Choosing a magnum cartridge

I was half joking lol. I did my time in the regular Army in the 90’s what little knowledge I gained( other than how to drink) was m16 sucked M4 sucked less cause they had a cooler stock. And preferred the m60 over the saw because bigger is definitely better and doesn’t jam as much lol. I get a kick out of the 22 crowds shoot what you want but I swear it’s like talking to someone about veganism or cross fit…. Say magnum, carnivore or weight training you better buckle up it’s gonna be a sermon on why your wrong.
 
I am old school and like many of the classic cartridges.
I prefer to hunt with my made for me wood stocked 300 H&H Magnum. The cartridge was developed by the English gun making firm Holland & Holland in 1925. In 1935 a American shooter used the 300 H&H to win the 1000 yard Wimbledon Cup Match . At 8 1/2 lbs with a 25” barrel scoped out it handles like a fine shotgun and recoil is about like a 20 gauge bird gun. I shoot 180 grain Nosler Partitions .
 
300wsm has been my go to elk caliber for years. Never disappoints.
Whenever I feel nostalgic I reach for the 338 winny cause the 338 win mag with 225 partitions just make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
 
6.5 PRC or 280ai.

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People use this sight to gain anecdotal experience of other hunters, not hear stats about calibers. We all understand how to google something like ballistics ... I think it would be most helpful to say what rifles you have actually killed elk with and control the shit talk level based on how many you’ve actually killed with said caliber.

As for elk specifically, Ive killed 2 with 6.5 prc and 2 with 300 rum. Ive decided a .300 wm is my next “elk sized game” rifle. My 2c
 
I’ve killed one bull with my 223, finished off a cow with it as well. The rest have been a mix of 6 creed, 30-06, 28 nosler, and a bow.

OP, if you want to use factory ammo with the most options get the 300 win mag or 7 mag. My choice between the bunch would be the 7PRC just because of less recoil and hornady supports their cartridges very well with factory ammo
 
300WSM. Find ammo that works and buy enough of it to last a few seasons when it’s available. Not going to be plinking a bunch with it anyway.

Second choice would be 7PRC, might have to do the same with the ammo, but it will just keep getting better.
 
I know you asked about magnums, but since you have been getting non-magnum responses with smaller calibers, I'll split the difference and add that I've had good success with a 30-06. Specifically, factory Federal cartridges with 180 grain Barnes TSX bullets. I've used that exact factory load for a bull elk at 510 yards, two mule deer bucks - one at 440 yards and another at 200 yards, an aoudad ram and ewe - ram at 550 yards and ewe at 150 yards, a bull moose at 290 yards, 2 whitetail bucks - one at 50 yards and another at 100 yards, and a couple javelinas at point blank range. Long or short, I've been happy with it and it's shot well in two different rifles.
 
300wsm has been my go to elk caliber for years. Never disappoints.
Whenever I feel nostalgic I reach for the 338 winny cause the 338 win mag with 225 partitions just make me feel all warm and fuzzy.
300wsm is a cartridge not a caliber. My dad always says this stuff and it drives me nuts. “30-06 is a great caliber”. I’d slap him and shake him but he’s like 75.
 
300wsm is a cartridge not a caliber. My dad always says this stuff and it drives me nuts. “30-06 is a great caliber”. I’d slap him and shake him but he’s like 75.

That’s ageist, you have to go ahead with the slapping and shaking or it’s discrimination.


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I don't think many Fudds pick either of those cartridges. They are 270, 30-06, and 300 WM aficionados.
I’m no fudd either but I would bet those 3 cartridges have taken a large percentage of the elk harvested over the years.
 
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