Best budget big bore?

JNewstead

JNewstead

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Hey gang,
I currently use a 7mm-08 and 30-06 to take all of my animals, from deer to elk.
My buddies both have .338 win mags and ridicule me for using my "pea shooters" for elk and moose,
and I'm considering adding a "big bore" to the arsenal.
Question is, I take most of my shots under 150 yds, what do you guys think I should be picking up?

.338
.300 win mag
20 or 12 guage slug gun
45-70/90/110

Budget is 1000
Ammo cost not really a big consideration, will use 5 rds a year maybe - but definitely availability.
:cheers:
 
300 or 338 win mag

not a big bore at all but a awesome round for any NA big game hunting

if you wanted a real "big bore" for that price range get a zavesta M70 in 458 win mag

or

not a big bore but a winchester model 70 in 375 H&H is an awesome rifle
 
Not a big bore but my choice is on the 9.3x62! I just love that cartridge! It really at the distance you are talking about, similar to mine, your 30-06 is plenty of gun! If you want a bit more oumf, get some Norma oryx 200 ammo!!
 
I wouldn't pick a 9.3 unless you handload.

If it's supposed to be an elk/moose gun, I would forego the slug guns and 45's, too limited in trajectory.

Frankly, your .30/06 should work for everything, but if you must have something different, I would pick the .300 WM for the most factory options in ammo.
 
I'm pretty sure your 30-06 is already good enough (hardly a pea shooter to be honest), but if you want an actual big bore, the Zastava m70 bolt action in 458 Win mag mentioned earlier will fit the bill. Or the 9.3x62mm.
 
If you want to One-up your buddies you could go to a 375, Ruger or h&h.

If you want to be one of the guys, match them with a 338.

If you are happy with the results you've had thus far with a 30-06 and 7mm08 then #### those guys, keep using what you've already got.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone, definitely some good thoughts. I'm on the hunt for a 338wm over a 375 h&h, but in the meantime I will track down some 200 grain for my 06.
 
I had a .338 WM they are a accurate cartridge on average as mine was, not classed as a big bore but with bullets from 180gr-300gr accubonds you can hunt anything in north america and shells are fairly easy to find if you don't reload
 
JNewstead said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, definitely some good thoughts. I'm on the hunt for a 338wm over a 375 h&h, but in the meantime I will track down some 200 grain for my 06.
Click to expand...

It's too bad the Woodleigh 240gr Weldcores aren't readily available. I have some loaded for my .30-06 and they look impressive. Never shot anything with them though.
 
JNewstead said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, definitely some good thoughts. I'm on the hunt for a 338wm over a 375 h&h, but in the meantime I will track down some 200 grain for my 06.
Click to expand...

There was two maybe a third 338's in the EE of late and even a couple in the 375H&H, but check your wallet for the H&H....
Can not go wrong with the 338 WM for some serious Moose Meds.
Good Hunting.
Rob
 
Been using 338 with 250g for years and some bigger cals also. It does seem to perform better on moose elk than 06 and I have used that in past. 06 with 200g partitions do work very well
 
While big bores start with 45 caliber, most on your list do not qualify as "big bores", and neither do your buddies 338's.
As much as I love the 338 Win Mag, for moose out to 150 yards, it is not necessary to have this much power for moose.
As mentioned already, your 30-06 with 220 gr bullets will be just fine if you want more punch with your current rifle.
The biggest question for looking at larger cartridges/calibers would be what is your recoil tolerance level?

If you are looking for a good excuse to buy another rifle, then all is good and there are other options in larger calibers that will work just fine for you, and may not be as hard on your shoulder (or pocketbook).
You could also look at rifles in the following cartridges:
- 338 Federal; hard to find for less than $1000, but can be done.
- 356 Win; mostly seen in the Winchester 94 Big Bore.
- 358 Win; some options out there, most common/reasonable in the Browning BLR. Winchester, HSM and Hornady only three options for ammo
- 35 Whelen; bolt actions and pumps seen most often.
- 9.3x62; mostly bolt actions - least expensive being the Zastava already mentioned - ammo can be a little harder to find, but is out there, 286 gr ammo most common, but there is also 250 gr ammo (I use the Nosler).
- 375 Win; again, mostly seen in the Winchester 94 Big Bore - but best kept to 120 yards and less - ammo can be hard to find right now, with Winchester and HSM being the only two options available - have take a number of moose and black bears with mine over the years, plus a caribou
 
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