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<blockquote data-quote="Long Time Long Ranger" data-source="post: 456341" data-attributes="member: 505"><p>Excellent post, My observations exactly. Back in the mid 70's I got on the 7mm-300 wby craze for long range elk. Way more power than a 7mm rem mag. Bragged on it and met Elmer Keith at a book signing. We kinda hit it off and he loved to talk guns. He said the best long range elk rifle was necking the 300 wby up to 338 and not down to 7mm. I argued ballistics, trajectory, etc because I had taken elk over 1000 yards with the 7mm-300 and 175 game kings. He argued killability. He stated the 338 was a far better elk killer than the 7mm and soon I would be shooting one when I gained more experience. I was a youngster full of pee and vinegar, he was a wise old man with great experience. </p><p> </p><p>When I gained more experience and began to see elk lost with 7mm's with shots I felt should have killed the elk I built my first 340 wby after talking to Elmer. Wow! Amazing difference taking large big game with the 338 winchester and 340 weatherby when compared to the little 7mm. Then I upped the anti and built my first 338-378 wby wildcat. Now with over 35 years seeing elk get shot with everything out there I know what an elk rifle is. Elmer was right. I was wrong. But I learned quick. </p><p> </p><p>Hunters can sit around and fantacize about making that perfect shot with there little pee shooters and getting there elk. But hunting ain't perfect and the perfet shot doesn't happen as much as I would like it to. After guiding elk hunters for thirty years I find their talk doesn't equal there shooting abilities at game when it counts. Seen many animals lost to small calibers when a 338 would have done the job. A heavy 338 slug anywhere in the torso and he is one sick puppy and ain't going far before you can get on him for a finishing shot. With a smaller caliber he can go for miles. </p><p> </p><p>I see on here all the time new guys get talked into 7mm's and smaller for elk and I cringe knowing they will lose elk with it on occasion. I have killed elk with every caliber. In 7mm I currently own the 280 AI, 7mm gibbs, 7mm jrs, 7mm rem mag, 7mm-300 wby, 7mm stw and 7mm RUM. Probably some I forgot about which happens often. I know 7mm's. When I go elk hunting for big bulls I always carry a large caliber elk rifle and not one of these 7mm's. </p><p> </p><p>Always remember what I say on here often if you are looking for one rifle to do it all. You can always kill deer with an elk rifle. But never carry a deer rifle elk hunting. Always buy your one rifle to be the most effective for the largest animal you plan on hunting. I guarantee it will do well on the little stuff also.</p><p> </p><p>Also remember on the best of the west tv show they are showing the high shoulder shot dropping animals in there tracks. This can be acheived with most big game cartridges and proper bullets. This is a difficult shot to make in the field many times and should only be used by professional shooters. The target area is small in comparison to a far greater target area if you are shooting a 338 caliber or larger bullet that can drive through an elk at any angle in the torso to disable an elk. In real life situations in most elk country elk are not standing around in the open with pretty broadside shots. When you see an elk in timber you need a rifle capable of driving a bullet through him from any angle. 7mm's and smaller are not good at this. Remember on the show poor hits are always edited out to show the effect they want.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Long Time Long Ranger, post: 456341, member: 505"] Excellent post, My observations exactly. Back in the mid 70's I got on the 7mm-300 wby craze for long range elk. Way more power than a 7mm rem mag. Bragged on it and met Elmer Keith at a book signing. We kinda hit it off and he loved to talk guns. He said the best long range elk rifle was necking the 300 wby up to 338 and not down to 7mm. I argued ballistics, trajectory, etc because I had taken elk over 1000 yards with the 7mm-300 and 175 game kings. He argued killability. He stated the 338 was a far better elk killer than the 7mm and soon I would be shooting one when I gained more experience. I was a youngster full of pee and vinegar, he was a wise old man with great experience. When I gained more experience and began to see elk lost with 7mm's with shots I felt should have killed the elk I built my first 340 wby after talking to Elmer. Wow! Amazing difference taking large big game with the 338 winchester and 340 weatherby when compared to the little 7mm. Then I upped the anti and built my first 338-378 wby wildcat. Now with over 35 years seeing elk get shot with everything out there I know what an elk rifle is. Elmer was right. I was wrong. But I learned quick. Hunters can sit around and fantacize about making that perfect shot with there little pee shooters and getting there elk. But hunting ain't perfect and the perfet shot doesn't happen as much as I would like it to. After guiding elk hunters for thirty years I find their talk doesn't equal there shooting abilities at game when it counts. Seen many animals lost to small calibers when a 338 would have done the job. A heavy 338 slug anywhere in the torso and he is one sick puppy and ain't going far before you can get on him for a finishing shot. With a smaller caliber he can go for miles. I see on here all the time new guys get talked into 7mm's and smaller for elk and I cringe knowing they will lose elk with it on occasion. I have killed elk with every caliber. In 7mm I currently own the 280 AI, 7mm gibbs, 7mm jrs, 7mm rem mag, 7mm-300 wby, 7mm stw and 7mm RUM. Probably some I forgot about which happens often. I know 7mm's. When I go elk hunting for big bulls I always carry a large caliber elk rifle and not one of these 7mm's. Always remember what I say on here often if you are looking for one rifle to do it all. You can always kill deer with an elk rifle. But never carry a deer rifle elk hunting. Always buy your one rifle to be the most effective for the largest animal you plan on hunting. I guarantee it will do well on the little stuff also. Also remember on the best of the west tv show they are showing the high shoulder shot dropping animals in there tracks. This can be acheived with most big game cartridges and proper bullets. This is a difficult shot to make in the field many times and should only be used by professional shooters. The target area is small in comparison to a far greater target area if you are shooting a 338 caliber or larger bullet that can drive through an elk at any angle in the torso to disable an elk. In real life situations in most elk country elk are not standing around in the open with pretty broadside shots. When you see an elk in timber you need a rifle capable of driving a bullet through him from any angle. 7mm's and smaller are not good at this. Remember on the show poor hits are always edited out to show the effect they want. [/QUOTE]
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