Help me decide: Minimum caliber for larger NA game

[VLD Pilot]

A decent brake combined with a good Limbsaver or Decellerator pad tames them down more than most folks would think.

A couple of years back I was doing some load work up and took two each 300wm's, 300 Rum's, and .375 Rugers to the range one day. Put over 70 rounds down range in total and while driving home it dawned on me I wasn't the least bit beaten or bruised up. Surprised me to say the least.

Just shot my 338 LM improved day before yesterday. 62 rounds later, not an issue at all from recoil. With a brake and sims pad, it feels like my 308. Very comfortable. The concussion is what's amazing. Love hate relationship with brakes but there mandatory in some cases.

 

[Panhandle Pete]

New guy here. Hear me out and throw your opinion in the ring. I own a Bergara B14 HMR in 6.5 Creed. Has been an excellent gun, exactly what I was looking for, zero issue. Casual weekend bench shooting, can also drop a deer.

Now I'm in the market for something bigger or a step up in being adequate for larger game. I don't plan on any thick-skinned African hunts in the near future, so assume just North America, probably nothing more than bear/moose.

Thoughts:

• I already have a 6.5 Creed, so I don't really need something specifically to overlap with that. I'm good up to deer, possibly elk, and looking for something in the elk and up range. Maybe I'm just a wimp, but heavy recoil does take some of the enjoyment out of it for me. I prefer something that I can comfortably practice with, sight in, multiple shots, and never be already preparing myself for the slam when about to squeeze off a shot at game. For this I love the 6.5.
• I am not turned off by the chassis/AR-style look of some modern rifles. I do appreciate the modularity/adjustability, and adjusting cheek weld or length of pull is a must. Function over traditional appearance for me.
• To meet some of my recoil requirements and to not get into the heavy hitting rounds, I'm content to accept that energy will only be high enough for my larger game targets out to 3-400 yards. At some point down the road, it will probably get a suppressor, so overall optimum barrel length is a factor.

Question: Lightest recoiling caliber, available in a gun model that is somewhat adjustable, at least minimally capable of ethical moose/bear shot at 300 yds? For sake of argument, ignore cost (of ammo), ammo availability, and assume factory loads. Not looking to build anything at this time, so a factory option in gun model and ammo.

I realize all of these are giving up something in some area or another, but options I have researched:

• 6.5 PRC – really that much better than 6.5 Creed? A lot of overlap with what I already have, borderline good enough for moose. I do really like the recoil, ballistics, and lots of gun options. I hear people shooting elk at 1000yd with them, and while not something I plan to do, does make me think a good shot at 300 would probably drop a moose.
• .280 AI – Hard to find options chambered in this, can get an Xbolt
• 6.8 Western – Really like what I'm hearing about this one, meets a lot of my requirements, hard to find a gun I like chambered in it, also available in xbolt. Doesn't bother me that it's a new fad, and ammo is available.
• 28 Nosler or .300 PRC – Incredibly capable rounds, I doubt I would enjoy shooting it very often, considering recoil. Would give me some ability to tackle even larger game. Maybe I could get manageable with a brake?
• Sig cross/.277 fury – I like the portability/adjustability of the rifle, and think the cartridge is intriguing, but probably not much more adequate than my 6.5 for bigger game? Big pro here is the ballistics out of a 16" barrel. Even with a suppressor, a very small/compact package, plus folding.

Props if you actually read this far. All opinions welcome.

Elk and up starts with the 338 Win Mag - if you are recoil sensitive shoot 210 gr Nosler Partitions or 225 AccuBonds hard to beat this combo although I have taken a lot ,more elk, one moose and one Brown bear with 250 gr Nosler Partitions. If I am really worried about recoil then my 280 Ackley Improved gets the nod with Nosler 160 grain AccuBonds, that combo has worked well on deer and elk and would certainly work on moose although I would opt for 175 grain Partitions. There are a lot of really good options but I sent my personal fan boy calibers. Good luck

 

[WildRose]

Elk and up starts with the 338 Win Mag - if you are recoil sensitive shoot 210 gr Nosler Partitions or 225 AccuBonds hard to beat this combo although I have taken a lot ,more elk, one moose and one Brown bear with 250 gr Nosler Partitions. If I am really worried about recoil then my 280 Ackley Improved gets the nod with Nosler 160 grain AccuBonds, that combo has worked well on deer and elk and would certainly work on moose although I would opt for 175 grain Partitions. There are a lot of really good options but I sent my personal fan boy calibers. Good luck

Hmm, considering more Elk and Moose have been taken with the 30-30 and 30-06 than all other rounds combined I'm really surprised so many people seem to think a .338 wm would be the minimum necessary.... . ?

 

[Panhandle Pete]

Hmm, considering more Elk and Moose have been taken with the 30-30 and 30-06 than all other rounds combined I'm really surprised so many people seem to think a .338 wm would be the minimum necessary.... . ?

I would not be afraid to shoot elk with a 243 win myself under very specific conditions or with a 22-250 but it would not be anything I would recommend to someone else. I have taken elk with a 270 Win 140 Ballistic tip that dropped in its tracks, spine shots from above do that. I have also taken elk with bow and arrow that went less than 50 feet, cut the aorta loose from the heart and it's pretty impressive how quick they go down. I still think the 338 Win Mag or my 340 Wthby Mag are superior elk cartridges that certainly give better advantages on large game. Just my 2 cents Wild Rose.

