Either or?

[headshot243]

Didn't draw an elk tag this year, but I'm planning for it next. Heres my question, I've got a HEAVY (14 LB) 30-06 semi auto with a 4-16-40 scope on her and a lightweight 7mm-08 in bolt action with a 3-9-50 scope. I need to start deciding which i'm going to use if I end up drawing. The terrain I'm hunting will be steep hevily timbered hills into hilly meadows with anywhere from an inch of snow to 2 ft with 6 ft drifts in some areas. I have confidence in both guns, and Know I can hit vitals out too 300 yards. I'm leaning toward the 7mm-08 for the lightweight, and I'm a bit more accurate with it. The 30-06 is a 740 woodsmaster that kicks like a mule and and is heavy as hell to lug around. That being said It's obvious why I want to use the 7mm-08. I've stuck with the winchester super x 140 grain powerpoint and I know it's not the reccomended bullet for elk. In our town we don't have much for variety maybe 8 different bullets for the 7mm-08. Off my head I can think of 140 gr. super x pp, federal fusion 140 gr, and winchester balistic silvertip, out of those three what would you choose for elk?

 

[sidepass]

I would go with the 7mm-08 myself. Factory ammo would be Norma ammo loaded with Nosler 140's. Then again I load my own and i'd work up something with Swift A-Frames. The weight of your 7mm-08 along with its scope settles the question for me. The 06 is overscoped for my needs and the weight is something i'd rather not hump if I have options.Can't figure why it kicks like a mule if it weights 14lbs. Ammo options are addressed through internet sales, your not restricted by what's offered locally. Good luck and you'll get more opinions from many others.

sidepass

 

[suavegato]

I'd go with the 7mm-08 too. If you you look up some ballistics charts I'd bet you'd find that the foot pounds of energy for the 140 gr. 7-08 is about the same, if not MORE than the 150 gr. 06. Now with the 06 you could of course go up to 180's... but I think the 7-08 with 140's is plenty of gun for someone who "shoots it well" out to 300 yards. save the weight and go for the one you are confident in!
good luck.

 

[Lives2Hunt]

Personally no matter how you answer the few questions I have, I would take the 30.06, 180 grains of Accubond, or nosler partition, possibly maybe even some light mag ammo from Hornady. For bull elk, which is what I believe you said, I would want a little more power, that a 7mm-08. I know "you could kill and elephant with a 22..."ya, ya, but there are still things to take into consideration. How will you be getting back to where you are hunting? Packing in with horse, walking, drive to set up a camp then walk from camp sites, a little road hunting, backpacking in? And if your not driving and will be walking great distances, how far, 1.5 miles on average, .75 miles on average, 6 miles on average? If you walk 2 miles and find a nice bull, and you lay the smack down and it, but do not get a heart shot (vitals) and knock it flat down, it could run for another mile or two or three... Yes I know if you miss the vitals with a Howlitzer, it could still do the same, I am just saying, as peace of mind, go with the 30.06...unless you are walking/backpacking into camp 6 mile +, and/or plan on walking more than 3 miles a day, everyday. 3 miles is a long way to walk in elk country "I dont care who you are". Can you take both guns? If you choose the 7mm-08, I would go with the Federal Fusions, good, strong bullet that is well made, that will carry good energy at 150 yds or so. Another quick question, will you be hunting with a guide, on public or private. Some guides wont really want to take a hunter who doesnt have AT LEAST a 300 Win. Mag. Last thing, my dad carries that exact 30.06 you have when deer and elk hunting in CO. he doesnt walk 4 miles a day, heck he doesnt walk 2 miles in a complete day, but he gets into a lot of game, and respectable bulls and bucks (for most Americans) on public land.

 

[headshot243]

Thanks for the replys, and I must admit that I too hate it when someone is talking about a cartridge question and says "well you could kill a 14 ton bull elephant with a 22 if you shoot it right" I'm hunting on public land about 3 miles in off the road, and will have 4 horses and 2 other hunters to help me. I realize taking the 30-06 wil give me somewhat of an edge on range (I'm mortal and can normally do a 4 inch group at 200-225. I think what I'll end up doing for packing out is after i'm sure i've made a good hit go back to camp, wait a while and get everyone and the horses. I know for a fact when elk run they aren't like whitetail, 100 yards then stop again they're gone. If I can get a vital hit on an elk with a 7mm-08 it may take a while but it will go down. My philosophy one game is shot unless it's DRT I wait a little while. Chances are that animal will bed up and die eventually. If you keep jumping it it just keeps on puttin distance inbetween you and them. Plus after a kill I've got so much adreniline pumpin through me that if something bad is going to happen I can expect it then. I guess what I'm saying is if I chose one of the brands of ammo we've got in town (140 balistic tip, 140 winny powerpoint, or fusion 140 grainers? thanks for the answers

 

[Live2hunt]

What did you do to that 740 woodmaster to make it 14 lbs? The Remington 740 and 7400 are pretty much made with similar materials and mechanism. The standard Rem. 7400 is only 7.5 lbs. without the scope.


L2H

 

[AZ Jim]

I would ask also how you got a Woodmaster to weigh 14 lbs ??

My choice would be the 30-06 due to the range and extra knock down power and use 180 grain bullets.

That being said the 7-08 will do the job. See the links below to Federal Ammunition and Midway USA. Good choices in ammo and Midway will deliver to your door if you order on-line.

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/rifle.aspx


http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProd...ng=653***690***


AZ Jim

 

[headshot243]

When I bought it it came with a low end synt stock and with just that it was around 10, the glass was about 1 and three quarters, lightweight bipod is one sling is about half a pound so far thats about 13.5 + fully loaded more or less around 14 lbs.

 

[Lives2Hunt]

I didnt mean to make anyone upset sir, I was expecting others to question or "make me seem stupid?" I guess I should have just given my two pennies and been done, forgive me for being long winded. I would still try and hump that 30.06 around but a funion 140 grain bullet , in 7mm-08 will still work. I just wouldnt want you to loose an animal because of little/no blood trail, and in thick business. The animal could be bedded down just yards from you dead, and maybe only ran 50 yds but if there isnt a good blood trail it will be a little more difficult. It obviously sounds that you know what your doing, best of luck, I hope you always enjoy your outdoor experiences.

 

[headshot243]

On the contrary, I feel that I didn't explain myself clear enough and no question is stupid, and my retort was NOT meant to be sarcastic or snotty in any way. Thank you very much for the information!

 

[Rancho Loco]

7mm-08 will kill an elk just fine. Even with the power points.. If you feel the need for more penetration, find some federal loads with the 140 gr. partition or Triple Shock X.

 

[weekender21]

7mm-08 Barnes TSX. You might never see a bull elk if you're lugging a 14lb rifle into rough country!!!!

 

[Speckmisser]

After humping several 15mile-plus days in the Rockies, I'd say you'll be sorry if you carry a 14lb rifle (although my 742 Woodsmaster with fancy wood is heavy, but not nearly 14lbs).

You can strip some of the stuff off of that gun. Get some shooting sticks and dump the bipod. You could also dump the heavy synthetic stock and replace it for about a hundred and a half.

Or you could use the 7-08, be REAL picky about your shots, and use something like the TTSX or Accubond bullet. It's a capable gun within its limits, and you don't HAVE to shoot 500 yards to kill an elk. I'm no elk expert, but every one I've shot has been within 100 yards... and that's on public land.

Any other time, I'd be recommending the -06, but for humping the Colorado mountains, you just don't want to be toting that cannon without a caisson.

 

[fishnhunt]

Many of my friends have successfully killed elk with a 7mm....go with what you know and can easily carry.....