[oldbrass]

took my 30-06 to the range yesterday to get it dialed in for elk season. seems I can`t tolerate recoil like I use to. I only just turned 51 but I didn`t like shootin the `06 at all...Am I the only one that turned into a big sissy here ??
If I had confidence in my 7-08 to do the job I`d take it. We`re going to open country this year and 200 yard shots are the norm so a 30-30 won`t do.

 

[SHOOTER13]

Hell, that ain't old !!

Recoil is God's way of letting you know you're still alive...

You should have had my paper route...

 

[Gumpy]

I was afraid that after back surgery, I would be recoil shy. I shoot a 8mm Mauser and the recoil doesn't hurt to bad. But then I'm only 61.

 

[oldbrass]

JEESH !! My manhood just lost 10 points..I`m takin the `06.

 

[squirrelhunter]

I'm 51 too and just got a '06 last spring,shooting it didn't bother me . Now shooting the 45 ML with 150g charge does . Maybe there's something going on in your shoulder you might want to check out.

 

[DUTCHS]

I'm 54 and shoot .338 Lapua Mag, 45-70 ,30-06, .308, 454 casull and have a S&W 460........jus saying LOL!!!

 

[greyhawk50]

JEESH !! My manhood just lost 10 points..I`m takin the `06.

Call me a whimp, but I don't tolerate recoil well either.
During The Hunt, I doubt that you will even feel the recoil.
When I was much younger, I truly loved recoil. The more the better.
On the other hand, I'm 66 now and don't like recoil at all. Sold my '06 several years ago for just that reason. Plus the fact that it had an 8# trigger pull and was an older Remington 760 with the steel butt plate didn't make it anymore desirable. Although it was very accurate (after mastering the trigger pull), it just wasn't fun to shoot.
As for Trap & Skeet, I had to abandon 12 ga. singles & O/Us because the recoil caused me to flinch. I now have a 20 ga. O/U and a 12 ga. semi-auto Beretta.
The only center fire rifle that I currently own is the Marlin 30-30. The recoil of the Marlin 35 Rem. (sold earlier this year) was tolerable but I wouldn't want anything heavier. IF I was looking for a long range large game rifle, the 7mm - 08 would be my choice. A PH friend of mine from another forum believes the 7mm-08 is adequate for Elk.
Don't ask me why, but the .284 bullet seems to have excellent terminal performance on large game. And with bullet weight up to 175 gr., looks like a winner to me.

 

[SHOOTER13]

Good luck with the hunt oldbrass...!!

 

[artbrownsr]

This old gun cost me $150.00 15 years ago it's older than I am and between it and my .303 British they're the only things I'll trust out there! OH the 721 is chambered in 30-06 I use 165- 180 gr. cartridges.

 

[SWO1]

The most unplesant guns I have ever shot where 30-06s and oddly some of the best also......seems to me military guns have less felt recoil than civilian models. A US 1917 Enfield I had was a pussycat. Almost like a .223. Same for an M1 or Springfield. A couple of Remington 700 and Winchester 70 kicked like Missouri Mules.

 

[FOUR4D4]

I surprised my self last year shooting 18 rounds from the Marlin 444 S

 

[greyhawk50]

If I had confidence in my 7-08 to do the job I`d take it. We`re going to open country this year and 200 yard shots are the norm so a 30-30 won`t do.

I earlier referred to a PH that I know from another forum. He is a Professional Hunting Guide that lives in Montana. His opinion about a suitable rifle for Elk Hunting is 1000+ ft. pounds of energy at point of impact, with a well placed shot. Here is the ballistic chart for the 7mm-08.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/Outdoors/resource/remington_charts/7mm08rbal.htm
Personally, I would have confidence in the 170 gr. Nosler Partition (or the equivalent) out of a 7mm-08 for Elk. That round would have more than enough energy at or beyond any range that I would be comfortable with.

Although I wouldn't recommend it, that PH feels that the Hornady 160 gr. LEVERevalution has transformed the 30-30 into a 200 yard deer rifle and a 150 yard Elk rifle. My thoughts are, if I take the time, energy and $$$ to invest in an Elk Hunt, I wouldn't carry a rifle that I consider marginal at best unless I knew that I was hunting in heavily wooded areas with shots less than 100 yards.

 

[oldbrass]

My 7-08 Is from a blotched batch from the savage folks,they made some with only a 1:11.5 twist that doesn`t stabelize anything over a 120gr (in mine anyway) I have a .308 barrel coming for it,its a never fired factory take off, hopefully I can get it dialed in before season starts..I really like the .308 its a do it all caliber

 

[Bucky]

Oldbrass

Bloody hell
Getting old mate
Wish I was as old as you !
I' m 62, and my biggest problem is holding steady with "off hand" shots

Just keep at it, regular shooting, and the odd steady shot, wil build up confidence

Cheers Bucky