Caliber conundrum; what to do?

[JAC8504]

I have:
(1) 25-06
(3) 308s
(1) 30-06 m77
(1) 7mm rm 70
(1) 338WM

Originally I was going to sell the 338 and rebarrel the 7 and turn it into a 300WM that way I could just buy different 30 cal bullets to reload for my rifles. Now I’m keeping the 338 and was wanting your opinion if I should still rebarrel to a 300 or keep as 7mm ?

Is there too much overlap with the 06 and 7mm?

Would there be too much overlap with rebarreling to the 300 and having the 338?

Thanks

 

[MeatMissile]

I wouldn’t necessarily rebarrel your 7mm RM into a 300 Win Mag. The M70 long action is on the short side for their own cartridge. They should have commercialized a 30 on the 2.5 inch belted case before Norma did it. The 264, 338, and 458 all used the 2.5 inch case.

Setup is just as important as cartridge. I have a very similar rifle battery as you. My 338 is set up for elk/moose. 250gr Partitions or A-Frames, 24 inch barrel, and a low powered variable scope (2.5-8x36).

Then I set up the 7mm RM for longer shots, mostly for mule deer. 160gr Accubonds, 26 inch barrel, 4.5-14x42 scope.

My 30-06 is my jack-of-all-trades. 168gr TTSX, 24 inch barrel, 3.5-10x40 scope. This is a worthy backup for my main rifles.

 

[DixonFiveO]

You do already have several 30 cals so if you're trying to just keep your inventory of bullets simple then sure. However I think there's more overlap in the 7mm rm and the 300 wm than the 30-06.

For me personally I like to mix it up so I'd stick with your 7mm. 7mm rm runs away from 30-06 in the heavy for caliber pills the longer you go. Maybe wait for that 7mm PRC to drop then do something

 

[Flyjunky]

Do you have an intended purpose for this "new" cartridge?

Personally, I come at this from a different angle. I'd start with deciding on a particular bullet, for a particular purpose you're trying to accomplish. Once you find that bullet then you'll have a better idea on a cartridge.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Squincher]

Sell all but the .25-06 and the .338WM. You'll be well equipped for anything and life will be simpler.

 

[robtattoo]

Sell all but the .25-06 and the .338WM. You'll be well equipped for anything and life will be simpler.

What the hell kind of backwards-ass pageantry is this now?!

Rifles are for buying, not selling!
'S a matter witchoo???

 

[Squincher]

What the hell kind of backwards-ass pageantry is this now?!

Rifles are for buying, not selling!
'S a matter witchoo???

I was going to suggest he just keep the .30-06, but I thought that might be a bit much.

 

[3325]

Sell all but the .25-06 and the .338WM. You'll be well equipped for anything and life will be simpler.

Truth. I don’t have a 7 and I’m not looking to get one. But if I had one I sure wouldn’t be looking to turn it into a 300.

 

[sndmn11]

Sell all but the .25-06 and the .338WM. You'll be well equipped for anything and life will be simpler.

Smartest thing I will read all day.

 

[JAC8504]

I wouldn’t necessarily rebarrel your 7mm RM into a 300 Win Mag. The M70 long action is on the short side for their own cartridge. They should have commercialized a 30 on the 2.5 inch belted case before Norma did it. The 264, 338, and 458 all used the 2.5 inch case.

Setup is just as important as cartridge. I have a very similar rifle battery as you. My 338 is set up for elk/moose. 250gr Partitions or A-Frames, 24 inch barrel, and a low powered variable scope (2.5-8x36).

Then I set up the 7mm RM for longer shots, mostly for mule deer. 160gr Accubonds, 26 inch barrel, 4.5-14x42 scope.

My 30-06 is my jack-of-all-trades. 168gr TTSX, 24 inch barrel, 3.5-10x40 scope. This is a worthy backup for my main rifles.

I had no idea about the M70 Long action sizing with a 300WM. I am assuming this limits the bullet choice you can load with the M70 action..?

with your 7mm did you throw a 20 MOA base on it?

essentially I wanted the 7mm or 300 to be the longer range hunting rig.

25-06: long(er) range -smaller animals
308s: plinking, tree stand hunting. Snap shot hunting.
30-06: Do all
7mm/300: long range bigger game hunting
338: crap your pants big game

 

[MeatMissile]

I had no idea about the M70 Long action sizing with a 300WM. I am assuming this limits the bullet choice you can load with the M70 action..?

with your 7mm did you throw a 20 MOA base on it?

essentially I wanted the 7mm or 300 to be the longer range hunting rig.

25-06: long(er) range -smaller animals
308s: plinking, tree stand hunting. Snap shot hunting.
30-06: Do all
7mm/300: long range bigger game hunting
338: crap your pants big game

The M70 short action is long, the long action is short. Go figure!

I didn’t use a - 20 MOA mount for the 7mm because the distance that I’d shoot it aren’t far enough to necessitate the extra adjustment. I chose the 7mm to give me the shallowest trajectory out to 600 yards.