What to buy 300? 308? 325? 338?

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1bigmike

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Hey everyone! I am new to this site and this is my first post lol. I am in the market for a rifle but just not sure what caliber to go with. I am leaning towards these calibers. 300 308 7mm 325 and 338. Currently I hunt deer but I will be hunting moose and bear in the years to come. Recoil does not bother me at all but finding ammo does. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks Mike
 
Best move is a 308, all the animals you want to hunt will fall quickly, a short action in a lite rifle good for the long haul... JP.
 
Buy what you think is ###y. You can always change your mind later and sell it. Buy the next on you want:sniper:

But you asked for advice so I would recommend .308
 
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how close are you to a gun shop - these "oddball" calibers are sometimes special order only , and lord help you if you want a box or 2 out of hunting season- therefore, 308, 3006- both are readily available at big box stores typically year round-
 
well the .338win , .300win, .300WSM and 7mm Rem are all good choices as ammo can be had at most can-tire stores, i think your best bet is to give us more info, like what rifles are you looking at, roughtly what terrain will you be hunting and what distance your comfortable shooting, i would also take a look at the .30-06 theres so many calibers now a days that if you find a rifle that you seam drawn to, its probaly offered in a caliber that will do what you want it to. . .
 
I have been pondering the same question myself, and 30-06 seems to be big enough to do everything, and not too much either.

I was ready to go with a 300 Win Mag, then found a great deal on a .338 Win Mag, but ended up settling on a 30-06. Way more options on guns, and ammo, and it is pretty much the standard ammo at any gun/hardware store, in any small town.

I still want a Ruger Alakan in .375 Ruger though. ;)
 
l.denison said:
well the .338win , .300win, .300WSM and 7mm Rem are all good choices as ammo can be had at most can-tire stores, i think your best bet is to give us more info, like what rifles are you looking at, roughtly what terrain will you be hunting and what distance your comfortable shooting, i would also take a look at the .30-06 theres so many calibers now a days that if you find a rifle that you seam drawn to, its probaly offered in a caliber that will do what you want it to. . .
Click to expand...

Savage 116 Bear hunter
 
Just get a 30-06 and you're done.

I've got several calibers in my safe and I can't believe how often I push past them to grab a 30-06.

I'm out scouting for what the Bison are doing this weekend (Opener is Nov 1), and I wanted to bring a rifle for a late season moose or bear of opportunity, and guess what I picked after considering several calibers...30-06.
 
The .30-06 is a good choice, handles moose and bear with ease. Plus there is a vast selection of factory ammo loads any situation. 300 win mag is also a good choice. Lots of horsepower and again a very popular cartridge. If you want the same performance of the 300 win mag, but in a short action ( lighter) set-up, the 300 WSM is the ticket.

My next rifle will be a 338 win mag, strictly for personal reasons and because it carries
lots of energy out to longer ranges.

7 mm is yet another great choice as it shoots very flat and still takes moose as well as the rest of them. Look at ballistic tables and choose whichever one you like, they will all accomplish your desires as long as you place the bullet in the boilerhouse.
 
you don't indicate whether you're a newbie to hunting/firearms, already own any or are looking for your first purchase.
I have a 325 WSM and am very pleased with it, does everything I want and I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything you've mentioned with it. That said I handload too and like 200 grain TSX.
For a new hunter, I go with the suggestion of the 30/06, the caliber I consider all others to be compared against.
Jack O'Connor championed the .270 Winchester and shot pretty much everything with it. Shot placement and bullet construction are far more important than specific caliber choices you've listed.

Try and handle each make/model that interests you and even better see if you can get some range time with each.

Plus, you can always buy another one, in fact you'll likely find that sort of practice is condoned on this forum :D
fwiw

TB :canadaFlag:
 
Find a rifle manufacturer/action you like.
I am certain you will find most of what you listed there in the
rifle you choose.
Fitment is a good starting point.
 
Although I've never owned one, the 30-06 will do everything you've mentioned in spades and you will no doubt shoot it better than a 338WM. Same goes for the 308, and ammunition is available almost everywhere.

Up against the foothills, west and north into the territories a 338WM may well be the better choice, but you sure don't need it in the east.
 
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