More confused than ever

[Michael Eichele]

I am of the opinion that if you want to be very serious about a solid 1K+ yard elk and moose hunting rifle, that the 338 is where it is at. Sure other calibers do well but from a pure LR killing and wind drift (or lack of) standpoint, the 300 grain pills are near impossible to beat for larger game and/or tougher game such as mt goats.

If you were just talking deer and antelope at 1K I would say your 1st choice would suffice. Add 1K elk and bigger to the mix and it is time to get serious.

[retiredcpo]

Darrin
I am no expert or anything close to it
But I would say for Antelope and Deer over 1k you would be fine with a 7wsm
elk would be pushing it and moose you would probably be lacking some.
I would be using at least a 300 if not a 338
just my 1 cents worth
retiredcpo

[darrindlh]

What would be your minimum fps for a confirmed long range kill . Or does that matter. Are you more conserned how the bullet will perform.
Ok it is hard for me to believe that a bullet travilong at 1800 fps will not have a terminal effect on any game it comes in contact with. Why do you guys like the 338's.

Darrin

[4bycamper]

To my understanding, the hunting bullets are the problem. Most hunting bullets don't want to open up below 1800 fps. So if your 7mm elk/moose bullet arrives at 1700 fps, it just drills a 7mm hole in your elk.

This will NOT put your elk down. He may run off, or wander off into the deepest darkest hell-hole he can find before he dies or not. You may not find him for days, if ever. Personally, I harvested a cow elk with a healed-over hole in her heart and one lung. Clearly, bullet damage.
Loosing an elk or moose will not be a lot of fun for you. So why do it??

The 7mm WSM is a great cartridge for target shooting at 1000m or farther.
It drills holes in paper with the best of them. If this is what you want to do,
rock on!

[MontanaRifleman]

Darrin, for every member here you will get an opinion on what's the best cartridge and bullet and rifle and whatever. Most of the opinions are based on expereince and facts but there's a lot more gray to this game than there is black and white.

As a general rule of thumb, bigger is better when it comes to killing game, especially down range. And the bigger higher BC bullets buck wind better. IMO, a well placed bullet that performs well will get the job done. Some will get it done a little better than others. I would say, get as much info and experience as you can and use your judgment.

[darrindlh]

What is the 280 ackley improve? Is it a good cartridge for game to 800 and no further than 1k?
Darrin

[Coyboy]

Darrin, my suggestion to you would be have the 7wsm built and shoot the hell out of it, by the time you need a new barrel you may be capable of actually hitting your target at 1000 yards under the conditions you may encounter in the field. Owning a 1000 yard gun dosen't make you a 1000 yard hunter, practice and skill is what wins the race. Good luck with your new rifle.