At odds with elk rifle calibers

[KID]

Just looking for some input on Elk Rifle Calibers, the market is flooded with so many options it makes the head spin. I currently have a 7mm rem mag. It has been an alright gun but it has let me down almost as much as it has impressed me. I have killed a handful of elk with it over the last few years but I'm sure not impressed with it's knockdown. I hunt with a savage rifle , Hornady precision hunter ammo, I do not reload... My step brother hunts with a 300 WSM and I've watched him drop 3 elk with it, every time it's a no question hit, it sure packs a lot more punch. The only thing that sucks about it is the spendy ammo and lack there of in factory ammo options, so it's appeal is somewhat diminished. What's everyone hunting with and if you had to buy a new rifle what would it be? Elk calibers...

 

[WeiserBucks]

375 Cheytac

 

[Robobiss]

Bang-flop has a lot more to do with shot placement than what you shoot them with. There’s nothing wrong with what you are using nor the bullets you are shooting.

If you shoot anything in NA in the lungs with your combo, it will die. If you don’t shoot them in the lungs they may not, or at least not as quickly and drama free as you would like.

 

[mt100gr.]

Your 7mm will drop elk just as swiftly as any 300.

What were the situations that left you feeling unimpressed? Shot placement? What happened at impact?

 

[Ross]

I would like to post all the bulls I’ve killed with that caliber, but don’t want to clog the thread Your chosen caliber is awesome for elk and is my only hunting rifle. Shot selection, placement and practice go along ways to success. Simply buying a .300 is not going to derive more success.

 

[Dbevans]

8.5 foot grizzly bear… 6.5cm…. 525 yards….

60 inch bull moose, 340 yards, 7 mag

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[Scoutfan]

Nothing wrong with a 7mag for elk. I agree that a 30 caliber hits harder.What is the max range that you shoot? I love my 35 whelen but my max range with it is 500 yards for proper bullet performance. A 300win mag or a 300prc in 30 caliber for the non reloader. Of course a 30/06 is hard to beat. What kind of bullet are you using in your 7mag.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

7mm 175 Grain ELDX is excellent on any animal. Elk are not tough to kill, sorry.

Some 80 grain ELDX kills in 2024… Plus many more.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I would like to post all the bulls I’ve killed with that caliber, but don’t want to clog the thread Your chosen caliber is awesome for elk and is my only hunting rifle. Shot selection, placement and practice go along ways to success. Simply buying a .300 is not going to derive more success.

Clog it! Haha.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I shoot a 280 AI with 168gr bergers. Its essentially the same thing as your 7mm. Its killed 3 AK moose, a couple elk and some mulies. Prior to this gun, I had several 300 magnums. They don’t kill any better than my 280 and I have sold all of them.

Knock down power isn’t a think until you get into 50 BMG territory. If you want their legs to come out from under them, you need a CNS shot. High shoulder, head etc.

 

[Mike 338]

I'd say buy another 7 mag if you need another elk rifle.

 

[HuntHarder]

This thread should be like every other thread on here lately.... Probably has the wrong power scope or the bullet is too big would be my guess. Try a .223 with a fixed 6x.

In all seriousness, the difference between your brothers and your elk is probably attributed to shot placement vs. caliber. Both the rounds you listed are excellent elk hammers.

 

[KID]

Nothing wrong with a 7mag for elk. I agree that a 30 caliber hits harder.What is the max range that you shoot? I love my 35 whelen but my max range with it is 500 yards for proper bullet performance. A 300win mag or a 300prc in 30 caliber for the non reloader. Of course a 30/06 is hard to beat. What kind of bullet are you using in your 7mag.

Hornady precision ELDX, shooting 500 yds and in. I really don't believe the average Elmer fud like myself should be shooting beyond 500 lol. I've just had a couple goofy situations as of late hitting Elk and not getting a good reaction from the animal, if that makes sense. I have been packing my 30/06 occasionally. Although not a distance king when you hit something you know it. I think it's just me and a lack of confidence with the gun. I plan on getting out and doing a lot more shooting, live animal stuff like coyotes. Get a little more comfortable. I put a new scope on it this year Leupold vx5, just need to shoot more..

 

[waspocrew]

The 7mm is plenty for elk, no need to step up to a bigger cartridge.

 

[KID]

I'd say buy another 7 mag if you need another elk rifle.

LoL!
I think I just need to work on my shooting.

 

[Howdoyoulikemenow]

Save your money. 7 mag is just fine.

 

[KID]

8.5 foot grizzly bear… 6.5cm…. 525 yards….

60 inch bull moose, 340 yards, 7 mag

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome moose! I've been trying to draw an Idaho tag for 10 years now hopefully soon I get a crack at one.

 

[Dbevans]

Awesome moose! I've been trying to draw an Idaho tag for 10 years now hopefully soon I get a crack at one.

Thank you, that was my girlfriends this year and here is my 70” a couple years ago

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[180ls1]

LoL!
I think I just need to work on my shooting.

Yea, money on ammo and a shooting class or help from a mentor is probably money better spent.

That said, you should have confidence in what you are shooting so a new gun with better ergonomics may be money well spent. As long as you have the funds to practice and get good with it.

 

[wapitibob]

Plenty of wallop with a 7 mag. Throat it and reload some 180 hybrids, 195’s. Don’t throat it and run 140 tsx or 143 hammer hunters.