7 Mag vs .300

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I just want enough knock down power.

Knock down power is a funny concept in elk hunting, IMO. I have seen bulls killed with a number of different cartridges from .243 to .338 WM. I have yet to see one get "knocked down" so to speak. I have seen them drop suddenly, but only from CNS hits. Usually regardless of caliber, they soak up a shot to the vitals and tip over when their blood pressure drops.

I have killed my last couple elk with the 7 Rem Mag and found its performance more than adequate. My advice is to use the rifle you are most comfortable with. Bullet selection and shot placement erases any practical terminal difference between these two cartridges. As mentioned above, both of these cartridges are excellent choices for elk hunting with a quality bullet and well-placed shot.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have killed my last couple elk with the 7 Rem Mag and found its performance more than adequate. My advice is to use the rifle you are most comfortable with. Bullet selection and shot placement erases any practical terminal difference between these two cartridges. As mentioned above, both of these cartridges are excellent choices for elk hunting with a quality bullet and well-placed shot.

Well put, couldn't have said it any better if I tried.

 

[D.Turvey Jr]

Here, this will help you out I am sure, lol

Mike Eastman likes the 7MM Mag.

Guy Eastman likes the .300 Win. Mag.

Not that my opinion matters much, but just for the shear fact that you can get more bullet weights in factory loads, I would lean towards the .300 Win. Mag. Either way, I have personally seen both calibers put elk down with authority. If you choose the 7MM, stick with the heavy for caliber bullets like 160 grainers and for the .300 Win. Mag the 200 grain rounds work great for elk and the 180's for everything else. Just my two cents...

 

[mcseal2]

I'd try a 300 with a good stout 180 or 200gr load and see if you can handle the recoil before purchasing one. A limbsaver pad can really help or a brake, but that adds length to your barrel without improving ballistics.

I personally used a 270 last year, I shot a 300WM with hot 180gr loads at everything from varmints up for years and developed a flinch doing it. I have found that now I shoot better with a 270 win or 264WM, pushing a 140gr bullet to 3000fps has been getting the job done at a recoil level that I can manage well. I practice more and shoot better this way, and where the bullet lands is still more important than how big it is. I'll have to pass some tough quartering shots I may take with a 200gr accubond from a 300WM, but I'm ok with that.

7 mag does a great job of pushing the 140gr bullet to 3k with a moderate load for a modest recoil deer rifle, and can push a 160-168gr the same speed if you need the extra performance. I did that for a while with a Colt light rifle I had, practiced most of the year with the 140's then stepped up to the 160's preparing for the elk hunt. The guy I hunt with used a 7 mag last season with the 150gr accubond long range bullets. He put 3 shots through the lungs of his bull before it fell at 420-450yds. All passed through and looked like they performed well. He was trying to shut the bull down before he dropped off into the nasty canyon he was bedded along, didn't work.

 

[packmule]

Placement is the key to anchoring them, just like any other animal. High point of the shoulder with a bonded bullet should do just that. I can shoot our rabbit sized WT square behind the shoulder with 180gr NBTs and them jokers are going to run.

 

[Bnunley1]

I currently shoot factory Remington Core Lokt 150g. I've had great success in the whitetail world with this setup. If I need to step-up to a larger grain bullet or a better one I will?

 

[xtreme]

I believe you have the right ammo and even though a heavier Core Lokt may be recommended I would stay with the same bullet you have been shooting because its enough for elk and you would not have to make any mental changes as ballistics go.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I would for sure for elk. But it's still all about shot placement.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

The 150 Core Lokt is a good bullet for elk. I would stick with it if it shoot well in your rifle. Just put it through the goods.

I generally go with 160 -168 grain bullets in the 7RM, but more for the ballistic coefficient advantages than the terminal performance.

 

[swampokie]

We should be the ones askin you for advice!

I currently shoot factory Remington Core Lokt 150g. I've had great success in the whitetail world with this setup. If I need to step-up to a larger grain bullet or a better one I will?

