What is the next logical caliber/cartridge.

sigarms226

sigarms226

Regular
Rating - 100%
19   0   0
Location
SK
I'm a little bored with my current lineup of rifles in my safe and would like to add another one. I just don't know what I want! So I'd like the good people of CGN to decide on my next caliber/cartridge to add to the collection. Hunting rifles are more of a hobby/novelty for me as I mostly hunt upland games birds and waterfowl. When I do go after deer(only been on one elk and moose hunt) I'm usually walking a good distance or sitting in a ground blind with a mix of open grainland, treelines and brush(ie:community pastures). Shots range from 25-300 yards.

My current line up is the following. 223 Rem, 22-250, 25-06, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 308, 30-06, 300 Weatherby, 375 H&H and 45-70. The majority being turn bolt, one semi and one "falling block". I should add that I do handload so something obscure isn't out of the question. Rifle budget is around $2500.

Let the ideas flow.
 
Your current line-up pretty much covers everything conceivable, so you might aswell get an oddball...

The only gap I can see, mathematically speaking, not practically speaking is between .30 and .375 Cal... so maybe something in .338 or .35... you don't sound recoil sensitive, so you could go with a .338 Lapua, but I would be strongly inclined to do a .35 cal, my favourite being .358 Win and .35 Whelen of the more common ones, but I have a strong liking for the .350 Rem Mag and I can see how that might be a useful choice in your cabinet.
 
CZ 550 or Ruger RSM Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby. If you dont want something that big than perhaps a 9.3x62 or 9.3x74R. The 7x64 and 8x57 are also intersting cartridges aswell that cover your needs.
 
hoytcanon said:
Your current line-up pretty much covers everything conceivable, so you might aswell get an oddball...

The only gap I can see, mathematically speaking, not practically speaking is between .30 and .375 Cal... so maybe something in .338 or .35... you don't sound recoil sensitive, so you could go with a .338 Lapua, but I would be strongly inclined to do a .35 cal, my favourite being .358 Win and .35 Whelen of the more common ones, but I have a strong liking for the .350 Rem Mag and I can see how that might be a useful choice in your cabinet.
Click to expand...

I like your line of though Hoyt a good friend told me to look at a 9.3x62 instead of 35 Whelen. I've already done the 338 Lapua although not in a hunting rifle. Do you find the bullet weights offered in 35 limiting? ie heavy for caliber?
 
dgradinaru said:
CZ 550 or Ruger RSM Safari Magnum in 416 Rigby. If you dont want something that big than perhaps a 9.3x62 or 9.3x74R. The 7x64 and 8x57 are also intersting cartridges aswell that cover your needs.
Click to expand...

My most recent 375 is an RSM. Not a huge fan of CZ centerfire rifles. I had a 6.5x55 from them and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough, it just didn't fit me.
 
Last edited:
sigarms226 said:
I like your line of though Hoyt a good friend told me to look at a 9.3x62 instead of 35 Whelen. I've already done the 338 Lapua although not in a hunting rifle. Do you find the bullet weights offered in 35 limiting? ie heavy for caliber?
Click to expand...

There are plenty of bullets in .35 cal, but for the .350 Rem Mag, no need to look further than the 250 Partition... it is a perfect partnership.

9.3X62 is also a good choice, as chance would have it, I have a New Ruger African 9.3X62 in the EE as we speak.
 
hoytcanon said:
There are plenty of bullets in .35 cal, but for the .350 Rem Mag, no need to look further than the 250 Partition... it is a perfect partnership.

9.3X62 is also a good choice, as chance would have it, I have a New Ruger African 9.3X62 in the EE as we speak.
Click to expand...

I've looked at it a few times now, I'm stuck with an instore credit at another shop and am forced to sticking with them. I'm not aware of anyone currently offering a factory rifle in 35 Whelen, correct me if I'm wrong. I do have a rifle I'd be willing to swap barrels out on....
 
I love my medium bores but with a .375 H&H already there really isn't anything a .35 Whelen, or 9.3x62 except maybe come in a slightly lighter weight rifle with maybe less felt recoil. I thoroughly enjoy my .35 Whelen and certainly don't find bullet choices lacking for anything I can legally hunt with it. Would a High BC bullet tempt me, I doubt it I'd reach for something like your .300 Weatherby if I needed one.
Sounds to me like you need a lever action or a pump. BLR, Winchester 1895 and the pump 7600 you can find in 300 yard deer capable cartridges for sure.
 
There aren't many gaps in your collection, so I would look for a rifle that catches your eye without worrying much about what calibre it's in. Or start collecting milsurps. That's another rabbit hole.
 
You already have the whole spectrum covered, so perhaps a rifle with other differing qualities is in order instead of just a different caliber.

For example, if you have mostly long-barreled scoped guns, get a short open-sighted carbine. Or get a big fancy long-range rig. Either way.
 
northern skies said:
You already have the whole spectrum covered, so perhaps a rifle with other differing qualities is in order instead of just a different caliber.

For example, if you have mostly long-barreled scoped guns, get a short open-sighted carbine. Or get a big fancy long-range rig. Either way.
Click to expand...

Very good point you have there. The rifles I have a mix of scoped and un-scoped, short and long. They all have one thing in common though, they are all on the heavier side. It hadn't occurred to me that maybe I should be looking for a light walk about rifle. I know what a joy it is to carry a scaled 28 gauge vs a blocky 12 ga upland hunting. Food for thought. Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom