Elk/Deer Combo Gun

conor_90 said:
I butcher my own game.

I'm pretty sure a magnum velocity .338 bullet is going to result in more bloodshot meat than a 7x57.

The brisket can be used for more than grind as can the leg.

If meat damage doesn't exist unless you shoot a deer in the ass why is the .338 not a popular deer round?
Click to expand...

I do my own game as well. Regardless what you shoot it with there'll be bloodshot meat. My go to is a 338 wm and I've never noticed anymore or less meat loss then my other rifles. This is a lie lol. Ive had two elk get away from me in my elk hunting career. This was using a 30-06. So I guess my 338 has less wasted meat. I have not lost a animal since I've acquired my 338.

The 338 is not a popular deer round because many places where deer are hunted there is no elk.
 
Norwestalta said:
I do my own game as well. Regardless what you shoot it with there'll be bloodshot meat. My go to is a 338 wm and I've never noticed anymore or less meat loss then my other rifles. This is a lie lol. Ive had two elk get away from me in my elk hunting career. This was using a 30-06. So I guess my 338 has less wasted meat. I have not lost a animal since I've acquired my 338.

The 338 is not a popular deer round because many places where deer are hunted there is no elk.
Click to expand...

My thoughts as well....... The 338 is not needed on deer but would be a great elk round IMOP.......

Personally, I would rather be equipped with a rifle suitable for the biggest game I am hunting and use it on the smaller game I am hunting and pick my shot, rather than try a do all...... But that's just me..... And I rarely hunt multiple species with the exception of bear and whitetail overlap, where a .308 or 7-08 is a great do all....
 
Superbrad said:
My thoughts as well....... The 338 is not needed on deer but would be a great elk round IMOP.......

Personally, I would rather be equipped with a rifle suitable for the biggest game I am hunting and use it on the smaller game I am hunting and pick my shot, rather than try a do all...... But that's just me..... And I rarely hunt multiple species with the exception of bear and whitetail overlap, where a .308 or 7-08 is a great do all....
Click to expand...

For your environment your chambering choices are right. Deer and bears are not nearly as tough as elk. Imo elk have got to be the tastiest but the toughest critter ive encountered. Unless you like shooting and tracking I'd go with a bigger gun that I shoot well then a smaller gun that I shoot well.
 
Shoot once with a 338 and see how much meat is wasted or shoot 3 times with your 7x57. I'll take the one shot smack down every time. Lol
 
Norwestalta said:
For your environment your chambering choices are right. Deer and bears are not nearly as tough as elk. Imo elk have got to be the tastiest but the toughest critter ive encountered. Unless you like shooting and tracking I'd go with a bigger gun that I shoot well then a smaller gun that I shoot well.
Click to expand...

I agree...... And have done elk......

What I am saying is in Conor's environment, I would gear towards elk and worry less about meat damage on a whitetail..... If you lose 5 pounds or less due to cartridge (proper shot placement woukd yield zero).... It's all good.....

So, my reccomendation would be .300 or .338wm..... It's what I would take.....

If you want a combo gun, that is light on elk but perfect for whiteail, then 7-08 or 7x57 used within its limits on elk......

There is no perfect rifle for both..... So my opinion is carry heavy and worry less about meat loss.....
 
There is absolutely no need to carry a 300 or 338 of any flavour for Elk. This comes from first had killing big bulls experience. Any 30-06 based cartridge will kill an Elk handily and if they are getting away after being hit, they were poorly hit in the first place. Shoot a reliable rifle with a reliable scope and reliable ammunition and you will pot your Elk. Period.
 
chuck nelson said:
There is absolutely no need to carry a 300 or 338 of any flavour for Elk. This comes from first had killing big bulls experience. Any 30-06 based cartridge will kill an Elk handily and if they are getting away after being hit, they were poorly hit in the first place. Shoot a reliable rifle with a reliable scope and reliable ammunition and you will pot your Elk. Period.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree...... I just like to use big cartridges and place my shots.....

We are all different.....

Both of mine were taken with a loaner brown precision in .270........
 
Norwestalta what bullet do you use for elk and deer?

I have a lot of elk worthy bullets in the 250-300 grain range and a lot of deer worthy bullets in 200. Let me guess from the theme of this thread go with the big bullets. I was packing 300 woodleighs for black bear to see how they would work but didn't get one. Saw lots of deer and elk though; hence the thread.

Chuck curious what your opinion is on the 7x57? 270 seems to be coming up a lot and they seem pretty similar with an edge to the .270.
 
conor_90 said:
Norwestalta what bullet do you use for elk and deer?

I have a lot of elk worthy bullets in the 250-300 grain range and a lot of deer worthy bullets in 200. Let me guess from the theme of this thread go with the big bullets. I was packing 300 woodleighs for black bear to see how they would work but didn't get one. Saw lots of deer and elk though; hence the thread.

Chuck curious what your opinion is on the 7x57? 270 seems to be coming up a lot and they seem pretty similar with an edge to the .270.
Click to expand...

I've killed Elk with the 280 Rem and the 270. They worked decisively. I would have zero qualms with the 7X57. My hunting buddy's 280 with 140 TSX's at 2920 has killed several Elk. Including a whopper 375 plus bull at close to 500 yds.
 
conor_90 said:
Norwestalta what bullet do you use for elk and deer?

I have a lot of elk worthy bullets in the 250-300 grain range and a lot of deer worthy bullets in 200. Let me guess from the theme of this thread go with the big bullets. I was packing 300 woodleighs for black bear to see how they would work but didn't get one. Saw lots of deer and elk though; hence the thread.

Chuck curious what your opinion is on the 7x57? 270 seems to be coming up a lot and they seem pretty similar with an edge to the .270.
Click to expand...

I do very well with 185 ttsx. Most of the elk I've shot are 300 to 450 yards. I use this rifle for everything chickens to moose and elk. It even takes all nine cat lifes at once(the wife is a cat hoarder lol).
 
chuck nelson said:
There is absolutely no need to carry a 300 or 338 of any flavour for Elk. This comes from first had killing big bulls experience. Any 30-06 based cartridge will kill an Elk handily and if they are getting away after being hit, they were poorly hit in the first place. Shoot a reliable rifle with a reliable scope and reliable ammunition and you will pot your Elk. Period.
Click to expand...

Well chuck after a dozen and half dead elk and two missing I think I've figured out the recipe. Yes I've killed more elk with a 30-06 than I've lost but I'll still take my 338.
 
My rifle does not like the 185 grain bullets.

I am also always curious if the 185-210 bullets are intended for the .338-06 and 338 federal and may expand too violently on elk.
 
conor_90 said:
My rifle does not like the 185 grain bullets.

I am also always curious if the 185-210 bullets are intended for the .338-06 and 338 federal and may expand too violently on elk.
Click to expand...

I loaded up some 225 ttsx and have got pretty good results accuracy wise. As soon as the weather turns around again I'll try the 210's. Imr 4831 works with my 185's and imr 4350 seems to be the answer with the 225.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom