Lightweight Hunting rifle caliber for shorter barrels

[nm.otter]

T3x is the easy button -- and getting easier every few months as aftermarket support broadens. Two screws and you can swap stocks in under two minutes. Trainer plus hunter plus stocks & chassis to try/swap/resell.

 

[TaperPin]

I agree the 7mm08 or 308 are both great to plink with and could easily take 400 yard elk. I like the comparison of the 7mm08 being just like a 7 mag 200 yards closer in.

I just picked up a 7-08 barrel for a family member for the same uses at the same ranges.

 

[liv3mind]

If you're serious about the 400 yard limitation, especially at western elevations, anything larger than a 6gt is probably just wasted recoil. Even with an 18" barrel you can very easily retain way north of the 1800' most people here suggest for a floor with match bullets. I prefer 2000' and, again, you can very easily retain that out way past 400 yards with a 6gt. Heck, at higher elevations you could even do it with a 6ARC.

Signed, guy who built a .280ai and doesn't use it anymore.

This. Not an elk but I shot a whitetail last week at 316y with a factory 103eldx out of a 16" 6arc. I'm at roughly 450'. I would have no reservations taking it further. Hit Just behind shoulder passthrough with decent blood trail. Very destructive. Just under 80y death trot. I plan to build a 6gt for next year just because.

For elk I would do either 6gt for ease or 6um for cool factor. 6arc will do it fine but we always need more guns just because.

 

[nm.otter]

I like the comparison of the 7mm08 being just like a 7 mag 200 yards closer in.

Just like 6.5 CM being a 6.5 PRC ~200 yards in.

 

[hereinaz]

Thanks guys. My plan is to build/buy something i'm able to practice with regularly and not get beat up. I'm pretty good with the 300WM but I can't spot my impacts so I shoot with a buddy at the range. The 400 yd limitation is based on what I think I can realistically expect with my current skill level and advice from "YT experts" but if i get better I'm not against stretching it out either. 6.5 prc seems like a happy medium and I can have long range fun as well at the range. But I'll look at the &mm-08 too.

You won’t be spotting shots inside 400 yards easily with a magnum.

You can start to spot shots with a 6mm/6.5mm creed.

You will learn to shoot farther, faster, and easier with a 6mm. And, get confident sooner.

Once you shoot a smaller caliber sooner, you will realize just how much the 300 WM is beating you up.

The 7-08 is a good compromise to keep the 7mm and more oomph.