O.K. Just for the sake of conversation lets look at my battery of hunting rifles. I will not go into the old mil surps that can be used for hunting Ar 15's or shotguns. This is hunting rifles only.
The goal is to see what I might want to add.

I have countless .22 rifles.

.223 Remington VTR

.308 built on a Mauser action Houge stock(Bad weather gun).

.30-06 Remington 700 BDL

.300 Win Mag custom stocked with curly maple thumb hole stock.

.257AI built on a Mauser action Varmint weight barrel and stock.

I am planning to build a light 6.5x55

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.

I target shoot and deer hunt in PA and hope to start hunting black bear. I doubt I will ever get out west BUT I like guns. The ones I have do have good glass so this is about wanting guns to fill a nitch. When I go into the gun shop I feel like I am in an orphanage and need to take one home. Most of my deer hunting is at the 200+ yard range.

That's a pretty nice mix. I don't see any holes in the center, perhaps you could add around the edges. The two thoughts that come to mind are either:

A long range rig, 7mm STW or 300 RUM.

Or you could go big. Maybe something in either .375 or .416?

+1 for what Antelope Sniper said.

Joe A.

I will pass on the 7mm STW or 300 RUM or any of the other medium bore super sonic burn tons of powder magnums. I feel a standard magnum is plenty enough for the distance I shoot here.

I have thought of a .375 H&H just for nostalgia's sake. Maybe a .338 Winny also, even though the .338-06 will get me all I need in a .338 for around here. Maybe do .338 Federal, .338-06, and .338 Winny trio to match the .308, .30-06, .300 Winny I already have?

Even thought of a 6.5-284 or .264 Winny. would be different. Then again a 7mm Rem would be easier to buy off the shelf.

I also feel I have a gap between the .223 and the .257AI Just not sure what to put there. I hunt groundhogs but not every day all summer long like some I know do.

Keep the ideas coming I appreciate the input.

this is just me talking, but i don't see any gaps at all.

you might want a 7mm or .277 of some sort, but your 6.5 really kind of takes that" need" away and eliminates any serious place for a 6mm.

your 30 cals cover any hunting situation you will probably find yourself in unless hunting moose or grizzly bear, in which case a .338 or something in the 35s MIGHT be warranted, but i still don't say necessary due to the 8mm, unless you convert it to a .338/06, which makes the question moot.

i really can't see a gap between the .223 and .25 you already have. your .223 has the varmints covered. and if in any case you "need" something bigger, that's where the .257 or maybe even the 6.5 come in.

your .308 and .223 have any necessary hunting of the 2-legged kind covered as well.

need? nope, nothing. want? that's a different story

Well, if you think you have a gap between the 223 and 257, why not one of the hotter 22's like a 22-250 or 220 swift. Like others have said you are pretty much covered for any practical situation and don't need anything else, but that takes almost all the fun out of it.

Well, he likes shooting groundhogs, so maybe a long range groundhog rig.

Heavy barrel 220 swift?
I've hear good reports on the 6.5-284 on ground hogs as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:
Well, he likes shooting groundhogs, so maybe a long range groundhog rig.

Heavy barrel 220 swift?
I've hear good reports on the 6.5-284 on ground hogs as well.

Both these ideas are options I could see.

I have even thought of several rifles in the same caliber but I don't want to load 2 different loads in the same caliber.

6mm Remington?

quote:

I am planning to build a light 6.5x55

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.

yep, I agree

Plus a 375, H&H or Ruger or 9.3x64 Brenneke if you like odd stuff.
Maybe a big bore like 416, 404 Jeffery, or 458 win

You could always add a 257 Roberts, 22-250, or 270.

How about something very different, say a 45/70? You don't list action types, but the 45/70 is available in almost any action. Easy to reload at all different power levels.
Good deer gun and a little nostalgia.
Bfly

quote:

Originally posted by SDhunter:

yep, I agree

Plus a 375, H&H or Ruger or 9.3x64 Brenneke if you like odd stuff.
Maybe a big bore like 416, 404 Jeffery, or 458 win

You could always add a 257 Roberts, 22-250, or 270.

