One gun for the west.

[Bean Counter]

Yeah I know, and I am one who recommended the 30-06, until he said he already had one. Who am I to try to talk someone into NOT buying a new rifle, because he doesn't NEED it?     

Except at the cost of financial recklessness and irresponsibility, I am always a fan of owning more guns!  Americans who have five hunting rifles in the safe and no home defense, personal carry, or end of the world guns make me go    Money only goes so far, and I think its good to cover all the bases.

A few years ago I posted this same question. Many of you were kind enough to offer insights. A few parsed ballistics charts, powder charges, and weight retention, and others asked what was wrong with my current gun. I determined that my money was better spent on target practice. I wound up sticking with my one big game hunting rifle and think it was absolutely the best choice I could have made.

The caliber? You guessed it: .30-06

[C-Money]

A lot of guys on here love the ''magnum'' cartridges. I guess if the owner can shoot threw the recoil accurately that is what matters. I just never really cared if I had a magnum. After harvesting many many deer and a elk, the damage to the rib cage/vital area is so devastating from a 270 or 30-06 I just don't see the need! Compair a skinned deer killed with a Magnum, then put a skinned deer killed with a 270 or an .06 with similar shot placement and try to see a difference.

[high country]

I have killed elk with most of the mentioned rounds.  My experience is bullet and placement trump headstamp 100x.  I killed an elk at 400 with a 257 resulting in a bang flop.....yet had one run when hit at 40 feet with a 300 rum.  Both were lung shots....both with tsxs.  I have also seen an elk bang flopped at a measured 770 yards with a 30_06 using 168 tsx.  About the only place bigger truly trumps is in brown bears and way heavy for caliber bullets. Technology has really leveled the playing field.

[bobcat]

Like the original poster, I also have a 270 and a 30-06, and I think if I was going to get something to really extend my range, I'd go with a 7mm Rem Ultra Mag.

[jackelope]

I already have the 1 gun...how many barrels can I get?

[bobcat]

I already have the 1 gun...how many barrels can I get?

                     

[Skillet]

I already have the 1 gun...how many barrels can I get?

                     

Encore 

As said by many here, you already have the gun you need in the '06.  Spend the time practicing with it and you'll be much a much deadlier hunter than the guy shooting a whizbang ".204/.600 Super Ultra Long Westly Snipes Lapua Ackley Improved Maximum" at any range you need to be.

[Shed Stud]

My Tika 300 short mag is grouping on paper at 400 yds nicely. I also have hunted with 300 ultr mag. In my opinion 300wsm is a much flater further shot

[high country]

As said.....you have what you need, now go get what you want.....but consider this, the $ spent on another rifle could go to a scope and ammo to really wring the accuracy out of your rig.

Ss, are you saying the wsm shoots flatter then the ultra?  The wsm bestseller the 06 a bit and the ultra bests the wsm a bit....all will show similar results out to as far as most guys can shoot with respected accuracy. There are few that can make the most of the super mags and to do so requires spending a serious chunk on glass and mounts.

[Curly]

To be honest im a bit skeptical of an 06 punching through the shoulder of an elk at 300+ yards regardless of the ammo and I want a gun that can do just that.

You should try Federal Premium cartridges with 165 gr Barnes TSX bullets and see if they shoot accurately in your 30-06.  If they are accurate enough in your rifle, then that would be a good load that will work for punching through that elk's shoulder.

[woodswalker]

Well give that you HAVE a .30-06 and a .270, I'd look at a .338 WM or a 338RUM with the .338WM having the advantage of easily available ammo.

[bod]

theres alot votes for the tikka's, get one in 300 win mag then get a limbsaver recoil pad. You can find 300 win mag ammo for reasonable prices still. They are accurate and you can adjust the trigger yourself.

[deerslyr]

alright so heres the deal, I have a couple of different 06's and yes no *censored* they'll kill anything that moves in the lower 48, but so will a 243 if you have good shot placement. BUT im going to college in montana next year and my parents offered to buy me a new gun for a graduation present (within a reasonable budget) SO Im trying to find a NEW gun that can be my go to gun over there. And yes im thinking my shot opportunities are goin to be a bit longer over there, but either way I want to get a little more knockdown power at a farther distance if im getting a new gun (other wise there would be no reason to like you guys are saying) The 06's I have now are either heavy as hell or sentimental so I want a new gun can take some punishment (like my 270) but if im getting a new gun I want to upgrade anyways I see no since in owning 4 3006s.

[bobcat]

7mm Remington Ultra Mag

[bobcat]

Or better yet, 300 Ultra Mag, if you dont mind the recoil. This one's more popular so you'd probably be better off with it over the 7mm. Should be good with bullet weights from 150 to 200 grains.