3 Rifles and cartridges to hunt all of North American big game

If only three - 7x57; 300 and 375 H&H

Then add for fun - 22 L.R.; 30-06; 9.3x62; 257 Roberts; 6.5x55 in that order
 
Jayph said:
Well after a lot of reading and asking I have my plans to build 3 hunting rifles. I have purchased all the donor rifles (which I will shoot as the parts and extra money come in to build the three) I have sold off all my rifles I will no longer be needing. I would like any comments, suggestions, or opinions any of you may have. This is what I have decided on

1st- Do everything rifle it will be stainless metal bedded in a McMillan
Right now it is going to be a 6.5-06 shooting 140gr bullets. This rifle will be mostly used on antelope and deer. The .280 Rem is almost tied as the caliber of choice but I love 6.5mm

2nd- The classic wood blued rifle
It will be in .338-06 shooting 225gr bullets, it will be used mostly for moose and elk and if I ever decide to go after black bear.

3rd- The Magnum rifle
I really wanted to go with the .300 Dakota but the availability of brass has made me start looking at others. Right now it's a dead tie between the .300 WSM and the .300 Win Mag (I have both actions) shooting 180gr bullets. I am building this rifle as a back up to the other two capable of taking all the game animals I plan to hunt, and I have always wanted a magnum.

So when I am done I will be shooting 140gr/180gr/225gr bullets which gives me a good range of weight without too much overlap (I know it will depend if the particular rifle will shoot them but that’s the plan) I hope to build one a year for the next 3 but likely will be spread over 4.

I appreciate any opinions and comments as I am sure I overlooked cartridges or ideas and plans always change:)
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I would probably change up the 6.5-06 (even though it is a great round) for a 25-06 as it is certainly lots for antelope and deer and I believe it to be a better coyote round. This firearm will likely see the most use so it would also be nice just pickup some factory brass or ammunition sometimes when all lives little jobs get in the way of reloading.

The 338-06 will certainly do.

I would probably lean towards the 300 WIN MAG just because it is a long action same as the others.
 
shortaction said:
I would probably change up the 6.5-06 (even though it is a great round) for a 25-06 as it is certainly lots for antelope and deer and I believe it to be a better coyote round. This firearm will likely see the most use so it would also be nice just pickup some factory brass or ammunition sometimes when all lives little jobs get in the way of reloading.

The 338-06 will certainly do.

I would probably lean towards the 300 WIN MAG just because it is a long action same as the others.
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Thanks for the reply I just bought a rifle for dad in .25-06 of the EE so I will get a chance to see and work with that round so I can see if I like it. I was leaning towards the .300 Win mag aswell for feeding reliability but I don't like the belt. (cosmetic reason I know they perform fine)
 
todbartell said:
If you dont shoot varmints ever, your trio is a good one

personally I would go 260 Remington, 338-06, & 375 Ruger if I had to have three
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The .375 is more recoil than I want to deal with (speculation as I have never fired one) I like the .260 as well but the 6.5-06 won out as I will have a flow of free .25-06 brass shortly :) I didn't count in varmint rifles or rimfires because everyone should own a rimfire or two and I have a plain .223 laying around to bang at the few critters I will shoot so I didn't see the need for a custom. Thanks for you reply.
 
A 25-05 (or 6.5-06), (nice flat flyer, can load varmint weight bullets)
A 338 win mag (My personal favorite round with 225 Tsx bullets)
A 375 RCM (havent tried it yet, but gonna be my next purchase)
 
Most people end up building rifles which are essentially "mediums". So guys end up with a 7mm-08, a 30/06 and a 300 Mag. Any one of them would, by itself, cover most north American hunting situations. I have always recommended trying to spread things out as much as possible.
The light rifle is a varmint/target rifle. It may be a walking varmint rifle or something a little heavier meant to shot from a bipod. My chambering choices would be the 223, the 22/250 or the 6mm Remington on the top end.
The medium cartridge could be anything from the 25/06 to the 300 Mag. There are at least a dozen good choices. I would lean toward the 280 or the 7mm-08 if I wanted a short action.
The big rifle would start at 338/06 and go up to the 416.
With a spread like this, one does not have too much overlap and the purpose of each rifle is clearly defined.
Now; do I follow my own advice? No I do not! I have a whole bunch of mediums, just like everyone else! Regards, Bill.
 
I decided to narrow it down to 3 a couple of years ago and went with

.223 Remington
Mdl 700 LVSF

.300WSM
Mdl 70 stianless action, Smith barrel, Bansner stock

.375 Ruger Alaskan
McMillan stock

I also have a 7mm RM that serves as a great back up, and a few other rifles, inclusing a 30-30 bolt action. I'd be happy with anything from 7mm-08/.270/280/30-06/7RM/300WM for the medium rifle.

I really pared down my rifle collection in recent years..
 
223 Rem for varmints and targets

308 Winchester for everything else

375 Taylor/Ruger/H&H/WSM or similar if I ever wanted to hunt Africa or Alaskan grizz.

That's enough for me. :)
 
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