can a rifle be good for both elk and deer
12-09-2009, 05:18 AM
#21
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Coralville, IA. USA
Posts: 3,802
Of course. Any rifle that will cleanly kill an elk will cleanly kill a deer. It's mostly about the bullet choice. If you get yourself, say, a 338 Win Mag, which is well established as a great elk killer in the 200-225 grain bullet range, then just buy the 180-200 grain conventional soft points for deer and they'll die if you shoot them right.
For you, being an inexperienced rifleman, I'd suggest you go with something like the 30-06. It'll kill either just fine.
Mike
For you, being an inexperienced rifleman, I'd suggest you go with something like the 30-06. It'll kill either just fine.
Mike
12-09-2009, 06:57 AM
#22
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,867
12-09-2009, 11:32 AM
#25
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 1,408
I use a 300WM primarily for elk but use it for deer and antelope when hunting them on the same trip. It is perfect for elk, definitely overkill on anything smaller. Ruined a lot of meat by not having a smaller gun in the truck with me.
I would recommend either a 30-06 or 270Win. No flaming here but it sounds like you are still learning a lot, and a magnum will instill a lot of bad habits in you if you don't learn to shoot properly with a lower-recoiling rifle. Many of the Montana natives I hunted with used 270Win on everything, including elk. The magnums only become necessary when you get into longer range shooting (400+ yds) and I don't think that's where you're going to be starting out (at least it shouldn't be).
A 7mm mag is an ok comprimise if you HAVE to have a magnum. Lots of elk died before magnums were ever invented.
I would recommend either a 30-06 or 270Win. No flaming here but it sounds like you are still learning a lot, and a magnum will instill a lot of bad habits in you if you don't learn to shoot properly with a lower-recoiling rifle. Many of the Montana natives I hunted with used 270Win on everything, including elk. The magnums only become necessary when you get into longer range shooting (400+ yds) and I don't think that's where you're going to be starting out (at least it shouldn't be).
A 7mm mag is an ok comprimise if you HAVE to have a magnum. Lots of elk died before magnums were ever invented.
12-09-2009, 12:22 PM
#26
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location:
Posts: 5,130
Big Z,
skb - may have said it better then I (see above).
I would perfer a "bigger" caliber for elk, however if I have to use that same gun on deer...................better a big mulie than a little blacktail.
Do you know what I mean ?
skb - may have said it better then I (see above).
I would perfer a "bigger" caliber for elk, however if I have to use that same gun on deer...................better a big mulie than a little blacktail.
Do you know what I mean ?
12-09-2009, 12:24 PM
#27
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
Overkill is better than undergunned IMO. I'd rather shoot a muley with a .300win.mag. than shoot an elk with a .243win.
You may consider just buying a deer rifle, and down the road when you eventually hunt elk you may be able to buy an elk rifle, I'd buy a deer rifle that could double as a elk rifle if needed.
Buy a .270win right now, and maybe a .300 or .338win.mag later on...
.270win.
.270wsm.
.280rem.
7mm Rem. Mag.
.30-06
.300wsm
.300win.mag.
.338win.mag.
You may consider just buying a deer rifle, and down the road when you eventually hunt elk you may be able to buy an elk rifle, I'd buy a deer rifle that could double as a elk rifle if needed.
Buy a .270win right now, and maybe a .300 or .338win.mag later on...
.270win.
.270wsm.
.280rem.
7mm Rem. Mag.
.30-06
.300wsm
.300win.mag.
.338win.mag.
12-09-2009, 12:36 PM
#28
Fork Horn
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
Posts: 406
I have always loved the weatherby family of high powered rifles. Ammunition is usually more expensive and can be harder to find, but the additional power is worth it. The 7mm wby mag or the 300 wby mag will kill deer and elk effeciently. Some say the .257 wby mag is a little light for elk and anything over 300 wby mag is overkill on deer. IMHO the best rifle for both is the one you can shoot the most accurate. Good luck and keep us informed.
12-09-2009, 01:38 PM
#29
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,867
good advice 
LOl
I think your right. I have always wanted a 3006 bolt action rifle and i think i will kick my self for ever if it ant what i buy. I figure buy the 3006 or the .308 something low recoil like you said then when the time comes for the elf hunt buy a 300 wm or something in that area. my shoulder hurts bad enough already
LOl I think your right. I have always wanted a 3006 bolt action rifle and i think i will kick my self for ever if it ant what i buy. I figure buy the 3006 or the .308 something low recoil like you said then when the time comes for the elf hunt buy a 300 wm or something in that area. my shoulder hurts bad enough already
I use a 300WM primarily for elk but use it for deer and antelope when hunting them on the same trip. It is perfect for elk, definitely overkill on anything smaller. Ruined a lot of meat by not having a smaller gun in the truck with me.
I would recommend either a 30-06 or 270Win. No flaming here but it sounds like you are still learning a lot, and a magnum will instill a lot of bad habits in you if you don't learn to shoot properly with a lower-recoiling rifle. Many of the Montana natives I hunted with used 270Win on everything, including elk. The magnums only become necessary when you get into longer range shooting (400+ yds) and I don't think that's where you're going to be starting out (at least it shouldn't be).
A 7mm mag is an ok comprimise if you HAVE to have a magnum. Lots of elk died before magnums were ever invented.
I would recommend either a 30-06 or 270Win. No flaming here but it sounds like you are still learning a lot, and a magnum will instill a lot of bad habits in you if you don't learn to shoot properly with a lower-recoiling rifle. Many of the Montana natives I hunted with used 270Win on everything, including elk. The magnums only become necessary when you get into longer range shooting (400+ yds) and I don't think that's where you're going to be starting out (at least it shouldn't be).
A 7mm mag is an ok comprimise if you HAVE to have a magnum. Lots of elk died before magnums were ever invented.
12-09-2009, 02:32 PM
#30
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: N-E PA.
Posts: 1,787
