Hello all, stumbled on this forum while researching a new rifle. You have some great info here. I am new to the long gun scene, always been a shotgunner. Decided it was time to get a rifle(I'm rather fond of deer and elk meat). I am having a hard time narrowing down my options, Your help and knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Here's where I'm at right now.... Something in a 30-06, it seems this is the most versatile.

I really like the features of the Remington 700 XCR, but have heard some negative reviews.

The 700 CDL SF has also caught my eye. Although the syn stock is more to my liking. I would hate to scratch up that beautiful wood.

Please let me hear your ideas.

Thanks

The Remingtons are an excellent choice. Most of the rifles on the market today should give good service, it really just depends on which one you like. I wouldn't put too much into "negative reviews", they don't always have merit and can be found on any brand. The "my dog's bigger than your dog" argument is available on everything.

The caliber you selected is an excellent choice also. Again, caliber is a point of argument also but it's a matter of opinion. The .30-06 has the power and range to afford 99% of us with all we will ever need and it does it with a recoil level that most can tolerate.

I'd say you have made a nice pick but there is no harm in shopping around. If this is your first rifle, try to look over several makes and models. Accuracy and reliability is going to be about equal so find the model that fits and feels the best.

Welcome to the forum kwbowman. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

I'm somewhat of a Remington fan and my personal favorite it a Remington 280 Mountian rifle. It kinda splits the difference between the 270 being able to shoot lighter bullets and the 06 by being able to push those fine 175 grainers.

There are lots of fine rifles on the market now, Remingtons, Rugers, Savages and don't overlook the nice CZ's available.

Thanks for your input. Boy, it's hard to make a choice. I have always wanted a 7mm, but everything I have read makes me feel it's not quite enough gun for an elk. I want to make sure I put the animal down even if it's not a perfect shot. This lead me to the .338, but it's not as versatile as the 06 & more punishing to shoot. Decisions....nothing is ever easy!!

Thanks again for your input.

Ken

Thanks for your input. Boy, it's hard to make a choice. I have always wanted a 7mm, but everything I have read makes me feel it's not quite enough gun for an elk. I want to make sure I put the animal down even if it's not a perfect shot. This lead me to the .338, but it's not as versatile as the 06 & more punishing to shoot. Decisions....nothing is ever easy!!

Thanks again for your input.

Ken

I am in agreement that even the 06 isn't enough for elk. I know that lots of folks are killing them with the 06, but I grew up here in Northorn Idaho and have been hunting elk for 45 years. I've seen plenty of elk wounded and either get away or drop down into one of the bottomless canyons we have here.

I've been shooting the Remington 8mm mag since it came out and using a heavy bullet and a front shoulder shot when possible have never lost one. That cartridge along with the 338 Win mag, 338 Rem Ultra-mag and the 340 Weatherby are probably my favorite choices for an elk cartridge.

I'm not putting down the smaller cartridged and know that a lot of elk have been killed with them. I've got a friend whom's wife has killed a pile of elk with her 243. She is careful about the range and only takes a neck shot. I doub't that she's ever killed an elk at over a hundred yards.

Bottom line any good centerfire with the proper bullet and good shot placement will do elk in, but I've sure seen some bad recovery projects from an accidentel misplaced shot and I've even seen stone dead elk run several hundred yards into a canyon that required a three day effort to get it out.

I would buy the gun in the caliber I wanted to and then just be careful about your shots. There is something to the saying that a bad shot with one of the ultra-magnums is just a bad as a bad shot with a 243.

One thing you have going for you is bullet construction is so much better today than 30 years ago. An 06 with one of the premium bullets is a much better elk killer now than it was in the 60's and 70's.

I really do like a well constructed bullet and a front shoulder shot usually breaks bones that make locomotion for the animal impossible. An 06 with a well constructed 180 grainer or the 220 grainer will do that as well as my 8mm mag, just not at the ranges attainable with the big 8mm.

I really do like a well constructed bullet and a front shoulder shot usually breaks bones that make locomotion for the animal impossible. An 06 with a well constructed 180 grainer or the 220 grainer will do that as well as my 8mm mag, just not at the ranges attainable with the big 8mm.

Thanks Bob. Hows the 8mm to shoot??? I was looking at that gun as well. I know it's going to take quite a few rounds to get dialed in with any gun, especially being relatively new to rifles. How versatile is the 8mm, basically looking for deer & elk??

Ken

Hi, welcome to the forum you will always get a great number of opinions and most of them make real good sense.
Do not be afraid of the 7mm mag for Elk as you can go to the 175 gr. round nose and if you are reloading you can really come up with some real good Elk medicine.
Good luck and have fun with what ever rifle you decide on . Also Remington is my favorite rifle great quality for the price.

Keep the Son in your eyes!

There's nothing magical about killing an Elk. Tons been killed with my favorite round - the .30-06. Probably more than with all other rounds combined. .270's have killed an awful lot as well. A .280 or 7 Mag with premium 160 or 175 grain bullets will do it every time as well if you put'm where your suppose to.

If you want an 8mm, a modern 8x57 or an 8mm Rem magnum are great rounds. The 8x57 basically gives you .30-06 performance if reloaded (factory ammo is loaded down for older military actions). The 8mm Mag is a thumper in the .338 class with 220gr bullets. The new .325 WSM has gotten some good reviews for Elk.

I prefer a .375 H&H to a .338 Win Mag. Just a personal preference. Once you go to those rounds though, your totally out of reasonable deer hunting performance IMO. Unless that is you want to load down.

We could go on and on. You should probably just get an .30-06 with quailty optics and keep it for the rest of your life. You can add other options later.

Last 3 elk I've taken with one shot each was while using (1) Ruger M77 in 7mm Rem Mag, (2) Customized Mauser in 7x57 Ack Imp, and (3) Winchester M70 in 30-06.

Never have been comfortable with a .338 WM. My 45-70 with hot loads doesn't stomp near as much as the .338.

We could go on and on. You should probably just get an .30-06 with quailty optics and keep it for the rest of your life. You can add other options later.

Thanks Bird Dog, I'm thinking along those lines myself. I'm sure once I get it tuned in it will put down what I'm shooting at. I just like to hear alot of opinions before making a decision. Sounds like the 06 has many cartridge/load options for just about any kind of shooting I will be doing.

Last 3 elk I've taken with one shot each was while using (1) Ruger M77 in 7mm Rem Mag, (2) Customized Mauser in 7x57 Ack Imp, and (3) Winchester M70 in 30-06.

What ammo were you using for the 30-06???