I am getting a 7mag for elk hunting...is this a good choice?

Question

What is it's max effective range? Would you get a Remington BDL or a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe? Thanks.

Answer 1

Ive never hunted elk, but I have killed my sahre of deer. A 7mm isnt absolutely gott ahave for elk though. Yo could use a 270 or 30-06 and kill just as many most likely. I also agree with any and all who told you not to worry about the maximum range of the rifle. Most of us here couldnt shoot the maximum reliably on that gun if at all. I usually keep my shots to no more than 4 or 500 yards when deer hunting but i only take those when hunting from a position that allows for an absolute rock solid rest and when i actually do know the range.

Answer 2

Both are good choices.  I'd get whichever one comes with at least a 24" barrel to more efficiently burn the powder in the magnum round.

I own a 700 in .25-06 and a Vanguard in .270 Winchester.  Both have 24" barrels.  Both are outstanding hunting rifles.  

H

Answer 3

Well that will do the job, and then some. I've taken an elk with a 243, its all about shot placement. I would recommend a .270 or a .308, because of the broad array of bullet options avaliable. But if you do choose to go for the 7mm then it will do fine too. :) Take a look at the Remington Model 798 on their site. I have 2, .243 and 30.06 and they both are great. Oh im 16 by the way and i've hunted 6 years :).

just remember, shot placement, shot placement, shot placement, secondary to that is bullet expansion. Good luck :)

Answer 4

The best choice of caliber for Elk is the tried, true, tested, and proven since 1906 is the 30-06, because you have a greater variety of bullet weights to choose from with the 30-06.* It will harvest any Big Game in North America cleanly and efficiently.* A 7mm Magnum is really not necessary.* The majority of Big Game is Harvested within 100 yards or less.* You decide on the brand you want to buy.* I prefer Remington or Savage Brand.* I prefer using the 180 and 220 grain bullets.* The 7mm is loud, and is expensive to shoot and has a punishing recoil.*

Answer 5

The 7mm Magnum can easily take elk at much further range than you can hit the vitals at. Get some of the big paper dinner plates to simulate the vitals on an elk, and see how far away that is for you in a field position hurry-up shot, to still keep your hits on the paper. It's likely not as distant as you might have hoped, on loose footing in steep elk terrain! Use the larger bullets. Regards, Larry.

Answer 6

a 7mm is good because it has a flat trajectory

Answer 7

Yes, the 7mm Rem Mag will efficiently take down an elk.

As long as the shot placement is placed.

Hornady, Winchester, Remington, Federal all make great rounds for taking down large game animals.

Have fun

Answer 8

The 7MM Magnum is a great choice for elk.  Either rifle would be good, but I prefer the Remington BDL for no other reason than I have used Remingtons for many years.

To answer your question about effective maximum range, I would say it could kill out to 1000 yards.  This would be in the hands of an extremely skilled military sniper.  That said, your effective range will be determined by how good you can shoot accurately.  Very few people actually have the ability to make consistent vital shots at anything over 300 yards.  You are going to get a bunch of people giving me a thumbs down about this, but it is true.  Many people THINK they can make the long shots, but the fact is they do not practice enough to ever be that good; no matter what they tell you.  You have to know your own limitations when it comes down to the shot in a hunting situation.

Answer 9

Get a .308 or a 30-06 cal., standard rounds which are plentiful and cheaper.  Both calibers will easily kill large game almost from any distance if shot in the right spot.  That's all I use and don't have to have all different funky calibers.  Go with the Rem. BDL they're awesome looking and always have been a great shooter.

Answer 10

Maximum effective range has little to do with the gun or bullet/loading and everything to do with the skill of the shooter.

7mm will shoot flatter than say a .270 or 30-06, but if your skills are only good to 100 yards then all three calibers as just as effective.

In fact, if you are able to hold a 30-06 54" high at 500-600 yards you'll kill just as many elk as the next guy with a 7mm Mag holding 28" high.

The point is - Can you hold steady on a target 500 yards away? Ever shoot at a target 500 yards away? Little tiny movements of the cross hairs on a deer at 100 yards with a 4x scope will kill deer all day long.

Those same little tiny movements on an elf at 500 yards with an 8 - 10x scope will miss every time.

Answer 11

Yes it is a good choice.  Provided you can shoot it accurately.  All of the other opinions aside, IMHO, use the most powerful caliber you can shoot accurately.  If it's a .243 great.  If its a 338 Win Mag, shoot that.  If bullet placement is correct and a properly designed bullet is chosen you will most likely have a dead elk.

Answer 12

Nice choice. I'm getting Remington BuckMaster 700 .243, and I was told if I can get off a clean, accurate shot, that Elk or Deer stood no chance. Good Luck.

Answer 13

7mag great choice for elk.Max range don't know but for me max is 800yds. Remington or Weatherby My preference is Rem. If you've not done much long range shooting. Hold your shots in the300yds range until rifle ammo and you can shoot 3shot one hole groups at 100yds.  

Answer 14

Very good choice I use a 7 Mag for Elk hunting and it is very effective as far as range I have killed Elk as far as 600 yds away with mine and I have shot targets up to a 1000 yds and hit them so the range is there as well as the knock down power a 7Mag is not punishing and it is not expensive to shoot the bullets for the 7 Mag and 30-06 are very close in price but the 7 mag shoots flatter and has more knock down power than a 30-06 the 7 mag is a very wise choice for an Elk Hunting Gun.