I can almost see a light weight Roberts even though I have the .257AI as it is heavy to carry. I think .375 is as big of bore as I want to go. Even that would seldom get used as I don't hunt armored deer. I just like the novelty of the .375 H&H. The Ruger would probably be easier to get and cheaper but no nostalgia there Plus I know very little about it. Can it shoot reduced loads as well as the H&H?

srtrax, I think if I ran into a good deal on a 6mm Rem I would pick it up. .243 keeps coming to mind I think because I have hated it as a deer caliber for so long I would like to get one as a serious varmint rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Black Fly:
How about something very different, say a 45/70? You don't list action types, but the 45/70 is available in almost any action. Easy to reload at all different power levels.
Good deer gun and a little nostalgia.
Bfly

Oh boy the 45/70! I had a Marlin in 45/70 and a T/C Contender in 45/70. I think I still have nerve damage in my wrist from it.

But as for actions I have thought of maybe adding a pump action center fire to my collection. Maybe a .300 Savage as a little brother to my other .30's? The shop I deal at has a new Remington pump in .300 Savage as well as one in .308 Plus I have dies for .300 Savage as my Dad had a M99.

So many great suggestions.

The H&H does have serious mojo associated with it.

Love the 300 Savage pump idea. I own a Remington 7600 I converted to a 338-06. It is alot of fun and it shoots very well too.

quote:

.243 keeps coming to mind I think because I have hated it as a deer caliber for so long I would like to get one as a serious varmint rifle.

I am with you, do not like the 243, but it is emotional more than logical. It all goes back to my first year hunting and I didn't put the bullet in the right place. Not the guns fault, but I was young and blamed it on the cartridge anyway. Can't seem to get over it though.

How about the Roberts or a 250/3000 for nostalgia sake??
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
O.K. Just for the sake of conversation lets look at my battery of hunting rifles. I will not go into the old mil surps that can be used for hunting Ar 15's or shotguns. This is hunting rifles only.
The goal is to see what I might want to add.

I have countless .22 rifles.

.223 Remington VTR

.308 built on a Mauser action Houge stock(Bad weather gun).

.30-06 Remington 700 BDL

.300 Win Mag custom stocked with curly maple thumb hole stock.

.257AI built on a Mauser action Varmint weight barrel and stock.

I am planning to build a light 6.5x55

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.

I target shoot and deer hunt in PA and hope to start hunting black bear. I doubt I will ever get out west BUT I like guns. The ones I have do have good glass so this is about wanting guns to fill a nitch. When I go into the gun shop I feel like I am in an orphanage and need to take one home. Most of my deer hunting is at the 200+ yard range.

From the low end up, in Pennsylvania.
Personally, I think you have the groundhogs handled in PA with the 223 and the 257AI. If you want to expand the lower end, a 22 Hornet might be in order. That's based on the chuck hunting in setteld areas where noise might be an issue. The Hornet is less noisy than a 223. Noise is not our friend, and whatever we can do to keep the noise level down, we will profit therefrom ultimately. Being from Central PA, I had a 22 Hornet that I hunted with in the late 1940's and early 50's. My Step Dad used a custon 257 Roberts; I took the short shots, he took the long ones. In the center of your line-up, ala Pennsylvania, you are in good stead, especially with your upcoming 6.5x55 build.
As mentioned, you can expand in this area by getting a 244 Rem. Your call.
I'm at the point in life where anything bigger than a 308 is out of my life. Other guys here can advise you on that end.
A side note. You may want to look at your shotgun situation to see if there is a hole there that needs to be filled. Lots of grouse, rabbits, squirrels, woodcocks and pheasants to hunt there.
Good luck,

Don

with a 6.5 x 55 and a 338/06.. a guy would surely be pretty well set for big game hunting in the lower 48 regardless of what size it was...

wonder why you don't hear many folks talk about a 338 x 284 much any more...

Looks like you have the PA hunting environment covered top-to-bottom. If it were me and I wanted to add another rifle (and not spend the money on upgrading my optics, hunting vehicle, or on mentoring a young hunter)I would certainly add a nice lightweight Savage 99 carbine with a tang sight in .30/30 or .303 Savage for use when crawling through those Laurel thickets. (Or a Winchester/Marlin leveraction if I couldn't have a Savage!)

quote:

I would certainly add a nice lightweight Savage 99 carbine with a tang sight in .30/30 or .303 Savage for use when crawling through those Laurel thickets.

Or you could chamber it in 250/3000 or .300 Savage and mount it with and old steel tube Weaver K4.

