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300RUM
HB Full Member
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Posted: 25 October 2007 07:28 PM |
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I'm looking for a new rifle to hunt whitetail, mulies and possibly elk ( I usually us my 300 Rum for deer and elk, but it's a pig when walking for long distances).
I've been looking mostly at the 25-06 and the 270's but haven't ruled out upgrading my 30-06 ( have 30-06 blued with 22"barrel would like to go to 24" stainless if i stick with the 06 ), I've already decided which make & model (Rem 700 sps stainless ) But I'm looking for input on what other may think on the caliber choice. I do hand load so factory ammo is not an issue.
Also I'm going with a Leupold scope but I haven't decided which model to run with, what's your opion on the rilfeman, VXII and the VXIII ( kinda like this one because of it'e 30mm tube) looking for something 3x9x50
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300 RUM
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Allister
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| Joined: | 27 February 2007 |
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Posted: 26 October 2007 01:03 AM |
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| My OPINION, take that for what it is, is that the 30-06 is just fine for all animals you state you are after. The 270 is also a great cartridge, never owned one for some reason, but guys who hunt with them in my party are never disappointed with its in field performance. Still way up top for flat shooters, and new bullet designs make it a great all around. The 25-06 is in my opinion a tad small for elk, but my gun smith Kevin Weaver has taken lots of game with 1/4 bores all over the country. With the great new bonded and mono bullets, it will do a number on most game with good shot placement. I really think it has to do with your own personal confidence in your abilities, and going into the field with what ever makes you feel warm and fuzzy. That way when you are on deck, you will not wonder about dowing the animal! In short all will do a deer for dinner, but pick which one you will love to tote and feel well gunned for elk. They are not tanks, just smart and have thick fur! Again, just my .02 with change left for the bus.
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Timberghozt
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| Joined: | 11 February 2005 |
| Location: | Salado, Texas USA |
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Posted: 30 October 2007 07:35 AM |
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I own all three chamberings you mention and an AI version on the 25-06.I have never elk hunted so I honestly can`t say.I would not be afraid in the least to put a 150 grain bullet out of my 270 into a big bull elk`s boiler maker..But I think I`d probably go the 06 route with a slightly heavier 180 grain bullet.
I shoot a 300 Win Mag and a 7mm Rem Mag also so I must admit that I would probably pick one of those as my rifle chambering over all my others.Most likely my old 300 Win that has handled everything from wild hogs and whitetails to raccoons that destroyed my feeder motors, but the 30-06 would be in my top 3 elk chamberings for sure.Its hard to beat an 30-06 any way you judge it.I own three of them. 
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LilMag
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| Joined: | 29 September 2007 |
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Posted: 18 November 2007 02:52 AM |
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300RUM, I have owned all 3 calibers you mentioned but elk hunting for big bulls brings about another picture entirely in my humble opinion. I once killed a nice bull elk with a 25-06 but everything went my way and it was really a good bit of luck to have the bull step out into a meadow for a broadside shot.
I would have to favor the 300 Win mag as the go to caliber for your elk hunting! I carried that caliber hunting deer, moose and elk for over 20 years, it never failed me like a .270 Winchester I took elk hunting once upon a time. Hey, if you hunt the dark timber, that 06 of yours can be fashioned into a 35-Whelen and that is a hard one to beat for those elk or moose in the willows. You could also go the 8mm/06 route as well, both do a great job under 250 yards.
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racefan3119
HB Pro Staff
| Joined: | 26 October 2007 |
| Location: | Harker Heights, Texas USA |
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Posted: 21 November 2007 04:54 AM |
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I think out of the three mentioned the 30-06 would be the best cartridge when elk hunting. I have never shot an Elk but have shot a moose. I dont own a 06 but use a 7mm mag for the big stuff meaning bigger than white tail. I think the comment about where you are hunting would play a big role here in selection. If you are humping the mountains you want something you can carry all day but if it is field hunting then you want to be aable to reach out a long ways and be confident in a fatal hit so accuracy would be the number one concern with trauma being a second. The 06 can hit a long way out and with a heavy bullet can do some damage, i myself like the 7mm mag.
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LilMag
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Posted: 2 December 2007 03:49 AM |
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Racefan-3119, there is certainly nothing wrong with the 7mm mag! I have one and it is for very long range shooting. The lighter recoil verses high BC bullets make it a natural for long range shooting out West. I also have a .338/300-Ultra Mag, which is a wildcat but that blessed rifle deals out to much recoil nowdays for my brittle bones to endure, causing my accuracy down range to suffer in the process. It is simply more of a pleasure to shoulder and pull the trigger on the 7mm mag! Last edited on 2 December 2007 03:59 AM by LilMag
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LilMag
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Posted: 2 December 2007 03:55 AM |
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300RUM, a good idea might be to take a hard look at the 6.5-06! It has the bullet weights to handle any thing from coyotes to moose or even elk in the dark timber. Those bullet weights are 100, 120, 125, 129, 140 and 160 grain, which by the way is a very good choice for those moose or elk in heavy cover.
Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with the 25-06, I carried one around the hose for 15 years but bigger game like moose, elk or even black bear need more bullet weight and better penetration too in my humble opinion. I have my 6.5-06 set up in a model 70 Winchester featherweight. It is light to carry and sports a Leupold 3 x 9 on top.
Last edited on 2 December 2007 03:56 AM by LilMag
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wheezengeezer
addicted handloader
| Joined: | 16 July 2007 |
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Posted: 2 December 2007 10:45 AM |
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| if i were to pick a steep country elk rifle i would pick a 5 1/2 to 6 lb rifle and whatever chambering that will push a heavy enough,well constructed bullet to an adequate velocity to get the job done.a 260 rem or 7mm08 both come to mind.
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proman1
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| Joined: | 2 December 2007 |
| Location: | Wasilla, Alaska USA |
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Posted: 3 December 2007 08:24 AM |
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May I suggest A Tikka T3 Lite Stainless in 300 WSM, lite as a feather and will do anything all those other cartridges mentioned above will and more... recoil is minimal and set up with 180 grn. Barnes TSX handloaded or with Federals load it will take everything these 50 states have to offer...
Proman1
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LilMag
HB Life Member
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Posted: 7 December 2007 12:05 AM |
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Proman-1, a 300WSM is a lot of buck for the dollar! However, recoil is NOT your normal cup of tea when loaded with a 180 grain bullet. I would just as soon have the old stand by caliber known as the 300 Win mag, blowing a 180 grain pill across the canyon at 3140fps. Then again you better like that recoil too!
On the other hand a 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 and even the .260 Remington will do a good job without half that recoil savvy, especially if your going the route of a synthetic stock and light weight pencil tapered barrel.
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LilMag
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Posted: 7 December 2007 12:11 AM |
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| 300RUM, the 3 X 9 power scope is a great idea! I would NOT go the route of the 50mm lense for sake of additional weight on top the rifle. A 40 or 42mm will let or give you plenty of light through your lense. If money is or might be a factor, the VX-2 model will get the job done just fine. The slight bit of difference lense coating difference I never could notice myself. However the extra 1/4 inch clicks are a plus, when it comes to sighting in the rifle perhaps. I have 3 Vari X-3 scopes and the rest are Vari X-2 models. No flies on either of those models you mentioned, just more money for extra bell and whistle OK.
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sdb777
Administrator
| Joined: | 16 October 2005 |
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Posted: 7 December 2007 03:01 AM |
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Buy a Savage in 30-06 and then call PacNor and order a barrel in .270Win and 25-06.... Get the headspace gauge set for all three, a barrel nut wrench, and a vise! Problem solved, but now you'll need to work up handloads for all three? Crud! Sorry!!
Scott (created more questions) B
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buffybr
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| Joined: | 31 October 2006 |
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Posted: 21 December 2007 06:01 PM |
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300RUM,
There is alot of publicity and hype these days about long range shooting of big game animals. In reality, I would guess that more animals that are shot at at 300+ yds are wounded and lost than drop from the shot as glorified on some TV shows.
Thousands of deer, antelope, and elk are shot every year with the 3 cartridges that you mention, and if shots are kept within a reasonable range of 250-300 yds, all are adequate, especially for deer and antelope.
I prefer the 180 gr .30 caliber bullet for elk. They are a large animal, and especially in heavy timber, the extra weigth helps to assure a clean kill. I shot 8 elk with a .30-06 before I had it re-chambered to .30 Gibbs, which is about balistically equalivant to a .300 Win Mag. I also liked the looks of the Gibbs case beter than the '06 case. I've shot another 21 elk with the .30 Gibbs. None were shot at over 300 yds.
You won't go wrong with a .30-06 with 180 gr premium bullets for elk, and 150 gr bullets for deer and antelope.
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Pecos
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| Joined: | 6 December 2007 |
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Posted: 1 January 2008 12:32 AM |
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I lived in CO for 7 years back in the early 70's and took 6 elk and 5 deer, all with a 30-06. All of my elk were taken at 200 yards or less. Of the three you mentioned, I would go with the 06. I would also load at least a 168 or 180 grain bullet.
However, since I built my 6.5-06AI several years ago, I personally would use it with a 160 grain bullet.
Jest my opinion for whatever it is worth.
Pecos
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280shooter
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Posted: 1 January 2008 11:57 PM |
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| I've had a 270, still have a 300 Win, 2 30-06's and 2 280's. I always seem to end up with a 280 in my hand when I head out hunting. There is excellent bullet selection and slightly less recoil than the 30-06. It is a handloaders dream. I have to admit that I have been getting a pretty big burn for a 25-06 lately. Nothing wrong with the 270. It was a great shooter for me, but I can use the same bullets in the 280's that I use in 7-08 and who knows, I may stumble across a 7X57 or 7 mag. one of these days.
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