I've got a dilemma and although I'm new here, I fully believe there will be no shortage of opinions...

I've recently ordered a long and a short action from Montana Rifleman. My dilemma is what cartridges to choose. Here's what I have now and what I plan/hope to hunt over the next several seasons...

6.5/06; 7mmRem; .300 Win; .300 Weatherby, .338 Win; .358 Norma; 375H&H. Deer, antelope, elk, moose, black bear, and African plains game up to and perhaps including buff...

I could argue that I'm already covered and that I don't need any thing else but that's no fun... also, I don't ever envision building a .22 cal centerfire for use specifically on pdogs or the like...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts... and, I do reload.

For the long action you "need" to step up a bit and depending on your recoil tolerance one of the .416's sounds just right....my choice would be the Remington.

For the short action why not one of the new Winchesters or Remingtons...I would say the 300 WSM but you already have two big 30's.

For a short action, look at the .243 Ackley Improved or the .250 Savage. Either is fine for pronghorn (my .243AI consistently kills pronghorns at 300yds.+).

For the long action (magnum, I presume), how about a .458 Lott? Big enough for bison, buffalo, elephant, or hippo, but you can load down to .458 Win. or even .45-70 levels for 'plunking' (500gr. bullets don't go 'plink', they go 'plunk'! ).

George

I've thought about the .416 Rem on the top end too. For the short action I'm leaning toward a 6.5x284... I already have the bullets, etc...

Although, a quarter bore such as the .250AI wouldn't be a bad idea...

How about a 257 WSM or .243 WSSM

Jim

Good ideas Jim.... don't know much about either yet. My concern would be that f they're anything like the 6.5x300WSM ie....big case/small bullet, they might be tough to reload for.

What are the powder capacities of the rounds?

why bother with the 250 AI? Why not just get it in 250-3000?

I'd vote 250-3000 Small enough for varmints, large enough for deer, very pleasent to shoot, yet surprisingly powerful, very effisient cartridge. Did I mention it's a classic, anyone you talk to wants one!!

FYI, the .250 Savage is the same round as the .250-3000.

George

For the short action how about a .275 Rigby(7x57 Mauser) or a .257 Robert's.

[ 01-24-2003, 20:48: Message edited by: DavidReed ]

George, yes I ment 250AI to common 250. sorry for the misunderstanding

I like the idea of the 250 Savage or .257 Roberts. And, the 7x57 would be a good choice as I already have a supply of .284 bullets. I'll bet a 120gr. B-Tip from the 7x57 would be excellent for coyotes, deer and lopes!

Well I am fond of the 257 Roberts AI and the 7x57 std or AI. Yes in my 7x57 the 120 gr Barnes X really does a number on medium size game . I also like the 130 gr Speer or X. The 150-160 gr bullets also are really good at 7x57 velocities.

In the big action I would look at something in the 458 class the Lott sounds good but maybe a 450 Rigby would be better? That's if you don't mind the recoil .

just my .02 worth

BD

Well, I've think I've got the short action narrowed down to the following, in no particular order: 1) .260Rem; 2) .250AI; 3) 7x57. And for the long action: 1) .416 Remington; 2).280 AI; 3) 8mm Remington Magnum (only because Col. Boddington speaks so highly of it)

Jigger 6.5:

Long Action: 416 Hoffman

Short Action: 7mm-08 Scout Rifle

Best regards,

Buliwyf

A 416 Rem/Rigby would be kewl on the upper end. On the lower end, a few come to mind: 243 AI, 257 Bob, 270 WSM.... Sounds like fun!!!!

I thought your Idea of a 284/6.5 sounded good, it would be one of your more exotic rounds.

Damn, this is harder than I thought it would be! If I can't decide on cartridge, how am I going to decide on a stock?

That one's easy!

McMillan!!!

I've bought 2 McMillan's already and I'm still going round and round about what chamberings to go with! I forgot to list the 25-284. There's sure a lot of fans for that one.

Hey Lloyd,

Good catch!

Buliwyf

Jigger 6.5,

Long action go with the .416 Rigby. Ammo available world wide and with working pressures less than that of the Remington cartridge and it hits harder.

Short action why not go with the .243 or .257 WSM. I believe that Winchester will come out with one or the other of these. Lawdog

For the short action, I'm leaning toward a quarter bore of some sort. Something to drive a 115gr. bullet at or around 3000fps...

For the long, I think I'll let my .375H&H remain the king of my hill and go for something in the '06 family. Perhaps a .280AI...

But who knows.... thanks for ALL the great input..