308 win or 7mm mag rem

Take a long hard look at what you will actually hunt in your lifetime. If animals smaller than elk are going to be the primary animal hunted with just the possibility that someday in the future you hope you may get a chance to elk hunt then the 308 is the best choice. If you do get that once in a lifetime opprtunity and you select the best loads possible, and if you are really proficient with your rifle, a 308 is a 400 yard elk gun.

If elk are going to be a big part of our hunting experience. Meaning you get a chance to hunt them every year, then the 7mm Rem mag is one of the best choices out there. With the right loads, and a man who has the skills to take advantage of them it is a 600 yard elk killer. It is not too powerful for smaller game, but the guns are bigger, heavier, louder, and more expensive to buy and shoot than a 308 would be.

I live here in GA. I know lots of guys who bought the magnum rifles to take on that once in a lifetime elk hunt. That was 20 years ago, and most of them have not made out west yet. Make no mistake, the magnum guns do improve your chances and are a good choice for Western elk hunting. But many of my friends would have spent their money more wisely with a much smaller gun for the type of hunting they actually do.
 
jmr40 said:
I live here in GA. I know lots of guys who bought the magnum rifles to take on that once in a lifetime elk hunt. That was 20 years ago, and most of them have not made out west yet. Make no mistake, the magnum guns do improve your chances and are a good choice for Western elk hunting. But many of my friends would have spent their money more wisely with a much smaller gun for the type of hunting they actually do.
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This is true but even then I think the difference is over-stated in many people's minds. Depending, of course, on the location of the hunt.

I have a friend who has hunted for over 20 years in the Gunnison National Forest, not too far from Paonia, Colorado. He bow hunts exclusively but he told me that there hasn't been a SINGLE year that he couldn't have taken an elk with a 243. A 243.

A .308 would have extended his chances, and a 7mm Mag even more, but a 243.... not once in 20+ years could he have not taken an elk.
 
A .308 will kill anything you shoot on this continent just as dead as any other gun. If you have magnumitis or feel the need to really stretch your shots then go mag but not really necessary.

I have a 300 WBY that only gets used on paper targets and breakable things. On the hunting grounds my guns vary from 20 gauge to 32 Win Spcl to .308, to 50 cal muzzle loader. I don't even think about taking the 300 out. But that's just me.
 
Become proficient with your rifle, it's bullet placement that counts. Either one will do the job if you do yours. ;)
 
to me it's all about cost, the .308 you can get practice rounds for about 40 cents a round and hunting loads for about a dollar a round a 7mm would cost you 1$ a round for the cheap stuff and good hunting loads runs 2 or 3$ a round.
 
Going with my fathers favorite go to gun the aught 6

Thanks to all that responded! I love this forum and all of you out there!

After talking with several family members I'm going with Going my fathers favorite go to gun the aught 6 :D
 
As to the cost of ammo for shoulder cannons, I do my practicing with my Rem 700 in .223 with hand loads. My biggest caliber is my 270 which I pull out when I want to do some serious killing of deer and hogs. But I wouldn't want to put 50 or 100 rds thru it on a nice afternoon at the range. I know that sounds wimpy but I'm a disabled vet with pins and straps holding me together and arthritis adding to the fun. Let's face it guys, pain will eventually make cowards of us all. :D
 
are you for sure set on one of those? I like the .30 cal bullet for larger game but i want a little something behind it if i'm going to be shooting larger game at any distace. I personally like the 300 mag's for larger game. .300 rem ultra mag, .300 Win mag, and .300 WSM are all excellent rounds for larger game, and no reason you can't use them on Whitetails as well
 
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