I feel you there. Planning to call and see what it would take to get one chambered in 280ai, or if its even a possibility. If it's not less than or easier than a weatherby 307 alpine mdt carbon, well... My dinero will be headed to Wyoming rather than Idaho...
I can speak with a high degree of certainty that in another western state with a minimum caliber requirement, it's not asked about very often, and rarely seen in the field... But if caught in violation, a fella could have bought two legal rifles for less than the fine associated with his .224...
I don't think I could ever give up the 300wm, first love and all. But a lighter caliber/gun will fill a niche for me and the fam for years to come, so it's coming... Just so many choices!
My 300WM shoots the 200gr federal terminal ascent pretty well, but I'm looking at burgers, Barnes, and Hornady options to start reloading.
For the new build(s?!), I'm not married to any weight bullets. At present, I'm planning on a 280AI, followed by something in the 6mm or 22 cal world. I...
To be fair... I never said I couldn't wrap my head around using a 7 for elk. I said this gun build was primarily for deer and speed goats, and for hunts where I don't want to pack my 300wm around. And 22 isn't legal in my state, so there's that...
Thanks for all the feedback!
I honestly had not considered the 6mms, so now I'm diving down that rabbit hole. I am still committed to a 7, with the 280AI the most likely. That said, I think the next gun after that will be a 6mm... Thanks for the excuse to get another one!
Give me another 10 years to give up on the fudlore. I came down to 7mm from 30 cal, it's a big step!
160gr high end bullet weight in mind, proooobably a 22" barrel. I'm not terribly worried about speed if it shoots well, I just know the 7 gets more fps with that bigger case... More powder...
This might make my kerfuffle worse, but hear me out...
I am simultaneously jumping into reloading (300wm) and planning my next rifle purchase. I have committed to one of the 7mms, 280ai and 7prc chief among them. Problem is, if I read enough here on the slide, or watch a few YouTubes, I talk...