Definitely a hydrostatic shock difference between the two. When talking the difference of mass between a deer and an elk, the WinMag would definitely hold an edge in that dept.
Elk rifle
- Thread starter cecil30-30
- Start date
And the largest elk I've personally seen killed was killed with a 125 grain Thunderhead attached to an easton aluminum shaft...
The average shot distance when I was hunting in Idaho was between 100 and 200 yards. Several were less than 100 yards.
The largest elk I've seen killed, by a close friend and member of this site, was killed at 300 yards with a 325 WSM with IIRC 200+ gr NAB's, and took 3 shots in a group the size of a softball behind the shoulder to get it to drop where it stood. Massive beast kept walking till that 3rd shot, then stumbled and went down. For sure would have died with the first shot, but just a testament to the awesome strength and will to live these animals have.
My brother has had a problem eye (detached retina) , so he can only shoot light recoiling guns. He has killed several with a 7mm-08. Just recently he started using a 6.5PRC.
I use a 300 wsm and also added a 6.5PRC to the clan.
300 Winmag seems to be the "goto" round out west.
If you dont reload, stick with the common calibers, find a load it likes ,and practice at all ranges and know your gun. Spend as much as you can on glass, as its prob more important than the gun.
I use a 300 wsm and also added a 6.5PRC to the clan.
300 Winmag seems to be the "goto" round out west.
If you dont reload, stick with the common calibers, find a load it likes ,and practice at all ranges and know your gun. Spend as much as you can on glass, as its prob more important than the gun.
I've carried my old Savage 110 with a B&C stock in 30-06 and my Remington 700 Classic in 8x57 on my elk hunts. My Marlin Guide Gun in 45/70 with peep sights in the Aspens as well.
If it was me, I'd pick the good old '06 or a 7 mag. The recoil will be much nicer. An uncle of mine and a cousin have killed quite a few elk with the '06 and never wished for more.
I'm a diehard walnut and blue rifle guy, but for a dedicated elk and mule deer rifle, I'd go with a composite stock of some type and the best glass you can get.
If it was me, I'd pick the good old '06 or a 7 mag. The recoil will be much nicer. An uncle of mine and a cousin have killed quite a few elk with the '06 and never wished for more.
I'm a diehard walnut and blue rifle guy, but for a dedicated elk and mule deer rifle, I'd go with a composite stock of some type and the best glass you can get.
The only dig on the Bergaras are a weight. I haven't fingered any of the new carbon barrel ones so there is that. Get a gun you can comfortably shoot. Don't fall into the long range " I gotta shoot 1000 yards" crowd. Most elk are shot within 300 yards I'd say, at least in the country I've hunted. I've carried a 7mm08 to a 300 WSM and never felt I was at a disadvantage with either.
Not all of them are heavy. I've had them from just over 6 pounds to 10.
I personally don't think the 300 win mag has all that much recoil to the point it prevents me from shooting it. Cost of ammo would before the recoil. I bought Christensen Mesa in 300 win mag and like it pretty well. I generally always remove the brake for hunting. It's light and handles well. Good optics are more important than anything else. I went with leupold vx3 4.5-14 and went with it due to low weight. Main reason I chose 300 win mag as to have one rifle to cover about everything in North America. I think I'm done fiddling with odd ball calipers for the time being. All this to say the 7mm-08 is probably my favorite for 90% my hunting scenarios
Dean Parisian
Well-Known Member
Sauer 6.5 Creedmoor. High end optics, great suppressor.
I only ever take my 6.5x55 Tikka & Shorty 700 in .358 for the timber.
Plenty of folks killing massive bulls at extended ranges (600+) with .243s, 6/6.5CMs, 7-08s. There's really no need at all for a magnum with modern bullet technology.
Plenty of folks killing massive bulls at extended ranges (600+) with .243s, 6/6.5CMs, 7-08s. There's really no need at all for a magnum with modern bullet technology.
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I have a Bergara Timber in 300WM if you have any questions about it. It's not a heavy gun but certainly not the lightest 300 WM they make.
I have only killed 2 bulls, a 6x6 and a 5x5. @MUP mentioned the 6x6 earlier I believe. I shot it with a 325wsm (that has made its rounds with a few members since) using a 200gr nab. The bull was dead on his feet at the first shot but the outfitter had told us to shoot until they dropped. 2 more shots rang out before he hit the ground but they weren't needed.
The second bull was killed with a 300wsm using a 180gr nab. That bull collapsed at the shot. Both bulls were 300-350 yards so not a long shot by any stretch.
