Best budget big bore?

I have looked at the recoil numbers for the 338wm and 375 h&h, it seems they would be roughly the same. I won't be shooting these guns at the range much, so the recoil isn't a huge concern for me.
In time I will have both calibers-I definitely don't want "one more" rifle. I know I've got to have the 375, 9.3, and one day a 45-90/110.
I'd definitely like to get into reloading to open my options up as far as bullet weight goes. I love my 7-08 but right now I'm limited to 150gr it seems. I only take head/neckshots with it anyways but I'd love to have a 180 gr for it.
 
Men’s macho pizzing contests sell more guns, trucks, quads, etc than any marketing ever has lol.

I’d spend the 1000 dollars on a bunch of reloading supplies and put together some perfect 3006 loads for your situation. Then you can ridicule your friends for using factory ammo.
 
JNewstead said:
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:
Click to expand...

It's funny I never really saw much difference between a 300 mag and a 338 when it came to moose. :)
 
JNewstead said:
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:
Click to expand...

If your going to shoot 5 rounds a year, you should stick to what you shoot well.

Big bore hunting with not putting rounds down range is just going to wind up with messy shooting.
 
the spank said:
Some ammo for your "pea shooters" and a set of ear plugs to block out the B.S from your hunting partners.
Click to expand...

yup..... pretty much sums it up.

if you really want to hear your friends whine..... get a 7mm rem mag LOL
Seriously though, unless you really want to buy another rifle, I would stick with what you have and spend the grand on optics or reloading set up.
Your 30-06 will kill any animal you might hunt in north america..... especially moose and elk.
Now if your hunting group was planning to hunt Bison..... then I "might" go bigger than 30-06 but then again..... there is nothing on this continent that can't be killed cleanly and quickly with the right bullet out of your 30-06
 
JNewstead said:
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
Click to expand...

Consider a 9.3x62 like those available from Intersurplus.https://intersurplus.com/collections/9-3x62?sort_by=price-ascending
 
Why don't you make fun of them for needing a .338 to drop moose/elk? Especially at less than 150 yards? They must be overcompensating for something.

But also, get a Mark V in .340 Weatherby Mag because it's way-the-f#ck better anyways :)
 
Get a 30-378 and let them laugh of you for you pea shooter that makes their 338 look like a .308

Or get a 308 and laugh at them for needed such a big gun and say they must be scared of the critters at night
 
The 30-06 will be fine. A 200 Partition/Accubond will lay a swamp donkey down
with authority out past where most should be shooting.
If you think you NEED more thump, consider the 338 Win or the 325WSM. Dave.
 
Your 30 06 will kill everything in North America. It’s never about how big the bullet is…it’s always about where it goes.
Tell your buddies to get a clue and don’t fall prey to the bigger is better syndrome. Why pay more money for bullets and recoil?
Just my take
 
Your .30-06 will be just fine for mooses. Moose aren't particularly impressed with calibers and often die to guns much smaller than should really be used. If you are just looking to buy a new gun - remember that you don't really ever need a reason for that. So, a .338 is where life really starts. A .338 WM is one of the best all-arounders out there. I have a .338 RUM that has been used on absolutely everything around from two different types of deer to elk to moose. It is not for the recoil-shy. I bought a 9.3x62 this past year and wished I had it years ago. A nice classy looking .375 is always the right answer. Sky's the limit.
 
30-06 it is. Glad I asked before pulling the trigger. Not to say I dont want a new rifle-I do. I was thinking of getting into reloading, so maybe now is the time.
Thanks gents
 
I remember an older hunter when I was growing up. he used his 3006 with some of the factory round-nose bullets in it. I think they were 220-grain round nose.
 
the spank said:
Some ammo for your "pea shooters" and a set of ear plugs to block out the B.S from your hunting partners.
Click to expand...

This the real answer

Who gives a #### what your buddies think. If anyone thinks you require a 338WM to kill a moose they shouldnt be allowed to hunt moose.

Off the top of my head I've seen moose killed with 270Win, 308Win, 3006, 6.5x55, 303Brit, and 7mm Mag. The worst result was the 7mm due to poor shot choice (head on chest) and poor bullet (Rapid expansion deer bullet). Shot distance was probably 50m.

In the end all the moose ended up dead. Most died within feet of the first shot. The 7mm moose ran 3/4 of a KM and was finally put down by a 3006.
 
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Best budget big bore by far is one of the 9.3X62 Mauser action rifles being offered for way less than $500 by several outfits on this board.

Actually, the 9.3X62 is a medium bore, but you get the idea. :)

Ted
 
A 30-06 is a big bore and to me. I suppose if I wanted to hunt big bears I’d want a 338. Otherwise a 30-06 should be plenty. Both are pretty vanilla cartridges. If you really feel the need to one up your friends, get something different and big, then you can really look down your nose at them!
 
A 9.3 would be the cheapest. I'd consider a 444 Marlin or if you feel spendy, a Bighorn 500 S&W. With a 1/2 bore they're the ones with the pea shooters.
 
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