New Gun Input

[EastTNHunter]

I've always thought the .300WM as a nice compliment to the .270. 270 is a good all around and the 300 can do the dirty work. I'd go .270 with a 130 grain load and then a .300 with a 180 grain load. I shoot a 7mm mag as my "big gun" and have a .25-06 for deer and antelope, but I think the 7mm is too similar to a .270 if those are your two hunting rifles. Following article lays things out pretty clearly.

The .270 Winchester vs. the 7mm Remington Magnum | Field & S

Comparing the .270 Winchester with the 7mm Rem Mag is like comparing grits and white cornmeal. Both are excellent cartridges. Both have been popular from their inceptions.

www.fieldandstream.com

I always liked reading Petzal’s articles. Fun read

 

[Ben Lamb]

Get the 300. if you're going to step up, then step up.

Both are excellent cartridges, both will do the job though the 300 is more versatile in relation to heavier game & heavier pills.

But the real answer is to get both. And then get a 338 WM.

 

[noharleyyet]

One of the best shooters I've owned is a 300WSM Sako 85...smooth feed, great carry balance & weight, and accurate. A Kimber classic in 300 Win Mag is right there with it. Still have the Kimber. The vast majority of hunters I've met in the field & elsewhere operate 300 Win Mags for elk.

 

[hank4elk]

I'm in the 300 WM camp if your going to get a upgrade for elk or other big game in the west.
I shoot a 30-06 and the only way I would change ,and won't , is to a 308 or 300 WM.

As much as I have liked the 270 and never owned one, it is a excellent deer rifle.
I have seen 3 elk limp off from 270 shoulder shots the last 5 years. One was just too far to put down an elk bull.
Bring on the hate...

 

[Nate Mode]

I currently own a Howa 270 but am interested in something a little bigger. I am thinking either 7 mag or a 300 win mag to give me a little bit more punch for an elk out at up to around 400 yards, which is the farthest that I would feel comfortable shooting. These two seem to be pretty similar with a little bit more energy from the 300. Any help or something that I may be missing would be appreciated!

Considered a .338 win mag?

 

[morley.tyler]

7 mag or a 300 win mag

yes

 

[old270hunter]

Your 270 is plenty for 400 yd elk, but a new rifle, now that’s just cool. I like the 338 win mag suggestion. That’s a tooth rattler for sure and will give all the punch needed for whatever.

 

[michael x]

I currently own a Howa 270 but am interested in something a little bigger. I am thinking either 7 mag or a 300 win mag to give me a little bit more punch for an elk out at up to around 400 yards, which is the farthest that I would feel comfortable shooting. These two seem to be pretty similar with a little bit more energy from the 300. Any help or something that I may be missing would be appreciated!

at 400 yards the 7 mag will do fine. the 300 would be a more suitable selection..but if you have a 7 mag and not a 300 i wouldnt worry about it

 

[Keep on]

As Jack O'Conner said, the only thing a 7mm Rem Mag will do that a 270 won't is make more noise and kick harder.
If you want to go up from a 270, go 300 win mag.
175 grain 7mm Rem mag runs right around 2750-2800 fps. 180 grain 300 win mag going around 3000 fps or so with associated increase in energy.

 

[manitou1]

As Jack O'Conner said, the only thing a 7mm Rem Mag will do that a 270 won't is make more noise and kick harder.
If you want to go up from a 270, go 300 win mag.
175 grain 7mm Rem mag runs right around 2750-2800 fps. 180 grain 300 win mag going around 3000 fps or so with associated increase in energy.

People are pushing 2900 fps with 175 gr bullets out of the 280ai. My 280ai pet load is a 168 gr bullet clocking @ 2953 fps. That sounds anemic for a 7 mag.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Your 270 is adequate for your stated needs. If you get the 300WM and can shoot as accurately as the 270, great. If not, the extra firepower does nothing for you.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

People are pushing 2900 fps with 175 gr bullets out of the 280ai. My 280ai pet load is a 168 gr bullet clocking @ 2953 fps. That sounds anemic for a 7 mag.

Factory v. handloads

 

[Keep on]

Factory v. handloads

7mm rem mag 175 gr Fed fusion

 

[Keep on]

180 grain 300 WM federal fusion.
Results will run pretty consistent across other factory loads.
I used Fed fusion because my 7mm Rem mag and 300 Win mag both shoot these loads pretty well.
Even with handloads, as the big block V8 guys say, there's no replacement for displacement. 93.8 grains H2O capacity in the 300 win vs 82 in the 7mm rem.

 

[Gojo03]

I know if I personally got my hands on an Elk tag, I would buy a 300WM the next day

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Those factory fusion #s are indeed anemic. Those 180 grain loads are running at velocities pretty common with 215 berger handloads. Bet it's a lot nicer on the shoulder though.

 

[Coelkpap]

I currently own a Howa 270 but am interested in something a little bigger. I am thinking either 7 mag or a 300 win mag to give me a little bit more punch for an elk out at up to around 400 yards, which is the farthest that I would feel comfortable shooting. These two seem to be pretty similar with a little bit more energy from the 300. Any help or something that I may be missing would be appreciated!

I have a Tikka 7mm rem mag that I absolutely love. Not too much kick and great distance and power.

 

[EKYHunter]

I’ve got 2 .308s, a .300 WM, and a .300 WSM. Also have a Hell’s Canyon 7mm/08 on order. Take you pick for elk to 400 yards. Doesn’t really matter as long as your using a good bullet and you put that bullet where it needs to go. Call me crazy, but to me shot placement trumps caliber all day long.

 

[Tikka06]

I’m a fan of the 7mm. But, if I had a magnum, it’d be the 300. Way more versatile in bullet weights. I don’t have either right now but do have a 300wsm as my everything rifle.

 

[elkduds]

I'd check the wind and get closer, then shoot whatever I shoot most accurately. For me that means less recoil. I admit I'm more accurate w my 7RM @ 9# than w my 270win @ 7#. They have nearly identical trajectories and kinetic energies w 160g ABs in the magnum and 140 ABs in the 270.