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Kyle MODL

I need help picking a new caliber. I'll try to keep this short with little rambling. I appreciate any insight and advice.

My dad and I mostly hunt mule deer and elk out to 400m (max) and moose within 200m when we actually get the draw. Hunt over all ranges from close range in woods to open foothills. We always used a 7mm Rem Mag.

We want to pick a new hunting caliber as my dads now 70 yrs and has a significant shoulder injury. He never really liked the recoil of the 7 RM, but loved that it could effectively kill whitetail to moose.

Now we would like something that can effectively kill but with significantly reduced recoil so he will enjoy shooting more and I can keep loading his ammo.

Reading Nathan's book it seems good potentials are a short 6.5, 7-08 or 308.

Disclaimer, I'm mostly a target shooter and am a huge 6.5 fanboi, but I haven't yet hunted with it. But I really want the 6.5 to work for our applications. I love efficient calibers and the 6.5 has sexy numbers. Iv just never cared for 30cals.

Applying Nathan's knowledge, 6.5s are not ideal for "large bodied deer" at long ranges. However, we only shoot out to 400m at elk, and moose are always closer range. We are good shots to the 1600 wall, but I want fast kill potential and dont want to make an animal suffer and or, run off on me. So how effective would the 140-147gr 6.5 work on elk out to 400m? It seems to have the necessary speed and energy to do it, but...how effectively?

I'm also interested in a 7-08 with the 162 eld-m. Is this significantly better than the 6.5? Is it as effective as a good 308 load? Or should I just suck it up and get the 308 loaded with a 168-208gr?

Thanks again