260 for deer,elk,moose is it possible?

7mm-08

7mm-08

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My 15 year old daughter (243) said she would like to go elk,moose and caribou
hunting she presently shoots a .243.She would like to get a larger caliber like a .260,7mm-08,270,308 something that can take down big game and not beat the #### out of her.Her other option is using her grandpa's old .303.She is 5'4" around 120lbs.Your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
 
Moose, Elk and Caribou Hunting

Hi,

I haven't been hunting for too long but last year I shot my elk with a .270Win. I was using Winchester's 140gr. Accubond. Even though the elk was shot through the heart it still ran 100 yards. Moose is an even bigger and tougher customer.

From what I've read on the Chuck Hawks site, the .270Win or .270WSM is an adequate round for elk and moose. Not Great but merely adequate.

If recoil is a problem, why not try an auto-loader rifle. Much of the recoil of these types of rifles is put to work in chambering a fresh round and so it should be quite a bit lighter on the shoulder.

RD

p.s. My son has a 7mm-08. It's an absolutely marvellous deer cartridge. :)
 
A 6.5x55 swedish mauser with a 156 grain bullet loaded by Norma (35 dollars a box) is about the best killer for least recoil. If you handload you could get a 30-06 ish cartridge for her and load it real light for practice and a bit stiffer for moose/elk.
 
Rubber Ducky said:
Hi,

I haven't been hunting for too long but last year I shot my elk with a .270Win. I was using Winchester's 140gr. Accubond. Even though the elk was shot through the heart it still ran 100 yards. Moose is an even bigger and tougher customer.
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Once you've hunted more, you'll see that the last line is waaaaay off. Moose are generally far more likely to realize they're dead than an elk. Elk are the toughest buggers with hooves in NA.

From what I've read on the Chuck Hawks site, the .270Win or .270WSM is an adequate round for elk and moose. Not Great but merely adequate.
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Chuck needs some more field time I think. Great cartridge for all the above.....think about it: 270= 30/06 necked down to .27 cal. Think the animals can feel the difference that .03" makes?






Aaaaaannd.....back on topic: The .260 is ballistically virtually identical to the 7/08. So: would you use the 7/08? I would! So the short answer is yes, you can use the .260 just use it at reasonable ranges and ensure good shot placement. NOW: hy not set her up with a 7/08 of her own? They are so close, and you are obviously set up for that cart. allready....have twins!

Ryan
 
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Wrong Way said:
Chuck needs some more field time I think. Great cartridge for all the above.....think about it: 270= 30/06 necked down to .27 cal. Think the animals can feel the difference that .03" makes?
Ryan
Click to expand...

You right .03" doesn't mean squat but 150 gr Vs 220 gr does:p

7mm-08, Grampa's old .303 will kick her harder the any of the other calibers you listed.
 
Probably more important than the choice between the say 270-308 is getting her a rifle that fits her properly and has a good recoil pad. Let her practice with the lighter bullets, but make sure she is sighted in for the hunting weight bullets. Forget the 303 with the metal buttplate. Either the 7mm-08 or the .308 will be available in a short action that will make up into a nice little rifle for her.
 
In my opinion most of the cals. mentioned are on the light side for elk, they will work but there are much better, if recoil is a concern, the .308 is the lightest of this group that I would chance, or the 6.5x55 with 160gr. bullet!
 
The 6.5x55 with its fast twist barrel and 160 gr. bullet will out penetrate any of the others and show expansion as well, I don't believe any of the others come factory loaded with that type of bullet!
 
Who loads a factory 160 for the 6.5? I cant find any.
As for the 7/08, you can buy 150 pro-hunters, and 140 Partitions, Bear Claws, Failsafes, and accubonds.

Levi, there was another thread where the 7/08 with a premium bullet out performed a 30/06 with a "regular" bullet.....remember? Now...I could be wrong but I *believe* the 30/06 has been killing elk for a while with these "regular" bullets....so logic would say that a 7/08 with a "premium" bullet would be MORE ethical than a 30/06.....I wonder if we should tell all the guys with the 06's that they don't have enough gun...........
 
I was looking at the 6.5 x .308( .260 rem) up there, thats a deer/black bear cartridge / gun ;) So is the 7-08 , but you can hot rod it with premium bullets and make it work on the big stuff. But we must make it clear to non reloading folks that they must check the bullet in the case to see if its a deer cartridge or can be used on bigger game. Thats all I was getting at. :)
 
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Norma makes factory 156 gr loads for the 6.5x55

Ive loaded 155 gr Lapua Mega semi spitzers in my 260 to 2550 fps, duplicating any Swede load. I doubt it would out penetrate a 130 gr TSX @ 2850 fps though.
 
if you reload, get a 308. you can download it quite easily. if they will feed, you can even use bullets designed for the 30 WCF which will do good work in lighter loads. plus there are "managed recoil" loads out there by remington and federal.

probably the biggest thing is making sure the stock fits, it hurts to get whacked in the face with every shot. i find this is much more imprtant than the recoil pad or buttplate.
 
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