Ultimate Budget Caliber

[cowboyarcher]

What would you guys think it is the ultimate budget LRH round for elk class animals? Say, out to 700-100 yards? There are all the latest and greatest out there, but they are expensive to shoot and load for, and the rifles are not cheap either. Think in terms of price per round, brass and rifle availability and ballistics. Maybe the ease of obtaining high BC bullets factors in here too, as some of the more exotic bullets are hard to find!

What say you? Are we talking a 300 WM, 280 AI, 270/7WSM?

 

[JMW67]

300wm or 7mm rem mag

 

[Bucklowery]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am a win mag guy

Thanks

Buck

 

[Skimbleshanks]

Id say 338win mag, 300 win mag or 7 rem mag. Probably not the best for elk at 1000, but all are proven capable and widely accepted as game getters. They all have good bullets and data available too.

 

[P7M13]

If you're really cheap, 54 cal muzzle loader.
Otherwise, 300 or 338 RUM.

 

[Timnterra]

For pure practicality and cost effectiveness the 300 win mag is hands down the best option for an elk hunting caliber. The 300 win mag has Cheap Remington Corlok ammo available at every Walmart across the nation. It also has the case capacity to run with just about everything new and flashy. And with the fancy bullets we have today the 300wm is nothing short of amazing. There's no real advantage in the new 30 Nosler or 300 PRC over the 300wm they are just new and modern cases that do practically the same thing.

 

[Hand Skills]

Realistically, I think we gotta assume reloads if someone is budget concious and competent at those ranges. I think 300WM or 7RM are the obvious answers but depending on elevation, my 30-06 slinging 215gr bergers at 2700fps is good to 1/2mi (880yd). That rifle has accounted for a lot of elk. Haven't had to shoot one that far yet, but in good conditions I would give it a go.

280AI is right there with it (but 30-06 brass is a lot easier to come by).

 

[Rick Richard]

300 WM since components are readily available and many options for projectiles.

 

[Dosh]

For bottom of the budget a 30-06. Possibly the most abundant and reasonably priced factory ammunition available with a few exceptions. With hand loads it can reach out there. Millions of game killed with it.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Yep 300WM camp here as well.

 

[Quintus]

30-06 to 700, 300 Win to 1000 and it's not close...economically speaking.

 

[ButterBean]

Win Mag

 

[ButterBean]

30-06 to 700, 300 Win to 1000 and it's not close...economically speaking.

I understand what your saying but the 30-06 is perfectly capable@ 1000

 

[Goldengun]

As great as the 300wm is, and knowing full well it can kill an Elk at 1,000 yds, is it really an effective 1,000 elk cartridge? I think the margin is a little to close. Probably need to go with the 338wm. Is your priority cost or success? Define that first.