I have been on a drive saving money for a year now for a Winchester Model 70 extreme weather ss in 7mm-08. I will have the money later this spring. Currently I only ever hunt deer although I buy black bear tags for shot opportunities. I hunt in the Virginia woods?usually from a stand.
I know/think 7mm-08 is close to ideal for this hunting and that's what I have in a used Savage. However I always have the thought in my head that I would like to have one rifle that I can use if I save for years to go on an elk hunt or other western hunts. If i hand load and can make reduced recoil ammo (or buy it) does it negate any 7mm-08 advantages? For example is there a chance I would need to buy a 30-06 anyway and I might as well be shooting deer in the meantime with managed recoil 30-06 and load hotter for elk, western hunts and even be able to take it to Alaska?
I know/think 7mm-08 is close to ideal for this hunting and that's what I have in a used Savage. However I always have the thought in my head that I would like to have one rifle that I can use if I save for years to go on an elk hunt or other western hunts. If i hand load and can make reduced recoil ammo (or buy it) does it negate any 7mm-08 advantages? For example is there a chance I would need to buy a 30-06 anyway and I might as well be shooting deer in the meantime with managed recoil 30-06 and load hotter for elk, western hunts and even be able to take it to Alaska?