caliber choice

[hellbound]

gotta buy bigger rifle as im goin to colorado after elk. after reading a lot and looking, i plan on buying a savage due to my limited budget,either bear hunter or long range hunter. both choices have accutrigger and accustock and muzzle brake, and are comparitive in price. the big question is what caliber? i have been leaning towards 7 rem mag but offerings in .300 win mag .300wsm .325 wsm 6.5x284 also . primarily hunt deer but now elk too and also want long range ability. thanks for all the feedback

 

[WyoElk2Hunt]

My vote is for 7mm or 300 win and both work good on deer.

 

[rscott5028]

Will this be your only rifle?
Or, do you already have a basic deer rifle?

 

[liltank]

I am a huge Savage fan. I am an avid supporter, but lately I have read many articles about guys having problems with the LRH. I would look seriously at the bear hunter model and get it in the 7RM or the 300WM. Both are very capable calibers for poking Elk.


Tank

 

[RFtinkerer]

After having an LRH on order, I recently got the Bear Hunter in 300 WM. I was playing with the store's LRH and felt it was just too long and muzzle heavy for my comfort. I also liked the stainless fluted barrel, I might be out in adverse conditions, so I think that will help.

First of all; I still suck as shooting this beast, but I did get almost down to a half inch 5 shot group today at 100 yards, and was poking holes in the top half of the 15" target at 500 as well (something was off, loading the bipod or the ballistics.) I'm sure the rifle is accurate, if not the shooter.

 

[Magnumitis]

I don't think you can get the Bear Hunter in 7 mag but either way, I would still get a Bear Hunter in 300 Win. or 338 Win.

You're right on track with wanting a Savage.

 

[RFtinkerer]

^That's true, it isn't available in 7 mm. But you should get a 300 WM anyway to be cool like me.

 

[rem300ultra]

Then 7mm or the 300wm will get the job done if you do your part. I've Taken 13 elk since 1980. All of them were taken with a Remington 700 7mm mag. That is my go to round.

 

[hellbound]

well guess i should say i have a few others ..my go to deer gun is my grandfathers pre 64 model 70 he gave me in .270. and i have various others. and yes ,u cant get bear hunter in 7mm from what i can tell. so if its the 7mm has to be lrh or what

 

[hellbound]

Will this be your only rifle?
Or, do you already have a basic deer rifle?

no i have others but this will be my elk and lr gun

 

[liltank]

so if its the 7mm has to be lrh or what

You could always call Savage and have them build the bear hunter and chamber it in 7mm RM for you. They will do that.

Tank

 

[bigngreen]

Like Tank said, the Savage custom shop can hook it up from what I've heard!! With a 23in barrel you may get a little more snort with the 300 WSM in the Bear Hunter.

 

[rscott5028]

no i have others but this will be my elk and lr gun

Then, you might as well go big.

 

[WildRose]

Where is your comfort level range wise?

Out to 800yds, the 7 mag is enough gun for virtually all N. American game if you put it in the right place.

If you are planning on shooting beyond that range at elk and other big game then you need to move up to the 300's, 325wsm (if you want to stick to SA's) or 338's as they carry far more energy down range.

Then of course you have to establish where your comfort level is with recoil because the bigger you go, the higher price you will pay there.

If you decide on the big 300's and 338's as likely candidates I'd strongly suggest finding someone who has one who would let you shoot it for a few rounds to see if you can tolerate it.

Recoil rarely matters in the field because you just don't notice it due to excitement, but when practicing/sighting in, it can play a big and painful factor.