looking to buy a new gun for western hunting an all around gun that will shot goats elk and mule deer calibers and maybe certain guns would be helpful thankyou
gun for wy
- Thread starter 11mgrunt
- Start date
Sawfish
Very Active Member
NVBird'n'Big
Veteran member
mattdeere
Active Member
You have several options and you will get several different opinions most will have good merit behind them. My Choice would be a 7mm Rem Mag or a 300 Weatherby. this is what I use.
trkytrack2
Active Member
Eberle
Veteran member
jenbickel
Veteran member
Remember elk live in steep country and a lighter weight rifle can be nice. I also like a 3 position safety so the Winchester M70 or Ruger M77 are favorites for me. I really like the look and feel of the Kimber 84L but have heard mixed reviews. I like that these rifles lock the bolt closed in the furthest back position so when I switch my slung rifle to my left shoulder and the safety rubs against my pack it stays put. Tang safety's are nice too but some let the bolt unlock with the safety on, have to check the different brands. A light STIFF synthetic stock factory stock is always good especially if it has a good recoil pad like the Limbsaver. To many factory stocks flex a lot on the forend and I prefer a stiffer stock that stays free floated when pressure is put on it from a bipod or other rest. B&C makes a good aluminum bedded stock for a pretty reasonable price if the factory one isn't good enough.
For calibers I'd personally stay somewhere in the 270-7mm Rem mag range. I like flat shooting guns with light recoil. My personal choice is two rifles, a 264WM for plains and a 270 for steep country. Someday I'd like to have a 300WSM as a dedicated elk gun, but the recoil is to stiff for me personally to consider it an all around rifle. I tend to specialize rather than go for an all around though. The long barrel needed on a 264WM or most of the Weatherby magnums for top speed isn't something I want on an all around rifle. While I love my 264WM the longer barrel can be a pain in the timber when it makes the stock stick further over my head in the Eberlestock scabbard, or the barrel stick farther over my shoulder on a sling. I use a shorter, lighter rifle on the mountain and the 264 as a plains gun.
I'd prefer to stay in the 22-24" range and use a light enough recoiling round that I don't need a break on it for something I'll pack around a mountain. I have a flinch from shooting a 300win to much so the 7mm Rem Mag is about as much gun as I want to use. Even that is to much at times with the amount of practice shooting as I do. For me the top calibers would be 270 win, 270WSM, 280 Rem or AI, 7WSM, or 7mm RM for an all around rifle for Wyoming. I know many 30-06 fans will disagree with me for good reason, but if I want to step up to 30-06 recoil I personally prefer to go with the 7 mag and it's higher BC 160 or 168gr bullets that can be pushed to 3000fps.
Something else to consider if you choose a less common round for your primary gun is a common gun to take for back-up. For example if I'm on a hunt and somehow become separated from my ammunition I'm not likely to find a box of 264WM on the shelf. With a 270 as my back-up rifle if I get separated from my handloads I'm likely to be able to find some factory rounds to shoot.
For calibers I'd personally stay somewhere in the 270-7mm Rem mag range. I like flat shooting guns with light recoil. My personal choice is two rifles, a 264WM for plains and a 270 for steep country. Someday I'd like to have a 300WSM as a dedicated elk gun, but the recoil is to stiff for me personally to consider it an all around rifle. I tend to specialize rather than go for an all around though. The long barrel needed on a 264WM or most of the Weatherby magnums for top speed isn't something I want on an all around rifle. While I love my 264WM the longer barrel can be a pain in the timber when it makes the stock stick further over my head in the Eberlestock scabbard, or the barrel stick farther over my shoulder on a sling. I use a shorter, lighter rifle on the mountain and the 264 as a plains gun.
I'd prefer to stay in the 22-24" range and use a light enough recoiling round that I don't need a break on it for something I'll pack around a mountain. I have a flinch from shooting a 300win to much so the 7mm Rem Mag is about as much gun as I want to use. Even that is to much at times with the amount of practice shooting as I do. For me the top calibers would be 270 win, 270WSM, 280 Rem or AI, 7WSM, or 7mm RM for an all around rifle for Wyoming. I know many 30-06 fans will disagree with me for good reason, but if I want to step up to 30-06 recoil I personally prefer to go with the 7 mag and it's higher BC 160 or 168gr bullets that can be pushed to 3000fps.
Something else to consider if you choose a less common round for your primary gun is a common gun to take for back-up. For example if I'm on a hunt and somehow become separated from my ammunition I'm not likely to find a box of 264WM on the shelf. With a 270 as my back-up rifle if I get separated from my handloads I'm likely to be able to find some factory rounds to shoot.
Kentucky hunter
Active Member
Depends on recoil if your wanting to see the report of the rifle though your scope I shoot 280 rem in t/c pro hunter almost can see the report of the rifle had a ruger m77 all weather 280 rem could see the report of the rifle have 300 rum in rem 700 no way gona see the report of that rifle and will be hard to see the report on most rifles unless heavy or small cal
DryFlyGuy
Active Member
I'd go with 7mm or 300 win mag. They are this century's version of last century's 270 and 30-06, respectively.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
bingo
or a 7STW which is what I have. Antelope don't take a step when hit with a 180gr Berger. LOL
Musket Man
Veteran member
My deer and antelope last year never took a step either when they got hit with a 130 core-lokt from my .270 win but I will admit the deer did kick just a little. LOL! All of the calibers mentioned above and many more will kill all 3 animals if you hit them well.
hoshour
Veteran member
I think the gun with the best ballistics without the kick of a 7mm mag or a .300 Win mag is the .280, though if you buy off the shelf ammo you may find it harder to get.
For flexibility the 30/06 is the champ. I've shot one for years but lately I've been using my .270.
For flexibility the 30/06 is the champ. I've shot one for years but lately I've been using my .270.
BobT
Active Member
crumy
Member
We have killed elk with 7mm-08 and 300 win mag. 7mm08 is good, but I like heavier bullet.. I hunnt with either 180 or 200 grain 300 win mag. Really it is up to what you can shoot effectively and comfortably. This is really a ford/chevy thing. Everyone had different experiences and different taste and it goes down to what works for you.
Shoot as many calibers as you can and go from there. It all boils down to shot placement and how you shoot it.
Shoot as many calibers as you can and go from there. It all boils down to shot placement and how you shoot it.
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
I really love the 30-06 and that would be a good cartridge as would a .280 Remington. The .280 is a superb round with great ballistics and not a lot of kick to the shooter.