ok guys i need a new rifle. what i'm looking for is a cartridge that will take a deer out to about 200-300 yards an elk out to 100 yards and coyotes out to 300 yards. right know i'm looking at a 25-06, 7mm-08, 257 roberts, possibly 7x57. now that catch is my wife want to start shooting to so this would be something she would shoot and (god willing) hunt with what do you think? she not intrested enough to warrant another rifle and moneys tight any suggestions?

7-08, going away!

Agreed. 7mm-08.

Bye
Jack

In my opinion a 25 is too small to consistently kill elk, I prefer 30 or larger (like 338) for elk. What you really need is 3 rifles for yourself and one or two for the wife :D 243/6mmRem for coyotes, 257Roberts, 260Rem, 7mm-08, 308, or any other in this range for deer and a 30 mag or 338Win for elk. I feel that there isn't a better round for elk than the 338Win, it does real well on moose and bear too.

what i'm looking for is a cartridge that will take a deer out to about 200-300 yards an elk out to 100 yards and coyotes out to 300 yards. right know i'm looking at a 25-06, 7mm-08, 257 roberts, possibly 7x57.

With elk in the mix - Think you (or anyone else for that matter) would be better served by something around a 270 Win. to 30/06!

With elk in the mix - Think you (or anyone else for that matter) would be better served by something around a 270 Win. to 30/06!

Your range limitations make the 7X57 a possible...and it is offered (or can be handloaded) for the bullet weights that would make me more confident with Elk. The 7-08 would work, and being higher pressure (from the factory), would carry more energy (and more recoil).

Not saying these would be the ultimate choice for Elk...but of the ones listed, would go with the 7mm.

BUt combining both Varmints and Elk in one rifle is going to have to compormise one extream or the other. That 25's would be better for the first, the 7mm's better for the second...so how about a compromise with a .260Rem. or 6.5X55?

The 6.5 has a lot more low end (light bullets) that it's often given credit for...pretty well known that the 140's and 160's are fine big game bullets, but those little 95gr. V-max bullets are pretty good long range varmit medication (usually one dose cures the problem). Not too hard a trick to klck them out a 24" barrled .260Rem. at better than 3200fps. Now that's .223 velocity with a bullet that really holds onto it's velocity.

7x57. Factory loads right at 7mm-08 levels and can be handloaded to approximate 280 Rem levels.

I would vote for the 270 Win. Handloaded 90 grain Sierras and 110 VMax's for varmints, as well as practice, so she doesn't develop a flinch. Use 130 grain bullets for deer, and then go up to 150's for Elk.

Check out the 284 Winchester or as aleska said either the 7X57 or the .280 Rem. I also like the 6.5X55 for the listed situations. a lot of bullet spread, and low recoil in the lighter weights. have taken 2 Elk with the 6,5X55 using the 160 grainers, and can attest to it's preformance.

Lee L.

6.5x55 i've been wondering about that caliber so a 7mm-08 or a 6.5. the 6.5 sounds promising. is it preety easy to handload? what about recoil?

I find the recoil of the 6.5X55 much lighter than the 7X57, 7MM08 or the .308.

Lee L.

The 6.5x55 is loaded to much lower pressures than the others due to the rifles it's chambered in. I have 2 Norwegian Krags that I would be afraid to shoot if the pressures were higher.

ok guys i need a new rifle. what i'm looking for is a cartridge that will take a deer out to about 200-300 yards an elk out to 100 yards and coyotes out to 300 yards. right know i'm looking at a 25-06, 7mm-08, 257 roberts, possibly 7x57. now that catch is my wife want to start shooting to so this would be something she would shoot and (god willing) hunt with what do you think? she not intrested enough to warrant another rifle and moneys tight any suggestions?

My elk caliber is the .338 simply put! I have in passed years used the .270, 30-06, 7mm mag, 300Win mag and .375H&H once upon a time.

I have also gotten to use the 1/4bore 25-06 and been successful, I don't reccomend such a caliber for elk however.
The elk is a much bigger and tougher animal than any deer or coyote you will ever run into in the fields or woods.

If I had to make a selection from your list of 3 caliber's to hunt elk, it would be the 7mm-08 with a 175 grain bullet at 2500fps.

rocco.45,

You know 2Bits makes a good point about the power and energy increase best for elk. Why not consider 2 rifles?

A good low kick rifle for deer and yote - something in the 243 Win. or 260 Rem. power range. Would make practice more pleasant!

For Elk, how about in the 308 win., 358 win. or even 30/06 range?

There is a lot to be said for stronger chamberings...not the least of which is that (for a reloader) it is always easier to get a big gun to act like a little one than it is for a little one to act like a big one.

If recoil is a concern, then reloading is the cure. IF you can't swing two rifles, then how about one rifle and the basic gear for reloading it?

I would vote for the 270 Win. Handloaded 90 grain Sierras and 110 VMax's for varmints, as well as practice, so she doesn't develop a flinch. Use 130 grain bullets for deer, and then go up to 150's for Elk.


I'd have to agree. Of the caliber's you've chosen if you're sticking to that, I'd probably go with the 7-08. If you're considering the 25-06, why not the .270 Win? Same case just necked up a little larger. For the broad range of game you're looking and with elk in the mix, you may be better served with it. It hasn't been around as long as it has for no reason. The recoil is a little bit more than a 7-08 but you can start on the reduced recoil ammo until you wife's comfortable with the rifle.