caliber conundrum 7mm. v. 30cal.

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I worked with the 325 wsm when it was first introduced. It is a good elk cartridge for average hunting distances. The problem is there are no good high bc bullets I am aware of in 8mm that would make the 325 wsm a good long range choice. I have a standard remington 700 338 RUM that is accurate enough to make easy 800 yard one shot kills on elk size game. That rifle will not break the bank and is an excellent choice. It does require a muzzle brake. The 338 winchester is an excellent elk rifle capable of 700 yard shots with the proper bullets and does not require a brake. The 7mm remington and 300 winchester are good elk cartridges for average distances but not a good choice if your spending money on a designated elk rifle for long range hunting. If you have a deer rifle already then go big for a real elk gun.

 

[Camshaft]

My theory is, if I have to ask people if they think I have enough gun, I probably don't. Why worry. Go big and never look back. Buy something big enought to take on anything on the planet and call it good.

 

[Trickymissfit]

im looking to build an elk gun, for humane (obviously) shots out to like 700yds. weight of the gun, and finding ammo are not a big deal, but im torn between the 7mm. Rem. Mag. or the 300 winmag? thoughts? im just worried about retained energy.

a 700 yard shot calls for a .300 Weatherby or bigger in my book. I think I'd be looking at a .338 mag with 225 grain bullets or a .300 Weatherby. The 175 grain bullet out of a 7mm mag has about 1750 ft. lb. of energy @ 500 yards. A .300 Win has about 1820 ft.lb. of energy at 500 yards with a 200 grain bullet. The .300 Wby with the same bullet shows 2140ft. lb. at 500 yards. Both 30's have slightly more power than the .338 or a .338-06, but the bullet construction will be far better than the 30 or 7mm. You can load a standard .338-06 with a Speer 225 grain bullet (.45 B/C) at 2700 fps comes in 100 Ft. Lb. lighter than the 7mm mag, but the bullet will break the shoulder of a bull elk everytime. A .338-06AI would be about as powerfull as the 7mm mag with a much heavier built bullet.
gary