Hardest chambering to give up?

[old303]

Now that I am retired, I'd like to do an extreme make-over, but I get the shakes just thinking about letting some of my favorites go. I do have them all ranked in order of priority, so when I get a new one in, I sell one from the bottom of the list... that will have to do for now. What I don't want to do is leave a mess of gear for my family to deal with when the final curtain drops.

Traditionally a fellow would try to be a mentor to at least one protegee who would understand what he/she inherited and hopefully even want to carry on using it.

 

[Ardent]

Now that I am retired, I'd like to do an extreme make-over, but I get the shakes just thinking about letting some of my favorites go. I do have them all ranked in order of priority, so when I get a new one in, I sell one from the bottom of the list... that will have to do for now. What I don't want to do is leave a mess of gear for my family to deal with when the final curtain drops.

And there runs the distinct risk she’ll give it all away thinking it’s worth next to nothing like I’ve always maintained.

In all seriousness I’m on a project to simplify and find my kicks through the rifles rather than chambering, and it has been quite satisfying.

The only true wall I’ve hit is African dangerous game and the regs certain places I still want to hunt and roam with camera in hand and rifle on shoulder. I’m grumbling to myself .375 has a likely stay of execution.

 

[theshootist]

I’ve shot .308 to 1,000 yards a lot, we set up our own range for it, and even with iron match sights you can hit a silhouette at 1,000 from a 22” .308.

I have to wonder, what more does one need and how much further for general shooting does one need to shoot? 500 yards is entirely reasonably for a .308 hunting, a .300 just makes it a bit easier.

You'll get no argument from me about the capabilities of the 308, it would be the last cartridge I'd ever give up. I tend to agree with you more than anything, and struggle to justify owning anything with more case capacity. I might just sell my 300's after all. But I'm sure there are many folks out there that would argue the 308 isn't enough for whatever it is they are doing. I don't have enough hunting or target shooting experience to make any of those arguments. Perhaps others can offer their own personal justifications for going above the 308. There are lots of larger popular calibers. I do like the idea of hitting with copious amounts of terminal energy at long range though.

Unless I get more practice in, I'd have no business taking shots at big game much past 350-400 yards anyhow. Unsure if shooting big game past those distances would be right choice with the 308.

 

[philthygeezer]

The only true wall I’ve hit is African dangerous game and the regs certain places I still want to hunt and roam with camera in hand and rifle on shoulder. I’m grumbling to myself .375 has a likely stay of execution.

That's not so bad. You probably won't load much for it anyway, and .308/.375 cover a LOT of ground together.

I like the notion that the 130 TSX makes for a handy deer round, heavier could deal with bigger ungulates, and the .375 could do bison, elk, moose, and bear, as well as the African game.