Considering a larger caliber hunting rifle

I was in the same boat round 2003. I had a small battery which consisted of a a couple of slide action shotguns (20g & 12g), a bolt action rimfire (.22 mag) and here's the part that relates, two bolt action centerfires, one in .300 WM and the other in .338 WM. Talk about overlap! I still feel a bit embarrassed by my actions even today. Turns out I used the .300 for just about everthing and the .338 rarely saw action. My battery has certainly grown over the years and I now have plenty of options for hunting or just shooting in general, competitively and recreationally. These days when I hunt I often try to sneak into bow hunting ranges and thump my game animals with one of my big bore lever action rounds. That said I still have my bolt action .338 WM and believe it is a great cartridge and owning one would certainly solve your dilemma.
 
If you are only going to go to 30, keep the 7mm mag. A step up would be the 338 family. Savage Bear hunter with the built in muzzle break that can be turned on/off would be nice in 338 win or 375 Ruger. 340 weatherby is nice and with a muzzle break is easy to shoot. Ruger is making a few with muzzle breaks as well that come off when done at range and go hunting. Ruger is also making a magnum hunter that is only available in 300win. but I could see it coming out in 338win. I seems to have th eon/off muzzle break similar to the Savage rifles, could be wrong. The muzzle breaks are nice for the range and if you can turn them off or take them off for hunting they are really nice.... all IMHO..... Cheers 257Stew
 
galamb said:
With round "typical" to each caliber, yes.

If you sight both for 200 yards and look at the 500 yard results you get:

7mmRM/140 grain partition (moose round)

+1.4@100 0@200 -6.4@300 -18.8@400 -38.2@500

300WM/180 grain partition (moose round)

+1.6@100 0@200 -7.4@300 -21.9@400 -45.0@500

He wants to make a 500 yard shot (according to his "wants")

The 300 is 7" lower @ 500 than the 7mil - that leaves a lot more room for error/misjudgment and a lot more of a "rainbow".
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Except that you're comparing apples to oranges, the .284/140 is better compared to a .308/150. A .300 Winchester will make 3400 with a 150, but the 7 mag with a 140 lags by 100 fps due to its smaller powder capacity, and there isn't enough difference in BC to allow the 7mm to make up for the disparity in velocity. If we go the other way, and compare a .308/180 to a 7mm/160, the 100 foot second disparity still exists. It should also be pointed out that if a hunter is intending to make a long range shot, there are much more slippery bullets he can choose from than a Partition. The Partitition is a wonderful game bullet, but is at its best when used within a quarter mile.

Edited to add . . .
Looks like I'm just repeating what Dogleg said.
 
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Although I have never had the priviledge of owning one, I have always considered the 7 Rem mag to be just about right for just about everything. I have owned a number of .300 WM's, .338 WM's and now I primarily hunt with a .338 RUM. No comparison, the .338 RUM is a true step up in power, but any .338 would be from 7mm just in its ability to deliver a heavy bullet fairly fast.
 
I'd look at a .338WM. Not sure about 500+ yards, but if you did your part it would certainly do its. I use 225-250gr. bullets in my model 70 Alaskan. Trying to stretch it out with a lighter bullet seems pointless to me. I've owned several .338 WM's over the years and really like my new production Alaskan though I had to modify the monte-Carlo butt to fit me better. Just my opinion. Good luck.
Geoff
 
jpappy said:
I have never had trouble shooting moose where the shoulder blades meet inline with the spine, there is not a lot of meat at the top of the shoulder blades and the last time I checked there is no meat in the spine. I have dropped them on the spot, on numerous occasions. Using a 7RM or 338WM loaded with 160, 180 and 225 accubond's and 210 ttsx. This shot placement always stops them from running but usually does not kill with one shot. I'm not a fan of long range shots on game so I like to get as close as possible. I have sold both my 7 mags, I have sold one 338WM and use my current 338 for almost all my hunts. Moose aren't a spooky animal so why the need for a 500 yard shot? a guy can usually get within a 100 yards of a moose without being sneeky. If your sneeky or good at calling then your in bow range. I have found that elk are a little tougher at soaking up bullets compared to moose, but their bones still break and they still die if shot properly. Another vote for 338 or bigger to spread the collection overlap out.
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No meat on the spine? Apparently you don't know about backstraps? Only the best steaks in the entire animal
 
