Looking for a good cartridge for elk and mule deer, needs to be able to down a mule deer at 400+. Most importantly the ammo needs to be affordable.

300 wsm

300 weatherby mag, 300 win mag, 338 win mag,

With the price of ammo going up daily it seems rolling your own will be just about the only affordable way to get ammo. JMHO

Any of your 300 Mags, with the 300WSM coming in last. My favorites the 300 Weatherby, but in your case and the price and availability of ammo, I'd go with the 300 win Mag.

.300 magnum of any variety.

btw, 400 yards is a hellava shot, even with the best equipment. if your going to shoot at that range, practice, practice, practice

What caliber of guns are you used to shooting?

The advice you have been given is good, but at ranges of 500 yards or less, with proper bullets and proper bullet placement, the 30-06 / 308 / and 270 are more than adequate for the job.

Unless you are used to shooting the 30 mags and larger, you will be better off with the standard calibers, also the standard calibers will be easier to buy.

Before you or anyone questions my advice, I will qualify it by stating that I use a 300 Weatherby, 35 Whelen, and 375 H&H.

Unless a person is willing to learn how to shoot and handle the magnums, they will oft times over gun themselves without achieving the results they are after.

If you are used to shooting an '06, than why change unless you just want to. Elk have been being killed at all sorts of ranges with a 30-06 for over 100 years now.

The only reason to change is because YOU want to.

Proper bullet placement, is always better than sheer power. JMO.

Also I would would buy a better scope than caliber.

I had a 7mm mag for elk, killed one with it, got lucky because it was only a 50 yrd. shot. I ended up selling that rifle because it was finnicky, it wouldn't shoot accurite with any over the counter loads so my dad worked some up that were fairly accurite but it was still not good enough for the long shots. The last mulie I shot was with my uncles 7mm STW at about 420 yrds. I have no experiance shooting any of the 300 mags.

Here's a pic. He's not very big compared to what we normally take on the ranch but it was the last day of the season and I was happy with him.

a 7mmSTW is a great round, that would be fine for long range elk and mule deer

While I have my own personal feelings about scope/rifle rigs, it still boils down to putting a rig together the shooter is confident with, and making the first shot count, and that is NOT just my opinion.

There are several calibers that will get the job done at 400+yds the main concern is knowing your weapon and ammo and being able to make a etichal shot at 400 yds.

Anyone have any of the above mentioned rifles for sale?

25-06 for mule deer, great for long range,,,,,
.338 mag for large game...

You will get alot of opinions here good luck
Tim
God Bless Our Troops

The 300 mags will get the job done if you do your part. Since you have been shooting 7mm mags anyway, the 300 Win Mag seems well within your reach. I personally prefer the 300 Wby Mag but it does cost more.

Get the 300 Win mag, get comfortable shooting it, and always get as close as you can. My experience is it is hard to have too much gun when elk hunting. But only go as big as you are able to shoot well!!

I say get a 270, 30-06, or a 7mm rem mag. They are all proven will do the trick are readily avialable at good prices both amo and guns.

matt

PM sent Tweeder

i agree with crazyhorse 100% about '06, 308, 270. i also agree with getting the best scope you can afford. if you already have a 7 mm, there is nothing wrong with that either. instead of new rifle, think about getting a great scope and lots of ammunition and doing LOTS of practice at all different yards and stay away from the bench unless you are trying different ammo.

I ended up buying a .338 with a weaver scope from hunterted. I know the ammo's not cheap but I am planning on reloading.