Choose my next calibre!

[Blaw]

yup, another one of those threads.

Here's the deal. I currently have a light weight 308 tikka that is 6.5lbs scoped. I hand load for it so will be doing so for whatever I choose to buy next as well

The problem is I want to buy another rifle, and 308 does to good of a job covering all the bases

The next one must be a common calibre. Can be used for hunting game up to moose (but most likely deer 90% of the time) lets say out to 500yrds

I have been thinking 270 but its pretty similar to the 308 in a lot of ways.
Maybe a 300WM, not sure on the recoil aspect as I have only shot a 300 twice. My light 308 with an 18" barrel doesn't bother me tho if that equates to anything.

Any suggestions?

 

[jhm2023]

Since moose in on the menu get yourself a .338 of some sort. You reload so my vote goes to the 33 Nosler which takes moose off their feet with authority. .338 win mag is a good choice too if you must have something that is easy to find. I'm a 7mm and .338 guy though and usually skip over the 30's.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

You can kill a moose fairly easily with almost any centerfire cartridge, your 308 will kill moose just fine. I guess if I was you I’d get a 300wm or a 6.5cm.

 

[elkguide]

.300 Win Mag is the caliber.
As you said, your .308 will do everything, the .300 Win Mag will just do everything better!

 

[N2TRKYS]

What I've noticed is that there's a lot of different cartridges, but they aren't all that different. That has talked me out of buying several different rifles/cartridges.

If I was in your situation, I'd probably buy a 6.5 CM or 260 Rem for deer and use the 308 for your moose hunting. The 6.5s that I listed may handle killing moose just fine, but I don't have a lot of experience killing moose down here in Alabama. Lol

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Magnum61]

If you want more power but similar shooting ranges as the 308 win I’d go 338 Win mag. If you want a little extra range then go 300 Win Mag.

With those 2 I compare the heavy weights of the cartridge. A 200gr anything in a 300 win Mag hits hard but a 250gr anything out of a 338 win Mag at 500 yds and closer is a true hammer.

I own a 300 win Mag and I love it but after experiencing a 340 wby and a 338 RUM, those cartridges just flat anchor everything with zero question.

I personally would be looking at one of those two. Just a different class of rifle completely, from your 308 win. Every old timer that once had a 340 wby, that I know, regrets selling it.


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[Blaw]

no love for the 270 tho I see, that surprises me!
the 6.5 does not however hahaha. The only way I would do a 6.5 is in a heavier rifle let's say 8-9lbs and brake it. basically making it such a light recoil it would feel like shooting a laser beam.
but ballistically I feel its just too similar to the 308 let's say 400yrds and in...the light recoil in a heavier rifle is tempting however (that is how I started looking into the 270)

ok let's toss in the 7mm remington magnum vs 300wm? much difference in recoil in a 9lb rifle?

the whole moose thing is unlikely but a slight possibility here. I primarily am a bow guy and get OTC tags for archery to use for elk and moose from aug28 to the end of sept, some zones into oct. Hence why deer are more realistically going to be shot with this rifle (season from mid sept to end of nov)

UPDATE: ill be using this for Black bear and Deer

 

[BeaverHunter]

300 win mag. Cheap brass and ammo, good ballistics, lots of power, not a crazy amount of recoil.

 

[black dawg]

Since 308 does cover everything mostly (especially handloaded....pick whatever bullet you need) I would go 223. Cheap to shoot even without reloading. Doesn't fit your "up to moose" description, but you already have that rifle.

300wm is super popular, and it doesn't make sense to me because most people are just shooting 180s out of them with a 24 inch barrel. If that is all that is needed go 300wsm.

270 is a neat caliber, I have owned many, but is there really anything it can do that a 308.....or 30 06 cant do?

I do understand wanting a new gun though

 

[MuleyFever]

You said the moose thing is unlikely and you will use it 90% for deer. Maybe bear. I don’t think you need a 300 or 338. I would go with something faster/flatter in a good deer caliber. Your 308 will be plenty in the unlikely event you go for moose.

 

[GregB]

no love for the 270 tho I see, that surprises me!
the 6.5 does not however hahaha. The only way I would do a 6.5 is in a heavier rifle let's say 8-9lbs and brake it. basically making it such a light recoil it would feel like shooting a laser beam.
but ballistically I feel its just too similar to the 308 let's say 400yrds and in...the light recoil in a heavier rifle is tempting however (that is how I started looking into the 270)

ok let's toss in the 7mm remington magnum vs 300wm? much difference in recoil in a 9lb rifle?

the whole moose thing is unlikely but a slight possibility here. I primarily am a bow guy and get OTC tags for archery to use for elk and moose from aug28 to the end of sept, some zones into oct. Hence why deer are more realistically going to be shot with this rifle (season from mid sept to end of nov)

UPDATE: ill be using this for Black bear and Deer

Nothing wrong with the .270 thats all I've ever used for big game.

 

[Blaw]

yea I am really looking at the 7mm rem mag and the 270 right now...

the hornady precision hunter puts up some decent numbers
270 with 145gn bullet @ 500yrds is 1497 KE -37.6 drop
the 7mm is 162gn bullet @500 yrds 1772 KE -36.9 drops
ballparking numbers using chuckhawks recoil chart the 270 is 17lbs of energy and the 7mm is 19.2lbs of energy

but with number like that the 270 is killin it with less recoil (although it appears marginal on a chart)

My bear hunting would be spot and stalk so longer shots (500yrds being max) would be happening

 

[GregB]

Just my personal opinion but if you are primarily hunting deer a 7mm is gonna damage more meat than a .270.

 

[Burnt Reynolds]

270 all the way. Never owned one until I picked up a Baco winchester featherweight last year. I love it! Barnes 129 grain LRX at 3020 fps. I'm zeroed at 170 yards which is flat shooting laser beam death ray, less than an inch trajectory from 0 to 200 yards. Very little recoil, 22 inch barrel and very handy. I'm actually thinking about cutting it to 20 inches.

 

[cb4128]

I would vote for the 300wm. You would be set for any big game animal - you're good to go on any of the smaller stuff already with a 308.

Other thought would be a varmint round in the .22 caliber family

 

[Rob5589]

I am a 284 fan but for deer 90% of the time, a 6.5 of some flavor would be where I'd lean.

 

[MuleyFever]

Since you reload you have a lot of options for the short mag barrel burners and other less popular fun calibers too. Also, I would consider the 280ai.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Since you reload you have a lot of options for the short mag barrel burners and other less popular fun calibers too. Also, I would consider the 280ai.

The "common caliber" thing kept me from suggesting my favorite, the 7 SAUM. I love my Remington Model Seven SS with a 22" barrel. It slings 160 grain Accubonds @ 2950fps.

 

[Jsunkler]

.338 Win Mag

 

[wind gypsy]

If you have a 30 cal, aren't likely to hunt moose, and mostly hunt deer, I see little reason to get something that is going to pound you harder and damage more meat.

Any centerfire is going to kill deer fine but since we are nitpicking - 270's for hand loaders is an odd choice to me because their bullet options are lousy compared to a step up or down in bullet diameter. 7mm/08 is a neat choice, but not as much different from 308 as a 6.5.

Chalk me up as another token 6.5 (or 6) creedmoor vote. You'll enjoy shooting it more than a boomer and you'll probably be more accurate to 500 yards too!