I'm thinking about buying a new cooper when I get back from the mideast. 280 or 338-06 can not make up my minde. I don't think ether one will fill a gap better then the other this is what I have now 450 Marlin, 325wsm, 308,7 rem mag, 7x57 ,243,

With a 7 Mauser and 7mm Remington Mag, the 280 Remington seems redundant to me.

I really like the 338-06 but, again it seems redundant with the 325WSM.

What will you use the rifle for?

What about a 35 or a 9.3?

Having a 7mag and a 7x57, you have only a very narrow niche for your 280 to fit. I'd be inclined to sell those two rifles and get the .280 but that's just because I really like the .280. The practical thing IMO is to get rid of the shorty and get the 338-06.

I went thought the same decision and I went for the 338-06.

I'd go with a 280 AI, but then you don't need the 7 mag.
338-06 seems like a better fit in your collection....but who needs a rationale, get both.
Bob

I got the 325 kimber to be a great all around hunting rig but there is something I just don't like about it the new rifle will hoppefully be that gun some have that they grab 90% of the time even if the it's overkill or underkill. The new rifle will be used in Alaska and Montana.

owning many of the above and the 338/06...

that would be my choice...

more practical bullet selection in the 338 bore vs the 8 mm bore...

I am sure Win picked the 8mm bore, to not interfere with their 338 Win Mag sales.. strictly a marketing decision that looks good to a marketing guy with no real hunting experience... when the world was anticipating the 338 WSM instead...

I see the 325 WSM fading away in the future..
where as a 338/06...there will be 06 brass readily available until the lefties finally managed to ban hunting.. which hopefully will never happen..

I think you have it all covered now and with a 7mm Mag and 7X57 you sure don't need a 280. I'd say the 338/06 would fit better on the upper end yet I could argue that you have that filled with the 325.

So, why don't you go above the 45-70 with a 500 or just buy ammo and components and shoot the heck out of all of them!

I would spend the money on upgradeing the glass on what i already had, and buy ammo to practise, practise, practise!

DM

.338-06 AI!

quote:

Wright
one of us
Posted 31 August 2010 18:56 Hide Post
.338-06 AI!

PERFECT solution!!

I work at a range so I at the very least put 200 rounds down range a week if i'm not deployed and i'm happy with the glass i have. most of the weekly rounds are though the 243 icon and the 450 marlin.

I would pick 338-06.

But in all actuality I don't think you need either.

I would say you need a big gun like a 375 or 416 something or maybe a 22 or 204 on the small end.

What about a 6.5-284 the range i work at is a 800m with popup targts and one of the singleshot coopers should work. The 243 will not knock the targts down passed 600. I just need something to save for on this deployment so i don't piss my money away. And cooper gives a good mil dis.

I see a few opportunities for you, but you have the 280 and 338.06 area covered nicely already.

1. Varmit rig in .224. (reasonably covered by the 243.)
2. True heavy hitter, something in the .375 range, it might be needed for a trip to Africa.
3. Long Range rig: heavy barreled 6.5x284, 7mm STW, or 300 RUM.

You just have the itch for a new rifle. I know how that is. Obviously, you don't need it, but that's ok. Justifying it to fill a niche - ok if I can help - I suggest a 30-06 or a 9.3x62. Either one will spoil you. I'm saying this based on what you said in your post.

I have a 280, and just simply and frankly, the 30-06 is a better choice. Besides, you have 7x57 and 7 mag. I have a 338 Win Mag and in my opinion, it is superior in every way that I can think of, compared to the 338-06. However, I'm not recommending the 338WM simply because you have a 325WSM, which will serve the same purpose - almost.

I know that you are just rationalizing a new rifle. Ok. But if I had to boil it down, it would be the 9.3x62, considering what you already have. The 30-06 and 280 are just redundant, since you have the 308 and two 7mm.

KB

The 325 WSM and 338-06 both wish they were a 338 WM, so why not just get one?
Given your other rifles the 280 does seem a little redundant, but who am I to say? I have a 6.5x55, a 264 WM, and a 260.
The 280 is, however a great round. The 280 AI is even better. Go for the 280. Then a 7-08. Then a 7mm Weatherby and maybe throw in an STW. Then will folks say you are strange or dumb, you can tell them you collect 7mm rifles.

As much as I love the 280, it is right between the 7x57 & 7rm. The 325WSM is close to the 338-06, but my all time fav 338-06 would get the nod for sure. Not what you asked, but I would probably forgo both & get a nice 375h&h.

Neither of my 338-06's wish they were a 338WM. They do not have an inferiority complex whatsoever.

Besides the 325 WSM covers that just fine.

Does a 30-06 wish it was a 300 mag?
Does a 9.3x62 wish it was a 9.3x64?

I am going to assume that having so many overlapping calibers in your arsenal that it is the gun's that show their uniqueness. If I were to go 280 it would be an AI. I already own a 270 so I don't see a need for it unless it there was something special about it. Because you have so many other good choices already in .284 you might as well consider giving yourself more choices in .338 so my vote is for adding a second rifle to that stable - and start nagging our conventional gun manufacturers to do the same. I'm still patiently waiting.