7mm Rem Mag or 300 Win Mag for elk

[Woodchuck]

Where's the love for the .338 win mag?   
I have two .7mm and two .300 win mags.  Both great guns.

I think the 338 would be a little much in the recoil dept for me.

Identical rifles my 338 with 225’s kicks less than 300 with 180’s/ 200’s

I have experienced the exact same thing.

[Tbar]

All the rounds mentioned will kill elk. Weight though is worth talking about. I have a 7mm rem mag and a 300wsm. Both are great but I love the 300wsm because it weighs less and when you are packing it around you appreciate that.
My friend has a 300wm, a 338wm and a 280. He ends up using the 280 most. Personally I think it is a little less then I would be comfortable with for elk but it seems to do the job.
Talk ballistics till the cows come home but make your choice on what you are comfortable packing and shooting because the rounds you mentioned are both good.

I have taken elk with a variety of calibers. My favorite for devastating kills (and trauma to the meat) is a 300 wby. I do not like shooting it though.  A 308 kills them just as dead and has almost no recoil (good pad). The rifle you shoot the best is your best choice. 3006 is a killing machine with a huge variety of weights.  All very effective out to 300yds, beyond that magnums shine.  To your original question, my choice is the 7mm (with a brake), but that's because it's what I shoot/ trust. 

[bobcat]

Well sh%$ now I'm thinking about the 338 wm.   Thanks guys 

Well, you’ve already got a 30/06, might as well step up to a 338.

[N7XW]

Well sh%$ now I'm thinking about the 338 wm.   Thanks guys 

Well, you’ve already got a 30/06, might as well step up to a 338.

It's very tempting.

[Wanttohuntmore]

70lb Martin 🤣  If it is a dedicated elk rifle,  bigger is better.   I'd have no problems killing elk at the same ranges with either caliber,  so more of a question on ammo availability.

[bobcat]

Well sh%$ now I'm thinking about the 338 wm.   Thanks guys 

Well, you’ve already got a 30/06, might as well step up to a 338.

It's very tempting.

I like my 338 but I’m not sure I’d like it as much if I didn’t reload and had to buy factory ammo. The 300 WM has more factory ammo available and for less money than the 338. So that’s just something to consider.

[Matth]

  I feel the exact same way about the 340 wby. If i didn't hand load i would probably be shooting a 300 wm, just for the over the counter availability of rounds.

[Taco280AI]

If you're going up to a 338 why not just go to a 375?

Or... pay more attention to bullet type/construction instead of caliber and go drop an elk. In all reality there isn't anything the 300 or 338 will do that a 7rm won't, on game.

[N7XW]

All good points and things to consider.  Thanks guys.

[kselkhunter]

Where do you plan on elk hunting?  Wet side, east side, other states?  What typical ranges?

Your 30-06 shooting 168gr Accubond Long Range factory ammo from Nosler should run ~2900 ft-lbs muzzle energy in a 24" barrel.  Zero'd at 200yds, drops ~21 inches at 400 yards.   Or go heavier with the 180 grain or 200 grain in 30-06 for closer in work.   Plenty of power for an elk inside 300 yards.   

Or if you really like the feel of your 30-06 rifle, and want to run bigger and more power you can get in the 3400 to 3500 ft-lbs muzzle energy by re-boring it to 338-06.  Run 210, 225, or 250gr bullets for heavier stuff.  Or run the 180gr Accubonds for shots out to 400+ yards.   Cheaper than buying a new rifle.

If you do a lot of east side hunting or other states where it's very open range with many longer range shots >400 yards, then yeah a 300WM or one of the 338 calibers is a better option.   

[blackveltbowhunter]

It sounds like your looking for a dedicated elk gun. Keep the 06 as is.  Get a 300 to maximize factory ammo options. 338 if reloading. 7mag wouldn't be on my list for dedicated elk gun, but if looking for a muley/elk combo it would be a player.

[mountainman]

I prefer a Zwickey Delta, but with rifle, I would opt for the 300 Winchester. Had a bit of success in the past with 180 grain partitions. Every one a one shot kill actually👍 But hey, some think 60 grain bullets are great elk medicine, so..
😜

[N7XW]

Late getting back to this, not getting the update emails for some reason.  Yes, looking for a dedicated elk rifle - for westside.  Very likely to be hunting in the timber (close shots) and also across very large clearcuts where shots can stretch way out.  Still thinking of the 338 wm for this purpose.

[spoonman]

I have a 7mm, 300wm, and 338wm and they all have taken game from deer, elk, and bear. The 338wm knocks stuff over. They are all great options. The 338wm will have the most knock down power out to 300ish yards but after that the 300wm will beat it. If its just a dedicated elk gun get the 338wm.

[deerslyr]

300 win over the three being discussed. If a 338 is what you want the win mag is the last variation I'd look at and would prefer the 300 win over that. For the record I shoot a 7mm. Less recoil and will tip elk over at extended ranges, but the 300 win will do it better. Recoil is the trade off for me knowing I can thread the needle at 800 and spot my own hit.