I'm starting to think about another rifle purchase. I would like something to fill the void between my 300 WSM and 300 Win Mag and my 35 Whelen AI.

Question:
What caliber should I choose? If you pick something else, please specify which one and why.

Choices:
8mm Rem Mag
325 WSM
8mm-06
338-06
338 Win Mag
Something else

 

What are you hunting with this new rifle?

Stop nutsin around and go big 338

I don't really see a meaningful gap. I think the above suggestion is sound. I'd go bigger or smaller.

However, if you have to have one in the middle, I think the obvious choice is the .338 WM. If money and reloading costs is no object, then the .338 Lapua will JUMP the gap.

I go along with not really seeing a gap, but, if you just really want to get something new, I think the .340 Weatherby or the .375 H&H would be reasonable choices. The only reason I didn't list the .338 Win Mag, is that I simply don't like it. I had one in a Ruger No.1 for a few years but never really took to it. I preferred the .340 I had.

I believe I'm in the same camp as the three previous posters in that there isn't much of a gap there. As you've listed some wildcats it's obvious you reload and are capable of case forming so for me, if I absolutely had to fill that narrow gap and what my choice would be, I'd go 8 X 60 Mauser Magnum. Other than that believe I'd jump up to a 9.3 X 74R or the 9.3 X 62 in a bolt rifle.

Thanks for the suggestions, fellas. I already have a 375 H&H and then a 416 Rigby. If I go larger, I need to go really larger.

I have at least one of every diameter moving down in size to .204" diameter except a .277". So, just thinking of another rifle purchase really, and this would be a diameter not currently stuffed in a gun safe.

Ahhhh.....see, now that changes the complexion of things...lol! If you're just wanting to fill a hole there's nothing wrong with any of them.

Yea, not much of a gap!

If you MUST, then I'd go 338wm. Or maybe a 9.3x62 or 74r.

JPK

Gap between .308 and .358 calibers can be covered either by .323 or .338 calibers.

I recommend going with the .338-06 because of the breadth of bullt weights available as well as the velocity performance range of the bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
What are you hunting with this new rifle?

Stop nutsin around and go big 338

Whitetail does ... Gotta make sure the rifle is sufficient.

Then damit man I'd probably go .338 RUM

Where's the gap?? you've got 150 to 275 grains pretty much covered at any reasonable hunting distance. Only "hole" in the line up i can see would be down range energy and trajectory beyond 350 yds in the 200-275 grain projectiles. I'd agree with ted thorn...get a souped up 338...the RUM would do it. But then again...you could just stalk a little closer and save the money.

I really wanted to select "Something Else" and then suggest a 9.3x62. This is one of my favorite calibers but, was not "in-between" the calibers that you are looking to fill the void. So, I selected the 338 Win Mag. It is a fine, versatile caliber with a good selection of bullets if you reload and factory ammo if you don't. My hunting buddy uses his .338WM for everything from hogs to elk and would certainly fill your void.

If you wanted out of the ordinary, 318 Westly Richards would fit.

8x57

quote:

Originally posted by cable68:
If you wanted out of the ordinary, 318 Westly Richards would fit.

A Light 8 X 57 with a 22" barrel scope forward ( scout ) will get it all done with not a lot of recoil . roger

8x68S just because you can for the cool,factor.

quote:

Originally posted by capoward:

I recommend going with the .338-06 because of the breadth of bullt weights available as well as the velocity performance range of the bullets.

+1

I have several .308 cal rifles and a 35 Whelen as well. But frankly I like the 338 bullet selection better then what can be had in both 358 and 8mm. But with that said I still wouldnt mind having an 8mm/338. It just seems like it would be a real well balanced round to me.

Count my vote for the 8x68S as well.

Next year I get one to go with the 6,5x68S.

Get the .325 WSM and pick up the .270 WSM later on to fill that gap as well.

Overlap is more like it...

Get the 338WM and sell the other three.

.340 Weatherby Mag or .338 Lapua (just because nobody else suggested those)

8x68S or 338 Lapua Magnum.

I don't think you have a void. Heck, you can get rid of the 35 and you still wouldn't have a void. I've had my Whelen since the 80s and still haven't figured out what it was better for than a 300.

