Choosing the Right Rifle for Big Game Hunting: .300 Win Mag vs 7mm Mag

I own all 3 over the years, my dad has 270 and 300, brother has 7mm, all 3 have taken a ton of animals in the west. So there is nothing wrong with the 270 go with heavy for cal bullet like 150 nosler, or Barnes bullets, that said nothing wrong with buying a new rifle. Recoil will depend on rifle picked. My brothers 7mm to feels like more than my 300. His is a savage 110 shoots great but kicks. Try to find someone with said rifle and shoot for yourself that is really only way to know. Just my 2 cents.

@Darren thanks Darren

300WSM or 308 Winchester

@Tyler you bet. Good luck with your choice but beware going west can be addictive. 👍

@E those work great also 👍

Used to have a 7mm Rem Mag and it’s not hard recoil. It really depends on what you do best with. You already have the gun needed for the job. Something like Nosler accubond 150gr still had 1200 ft lbs of energy at 600 yards. It’s up to you to make good shot placement.

Last elk was with 338 win mag mule deer with 26 nosler. There are so many good choices. Don’t let anyone talk you out of a good 30/06. That’s a good one lots of ammo choices heavy bullets and not bad on the shoulder

@E thanks

@Cameron thanks Cameron

@Tyler Yes sir, you are welcome

@Tyler Yes sir, you are welcome. 270 is still killing everything in North America: grizzly included.

I have taken 16 elk and 11 moose in my lifetime. I have guided people to dozens more. I had to track and lost more animals that were hit with a 7mm mag than any other cal. When ask before any of them came I always said the heaviest 30cal you can shoot comfortably and accurately. I used a 308 when I first started hunting elk back in the 60s. I used 30-06,.300WM,.338!! My go to rifle when they came out with it was a .300WSM. Not that much recoil for me and never had to shoot twice. You can’t kill anything too dead!!

I’ve killed elk with .270 and 7mm mag they both seem to work fine for me the 7 does kick but it’s not that big of a deal.

What game do you plan to hunt out here? If you think you will chase a lot of elk, I’d say go with a 300 caliber magnum. You can get a can or muzzle break to help some with the recoil. If you think you will be chasing a lot more deer, then I’d stay with the .270.

@Darren I’ve certainly got the itch

@Butch thanks Butch

@Frank thanks Frank

@RKE I would still use my .270 for muleys antelope and sheep. But I want some more bang for elk