Simple ballistics tell me that a 308 shooting a 180nab at 2750 is just as effective as a 300wm shooting the same bullet at 3200fps but one extends my range. By that I mean that with the 308 I may have to call it quits because of fpe at say 300 yards where the 300wm may be effective to 500. Those are just numbers I grabbed out of the air but you can catch my drift. I would never feel undergunned with a 30-06 but I would have to be mindful of distances and energy. I can dial and shoot a long ways but do I have the required velocity to initiate expansion? On top of that, if the animal runs is my bullet going to leave an exit for trailing?
I have switched mostly to mono hunting bullets but I wouldn't hesitate to take a 500 yard shot with my 280ai because I know what the gun will do.
Keep it simple, know your gun, practice and be realistic with your expectations and you will be fine with just about anything you take.
I'll be carrying my 300wm in Colorado this year. Is it needed? No! But I sure like shooting it and I'm confident with it and those are 2 of the most important things.
The second bull was killed with a 300wsm using a 180gr nab. That bull collapsed at the shot. Both bulls were 300-350 yards so not a long shot by any stretch.
Simple ballistics tell me that a 308 shooting a 180nab at 2750 is just as effective as a 300wm shooting the same bullet at 3200fps but one extends my range. By that I mean that with the 308 I may have to call it quits because of fpe at say 300 yards where the 300wm may be effective to 500. Those are just numbers I grabbed out of the air but you can catch my drift. I would never feel undergunned with a 30-06 but I would have to be mindful of distances and energy. I can dial and shoot a long ways but do I have the required velocity to initiate expansion? On top of that, if the animal runs is my bullet going to leave an exit for trailing?
I have switched mostly to mono hunting bullets but I wouldn't hesitate to take a 500 yard shot with my 280ai because I know what the gun will do.
Keep it simple, know your gun, practice and be realistic with your expectations and you will be fine with just about anything you take.
I'll be carrying my 300wm in Colorado this year. Is it needed? No! But I sure like shooting it and I'm confident with it and those are 2 of the most important things.
If I could only have one rifle it would be a 300WM.
That is if I was younger and could shoot one without another $202,000 surgery bill.
That is if I was younger and could shoot one without another $202,000 surgery bill.
Mattt
Well-Known Member
This.Not much help on a 300 win mag, but when I was elk hunting in Idaho years ago, I went up there with my 7mmRem Mag and all the local guys I hunted with made fun of me for bringing an "Elephant gun" to hunt elk with.
All six of them used either .270 or 30.06 They spent double on optics what their rifle cost. They had been hunting elk for over 20 years. I was hunting with Pete one morning and he shot a dandy 6x6 with his 30.06 at 468 yards that we ranged with a Leica range finder. Went 40 yards after the shot.
I hunted with those guys for six years and they always picked on me for using that 7mm Rem mag.
Back in the 80's the .338 win mag was considered the ultimate elk caliber by the magazine folks. Bought a Model 77 Ruger and can attest with 250gr bullets it kills on both ends
. Shot another with a 7mm STW with 140gr TTSX at 3400 fps right behind shoulder. Folded in his tracks but had to shoot him again to keep him down. Killed one in 1979 with .270 and 150gr partitions. Wasn't any of those 3 any deader than the other. @Robtattoo nailed it regarding modern bullets. Have a 280AI with 145gr LRX that I intend to use in 2025.
I've come to the conclusion these days, that a heavy for caliber, match bullet is a way, waaaaay better killer in a small caliber than a larger caliber with a 'deep penetrating' bullet.
There's a 300+ page thread on another forum showing just how effective a .223 with a heavy match bullet can be on literally everything other than Brown Bear (only because no one's had the chance yet) at much greater distances than you'd think.
Hundreds of deer & elk very definitely & effectively killed at over 400yds. Many elk killed at over 600 & a few at beyond 800. With a freaking .223
I've seen it personally many times & I'm a big advocate of smaller calibers. Because let's be honest.... everyone is a better shot with a smaller cartridge. Everyone can practice more with a smaller cartridge. More practice makes your a better shot & better shot placement kills animals way better than magnum calibers!
There's a 300+ page thread on another forum showing just how effective a .223 with a heavy match bullet can be on literally everything other than Brown Bear (only because no one's had the chance yet) at much greater distances than you'd think.
Hundreds of deer & elk very definitely & effectively killed at over 400yds. Many elk killed at over 600 & a few at beyond 800. With a freaking .223
I've seen it personally many times & I'm a big advocate of smaller calibers. Because let's be honest.... everyone is a better shot with a smaller cartridge. Everyone can practice more with a smaller cartridge. More practice makes your a better shot & better shot placement kills animals way better than magnum calibers!
mr.hicks
Well-Known Member
I love my 6.5 prc, with the factory brake it seems to kick like a 243, amazing confidence builder not having to wait for that mule kick to the shoulder
You go back and edit this post immediately. I want a quote in there about 1500lbs of energy as the minimum and something about knockdown power!
Knockdown paaarrrrr by dang!
