7 Saum vs 300 WSM for Elk and Moose.

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jayquiver

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This will be a Elk/Moose rifle for Alberta hunting everything from bush to 500 yard shots.

I have ADG brass, bullets and powder for both. Was planning on doing a 7 saum originally as more of an "all arounder" but now that I found bullets and brass for the 300 wsm I am thinking (overthinking) that I may switch it up to a 300 wsm instead.

If I do a 300 wsm it will be a 24" barrel shooting 180-200 gr bullets.
If I do a 7 saum it will be in a 22" barrel shooting 160 - 175 gr bullets.

Action- Defiance Machine XM
Stock - Manners EH1
Barrel - currently have a 22" Proof Sendro Light in .284. If I go 300 wsm it will be another carbon barrel either IBI or Proof in 24". Both will have a muzzle brake, so not too concerned about recoil.

Disclosure - have never shot a moose or elk. I have watched too many youtube "experts" on this subject and I am now confused, now looking for some real life help on this.

Do i proceed as planned with the 7 saum or switch it up to the 300 wsm? Anything else I should consider before making a decision?

Rifles I currently own have a Kimber Montana in 7mm-08 ( my deer gun) , Kimber Montana 270 (will probably re-chamber to something depending on what i build, thinking a 6.5x284 or 280ai or 30-06) and Cooper Jackson Hunter 338-06 (Dark Timber rifle)

cheers!
 
I would use the 338-06 and be happy for moose elk. Everything you listed will work. Like most people sounds like you have the over thinking disease
 
I have taken my last two bull elk with a 280ai (ballistic twin 7saum). One using a 162eld-x at 150yds-ish and one using a 140nab at 418yds.

Either build will do and what you already have will also work.
 
I like the 7. I’ve shot big bulls (of both species) with the 280AI and 7mm Rem Mag. The results were decisive. So if the 7’s will work, so will the 30’s. I also like the magnum 338’s, but that is a different build altogether. IMO the smaller 338’s are hamstrung. Specialist niche applications really.
 
I do like my 7mm-08 and 338-06 but for me I don't think I would take them out to 500 yards for Elk or Moose.

I do like my 7's as well. But the 300 wsm is intriguing...

The Montana won't be sold...sorry guys. lol.
 
jayquiver said:
I do like my 7mm-08 and 338-06 but for me I don't think I would take them out to 500 yards for Elk or Moose.

I do like my 7's as well. But the 300 wsm is intriguing...

The Montana won't be sold...sorry guys. lol.
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yeah mate i thought about it last night actually, an the defining factor is that you wanna shoot 500meters, an thats where magnums do come in to their own for oomph at distance.. so youre proberly on the right track.. personally id go other than 300wsm, you would get more out of the Win mag ? altho it seems ya chasen short actions, ?

the 7mm rem mag with 160gr projies hits pretty darn hard at 500....
 
Either will do. Components might be easier to find for the .300wsm, in today’s world I would make my decision between those two based on that. I’ve boom flopped a bull moose, bull elk and a bison with my 300wsm, gotta love not having to track. If you do go with the .300wsm I’d suggest 180gr projectiles.
 
From my personal experience using your barrel choices I would pick the IBI Carbon Hunter no contest. The IBI will weigh 3lbs 5oz.
If strictly a big game hunting rifle. The 7 SAUM would be fine for elk, I've used that caliber for elk, but I'd go 300 WSM.

IBI measures there barrels funny though. A 24" is actually total length. Also, I'd get threaded muzzle with an IBI. If you are not using a brake, get the smith to make a nice blended thread protector.
 
I’d rock the 7, but that’s just me, sounds like your already pretty much there. The 300 short is a deadly contender. I certainly love shooting and loading my 270wsm. Very accurate cartridges typically as well. As far as components for the 7saum, the only issue you’ll ever run into is brass. If you can horde enough of that you’ll be good for life! WSM brass seems pretty easy to find in my experience!
 
Any of.the rifles you currently own and the ones you are proposing will "work," however the .300 WSM will work better. Since you have the 7-08 and .270, I would do the .300 WSM... and you don't need a muzzlebrake. Personally of the 7-08 & .270, I would ditch the 7-08... don't get me wrong, I like the 7-08 and have one, and don't have a .270, but in their niche, the .270 has more viability, as much as it pains me to admit it, the .270 Win is actually a terrific cartridge for medium game out to longer distances.
 
hoytcanon said:
Any of.the rifles you currently own and the ones you are proposing will "work," however the .300 WSM will work better. Since you have the 7-08 and .270, I would do the .300 WSM... and you don't need a muzzlebrake. Personally of the 7-08 & .270, I would ditch the 7-08... don't get me wrong, I like the 7-08 and have one, and don't have a .270, but in their niche, the .270 has more viability, as much as it pains me to admit it, the .270 Win is actually a terrific cartridge for medium game out to longer distances.
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Where did the OP ask about muzzle brakes? :confused: I was referring to the IBI choice of carbon.

I mentioned a threaded muzzle because when ordering a IBI Carbon Hunter it's a one time only choice. The OP or the gunsmith can't cut threads later on with a IBI carbon blank. So I was told when I bought a few of them. I'd order the threads. Get a protector made that nicely blends in.

That being said I would recommend other carbon barrel makers than the 2 listed by the OP. The IBI is a good choice when they had their sale prices. If all at regular price I would pick something else.

I have a Proof Research carbon. Never again.
 
hoytcanon said:
I wasn't talking to you, now was I... if you scroll up, you will see that there is an OP and a bunch of other people posting.
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Oh ok. I just wanted to talk barrel choices and not the ‘ol CGN brake talk. It always seems to go there on here.

Well heck. Missed the OP talking brakes. Too funny. Thanks.

Yep I’d definitely run a brake. One of a few good reasons to go with a .800” plus OD muzzle you get with a carbon.
 
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Just rebarrel that .270 or trade it, for a Montana .30-06 if you feel the need to change.
Will be lots for elk or moose. Also, nothing wrong with a .270, but if you keep the 7mm-08, a 24” barreled .30-06 with good bullets is plenty for moose or elk.

Love Montana‘s!
 
Thanks for all the replies, I read them all.

I almost did a last minute switch to the 300 wsm but I decided to stick with my original plan, the 7 saum, for a few reasons.

1.I have everything for it including the barrel I wanted, a Proof 22" 1 in 8.4 twist. With a brake it would be almost 24, didn't really want to go any longer for this hunting rifle. The only 30 cal barrel i could find was longer and not sure I wanted a 1 in 9 twist.
2. I chatted with acquaintance of mine, older guy, who has taken a ton of elk and moose. He uses and older Gunwerks 7 rem mag and 168 bergers. He has shot them all from 50 yards to 500 yards...never had an issue.
3. recoil is better when the brake is off. I don't plan on hunting with the brake on.
4. listen to gunwerks podcast #60 on 7's. The saum sounds exactly for what i wanted to do. Like the Gunwerks guys, super smart and innovative. https://www.gunwerks.com/blog/lrp-podcast-9/podcast-ep-60-get-saum-comparing-7mm-cartridges-233

I should have it back by the end of September at the latest, hopefully have it ready to hunt shortly after that.
 
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