7wsm or 300wsm?

[RangerBrad]

I am considering purchasing my first long range rifle for deer to elk sized game. Til now the largest centerfire rifle I have owned has been the 25-06. I am considering both the 7wsm and the 300wsm. My concerns are that the 7wsm will not have the terminal impact on elk sized game at longer range(800-1000yds) however I am concerened the 300wsm will have so much recoil that while practicing at the range I will develop a flinch. Are my concerns founded, Which caliber would yal recommend and would a muzzel brake cure the problem of recoil in the larger caliber? All advice is appreciated. Thank's, Brad

[squirrelduster]

I have a 7WSM and it shoots really well but when elk hunting I take my 300 win mag. They are tough critters and I want the biggest baddest gun I have. I have been considering one of the 338's as my elk rifle.
I limit my shots to under 600 yards on elk. I don't want to track one through two zip codes.
Deer are a different story, either of the calibers would perform well on deer.

[Michael Eichele]

You are going to get alot of advice and opinions on this one. Here is mine.

7mm = higher BC bullets for equal 30 cal weight. (in general)

30 cal = heavier bullets available with higher overall BCs (in general)

7mm vs 30 in recoil = nearly the same with bullets of equal weight. 30 cal will recoil harder with heavier bullets but hit the critters harder and make a bigger hole.

7mm vs 30 in velocity = Barrel length and bullet weight being equal, 30 cal will be faster.

7mm vs 30 cal barrel life = Cases being equal, similar life with the 7mm being slightly shorter.

All that said, they both offer great things for the long range hunter. If you want a legitimate 1000 yard elk rifle, you may be barking up the wrong tree with either, but if thats how it had to be, the 300WSM would be in my hands.

My vote goes for the 300.

[SBruce]

My vote also goes to the 300. Especially since you say elk at long range. I believe recoil could be a problem if you want to practice with it or shoot it alot in one sitting, which is why Kirby is building mine with a brake. I wanted a relatively light gun.

He suggested a 300 or 338 Ultra Mag if I was going to use it for elk beyond 800 yds, but I never get the time to hunt elk; so I stayed with the WSM.

Sidenote: I heard that a recent 1000 yd benchrest world record was set with the 300 too.

[Long Time Long Ranger]

If you are thinking about shooting elk 800-1000 yards these are not good choices. You need to look at some bigger cartridges. Can it be done with these yes. Are they a good choice, NO. If you are going elk hunting then get an elk rifle.

[MHO]

300 would be my choice, well it is what I use. Elk are tough, tough animals. Use as much bang as you can.

[rscott5028]

I don't hunt Elk or use a 300. But, I have a 7mm Rem Mag. I've seen it drop Elk and Moose at extreme ranges on TV. But, you never see video of the ones that got away.

If I was paying for an expensive hunt (time or money), I'd lean towards the 300.

Use a good muzzle break and wear hearing protection. An indexed break such as Holland's won't kick up so much dust if shooting prone.

No need to develop a flinch or go deaf.

Good luck!