Best overall rifle for guys over 70

[Davyalabama]

How far are we talking shooting at deer and again at elk? Will you be using a break or a suppressor? Little details might help me a little better.

 

[LongWayAround]

You made a poor shot. It wasn't the cartridge that failed you, but the 6.5 kills animals just fine.

Look at the 6.5 kill thread. Hundreds of animals posted.

 

[TaperPin]

In your boots, if I had a physical reason to not tolerate 30-06 recoil, I’d drop down to 270, and if that was a little much go to the 7mm-08. Below that a creedmoor or 25-06 can be used carefully on elk.

 

[BreechFace]

If I were in your shoes it would be: 270 WIN, 7mm08, or 280AI

You can utilize the lighter 140gr class bullets in the 280AI for recoil reduction but pick up some good terminal speed and flatness, it also allows for a heavier 175gr option for elk or moose. The other two can be utilized in their range of projectile weights.

The 308 WIN and 30-06 are good options but mic more for their performance. The 280AI would be more recoi than a 308 but greater performance.

The 7mm08 may be the best all around as it’s in a short action where you could manage some weight as you get older as well.

The 270 WIN has been a proven performer out west for years and is a light kicker.

AS ALWAYS projectile pick and shot placement are most important and need to be considered IN CONJUNCTION with one another.

Are you a heart/Neck/Dbl Lung shooter? Avoiding bones? An upsetting/fragmenting bullet will perform the best at the cost of fragments and bloodshot meat.

Are you a shoulder shooter? Then a Mono/Bonded/Controlled expansion projectile would be preferred.

And using these projectiles outside of their design one is not going to get peak performance and could cause a rodeo/tracking scenario.

 

[Steve O]

There really is no situation that a 30-06 won’t work well for deer hunting. Just stick with the gal you been dancing with all these years.

 

[BreechFace]

There really is no situation that a 30-06 won’t work well for deer hunting. Just stick with the gal you been dancing with all these years.

Agreed.

Other than his thought his neck might not hold up to the recoil now. There are reduced loads for 30-06, but then one is giving up performance that could be gained back with a caliber change.

 

[Steve O]

Agreed. Other than his thought his neck might not hold up to the recoil now.

Trade the 6.5 CM in on a twin of the 30-06 in .22 rimfire. And a couple bricks of .22 and some fun reactive targets and shoot the crap out of that one and do it at 100/200 yards. What I should have bought years ago to simulate my M70s was a Kimber but as a thrifty young man I ended up with a Ruger 77/22. Eat money and time I ever spent.

 

[BreechFace]

Trade the 6.5 CM in on a twin of the 30-06 in .22 rimfire. And a couple bricks of .22 and some fun reactive targets and shoot the crap out of that one and do it at 100/200 yards. What I should have bought years ago to simulate my M70s was a Kimber but as a thrifty young man I ended up with a Ruger 77/22. Eat money and time I ever spent.

And save his neck for the few shots on game, good option.

 

[mtnbound]

The shot was behind left shoulder with 140grain hornady eld-m. Confirmed hit but it was a 300lb buck. Knocked him down but with only about 20’ to cover we couldn’t find him. Shot was 335yds over solid rest. Not my choice on ammo but my 140 grain accubond came too late for me to use. My fault on that

Going off your “knocked him down” comment, I would say you hit high and stunned his CNS but didn’t destroy it and because you were high you didn’t impact the vitals either.

 

[Ross]

I would go back to your 30.06 and see how your body handles it.
My father and his old cronie crew continued to use their 7mag browning bars bought in the 70s into their 80s.

 

[Thatlabguy]

How far are we talking shooting at deer and again at elk? Will you be using a break or a suppressor? Little details might help me a little better.

I’m good out to 500+. This season my shot was 335. No suppressor or break

 

[Scoutfan]

Another option is to put a break or suppressor on your 30/06. I had my 35 whelen mag na ported because it was aggravating neck issues due to muzzle jump. It killed the muzzle jump and isn't obnoxious, although louder. Down side is I still haven't got it shooting as well as before and I lost some velocity.

 

[Thatlabguy]

I’m good out to 500+. This season my shot was 335. No suppressor or break

I wouldn’t use this rifle for elk but Wyoming bucks overall are bigger bodied

Another option is to put a break or suppressor on your 30/06. I had my 35 whelen mag na ported because it was aggravating neck issues due to muzzle jump. It killed the muzzle jump and isn't obnoxious, although louder. Down side is I still haven't got it shooting as well as before and I lost some velocity.

thought about either porting it or suppressor. Haven’t decided but definitely an option

 

[LongWayAround]

Bigger bodied than what? Are you suggesting mule deer in Wyoming are bigger than those in surrounding states?

You made a bad shot and are blaming the gun.

Good beyond 500, but bad shot at 335. See anything incongruent about that?

More recoil would only make it more unlikely to see your impact or stay on the animal for a follow-up.

When you knocked the deer down, did you see the impact or stay in the scope for a second shot?

Also, what did you do for the elevation correction? Dial, holdover/BDC, aim at the top of the back?

Things happen, sometimes we miss or make poor shots. Own it. Don't blame the cartridge. There are no mule deer that are "too big" for a 140 ELD-M.