Ultimate Budget Caliber

[cowboyarcher]

We do, if the conditions say get closer then that's fine, if conditions are good just walk over there with a knife and pack!!

Elk to that 600-800 yard range is where the lighter magunums really shine, I've taco'ed quite a few in the 600-900 yard range with a 270 WSM, 6.5 SS, 300 WSM which were all ample to make a bull rethink living rather quickly. I like the 270 win, 280AI or 06 designed right but I REALLY like my WSM's or Sherman chamberings for elk especially if your looking at that 800 ish average limit. Between 600-800 yards is a SWEET spot for elk!!!

I've always wondered if a WSM was what I was after. I've had a couple 300 Win Mags and they never really got me excited. To be honest though, I need to spend more time behind all of my rifles.

 

[Mustang72]

Hands down cheapest is 30/06. For a little more the 300wm gives you enough gain to make it worth it. Of course the real expense is in the optic and the amount of practice needed before ever attempting a shot on a game animal at that range.

 

[Charles Keethler]

Got lucky on auction a couple of years ago a 700 Gray Laminated stock 300 Win , found 200 Remington 300Win mags loaded with 200 Swift a frame bullets ,shot in clover leaf at 100 yds. Anyone else like the 200 swift a frame?

 

[cape cove]

300 Weatherby mag. Great cartridge, been around a long while, cheap brass, lots factory ammo at decent price etc. JMO

 

[tnek13]

270 WSM cost per round reloaded - Berger VLD hunting with Win brass using RL-16 and Federal Mag primers = $1.22 / reloads $.76 each, you cut $.10 off per round if you use Sierra Game Kings which work well also. Federal Premium factory loads using the Berger Hybrid Hunter run $1.36 per round form Midway, of course, you have to add shipping and tax.

 

[Goldengun]

the 280AI, 270 WSM and 300 Win ammo price are within a dollar of each other

the 280AI, 270 WSM and 300 Win ammo price are within a dollar of each other

If this is your answer to the OP, I accept that. If getting within a dollar of each other is acceptable, then between the 4 options in the OP, I'll take the 300wm.

 

[SavageHunter11]

As great as the 300wm is, and knowing full well it can kill an Elk at 1,000 yds, is it really an effective 1,000 elk cartridge? I think the margin is a little to close. Probably need to go with the 338wm. Is your priority cost or success? Define that first.

Is anybody honestly taking shots at elk at 1000 yards? I have never been elk yet (another 7 or 8 years of preference points needed) but I've had plenty of family members and coworkers who have and most shots have been inside of 300 yards with the exception of my neighbor who pegged an absolute monster at 600.

 

[ButterBean]

Is anybody honestly taking shots at elk at 1000 yards? I have never been elk yet (another 7 or 8 years of preference points needed) but I've had plenty of family members and coworkers who have and most shots have been inside of 300 yards with the exception of my neighbor who pegged an absolute monster at 600.

Probably not, buts if the opportunity presents itself he wants to be prepared

 

[Quintus]

300 Weatherby mag. Great cartridge, been around a long while, cheap brass, lots factory ammo at decent price etc. JMO

Still the best of the 30s IMHO. Long neck, long throat, long magazine, and now with some of the newer powders just the right amount of powder capacity. Had Roy used a 30 or 35 degree shoulder and cut the free-bore in half the excuse for 90% of the modern 30s would have been negated.

 

[ButterBean]

Still the best of the 30s IMHO. Long neck, long throat, long magazine, and now with some of the newer powders just the right amount of powder capacity. Had Roy used a 30 or 35 degree shoulder and cut the free-bore in half the excuse for 90% of the modern 30s would have been negated.

Budget was the key word

 

[DENRIK89]

7mm rem. Your shoulder will thank you. 300 win is good but 200gr+ bullets can be rough. I shoot the 162Eldm personally, they shine at extended ranges

 

[Plinker147]

Ultimate budget rd is a 308 Win. Barrel life is forever, ammo cheap and everywhere, and can be loaded to be a real effect at longer ranges- 800~. It is pooping out at 1K tho.

 

[Quintus]

Budget was the key word

True, and to be honest the 300Bee to get in the 1000 yard game would have to be handloaded. Either way your right, not in the least expensive league. I got a little tunnel vision.

 

[1894C]

Any of the 7mm to 338 magnum family. Pick one and run with it.

7mm rem mag
300win
338 win
7mm wby
300 wby


Load up some good 30-06 and they will handle it just fine. As will a 280 ai.



At some point it becomes more about the Indian and less about the arrow. Find how how much energy you deem necessary and pick the round for yourself that meets your needs best. As an all around 0-1000 rifle, for me, it's a 7wsm with a 180 class bullet a shade over 3000 FPS. For you that might be a 264 win mag or a 375 RUM or anything in between.