2nd big game rifle

[MuleyFever]

If you had a 280ai what NON MAGNUM cartridge would you pick in a second rifle for elk and deer? This would be something you would use factory ammo in only.

 

[Brendan]

If Elk are involved, .308 or .30-06.

Otherwise, 6.5 Creedmoor, maybe 6mm Creedmoor.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

.260 for me, but 6.5 CM has more factory ammo options these days.

 

[Elkhntr08]

A lot of limiting factors in there, no magnum and only factory ammo. Go with the 30-06 or 35 Whelen.

 

[williaada]

7mm.08 or 30.06

 

[fightthenoise]

My pair is 280 AI and 7mm08

 

[thinhorn_AK]

30-06 can’t even really call yourself an American if you don’t own one.

 

[6mm Remington]

30-06 can’t even really call yourself an American if you don’t own one.

30-06 as stated! It's just an excellent cartridge with all kinds of factory loads out there using excellent bullets such as the 165 gr. Accubond and Partition.

 

[CApighunter]

That’s tough, 280ai checks a lot of boxes. 35 Whelen would probably be my pick but there’s not a ton of factory loads.

 

[AK Troutbum]

30-06 can’t even really call yourself an American if you don’t own one.

I don’t own one. I do have a handful of old 30-30 Winchester levers though, and if that ain’t American, I don’t know what is!


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[FLAK]

.444

 

[AK Troutbum]

If you had a 280ai what NON MAGNUM cartridge would you pick in a second rifle for elk and deer? This would be something you would use factory ammo in only.

Probably .308 or 7mm08. I would have said .270, but since you already have a .280, probably no sense in your other rifle being a .270.


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[LightFoot]

If it is going to be a bolt action:
6.5 Creedmoor.
It is optimal for deer and adequate for elk. Presumably your 280 AI is your go-to elk rifle and the 6.5 is a backup. 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is pretty much available everywhere now and you can get light or heavy loads from the factory. My go-to 6.5 Creedmoor round is the factory loaded Hornady 143gr ELD-X.

If it is not a bolt action:
30-30 Win lever action.
Great deer and elk rifle for the thick woods. Plenty of factory ammo choices. You can run a scope, red dot, or iron sights and be capable at 100+ yds.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Rob5589]

338/06

 

[eaglemountainman]

I'm partial to short actions, so 7-08 or 308. The 308 probably makes more sense for ammo availability out in the boonies, but I sure love me some 7-08.

If I had to go with a long action, the 30-06 would be tough to beat.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Your 280 AI pretty much has your hunting needs covered. Ballistics are very close to a 7mm Rem Mag so no need to consider any 30 cal or larger.

I'd look at either a 6.5 CM, 7mm-08 or the good ole 270 Win. All three excel on deer-sized game and will work for elk. There is plenty of reasonably-priced commercial ammo available. Their recoil levels are also reasonable. Another option is the 6.5 PRC. It also excels on deer-sized game and will work well for elk. While there is not a lot of commercial ammo available, what is available tends to shoot very well.

 

[260madman]

Being a 260 slut I’d go 6.5 CM. Ammo everywhere but not so much for 260. I reload so it doesn’t bother me but I did pick up a 6.5 CM Chassis rifle from APO. Same same between them.

 

[robtattoo]

.358 win, personally. Or .308 if you're feeling conventional. .243 is another glaringly obvious option.

 

[elkguide]

Going to be the odd man out here and even though I love the .30 caliber options, I don't think that you will be getting anything more with a .308 or a .30-06 over your .280AI. The .280AI is a fantastic cartridge and will do in an elk or a deer at reasonable ranges. If you want to step it up from there for elk specifically, from my experience you need to go to a .30 caliber magnum.
I have a "few" rifles in calibers from .24 - .35. The 7mm08 and .280AI are two of my favorites for sure. Even though I have bigger caliber rifles when I head out the door for elk, I always seem to be grabbing one of my rifles in .300 Win Mag.

 

[Meanderthal]

Something for itty bitty critters like a .223 maybe?
They are inexpensive to shoot and could provide good practice for shooting bigger critters with your bigger gun.

Oops. You said second BIG game rifle. In that case I'll suggest a lever action .45-70.