I am in the market for a new hunting rifle. It will be used mostly for deer sized game but enough snort for elk as well. So far in my possession I have:
300WSM
7mm-08
30-06
7.62X39
7MM Rem. Mag
280 Rem
308
I just want a new toy. What cal. do I need to fill the gap in my collection and my desire for a new toy.
I handload so cartridge availability is not a issue.

Thanks

You need either a cz in 9.3x62 or .375 H&H !! with my preference towrads the cz 550 safari in .375 H&H !!

You can load 235 gr speers or woodleigh's to 2900 fps right through to 350 gr woodleigh's to at 2500 fps !!

Maybe a .338 WM.

If you like the .300WSM, just wait for the .325WSM

acsteele, The 325WSM has crossed my mind. Anybody know when they will be available to the public?
Thanks

Your battery is definitely in need of a medium bore...

A .338 is fine, but EVERYBODY has one of those...

I think you need a 9.3 x 62... It will do everything a .338 will do out to 300 yards, and be gentler on your shoulder...

It is available in the CZ 550, which is an excellent value for the money and is so accurate it's SCARY...

Since you reload, there is a good selection of components available PLUS a bunch of 9.3 fans on this forum to help steer you in the right direction...

And I'll bet you'll be the ONLY guy on your block ( and perhaps in your TOWN) that HAS one...

I would suggest a .35 Whelen. It will give you the big-bore thump you are missing, plus some added range that a something like a big-bore lever doesn't have. Doesn't quite have the oomph of a .338 Win, but doesn't have the recoil either. I notice you have the good ol' .270 Win surrounded, so it would be repetitive, but everybody should have a good .270 Win, so that is an option as well. Nothing better than solving the old .270vs.280vs.30-06 on your own

-Lou

You are very well covered when it comes to Deer rifles. If I were you I'd go with a 375 H&H as a first big bore rifle. If you are sure that you want another Deer slayer than I'd go with a 7X57. I know that you already have it's ballistic twin (7mm-08) but it is a classic caliber and if you are nostalgic you call it a 275 rigby.

face it friend.....it's a sickness.....you already have a bunch of guns to do deer and elk and any plains game you can think of.....so take the cure..........face the music once and for all.....get it over with.....move to the finale.....you know the one I'm talking about don't you???....the one you already have on order.....yea...we all know.....that's it.....that "three-seven-five" you've been coveting all your life.

Merry Christmas.

Steve

You are sick...like the rest of us. Get a 35Whelen (or a .350 Rem Mag). Of course a .358Win. would be a good option, too.

WN

Well friend, obviously up is the only way you can go. Forget the .325WSM, it can't do a thing your .300WSM can't already do, unless what you are really looking for is an excuse to buy one of the sweet Kimber rifles. The .375 is interesting, but I would suggest that a .338 RUM is a logical next step in your battery. What better than a kick-a$$ dragon slayer that slings heavy bullets (use the 250 grainers) really fast. Of course the 338-378 is even faster.

I find that I get bored with the usual cartridges and think that something a little "different" might be fun to whip out once in a while. Say something along the lines of a 8X68s, 350 Norma or perhaps a 405 Winchester, or maybe even a wildcat of some sort. Some folks say they are a pain in the rear, but to a true gun nut it gives them something different and something to dabble with.

Another thing about wildcats, some folks dont think they belong in custom rifles. I say hogwash. The whole concept of a custom is to get "exactly" what you want, wildcats allow that as well. Unless of corse the run of the mill cartridges ARE exactly what you want..

I couldn't agree with you more. Steve's got everything in the middle covered. If I was going to get a new toy with a little more power and something out of the ordinary, I would go with a 9.3X64 Brenneke. Fits in a standard action, gentle shoulder slope for easy feeding, no belt and covers the power range between 338 WM and the 375 H&H. Just my .02.

9,3x62, 375 H&H, or 338 Win Mag. The 9,3x62 is a gun-nut round that is fun to play with. The 375 H&H is probably the most useful all-world hunting all-around gun. And the 338 Win Mag is a logical step up and a perfect Elk round.
But if it's just a toy go big, 375's are fun to play with, useful hunting, don't kick as much as you'd think, and you can brag about owning an Elephant gun...........DJ

Two suggestions, I have been really impressed with the .260 Rem lately. I must admit to trading the one I used during deer season, to get a rifle I'd wanted for a while, but I'll have another someday. You seem to have the large end covered pretty well, so this would be a lighter rifle which I think would impress you as well.
The other is the tried and true 25/06, the rifle I swapped the .260 for. They are an intriguing compromise in effeciency and I can't wait to wring one out.

Why not a varmint rifle? The seasons are much longer and they are more fun to shoot what with the light recoil and accuracy potential.

The mention of the 260 above is an option as it will do larger game but your covered on that.

Also how about looking for a fine older rifle? They are fun to own and a better investment if bought right. The quality will be better as well.

I forgot to mention I have one other older rifle, it is a Savage, 300 Savage. It doesn't get out much and I just plumb forgot about her.

As Bobby has already said...



You have plenty of elk medicine there already but what I don't see is any of the small chamberings that are great deer rounds and just plain old fun to shoot.



I see someone mentioned the 270 but in my opinion the 280 is the same, ballisticly speaking that is, except the fact you can load a heavier bullet.



How about my favorite, the 25 06. Some people do infact hunt elk with this round too. Not that I would if I owned several calibres.



Theres more and more choices in bullets now for the 25 calibre. In fact, Nosler has just come out with the 110gr. Accubond. Talk about a flat shooting, accurate bullet that won't blow apart.



I can shoot my 25 06 all day at the range and never devolope a flinch. Most rifle models come in this great round too.

Up or down you got the middle of the pack covered..

On the down side:

6.5x55
243 win
257 Rob
6.5x06

Up:

9.3x62
9.3x64
375 H&H

Way up:

Real big bore 416, 404, 458

I suggest you consider a .376 Steyr, although the selection of rifles from the factory is VERY limited.

Why not the lazzeroni 7.82 warbird or a 300 rum

I'm tempted by some nice lightweights, a .250 Savage or .257 Bob would be sweet, but not my pick for elk, you've already got a whole bunch of great middleweights, so it's time to step up to some boomers!

How about:
.300 Weatherby Magnum
8mm Remington Magnum
.340 Weatherby Magnum
.358 Shooting Times Alaskan
.375 Weatherby Magnum

Any of those monsters would rock deer and elk nice and hard with heavy for caliber bullets moving REALLY FAST.

Get a he-man's rifle; a single shot 6.5 Swede. roger

I really like my .300RUM.

It's capable of long-range deer hunting (though so's your 7mm). Your excuse could be that it's your "long-range, elk hunting rig".

While I still want a .338WM, a .338-06 appeals to me as well.

I love my .375 and 9.3x62, too, and I second the idea that they don't kick as bad as you'd expect.

Steve