6.5 Creedmoor to hunt Elk and Muledeer? What's the smallest effective/ethical caliber you would use Elk hunting?

I'm looking to purchase my 30 yr old stepson his first rifle and he wants a caliber adequate for Whitetail and Elk hunting. I think he has the same idea that I did when I was his age....

Seems like a 7mm-08 would fit the bill perfectly.

I am headed up to New Mexico in October and our outfitter asked us to take a .30 caliber or larger rifle with bullet weight of 180 grains or heavier.

.308 winchester, or 7-08 especially for a first gun.

I shoot a .280 and it seems to be the perfect caliber for deer (120-grain bullet) and works on elk (150-grain bullet). Anything bigger than an elk, probably need to go .300 Win Mag or above.

How much time do you have to hunt? If you have a 90 day season and animals in your back yard, there's no reason that you shouldn't hunt with a .22-250, if you've the skill and judgment to do so. If you are out of state, have 3 to 5 days to hunt, have invested a considerable sum, and are likely to see only one or two shooters and those only briefly and at range, well ... it's your time and money.

Why does everyone always ask about minimums? The fact that the question is framed with that very term tells us the asker already knows his answer. Do what you want and live with the consequences.

7mm-08 is the answer.

And often is the answer for many a short action cartridge questions. Get a stout bullet, keep the shot inside 300 yards, and enjoy your elk meat.

How often does he really think he's going to go elk hunting, particularly if he's 30 and has never owned a gun?

My thoughts? Buy the whitetail rifle, probably a 6.5. If the opportunity arises for elk and you think you need it, buy a 7 RM/.30-06/.300 WM, sell it for a $200 loss when you get back, and just factor that into the cost of the hunt. If you're dropping $4000-6000 to hunt elk, another $200 won't matter.

Yes, I absolutely know the answer but my stepson seems to be leaning toward a magnum and I do not believe that's the best "first" rifle for him. And I believe there are calibers that will ethically kill an Elk that aren't magnums and aren't .30 calibers. For years 6.5x55s were used as well as .270s too. Now we have .280, 7-08, 6.5 CM and I'm sure others that will ethically and effectively kill an Elk. Frankly I'd most likely take my 300 Mag to hunt Elk but if all I had was my 6.5 CM or my 6.5x55 Swede I would not think twice about taking either one of them. As for taking a 22-250...I leave that one to you.

With the properly constructed bullet, and a shooter that knows the limitations of himself and the cartridge, I wouldn't hesitate to use any of the cartridges you've mentioned on elk. As stated by others, I would probably lean toward the 7-08 (handloaded to take advantage of the heavier bullet options) or 308 if elk was going to be a regular pursuit. But I wouldn't necessarily feel under-gunned with a 6.5.

308 would be a great first rifle caliber for him.

Ammo available wherever he goes for good price. Heavier bullets for elk, lighter for whitetail.

even though this is his first rifle has he done some shooting. Take him out to shoot your 300mag.
i use a 308 and have no problem with deer or elk, lots of moose killed with 303

I know outfitters that "if you showed up with a 22-250, they would drop you like a cow patty"

I'll be taking my 6.5 on my next elk hunt. Wouldn't think twice about it.

If a 130-140 grain .270 or 7mm works fine on elk, I don't see why a 130-140 grain 6.5 bullet wouldn't work as long as you picked a good bullet