That's not to say that you shouldn't buy more rifles; buy 100 if it makes you happy.

A .338 Edge or Lapua would be an in between caliber that will something different. That's assuming that heavy rifles and long range shooting interest you.

A .338 win mag would be a bit better for regular hunting.

Drop the Whelen go 340 Wby and 375 H&H

With a 300 mag you can hunt anything in the USA and just about everything elsewhere. Buy whatever you want but I don't see any gap.

quote:

Originally posted by montea6b:
Overlap is more like it...

Yeah, but what fun would it be if a guy didn't have options!

I like to take a few rifles to the range prior to a hunt and let them decide who gets to lead off and who is in the on-deck circle.

If you can find a Ruger Hawkeye in 338 RCM that would get my vote.
A nice handling short rifle that would easily thump any deer or elk out to 300 yards.

Not one vote for my beloved 8mm magnum! I know it is on it' wAy to obsolescence,but you would be hard pressed to find a harder hitting,flatter shooting cartridge that won't loosen your fillings. Just food for thought or elk on the table. Jerry Hoover

Not much of gap to cover, if any. But then again I bought my last rifle because I didn't have one that started with a '4'.

I'd say bridge the gap between fast moving .30 cal and moderate speed .35 by splitting the difference in both velocity and bore diameter.

.338 Win Mag.

Just neck the 325WSM up to 358 and you have the 35Sambar. Short action and near 358Norma ballistics. After this you just go to your 375H&H no need for the 9.3.

If this does not float your boat I'd go the 8X68S or 8MM Rem Mag.

Why not something a little smaller.
A .270 or a .308. tey will do 90 percent of what
Your magnums will ,cheaper to load for and you can shoot more with out heating up the barrel...tj

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Hoover:
Not one vote for my beloved 8mm magnum! I know it is on it' wAy to obsolescence,but you would be hard pressed to find a harder hitting,flatter shooting cartridge that won't loosen your fillings. Just food for thought or elk on the table. Jerry Hoover

We've done our damnedest to keep your brass in production, buying it up to neck down to STW. Without that, it would have disappeared a long time ago.

Between being a metric caliber, being a medium and having Remington in its name its a miracle it lasted as long as it did. That's not to say it isn't good though, just that it never had a chance.

Buy a 7mm Rem Mag and sell off all the rest

No more hold-over

No range finder

No more worry

If you can see him he's dead.....just put in on him and push the kill button at any distance

As you have all the bases already covered as far as needed power or flat trajectories are concerned, I would respectfully suggest you think outside the box a bit.

Here's the kind of stuff I'm talking about, but I am not suggesting any lf these, just trying to give a few examples of how much "outside the box" I am suggesting as possibilities...

And if it fits your budget and your inclinations, just tell those folks who insist you justify your choice to piss-off. The fact you can afford it and think it might be "neat" to own is plenty of justification for you to get or make whatever you want.

1. Any good single shot, barreled to .32 Miller Short, a cartridge which has won numerous U.S. National Schuetzen titles, and set a bunch of CBA national records..

2. a 7x33 SAKO Model 42, 46, or even using the Sako Vixen size action.

3. Any size bore you want up to about 8m/m, on the basic PPC case, in a nice little bolt action such as a miniature Mauser or an XP100 action.

4. If you want a factory cartridge which is not at all common, but for which brass and bullets are still available, a .338 Marlin Express in either a lever gun or single shot, or perhaps a .376 Steyr bolt gun.

I have all of those and a bunch more "stand alone" wildcats too, and they are all fun to shoot, easy to load for, low on recoil, and pretty much perfect for exceptional accuracy, plinking, or hunting up through at least Texas size white-tailed deer.

I'm sure by fantasizing a bit you can come up with something you don't have, in an Action/rifle type you have very few of, if any. And you'll really enjoy it once you have it....which is the object for a person who has as many rifles as your own list suggests.

how about a 330 Dakota only thing I ever shot with mine was a AK spring Grizz seems like I always take my 35AI planing to take the 330 to Africa next trip for plains game Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Count my vote for the 8x68S as well.

Next year I get one to go with the 6,5x68S.

Got your PM Rich. I agree, the 8X68 has a lot of upside.

7 RM + Superformance ammo = OMG

Deadly.....horizon to horizon

Spooky

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