New rifle

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DeerSlayer86

New member
I have a rifle picked out but am going back and forth between calibers. Will be used for deer and occasionally elk. I want to get into the 7mm family and have it basically narrowed to 280, 7-08, 7 mag. Any others I should consider before choosing one of those I would like your opinions. Is there really much difference in any of them? Enough to really matter anyway? Thanks guys
 
The .280 Rem is a fine deer cartridge and you'll be happy with it, but not happy with the availability and cost of ammo.

The .270 Win is much more popular and will kill deer just as dead, but is not as good with heavier bullets as the .280.

The 7mm mag is overkill for deer under 200 yards causing more meat damage than desired by many folks.

The 7mm is not witchcraft, but a decent goal. Don't give up the .30 calibers too quickly. The 30-06 may be the cartridge you really need.
 
The 7-08 is probably the perfect deer round. A little lite for elk, but with premium bullets is certainly capable. If deer are the primary animal hunted with just a possibility of elk that is the way I'd go.

If you find that elk are going to be hunted a lot in the future you could add a 2nd rifle in 7mm Rem mag. One of the best long range rigs out there and darn near perfect for elk, but a little much for most deer unless you plan on doing a lot of long range shooting.
 
Since you didn't name the rifle I'd say if it is available in a "short" action go with the 7mm-08. Otherwise, if it were me and I were going to use it for elk, the 7mm Rem mag. I used a .300 Win Mag on Wisconsin whitetail for almost 20 years (going to a .270 Win this year) with no meat damage (if you hit them where you're supposed to). It made field dressing kind of interesting sometimes though... :D And no one EVER tagged my deer due to it running long distances. And the 280 Rem is a great choice if you live near some of the big outdoor chain stores (Gander, Cabela's etc).

They have it and the prices aren't bad either.
 
I agree with mr awesome.
I took 2 Pronghorn antelope a couple of weeks ago in
Wyoming with a 280 Rem with 130 grn spitzers (handloads),
I use 145's for deer and 160's for elk.
If you don't reload the 7-08 would be the economical choice as
the 7mm mags can be pretty spendy.
 
MRA said it best. I've got a 280 and a 7mmRM. I like the 280 better because I reload. In 24", I can easily get to 3150 with 140s.
 
Out of the 3 you are considering I would go with the 280.

Even better advice is this;
If you don't handload, START!
:)
 
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