Ideal general purpose rifle for NW.

[Alchase]

7 MM Mag is a great all around caliber. So is .308, 30-06, .300 WM, .243, .270, etc. you will find people using all of the above and allot more with success.
I prefer 300 WM or 7 MM, but I also own a .243 WSSM and others.
Whomever said the .308 was not a good elk caliber is on some serious drugs. The .308 and 30-06 are probably the most numerous and most popular calibers by a long shot.

Any of those calibers will work just fine. Find one that works for you.

[Curly]

Sounds like you already have your bases covered for rifles to use in most instances in WA for coyotes to elk. 

If I were you, I'd probably use the 375 for elk here in WA. 

The cow with the .308 was probably just a fluke or chalk it up to poor bullet performance.  Sure seems like a 180 gr Federal Vital Shok would do the trick at 80 yards, but they aren't loaded with very good bullets, so maybe if you went with a better constructed bullet (bonded or solid copper) you might have had better results with your .308 on elk.

So, since you seem to have elk covered, I think if I were in your shoes, I'd look for a mountain rifle in .270 Win, .280 Rem, or even 7mm-08 since you mention a rifle for the high hunt.  (Personally, I'm not a magnum fan in a lightweight rifle or the 7mm mag might be on the list too along with 270WSM or 300WSM.)  I think you would find the model 77 to get a little heavy carrying around on a high hunt.

[Curly]

BTW - just because you may not "need" the 7mm mag Ruger 77, doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it.  I have a whole safe full of guns that I don't "need".

[high country]

A ruger hardly needs a brake in 7mm......they weight like 30 pounds from the factory. ..lol.

[Bean Counter]

.270, .308, .30-06 would be my choice for cheap ammo. 

[JohnVH]

I used a m77 7mag for many years, until I bought a tikka 7mag, itll kill anything we have around here, great choice.

[runamuk]

A ruger hardly needs a brake in 7mm......they weight like 30 pounds from the factory. ..lol.

  as an owner of a ruger this is pretty accurate 

[b23]

I'm not a fan of the belt so I'd have to go  7 wsm or saum over the 7 Rem mag.

[RadSav]

Rifle Winchester model 88.
Federal Vital-shock 180gr.
28F light snow.

You may need to sell me that horrible performing rifle.  Since it is no good I expect a screaming deal!  I just might be able to make something out of it if I work real hard

I am a fan of Ruger rifles.  They usually need a little help to get under MOA and they do have a heavy action.  But mine are real shooters.  Have only had one over the years that was a crap pile.  Gave it away to a fella that put a new barrel on it - Bam sub MOA!  Back when they had the tang safety I think they had three or four different barrel manufacturers.  Some were good - same were bad.  The newer models with the three position safety should have great barrels unless someone has burnt them out thinking it is a sniper rifle.

I've never thought the MagnaPort did much for retarding recoil.  It is cool looking though   And I do think it keeps you on target better for that quick follow up shot.  My wife will shoot the 7Mag all day long so recoil isn't all that bad even if you are small framed.  Going to seem like a sweetheart compared to the 375 Ruger!

[C-Money]

7mm Remington Mag is fine. Not sure I'd want the magna ported barrel though, as it will be louder.

Thanks for info. I thought it just reduce recoil like muzzle brake.

Your ears will ring for days if you shoot it without ear protection. Not enough recoil reduction to warrant the magna port. I'd look at the 7mm-08, which would be perfect in the NW corner.

[Skillet]

Whomever said the .308 was not a good elk caliber is on some serious drugs. The .308 and 30-06 are probably the most numerous and most popular calibers by a long shot.

That was the OP... Considering his obvious drug use, maybe we should be advising he pick up an AirSoft 

I would say the "best" all around general purpose rifle for the OP would be a sturdy bolt action with at least 22"-24" of barrel with decent 3x9 scope in 30-06.  Complete kill-it-all rig could be had in good used condition for under $500 all day long,    People too often skip over the -06 since it is probably the most common hunting round out there.  But there's a reason for that... Plentiful, cheap ammo of all flavors, nearly all of which has enough horsepower and range to do 99% of the typical Washington hunting we have available.  I've owned a bunch of different calibers, so I know the pull that a new whizbang cartridge has, but in the end... it is more about the hunting than the shooting to me.  That in mind, I believe a 30-06 serves admirably for the northwest.

[TONTO]

 I answered yes in the poll, before reading the posts, simply because I shoot the 7 rem mag. Bought it because I believed it to be a good "all around" round and it is, it shoots flat, not too much recoil, and it will kill everything in North America. I have killed two bulls with mine and they were both one shot dropped in there tracks kills. Although one was killed @ 2yrds, didn't even look down the scope, pointed it like a pool cue right through the heart, other was a 200yrd double lung.

Now after reading the posts, like said before a 7mm dosen't need the porting, I'ld personly rather take the recoil than the noise, has more than enough bang for my ears without the port holes.
308 is a great caliber my father and brother have killed many an elk with them. The 88 is a great rifle, on my wish list actualy my uncle used to shoot one and I always loved that rifle.
As far as the .243 I used to used to hunt with one, and if I wasn't already packing a 7mm it would be my choice for a high deer hunt. Lately though I have been thinking about getting a 7mm-08 not because I don't love my mag anymore just thinking shorter lighter, but still love the 7mm bullet.

[runamuk]

7mm Remington Mag is fine. Not sure I'd want the magna ported barrel though, as it will be louder.

Thanks for info. I thought it just reduce recoil like muzzle brake.

Your ears will ring for days if you shoot it without ear protection. Not enough recoil reduction to warrant the magna port. I'd look at the 7mm-08, which would be perfect in the NW corner.

I have this caliber7mm08 ruger hawkeye synthetic stock I do have a custom trigger because not only is the gun heavy so was the trigger.  With my scope and sling I'd say my gun weighs about 10lbs which for me is about the top end of what I can pack around all day.  It has taken some fiddling to get it to where it and I shoot how I wanted but I am now there and pretty happy with it.  Will be happier when I get to shoot something other than paper and pinecones however.