Another option no one has mentioned is a .44 Mag lever gun. Lots of possibilities there.

Lots of great replies coming in. Shotguns are covered. I have more than I need especially as I don't do any small game hunting. Nor do I partake in and shotgun sports.

I have two custom flintlocks I built. .54 caliber and .62 caliber so that is covered.

I just went through a handgun phase so that is covered.

I have 2 AR-15's and an M1 Garand so Zombies are covered. I sold my FAL, Cetme and AK-47, and second M1 Garand. That phase is over.

I have an ATV already.

Kids don't like me so no youth mentoring.

I could get a crossbow. Shoulders can't take the compound anymore. But I am in a hunting rifle mood. I should spend the money on cabinets for my den. But I have a great lay away plan at the local gun shop and I like to have something laid away all the time.

I think today I might have found the next one. Remington 700 .270 WSM Of the WSM's the .270 caught my attention most plus I don't have a regular .270. It is brand new plastic stocked (That will change). She wants it gone and said I could have it for $450.

With the easy payment plan I will have a new rifle to start playing with right after the new year when things get boreing. I really hate taking my .300 out in the real nasty stuff because of the custom stock. I can see this in a quality synthetic for foul weather stand hunting. It should be a good power line gun.

What say ye?

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
O.K. Just for the sake of conversation lets look at my battery of hunting rifles. I will not go into the old mil surps that can be used for hunting Ar 15's or shotguns. This is hunting rifles only.
The goal is to see what I might want to add.

.....

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.
.....

Don, If me, I'd do that old 8mm in 9,3x62!!!

35 Whelen or 9.3x62

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
O.K. Just for the sake of conversation lets look at my battery of hunting rifles. I will not go into the old mil surps that can be used for hunting Ar 15's or shotguns. This is hunting rifles only.
The goal is to see what I might want to add.

.....

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.
.....

Don, If me, I'd do that old 8mm in 9,3x62!!!

Ray,
You have my attention. Tell me why? I hear so many great things about the .338-06?

With your 300 WM & .223, you have all you need to take everything in N. America! And if you're in jeopardy, you can bust out your 30-06. Now if you're looking for an excuse to bring home another stray, perhaps a 25-06...?

quote:

Originally posted by WhatThe:
With your 300 WM & .223, you have all you need to take everything in N. America! And if you're in jeopardy, you can bust out your 30-06. Now if you're looking for an excuse to bring home another stray, perhaps a 25-06...?

Well of course it is about an excuse to bring home another stray.

Don, I've never been impressed with the WSM offerings. You save 1/2" of action length or so, to get a sharp-shouldered cartridge that was "almost" as good as its long-action counterpart. That is EXCEPT for the 270 WSM. The performance of the 270 WSM is closer to the 270 Weatherby than the 270 Win. Most rifles in this caliber seem to be accurate, easy to shoot, and the weight range of bullets has all our "normal" game covered. Go for it...especially at $450 to get it home.

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:
Don, If me, I'd do that old 8mm in 9,3x62!!!

Ray,
You have my attention. Tell me why? I hear so many great things about the .338-06?

Don, Here's some links describing the 9,3x62 Mauser:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3x62mm

http://www.reloadersnest.com/article_9362_oct2803.asp

http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/the-93x62-mauser

http://africanxmag.com/otto_bock's_cartridge.htm

PS: May need to copy and paste that last link cause my browser doesn't like the apostrophe. Or go to virtual magazine and look-up the article in the September 2008 edition.

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:
Don, If me, I'd do that old 8mm in 9,3x62!!!

Ray,
You have my attention. Tell me why? I hear so many great things about the .338-06?

Don, Here's some links describing the 9,3x62 Mauser:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9.3x62mm

http://www.reloadersnest.com/article_9362_oct2803.asp

http://www.gunsandammo.com/content/the-93x62-mauser

http://africanxmag.com/otto_bock's_cartridge.htm

Ray,
I think it might be just more gun than I want. Think I will stick with the .338-06 for the 98 action build. Thanks for the info though I have some knowledge I did not have before.

Don,
Think about it - When you go to put a new engine in a hotrod, you put in the biggest engine that will fit.

From a shooting perspective I think you have it covered but configuration standpoint you lack variety. Perhaps a single shot #1B or mannlicher stocked 6.5x55.

