Next big game rifle??

Silverado

Silverado

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As a backgrounder, here's what I've got:

Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in 30-06 in a laminated stock with a Timney trigger, which I'm comfortable with for any big game to 300 yards...

Marlin 1895GG in 45/70, for close range smack down (and bears who want to steal my pic-i-nic basket)...

Ruger #1 in 243Win, which I'm looking forward to taking a small (read doe) deer with this year just for something different...

Here's what I (think) I want:

Either a heavier, longer barreled flat shooting 7mm something or other (7Rem Mag or WSM probably) for big game 300-400 yards and beyond, especially mulies and antelope, or..........

a 338 something or other (Win Mag probably) which I've just got a taste for lately for some reason...:rolleyes:

What would you fellas look for?

I'm not asking for makes or models, as I have a good idea what I like there, just the caliber, cartridge and the applications mentioned...
 
I guess the big question is: are you after predictable or interesting?
I've got weird tastes so here's some on both sides.
The 7mm Rem or 7mm WSM are both quite servicable on the first option you mention.
If your game stops at mulies probably a 270 WSM would even do you better for lower recoil and a flatter trajectory but I guess it's all pretty academic when you compare the numbers.
Admittedly .270 cal doesn't have the same range of heavy bullets but the 270WSM has a lot of fans and factory ammo, if you should need it in the boonies, may be easier to come by.
If you want heavy hit then have you considered either 8mm Rem Mag or even 325 WSM?
The 8mm Rem would probably do with Magnaporting or the like if you want to really explore bullets like Woodleigh's 220gn Protected Point(like a Mag Tip) or 250gn RNSN but the 325 WSM is probably mild enough with a good recoil pad.
Both of these cartridges, particularly the 8mm Rem, are well up to the Asiatic water buffs we have in Northern Australia provided you place your shot and the renowned Australian gun writer Nick Harvey has taken quite a few buffalo using the Big Rem.
That said, your shoulder pays the price, particularly off the bench.
Otherwise you've answered your own question.
There are cartridges like the 9.3x62, which edges out the 35 Whelen, or the 9.3x64, which is ballistically on a par with the 375 H&H and blows a 338 Win into the weeds, but I suspect they're a little obscure for you.
The brass tends to be super exy too.
 
Looking at the what you got , you have the close to mid range covered. Your pretty much set . If you plan on some long range 400-500 yard shooting at medium game, I would go the 7 rem mag route. It has a great selection of bullets, and the legs to get 'em out there for a clean kill on game. You can go ultra, or stay with name brand, I would stay with what is proven , modest recoil, good velocity, and accuracy which is the bottom line..
Frank
 
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one of these days i will make enough money to afford such fancy smancy guns to see what all the raving is about LOL

i cant lend any actual expierience of useing these but from what i have read here the .338 and 375 seem to be good options for big game. like i said though i havent used either of these so this is just based on what i have read being posted by people who have ACTUAL expierience with them
 
I know I'm always pushing it but....9.3x62! Its not hard to find brass or bullets. I use Graf brass and nosler ptn. 286gr, Bits and Pieces did a nice ream job for me on an old 42 mauser 98 action. I will kill a moose with it this fall!! JITC
 
jiminthecorner said:
I know I'm always pushing it but....9.3x62! Its not hard to find brass or bullets. I use Graf brass and nosler ptn. 286gr, Bits and Pieces did a nice ream job for me on an old 42 mauser 98 action. I will kill a moose with it this fall!! JITC
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I'm with you, Jim.
The only reason it wasn't my main recommendation was that there was a preoccupation with effective range out to 400yds, not that I think most of us would shoot that far in the field 99% of the time.
And brass and bullets for the 9.3x62 are cheaper, so long as you aren't a snob about your components.:p
It's the 9.3x64 that is only loaded by RWS or Hirtenberger.
I think the Grafs brass is actually made by Privi Partizan, is it not?
Privi Partizan ammo and components are sold under the Highland brand name here in Oz and are VERY cheap in comparison to Sako, Norma and RWS, but then anything is cheap compared to those brands!:rolleyes:
One day I'll save up the funds and have a 98 barreled to this cartridge myself.
Might even have the dosh to buy the CZ 550 in this cal by then.
Will go well with '41 k98 8x57 sporter I own and the 7x57 I also have in my long term acquisition list.
For the moment, however, other projects call and I've departed a little from the thread.;)
 
Just had my ear chewed off by a big fan of the 338 Lapua, expensive to shoot but he shoots at 1000 yds and is real impressed with it's performance. Got me thinking.
 
I should add I suppose that I reload, and for a hunting rifle I don't feel that I need more than 100 brass, so I think any calibre outside the completely obscure is doable.

I tend to like to shoot heavy-ish for caliber bullets:

100's in the 243, 180's in the '06, etc.

I'm pretty sure I'd shoot 160's in the 7mm, and 250's in the 338.

So tell me, in your experience, why should I look at a 375 H&H vs. the 338?
 
And for the record, I realize that my 30-06 will kill any game I hunt very well (I do have a shotgun for birds, and a .22LR and .223 also)...

Neither of these arms fills a 'need' per se, but I'm a tool junky in my other life, and like to have just the perfect tool for the job if I can...
 
savagefan said:
Just had my ear chewed off by a big fan of the 338 Lapua, expensive to shoot but he shoots at 1000 yds and is real impressed with it's performance. Got me thinking.
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And what exactly does he shoot at 1000yds?:confused:
 
Targets, we have a 1000 yd. range west of town, he's a member. Said he's confident enough to take a deer at 800 and would like to given the right circumstances.
 
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