 

[WildRose]

I would not be afraid to shoot elk with a 243 win myself under very specific conditions or with a 22-250 but it would not be anything I would recommend to someone else. I have taken elk with a 270 Win 140 Ballistic tip that dropped in its tracks, spine shots from above do that. I have also taken elk with bow and arrow that went less than 50 feet, cut the aorta loose from the heart and it's pretty impressive how quick they go down. I still think the 338 Win Mag or my 340 Wthby Mag are superior elk cartridges that certainly give better advantages on large game. Just my 2 cents Wild Rose.

Same here but I have yet to find anything on this continent I can't take confidently with a 7RM, 7mmSTW or 300WM/300PRC.

Even in Africa most of my animals have been taken with the 300wm including some rather large animals known for not being easy to kill and rather grumpy when the first shot doesn't do the trick.

 

[FEENIX]

Let's not forget why this website was created. We all have different experiences and preferences. "I" always equip myself with the right setup for the game I am after for the farthest I am willing and able to shoot. The type/size of game and distance are factors for consideration. In short, it is situational. For instance, an elk at 1000Y, I have a few set-up capable for it, but my .30-30, 6.5 CM, or 6.5x55 would not be "my" preferences. In thick timber, it would be a different story.

 

[Subzero]

Will probably end up being 300prc, 300wsm, or 300wm (in that order) if I find a rifle I really like that offers any of those. If not, and I need something to get by, will probably go .308 for now, as that's offered in about everything.

I would say don't waste your money on a .308 when you already have a 6.5creed, way too much overlap there. The 6.5creed actually overtakes the .308 in energy past around 3-400yds. Also, the higher BC of 6.5 bullets make long range shooting so much easier with less bullet drop and less wind drift.

I would also steer you away from the 300wsm. The short overall length of the cartridge limits the bullet length you can typically shoot. The shorter .308 bullets have a lower BC, which is contradictory to what you are looking for.

300prc or 300wm are great choices for your needs.

 

[WildRose]

Let's not forget why this website was created. We all have different experiences and preferences. "I" always equip myself with the right setup for the game I am after for the farthest I am willing and able to shoot. The type/size of game and distance are factors for consideration. In short, it is situational. For instance, an elk at 1000Y, I have a few set-up capable for it, but my .30-30, 6.5 CM, or 6.5x55 would not be "my" preferences. In thick timber, it would be a different story.

All true which is of course why I settled on the 300wm/300PRC.

There's nothing in N. America you can't take with confidence with them even at long range with perhaps the exception of Bison and Polar Bears.

At closer ranges I would not hesitate to shoot even those with a 200gr Accubond or equivalent mono.

I haven't done it yet but considering the performance/results I've had in Africa on Blue and Black Wildebeest with the 180gr 300wm's sooner or later I'm going to kill a bison but I'll probably bring the Rum along just for the extra energy. With the difference in a 700bls body and up to a 2000lbs body the added insurance only makes sense even with the same bullet.

 

[FEENIX]

I would say don't waste your money on a .308 when you already have a 6.5creed, way too much overlap there. The 6.5creed actually overtakes the .308 in energy past around 3-400yds. Also, the higher BC of 6.5 bullets make long range shooting so much easier with less bullet drop and less wind drift.

I would also steer you away from the 300wsm. The short overall length of the cartridge limits the bullet length you can typically shoot. The shorter .308 bullets have a lower BC, which is contradictory to what you are looking for.

300prc or 300wm are great choices for your needs.

One of my .300 WSM (no COAL mods) propels the 215 Berger at 2850 FPS; it is no slouch if you run the numbers.

 

[WildRose]

One of my .300 WSM (no COAL mods) propels the 215 Berger at 2850 FPS; it is no slouch if you run the numbers.

Speed freaks like myself often forget that 2750fps seems to be about the sweet spot for ELR being a standard set several decades ago with the 50BMG.

More is fun but it really isn't necessary to either hit consistently or to give you consistent clean, quick, humane kills on game.

 

[FEENIX]

When I started out with my list, I was convinced most of the .30cals' recoil would be too uncomfortable to shoot often, but I'm not overly fragile and most here have me convinced it wouldn't be that bad with a brake/suppressor. If you take recoil out of the argument, then I agree those make more sense. Factoring in gun/chambering selections, it will come down to either one of those vs. lighter recoiling/probably good enough/tons of options (308).

That's why I provided you the video link of an 8-year-old girl shooting a 300 WM in #18.

 

[Subzero]

One of my .300 WSM (no COAL mods) propels the 215 Berger at 2850 FPS; it is no slouch if you run the numbers.

The op doesn't reload, just going by memory I thought 180's seemed to be the typical factory loaded 300wsm bullets.

I am surprised that you can fit a 215 at normal coal. If I tried that with my 7wsm and my 180eldms and 183mks, the ogive would be in the case neck.

 

[FEENIX]

The op doesn't reload, just going by memory I thought 180's seemed to be the typical factory loaded 300wsm bullets.

I am surprised that you can fit a 215 at normal coal. If I tried that with my 7wsm and my 180eldms and 183mks, the ogive would be in the case neck.

I am fully aware of it and simply making a general statement that a .300 WSM is no slouch. HSM loads the Bergers in 210 (2922 FPS), 185 (3132 FPS), and 168 (3193 FPS).

 

[Lee Goodwin]

What on earth is "Kill Force" supposed to be?

Energy