 

[DeclanO]

I've always used a 7mm. Shot everything from Caribou and Deer to Elk. I recently took it over to Africa and it had no issues dropping big plains game like Kudu. A good bullet and you've got yourself a great round! I'm a firm believer in the Barnes TSX bullets!

 

[SansSouci]

One will kill big game just as dead as the other.

The 7MM Rem Mag seems to be the most powerful rifle that most hunters can shoot off a beach w/o flinching. I know it is for me. I've seen men far bigger hunters than me suffer recoil shock from the .300 Win Mag.

The reality is the .270 Win, .280 Rem, and .30-06 will kill big game just as dead as any magnum. All a hunter has to do is place a bullet where it needs to be. There ain't a North American big game animal that's long for the world sans its heart and/or lungs.

Were I given a do-over, I'd buy only one rifle: a Sako AV in .280 Rem and never look back.

 

[SansSouci]

Knock down power is a funny concept in elk hunting, IMO. I have seen bulls killed with a number of different cartridges from .243 to .338 WM. I have yet to see one get "knocked down" so to speak. I have seen them drop suddenly, but only from CNS hits. Usually regardless of caliber, they soak up a shot to the vitals and tip over when their blood pressure drops.

I have killed my last couple elk with the 7 Rem Mag and found its performance more than adequate. My advice is to use the rifle you are most comfortable with. Bullet selection and shot placement erases any practical terminal difference between these two cartridges. As mentioned above, both of these cartridges are excellent choices for elk hunting with a quality bullet and well-placed shot.

You're absolutely right. Just as no self-defense handgun has ability to knock down an assailant, no big game rifle has ability to knock down big game.

Everything dies by either destruction of the brain or lack of oxygen to it. Most hunters opt for the latter by destroying heart and/or lungs. What cartridge destroys hearts & lungs is immaterial. That they are destroyed is.

I am good with any reasonable cartridges hunters use since they're personal preference. As long as they're capable of penetrating thoraxes and destroying hearts & lungs, I'm good.

How many elephants did that fella in Africa kill with a 7x57? He did opt for the brain destruction route.

 

[7stwluver]

Which ever one you shoot the best ! I do most of my hunting with a 7stw and 140 gr barnes ttsx prarie dogs to elk it's suited me well. However I did kill my best bull with a .300 win mag and 180 gr barnes tsx I shoot lots of coyotes with that setup and have total confidence in that rifle as well as the stw's I have. Personal preference on which you use. You can't go wrong with either.


Sent from NSA wire tapped device.

 

[woodtick]

Just buy a .300 Pegasus and you won't have to worry any of this nonsense!!

http://www.broadswordgroup.com/300_pegasus.html

 

[bdan68]

I definitely would not use that same 150 grain Core Lokt bullet for elk. It's not that it's too light, but Core Lokts don't stay together, especially when pushed at the speed it will be from a 7 mag.

Get some decent elk bullets, Barnes or Nosler Accubonds. Weight doesn't matter, although in 7mm I like 160's.

 

[swampokie]

bdan I respect the opinion but your climbing uphill on this forum if you say the core-lokt isn't an effective elk killer! That bullet has killed more elk than all the bullets you mentioned combined.

I definitely would not use that same 150 grain Core Lokt bullet for elk. It's not that it's too light, but Core Lokts don't stay together, especially when pushed at the speed it will be from a 7 mag.

Get some decent elk bullets, Barnes or Nosler Accubonds. Weight doesn't matter, although in 7mm I like 160's.

 

[bdan68]

bdan I respect the opinion but your climbing uphill on this forum if you say the core-lokt isn't an effective elk killer! That bullet has killed more elk than all the bullets you mentioned combined.

I'm not saying it won't work but there are much better choices. I've seen a 150 grain core Lokt out of a 30/06 come apart on a small mule deer, and the only bone it hit was a single rib. I sure wouldn't trust that same bullet to get through the shoulder of a mature bull elk.

 

[swampokie]

Chuck Norris shoots CORE-LOKT!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Chuck Norris shoots CORE-LOKT!

Sure he does....in his AK!