Have not read all the post but to the OP, consider recoil as well with a larger magnum. If its not an issue than skies the limit, but I can say my 270 is a pleasure to shoot compared to my 338
 
IMHO, the reality of moose hunting is, the 270 win will work just fine out to 500 yards....so will his (the OP's) 7 RM. If he wants a larger caliber gun the 338WM might be a good choice but what he has now is also a good choice. :)
 
FoymountFarm said:
We can't shoot from the water here in ON...
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Yes, you can. Applies to "motorboat"... see definition at bottom... does not applied to self-powered craft (canoes, kayaks, row boats etc...) as applicable to big game, and also does not apply to waterfowl hunting.

It is illegal to have a loaded firearm in or on, or discharge a firearm from, an aircraft, vehicle (including snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle) or motorboat or anything towed by the boat. An exception to this rule is that a person may obtain an authorization through the local ministry office if the person’s mobility is impaired and the person meets one of the following criteria:
1. A paraplegic or hemiplegic.
2. A single (above the knee) lower limb amputation or a double (below the waist) amputation.
3. Suffers severe disability and cannot hunt without the use of a wheelchair or similar means of locomotion. In this case, the hunter must provide a medical certificate stating disability.
The authorization is valid for a period of up to five years for a person with a permanent disability.

A loaded firearm may be carried in, and discharged from, a canoe or boat that is being paddled, with no motor attached.

MOTORBOATS: Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, a motorboat means a boat with a motor that is attached to the boat (see Definitions on page 86). There is an exception to the prohibition on loaded firearms in a motorboat if you are hunting waterfowl in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
 
Like many gunnutz I've got a selection, .308 bush gun and .338LM are my main big game rounds.
If you want a larger round I'd suggest the 338lm, big recoil but a very good, accurate round IMHO .
For me the .338 LM is the most fun and I can also challenge myself at long range target shooting.
 
300 win if you don't plan to reload and 338 if you do. Have to reload or you will be crying everything you pick up ammo for that 338 win.
 
I personally, wouldn't place a hunting shot past 300 yards. But that's me. If you are comfortable placing 500+ shots in the kill zone and have proper posture and optics to help you with it -- kudos to you.
.308 is widely used and can definitely serve the purpose for you.
338 win mag could be an overkill.
But that's just my personal opinion.

bigtuna81 said:
As the title states I am considering on picking up a larger caliber hunting rifle. I am looking a buying something in the 30 cal family. 300 win man, 300 RUM, 338 win mag and could use any thoughts and or opinion on these choices.

A little bit about me, currently I have 2 hunting rifles a 7mm rem mag x bolt I have had for 5 years now. Good hunting rifle no real complaints. My second rifle is 270 win rem 700 that I picked up around a year ago off of this forum. Awesome deer rifle and a tack driver, this has become my go to deer rifle as it fits me well and is easy to pack around

My plan would be to replace my 7mm rem mag with the larger caliber and use it mainly for moose and elk hunting and be able to reach out to 500+ yard shots with it. While keeping and using my 270 for a go to deer rifle. I currently don't reload but it's something I am interested in starting up in the future.

Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated

TUNA
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Still alive said:
Are you a 50, 54, 58 or a 52, 56, 60 guy?
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I'm a 50, 54, 58 guy. Similarly a 308., 300WM (next rifle), .375 guy. Those seemed to be about "4 degrees" apart to me :d

I have always had an unexplained apprehension about 60's, so thankfully my irons' A wedge was 50.

You? With respect to wedges and rifles please.

hoytcanon said:
Or 48, 54, 60... or 50, 55, 60... or 50, 56, 62...

There are many ways to git r' dun... and it usually depends on how strong the PW is...
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There are indeed many ways to skin both types of cats we are discussing here... Except the first and last ranges you mention have uneven gaps? I am sure the functionality works just fine, however, OCD types like me would have a devastating psychological issue from those ranges haha. :p

What about your personal ranges?
 
6mm, 270wsm, 300wm and 375 ruger are my spread of choice. 6 for deer, 270 for the long stuff (my mountain rifle) the 300 (sentimental rifle) and the new king which is my new favourite goto cartridge until I kill something with it.
 
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