There are many calibers that will fit your deer -AND- elk requirements and the caliber doesn't matter as long as the bullet delivers the appropriate energy and performance to the intended target. If you want -ONE- caliber to hunt both deer and elk then the bigger animal of the two determines the energy needed. Any elk caliber will take a deer, but not necessarily the other way around. Also, an elk caliber does not necessarily mean it will destroy a deer, for each caliber you can buy heavier or lighter bullets that can do the job cleanly on both.
When selecting a big game cartridge you want to compare the calibers sectional density not its bullet size (caliber) or weight (grains).
For elk you want to select a caliber that offers a good range of bullet choices with a sectional density of .270 (not the caliber) or more and a caliber that delivers that bullet at sufficient velocity to deliver that energy. Your looking for a caliber no less than 6.5mm, but a good middle ground choice is better than the low end where limited bullet selection due to the smaller size. Look for .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Mag, 30-06... any of those 3 are excellent all around deer/elk calibers and ammo is readily available. You can go bigger if you want but there's no need.
With those calibers if you choose a load closer to the lighter end you'll have a good all around compromise with deer size game, one rifle, one ammo, one zero.
When selecting a big game cartridge you want to compare the calibers sectional density not its bullet size (caliber) or weight (grains).
For elk you want to select a caliber that offers a good range of bullet choices with a sectional density of .270 (not the caliber) or more and a caliber that delivers that bullet at sufficient velocity to deliver that energy. Your looking for a caliber no less than 6.5mm, but a good middle ground choice is better than the low end where limited bullet selection due to the smaller size. Look for .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Mag, 30-06... any of those 3 are excellent all around deer/elk calibers and ammo is readily available. You can go bigger if you want but there's no need.
With those calibers if you choose a load closer to the lighter end you'll have a good all around compromise with deer size game, one rifle, one ammo, one zero.
recoil is not an issue,... your hunting elk, man up. Your not target shooting all day with a hunting rifle. if you can handle a 12g your fine.but i'm not sure where my tolerance is with a rifle. it would probably be good for me to start with a rifle on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of recoil. i can afford two rifles if that is what's best.
IMO its ideal to have only 1 rifle that you use the most than two. Hunting ammo is expensive and its a lot of work to zero and get to know your calibers range and your skills.Haha...i am a little confused. i know Elk are much bigger than deer, so i was not sure if it is ideal to have different rifles if one can afford two separate rifles or if one rifle is just fine. i'm not sure if the grain and ballistics necessary for an Elk would destroy too much of the meat for a deer. But it sounds like a .308 works for both
They are just different sub species. Western deer are way more elusive though.One clarifying question - when you say eastern vs. western deer, is that a reference to the size of the deer, the terrain and typical distance from the deer, or both?