Opening a can of worms....

[The scout]

300 win mag or 300 rum, 200 gr eldx or the 212’s at between 3100 and 3200 FPS will be killing stuff

[hogslayer]

I would take a few things into consideration when you choose a caliber.  (1), do you reload?  If not, you should stick with the 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag.  If you do reload, i would base my choosing on a cartridge that has multiple brass offerings that are quality and are in-stock.

[Widgeondeke]

280AI

This is the caliber I've been researching for my next rifle.

[opdinkslayer]

98520, you definitely opened a can of worms. This crowd of regulars on the guns & ammo page are some of the most knowledgeable around and they will spare no expense helping you spend your money.

Ive put alot of thought into what I would build for a do it all one gun custom build even though the loot to do so still evades me. I would have to agree with the guys that say it starts with a 3 if elk are involved even tho im sure some of the 7's are more than adequate. A 300 wm set up for 215's would be my first choice and if not that I would jump clear to a 338 edge and a 300 gr bullet.  I've never experienced anything get too dead so there's no such thing as overkill if you want the ability to kill animals out past 800 yds and targets way beyond that.

[Karl Blanchard]

A wise man once told me overkill is under rated 

I think the important thing is to be very realistic I thought your uses are going to be. It takes an immense amount of practice to be proficient enough to kill animals at longer distances and I highly discourage most to shoot past about 500 yards as that seems to be the point where stuff really starts to get complicated. 

With the big magnums or even the "smaller" magnums, recoil is an issue even with a good brake.  I'd rather see a guy shoot a snappy 6.5 and practice more than strap up to a big boomer he cant shoot well because it kicks his ass.  I've seen coachcw kill stuff with his 6.5x284 at ranges way out there so the smaller stuff is more than enough gun for most any chore.  Especially that sub 700 yard stuff.

[BULLBLASTER]

A wise man once told me overkill is under rated 

I think the important thing is to be very realistic I thought your uses are going to be. It takes an immense amount of practice to be proficient enough to kill animals at longer distances and I highly discourage most to shoot past about 500 yards as that seems to be the point where stuff really starts to get complicated. 

With the big magnums or even the "smaller" magnums, recoil is an issue even with a good brake.  I'd rather see a guy shoot a snappy 6.5 and practice more than strap up to a big boomer he cant shoot well because it kicks his ass.  I've seen coachcw kill stuff with his 6.5x284 at ranges way out there so the smaller stuff is more than enough gun for most any chore.  Especially that sub 700 yard stuff.

[jasnt]

For learning long range I like to recommend 308.  It will teach you faster ( more wind, more elevation, ect).  If you don’t reload there is a myriad of options to shoot, its relatively cheap and you can shoot it all day long. Barrel life is good.  Once you’ve learned the basics then move on to the “better” cartridges.  Jmo

[Karl Blanchard]

I dont think the OP is really interested in a trainer or even multiple guns.  I could be mistaken though

[deerhunter_98520]

Not multiple guns right now. I have a 30-06 I've been reloading for and shooting out 700 and hitting 12" targets with 150gr partitions. I'm just at the beginning stages of reloading so this is all pretty new to me, this is going to be a primary deer goto rifle but just want to be able to shoot an elk, my 06 is plenty big enough for elk if that's a concern for anyone. This custom will not be my only rifle 

[b23]

One thing is for sure, there's no shortage of choices.

Any of the larger 30 cals like the 300Win mag, 30 Nosler or 300 RUM slinging bullets like the 215 Bergers will be a great all around LR choice.  If you want to push a little heavier bullet, the 338 Edge would be another excellent choice, but from the sounds of things, I think one of those 30 cals will do everything you want, and then some.

[Wild Bill]

Ive shot my Rbros 7 mag as far as 2150m, and 1800 a handful of times, and yes....  relatively accurately. not exactly sub moa at the far end, but not far from it either.. My range is 1560m, and thats a fairly easy poke.

Ive killed critters with it to 600, and it had plenty of gas if a guy "wanted" to go farther.

I don't really like shooting game animals much past 400, but that gun is more than capable, and flat fun to shoot.

Its all preference man.. Just for the love of god, skip the 6.5. Its like Nickel Back 15 yrs ago. Just annoying. 


WB

[Karl Blanchard]

How is .264 annoying? 

[Wild Bill]

How is .264 annoying? 

its not. i just don't have one 

[Karl Blanchard]

For a hunting based weapon with some occasional way out there plinking these would be my choices

.264's all with 140gr bergers
6.5x284
6.5 saum
6.5 prc

.284's with 168 bergers
280AI
7 saum


300 win mag with 215 bergers

Currently my go to is a 300wsm. Shooting 185gr hunting vkd's at 3110fps.   It's a fine round and very nice to shoot.  Short action saves some weight too but a lone peak arms Ti long action will save you the same weight vs a rem 700 short. 

If I was gonna build a new one right this second it would be a 338 norma improved.  Overkill is underrated and 300gr bullets are king when it comes to sending it downtown.

[Karl Blanchard]

Cant forget the 28 nosler and 195's!  I load for a couple of them and they are pretty great!