What caliber do I need next

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DeadShot519

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Ok so for many years I hunted exclusively my 338 win mag Ruger M77 MKII All Weather in a Boat Paddle/Zytel stock. Didn’t have a huge interest in guns and this one has always done everything I’ve needed it to do (and still would). But in the last 10 or so years I have become more of a “gun nut” and have acquired a few more rifles. I hunt exclusively in northern Ontario. I get pretty big black bears in my area and large moose. My shots will pretty much always be within 200 yards. I’ve got the itch for another rifle but am currently undecided what I “need”. I have dreams of shooting a big grizzly somewhere someday.

My current arsenal is as follows

Ol’ faithful. 338winmag

Ruger American Ranch in 308win. This is my truck/Utv rifle. I don’t carry it much but when I’m driving it’s always by my side. It gets exposed to a lot of dust and gets tossed around quite a bit. I bought it for the short barrel and detachable magazine. It’s very light by my standards. We usually have 10 or so bear baits on the go so as I’m baiting I usually carry this rifle into the bait prior to driving my machine in to freshen up/restock the bait. It gets loaded and unloaded 5+ times a day so the detachable mag really shines. Love how short and handy it is with the 16” barrel. Super quick to pull it out of my machine and have it loaded. And just as quick to unload and put away.

My next rifle was purchased to scratch my long range itch. It’s a Weatherby mark V accumark chambered in 300 Weatherby. Not much to say about this one. Shoots Barnes TTSX 180gr sub moa out to 200 yards no problem. Took a moose with it a couple years ago. Bang flop.

Then I purchased a new bear gun for sitting over bait. I wanted something with a bigger hole than my 308 but just as compact/handy. I bought a Marlin SBL in 45-70. Never took any game with it yet but I have it and I love it. Doesn’t get out much and I couldn’t tell you why. Like I said my shots are never over 200yard and are usually under 100 but the lack of range of this rifles leaves it at camp more often than it should. Don’t ask me why.

So I decided to fill the void of a thumper with some range. So I recently picked up a Weatherby DGR in 375H&H. I really love this rifle. It makes me smile.

But now I’ve got the itch for something new. And not sure what I want. I’ve been looking closely at a ruger guide gun in 416ruger. I don’t have any bolt action rifles in a laminate or wood stock(which I really like the look of) and really like the look of this rifle. I like how it’s fairly compact and is a thumper. And also how it should hold up well to the elements being laminate stock/stainless steel. But I also have always wanted a 416 Weatherby. The Weatherby will be wood stock/blued as that’s all I can find without going custom. I know I don’t need this much firepower, but I know it will put a smile on my face.

So I’m asking you gun nutz what your recommendations would be. Am I missing something? Any caliber that you would want to add to this list if you were in my shoes? Let me know what you think.
 
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From what you described, maybe consider a 9.3x62 - I do not know if you hand load - is 250 Accubond through to 320 grain Woodleigh here - I think "traditional" was 285 or 286 grain at about 2200 or 2300 fps - modern powders let you gain perhaps a 100 fps on that - was also some 232 grain available, at least at one time. Is very close to replacing a 338 Win Mag, for most hunting. Perhaps about 3% to 5% more than the 9.3x62, would be the various .375's. 375 H&H has a long history with 300 grain bullets, but does not do much that can not be done with 286 grain 9.3x62.

Re-reading your OP, you already do have a 375 Weatherby. So I would think you want either a 416 thumper, so something fast and light - like 22-250 or 243 Win.
 
I am not sure what you should get next, however one of my recent purchases was a re-barrel on a Vanguard in 416 Ruger, I think the recoil is in the low 50 ft lb range, I am told a 416 Weatherby is between 70 and 80 ft lbs, I do not like muzzle brakes but I would have no interest in shooting a 416 Weatherby without one, I have had a few 375s and the 416 is a significant step up. You have a few medium to heavy calibres Possibly you could look at something lighter and quicker like a 257 Weatherby or one of the 6.5 or 7mms.
 
You and I seem to have similar interest with the medium and big bore thumpers. My first thought was to recommend a 375 (H&H or Ruger) but I see that you already have one.