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
O.K. Just for the sake of conversation lets look at my battery of hunting rifles. I will not go into the old mil surps that can be used for hunting Ar 15's or shotguns. This is hunting rifles only.
The goal is to see what I might want to add.

.....

I also have an old sportered 8mm that if after changing scope stock and trigger it still don't shoot well it looks like it will become a .338-06.
.....

Don, If me, I'd do that old 8mm in 9,3x62!!!

My thought also!!

May I suggest this article: http://www.shootingtimes.com/l...tt_200801/index.html

It helped me organize my thoughts a little in the ever present "What should I get next" problem.

quote:

Originally posted by dlutter:
May I suggest this article: http://www.shootingtimes.com/l...tt_200801/index.html

It helped me organize my thoughts a little in the ever present "What should I get next" problem.

Well If I go by that I still need a true bull barreled rifle as my .257 AI is varmint weight.

I need a lever action and pump action woods rifle and I need a huge caliber.

Truthfully right now I know I am gunned for everything but a hunt for Big bears or dangerous game. Neither of witch I see me ever hunting unless I hit the lottery.

In my opinion, you do have a huge gap. I have a 223, 25-06, and 257 Roberts.

In my opinion,you don't have a true long range varmint rig, no matter what the configuration. I have owned almost every popular 22 and 25 (I own around 60 rifles right now.)The 25 calibers are simply to big to be true varmint rigs. Only the largest are flat shooting enough, and the recoil is too high, as regards both extended shooting and target visualization. The 22s suffer too much in the wind.

Get something like a 6x284, 6-06 or one of the AI versions of the 243 or 6mm Remmy.

quote:

Originally posted by Art S.:
In my opinion, you do have a huge gap. I have a 223, 25-06, and 257 Roberts.

In my opinion,you don't have a true long range varmint rig, no matter what the configuration. I have owned almost every popular 22 and 25 (I own around 60 rifles right now.)The 25 calibers are simply to big to be true varmint rigs. Only the largest are flat shooting enough, and the recoil is too high, as regards both extended shooting and target visualization. The 22s suffer too much in the wind.

Get something like a 6x284, 6-06 or one of the AI versions of the 243 or 6mm Remmy.

My .257AI is quite heavy with very mild recoil but I will keep your views in mind. I could be talked into using the action from the 8mm to build a heavy barreled varmint rig instead of the .338-06.

Two ideas came to me this afternoon.
Option A. You've mentioned a pump action and have been intrigued by some larger bores. Living in PA, a 35 Remington in a corn shucker Remington might be a lot of fun. It's not quite a 9.3, but close. Nice on recoil, nice for deer and bears at the ranges we see them here. Finding on in pretty decent shape can take a few trips to places like Grices. Then bringing her back to her glory and finally taking her in the woods thru laurel thickets in a PA Tuxedo would be a nice adventure.
Option B. I don't see a walking around woods rifle. You've mentioned a number of wildcats. May a 25 Copperhead (25/222) on a CZ or Zastava minimauser? A nice general small game and furbearer rifle for those fall and winter walks in the woods.
Bfly
Bfly

I think your biggest gap is in a heavy barrel high velocity long range varminter. You lack something that can push 4000 fps with accuracy and mild recoil. A 22-250, 22-250 A.I., .220 Swift, .243 Win, or 6mm Rem would definitely fill a gap. That being said, I really enjoy my .270 WSM, and believe that most of the naysayers on the short mags have never owned one. If a .270WSM intrigues you, go for it.

Might I suggest a 6mm Rem.? If you don't plan on coming out here to the west you could still use it for chucks. A 35 whelen or 9.3 would work on the other end.

quote:

I am with you, do not like the 243, but it is emotional more than logical. It all goes back to my first year hunting and I didn't put the bullet in the right place. Not the guns fault, but I was young and blamed it on the cartridge anyway. Can't seem to get over it though.

When I had my shop, guys would come in and call there 243 there tracking rifle, shoot then track.
Then there where the 6mm Rem. shooters that said it shot deer like a bolt of lighting.
I have only shot one deer with a barrowed 243, well droped it in its track with a beer can size hole on the back side...Thought I'd add that to keep the 243 gang off my butt!
But the 244/6mm is a neat round...mine was an improved and was very hard on prairie dogs.

7-08, 35 Whelen?