that I am obsessed with is a old M-70 in .300 H&H but I am loading it down to 30/06 ballistics. That's just right.

Right now it's 165 Sierra's at 2,950 but by the time the bear season opens it may have 180's in it.

I hate these questions!!! If my wife reads somewhere that we could do it all with one rifle I'm in trouble!
I'd hate to have to pick between mine but it would be between my .338 WM and my 7mm RM. The 7 would probably win for sentimental reasons. My safe is full of rifles that are perfect for a very limited situation, at least thats my excuse!

Oh man. 300 WIN MAG... ALL THE WAY!!!!!!

Well, I don't hunt whitetail, but I do hunt muleys. My perfect balance if my 7mm STW.

Also, what is overkill? Dead is dead!

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"Hey, I wanna turn in Billy, man. He sold me the s**t that wouldn't get a fly high!"

I'll chalk another one for the .300 Win Mag!

.338 winchester magnum. slow it down with 250gr.partition bullets and you will kill what you shoot and reduce the meat damage should you hit some meat. the hyper-magnums are for stew lovers. even a wiser one rifle choice is a .375 h&h some say overkill I say perfect. 300 gr. bullets moving 2600fps will put a nice hole, (clear through) the animal dies, no drama! short magnums won't last,ultra mags requiring over 100 grs. of powder to gain 15-20% are'nt that bright either. a .338 or.375 will take you wherever you want to go.