I started with the 45-70 then moved up to the 375 and most recently a Model 70 in 458 WinMag. Now that's a thumper/stopper rifle and will definitely be enough gun to take your Grizzly one day.

The 416s also make a lot of sense for that duty. I too have been searching nonstop for a Ruger Guide Gun in 416, let me know if you ever see them restock. The 416 WB will be a real thumper in terms of recoil, even more than the 458 WinMag.

Do you have anything smaller than your two 30cals?

You could pick something up in 7mm, 6.5mm or something much smaller like 223.

If you enjoy you're lever you could also opt for another in a smaller caliber like .357 Mag.
 
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You peaked my interest with the 458 mod 70. I’d love to find one in stainless with crf. As for the 9.3x62 I do like what I’ve read of the caliber but I feel it is too similar to my 375HH. For fast and light I’ve always wanted a 257 Weatherby. As I’m sure you all can tell I do like the MarkVs. To be completely honest tho I would probably never hunt big game with anything smaller than what I have. So I guess you could say I have big bore fever and am looking for something a step up from my 375hh. I can say I do not have any interest in Remington rifles (don’t shoot me lol). As for recoil on the 416wby.. I have put some rounds down a 460weatherby without a brake. It is not pleasant to shoot but I can manage it without flinching. I wouldn’t want to shoot more than a few rounds per session. But I am looking for a hunting rifle. So for the 6 rounds a year I’d shoot it the recoil doesn’t scare me. 458 win mag is now on my radar.
 
I would also like a 6.5 creed for paper shooting. But a 6.5 certainly wouldnt give me the feels I get from the thumpers. Northern hunter I will definitely let you know if I see the 416 guide gun in stock — as long as there is more than 1 lol. I’m now currently researching the 458 win mag. Liking what I see. I’ve always liked the Mod70. I’m liking the idea.
 
A 458 Win Mag is not about range - is about hitting something hard, up close. Is some 510 grain W-W factory loads here and that W-W bullet for reloading. A 1976 W-W reloading pamphlet shows 2065 fps with those bullets and the W-W 748 powder of that time. I assume that combo will get a shooter's attention - I have never fired any of those "full meal deals" - an acquaintance used several 458 Win Mag, back in the day in Northern B.C. - he advised weight of rifle is important - I think he has kept a 13 pound one - says he can rip off several shots with that - with a 9 pound one he said he would become disoriented - want to throw up - after a few quick shots.
 
If you're looking to up your game from your current 375 you basically have a handful of dangerous game cartridge classes.

416s (Rigby, Ruger, Remington). 416 Remington is likely the easiest to find ammo and rifles for. You could go the Model 70 route in a 416 if you can't find a Ruger.

458 WinMag (standard action) or 458 Lott (Magnum action). Again, the Model 70 is likely the most readily available option here.

If those aren't big enough theres both the 505 Gibbs or 500 Jeffery. These are now firmly in the stopper cartridge category and will have similar recoil to that 460 Weatherby you shot.

If you're feeling old world you could always buy a double rifle ($$) in either 470 or 500 Nitro Express.

So many options..
 
Potashminer said:
A 458 Win Mag is not about range - is about hitting something hard, up close. Is some 510 grain W-W factory loads here and that W-W bullet for reloading. A 1976 W-W reloading pamphlet shows 2065 fps with those bullets and the W-W 748 powder of that time. I assume that combo will get a shooter's attention - I have never fired any of those "full meal deals" - an acquaintance used several 458 Win Mag, back in the day in Northern B.C. - he advised weight of rifle is important - I think he has kept a 13 pound one - says he can rip off several shots with that - with a 9 pound one he said he would become disoriented - want to throw up - after a few quick shots.
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I once owned the only Sako Fiberclass factory rifle made in 458. Win Mag. got it form Esa Verho who was the factory manager at the time. That gun weighed 8 lb. fully dressed with a Leupold vari -X 111 1.5-5X. I also at the time had a 460 Weatherby Mark V. Recoil from the 8Lb. Sako made the 460 look tame. I could manage it off-hand (non-braked) but once made the mistake of shooting a 5 round group off the bench. I had no feeling in my right hand after & the next day was purple from my sternum and down my arm to the elbow. Kind of put paid to the idea that I was immune to recoil! Never did it again.

d-legs
 
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