One gun for the west.

[bearpaw]

Any of the 7mm or 300 mags are good all around big game guns. If you don't like much recoil, get a 30/06 or 280, they will get the job done too, and still shoot fairly flat.

[44 Flattop]

30-06.

[Bigshooter]

30-06.

 

[Jburke]

The only big game rifle I own is my Savage in 30-06.  It's taken half a dozen deer with it, all one shot kills.  Love the savages.  Great dependable guns and are reletively cheap.  Well within your price range.  Ammo is easy to find for the 06 and you have a variety of choices. 

[mtncook]

I also support the .30 06 and .280.  The old 06 has proven itself for decades, as mentioned a big variety of bullets.
I have been shooting a .280 since 1974, also proven on all the game mentioned.  Recoil about the same on both.  The .280 is 7mm I'm sure many of you know this but some might learn it here. 

mtncook

[deerslyr]

I already have a 270 and 30/06 and I want a bit more knockdown power than that of a 30/06 for some extended range shots on elk. I shoot a good amount and recoil doesnt bother me much. thanks for all answers guys keep em comin.
What does everyone think of savages new accustock?

[JimmyHoffa]

So you want bigger than an '06?  And recoil doesn't bother you.  I'd look around for a .338 Lapua or .338-378 Weatherby Mag or .338 RUM.  The weatherby can get 250 grains up to 3100 fps and also push a 185 gr TSX over 4000 fps.  The others are close.  There are other .338s that are more of wildcards, and can be difficult to obtain both gun or ammo.  Once you leave the .338 calibers for extended ranges, there is kind of a gap until in the .40 cal area (.406) then another gap until the .50 BMG.  The .338 can still be light/portable and affordable.  Above the that it, the guns get heavy and/or expensive.

[deerslyr]

most of those guns are a considerable amount of over kill on deer sized game than id like, and like you said most of them are quite expensive.
What ive come up with that I like and is in my budget are the savage 116 (already have one and I like it) and the tikka t3 (already mentioned) in either 300 win or 300wsm. Ive looked into the Abolts a bit and also the Remingtons but I dont have alot of experience with them compared to the savage and tikka. Also im not sure what would be better the wsm or the win mag. Both have there pros and cons but I dont reload and im not sure if the price of factory ammo is worth it for the wsm.

[bobcat]

In my opinion you're not gaining much by going from a 30-06 to a 300 mag. But if you do, I'd go with the 300 Win Mag over the WSM. It's a bigger case than the 300 WSM and I don't care what they say, you WILL get more velocity because the bigger case holds more powder. There's no way around that. The WSM may be more "efficient" but it's also slower.

But really it sounds like what you need is a 338 Win Mag. For longer range shooting a 225 grain Accubond or a 210 or 225 grain Barnes would be great elk medicine. At least with the 338 you'll have something with a definite advantage over your 270 and 30-06.

[7mag.]

Sounds like a .338 might be the way to go. I've shot deer with a .338, and it wasn't a problem, I'd do it again. Plus, a .338 has some pretty good ballistics.

[WDFW-SUX]

338 is where its at.

[deerslyr]

Then comes the other factor, wieght. Is the 338 gunna be alot heavier than the 300 win??

[WDFW-SUX]

NO

[bobcat]

If anything, it might be slightly lighter due to the bigger hole in the barrel.     But definitely won't be heavier than a 300 Win Mag. Heavier than a 300 WSM- yes.

[carpsniperg2]

Then comes the other factor, wieght. Is the 338 gunna be alot heavier than the 300 win??

nope it all depends on the gun. If you get, say a tikka t3. the 338wm and 300wm should be very close to the same weight maybe a tiny bit of difference.