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How far have your taken the shot? What did you use? Two hunting buddies recently used 300 Wby's (300 & 30-378) and 180 TSX's at 455 yds on bulls, bang flops within seconds of each other. Last day, last hour of the hunt.

What I'm questioning is...... How relevant is a 300 mag in the following senario: You've driven nearly 2000 miles, it's your first elk hunt (maybe last), recoil is not a factor because you have a brake installed (ear protection too), your only shot might be at 500+ yards and you've practiced it. You get one opportunity and wind is always a possibility. 300 mags sure look good on paper to a boy scout.

Use the biggest gun you can handle, almost all shots are under 300, shot placement! and you'd be happy with an 06 to 350+.... I know.... but what have you actually done with 270's, non-mag 30's, 7 mm's, 338's etc.

run what you brung, take what you won.

270 wsm, at least 400 yds, not lasered, 150 grn partition through and through. No problems at all. Would use this gun out to 500 without a hesitation.

A friend of mine, .257 wby 115 or 120 grn tips, 525 lasered yards IIRC, one shot took out heart. He also shoots alot and has his gun dialed in for long shots.

300 win will have no problem on above scenerio out to 455 yds. Its not a matter if the gun can do it, its a matter if the shooter can do it.

Thanks rjf.

Added: I want to hear what you have done. I know what's "possible".

535 yards with an Rem 700 30-06. Knowing your rifle is far more important than the rifle itself.

I've use a .300 wby mag to shoot many animals.

Farthest kill, a 668 yard bang flop blacktail buck w/180gr spire points.

A monster 10 foot B&C Kodiak Brown Brown bear folded like a duck with the first shot with 200 gr partitions @ 190 yds.

I believe in the .300 mags.

I'd continue to use the .300 for elk, moose, bear, but prefer less recoil & noise for deer.
I'm finding the .300 wby's lil brother the .257wby to be a new fave, it is an unreal buckslaying death ray.

I shot a bull in Idaho in 2008 at a lasered 478 yards with my Weatherby Accumark in 300 Wby Mag and 180 grain partitions. I hit him through the chest. He was down within 5 seconds.

I've killed two at 450-475 yards. On both occaissions it was a 300 Win Mag with 180 Nosler Partitions.

I wouldn't say the fact I was using a 300 magnum mattered any more than hitting them well.Just what I had at the time,so it's what I used.

I've shot 2 elk at 400-450 yds with 270Win, 150gr Partitions. Both pass throughs. I will verify tmax264's post because I lasered the distance with firm landmarks the next year. He used a 165gr Partition out of his '06. One and done.

I've been around multiple elk taken tween 500-650 with the 270,7's, 300's and 340.

Farthest was 650 with a 130 Sierra Bt out of a 270, 3 steps and down...

Wreck the lungs and they aint going anywhere!

Dober

Just got back from Idaho and I killed my bull at 492 yrds with a 300 rem. ultra mag 200 gr barnes triple shock.He went 30 yrds.

Just got back from Idaho and I killed my bull at 492 yrds with a 300 rem. ultra mag 200 gr barnes triple shock.He went 30 yrds. The caliber does make a HUGE difference energy at 500+ yrds, wind drift,spin drift, don't be fooled you can kill a elk with a 30-06,270,300 wsm but it would not be my choice you have NO room for error with these calibers. Let the arguments begin but before you do look at the ballistics.

Just got back from Idaho and I killed my bull at 492 yrds with a 300 rem. ultra mag 200 gr barnes triple shock.He went 30 yrds. The caliber does make a HUGE difference energy at 500+ yrds, wind drift,spin drift, don't be fooled you can kill a elk with a 30-06,270,300 wsm but it would not be my choice you have NO room for error with these calibers. Let the arguments begin but before you do look at the ballistics.

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement, 7-08 150 Nosler partitions, 30-06 200gr Accubonds, 270 win 140gr partitions, it does'nt matter. Elk are not wearing armor and a boiler room shot will kill them. Know your rifle, practice and be confident.

The heck with looking at ballistics lets look at experience and what it has taught us...

How many elk have you killed in the 500 and on out ranges with 270's/ 7's etc?

Thx in advance

Dober

Thinking a little outside the box, I like to get within a few hundred yards AND use a 300 ultra.......

I'll always get as close as I can, but when its time to drop the hammer it's time. Area and pressure depending there can be lots of diff if you know what I mean.

All hunts aint created equal..grin

Dober

On my Idaho hunt Me and my hunting partner had shots no closer than 358 yrds and as far as 900. We shot and practices out to 800 yrds. These bulls are in rugged country and it's not New Mexico you can't get any closer. You have to know your limitations but you have to have the right caliber, even if you practice practice practice with a small caliber there is no room for error and you can't possibly practice for all possible hunting conditions I live at 1000 feet elevation I hunted in 9000 feet how do you practice for that? BIG GUNS MAKE BIG HOLES.

I guess I'm way outside the box!
338/06, 185 gr TSX -75 yards.

My question is how many elk have you taken with 270's and 7's at 500 plus?

And I know what you mean about not being to get closer, the bull I took this year wasn't far (400 yds) but I had that shot and none other. It was hammer time 4 sure.

Thx
Dober