What magnum do you suggest for a teen?

[kentrek]

Hey rad.....whats your opinion on foot pounds of energy and how much that relates to an efficient kill on an animal ??

Maybe bearpaw could give his insite too

You guys have alot of experience using lighter than standerd bullets, prolly some longer shot stories??

Could help the op out

[RadSav]

Wow, great question!  In talking with both Bearpaw and his son Brian I think our views vary a bit in this regard.  Though me as a former guide and they as current guides I believe our end game views are the same - put the animal on the ground and reduce wounding.  I think Bearpaw is a quarter bore fan as am I.  So I'm not so sure either of us give that much value to the CPX/FPE classifications.  But it would be very interesting to see how far apart we are in our views.

It may take some time to get my thoughts on this well organized.  I'll try to give a good well described answer this evening.

[kentrek]

 

[jasnt]

I've always been told that 1000 ft/lbs is preferable for clean kills on elk/ bear size game, 700 for deer and 250 for coyote. I've always used that as a guide for range limits,also my ability to keep it under moa.

Im sure rad will have a much better answer. But this is what I've used as guide lines for me

[b23]

Shane54, you mentioned you already have three 270's.  What brand and model are they???

I ask because if at least one of them is a Rem 700 and a 300wsm or 300win mag is what you really want, there is no way I would buy another off the shelf factory rifle when I could take one of what I already had, send it to someone like Benchmark and let them open the bolt face to .534 and install a M16 type extractor.  They'll hang a new barrel and cut the chamber using a match grade reamer with whatever amount of free bore you want.

If one of your current 270's is a suitable donor and a 300 something is what you have your heart set on, you will spend about the same money but you'll have a semi custom rifle that will shoot far better than any you could buy off the shelf.

[Shane54]

Browning xbolt and 2 mod 70s

[jay.sharkbait]

Browning xbolt and 2 mod 70s

Push feed or controlled round feed on the model 70's?

[pd]

Shane, do you have any idea how fortunate you are?  At 18 years old you have started one of the most useful threads I have ever seen on this forum.  All of this advice, given freely, from riflemen who know their craft: Priceless.

And, nothing snarky said yet.  (I did like the Trojan comment, however.)

[Shane54]

@shark bait both.
@pd I never thought it would be this big. I am honored!

[Stein]

I've always been told that 1000 ft/lbs is preferable for clean kills on elk/ bear size game, 700 for deer and 250 for coyote. I've always used that as a guide for range limits,also my ability to keep it under moa.

Im sure rad will have a much better answer. But this is what I've used as guide lines for me

You also want the velocity to open the bullet.  I shoot TSX and they need 1,800 fps.

[RadSav]

I've always been told that 1000 ft/lbs is preferable for clean kills on elk/ bear size game, 700 for deer and 250 for coyote. I've always used that as a guide for range limits,also my ability to keep it under moa.

Im sure rad will have a much better answer. But this is what I've used as guide lines for me

You also want the velocity to open the bullet.  I shoot TSX and they need 1,800 fps.

The need one heck of a lot more than that unless you hit bone!

[Stein]

I've always been told that 1000 ft/lbs is preferable for clean kills on elk/ bear size game, 700 for deer and 250 for coyote. I've always used that as a guide for range limits,also my ability to keep it under moa.

Im sure rad will have a much better answer. But this is what I've used as guide lines for me

You also want the velocity to open the bullet.  I shoot TSX and they need 1,800 fps.

The need one heck of a lot more than that unless you hit bone!

I got that number from the manufacturer.  It's a moot point for me as I'm still at 1800 fps at 425 with the 30-06 and I don't shoot over 300 yards.

[Beargravy]

I think your 270 win is a near perfect caliber for big game.If you must have a magnum then the 7mm rem mag is it .

[Damnimissed]

Yes I have given the 308 much consideration. But at 500 yards it only has 1093ft lbs of energy. To cleanly kill an elk it is recommended 1200lbs. I am looking for something that I can use to kill anything in NA at 500+ yards. And shoot at the range up to 1000. The 308 is a great caliber and a long range rifle.  Not a long range hunting rifle. This is why I am leaning towards the 300wsm.

IMO, for what it is worth, I think you are leaning in a pretty good direction.  The 30 cal is a great versatile caliber and should do everything you are wanting with reserve to spare.  With exception of the Tikka most of the WSM factory actions I've played around with the magazine box and action length is rather tight.  Makes little difference if you are choosing factory ammo, but if you plan on doing a lot of 1,000 yard shooting you will probably want to start reloading some time in the future.  And that means you'll more than likely want to play with some of the wonderful high BC bullets.  That may pose a problem with factory gun chambers for a WSM cartridge.  As well as powder cramping when you get into those 200 grain plus rounds.

Both the 300WSM and the 300WM are near equals when talking about that 500 yard elk rifle.  However, in my opinion, the WinMag offers more flexibility as a 1,000 yard target/sniper rifle.  The WM's ability to accept high BC bullets well and the fact the added weight of most factory 300WM rifles makes shooting discipline and technique less an issue.  Still important!  But, a bit less of an issue.

Both cartridges are fantastic!  Both will give you what you are looking for.  And both have a niche the other does not.  Really hard to go wrong with either.  But for me personally...I'd probably go 300WM over the short mag as a dual purpose gun.  If just elk hunting that would be one tough decision.  So tough...I own both!

Well said RadSav, +1 for the 300 WM. thanks for saving me from writing that. Although your explanation is much better than mine would've been...oh, and I also own both.

[demontang]

Man im a 338 fan over 300wm. Had both and ended up keeping the 338 and ive killed everything I can hunt in this state and not have to draw for with it from coyote to elk, black bear.