Rifle and caliber to bridge the gap

[christian1]

I have a couple rifles that I think I can part with due to having two rifles of the same cailber. I was thinking of selling them and trying to bridge the potential caliber gap that I currently have. By that I mean that I don't really have a medium or big bore gun. All of the guns I own are centered around classic whitetail calibers. Last year I stepped up to a 7mmMag which should be fine as a medium game outwest gun.

SO--picking a gun and caliber to bridge between the 7mmMag and the 30-06. Looking for a bear, moose, elk, etc gun. Which gun and or caliber would you choose for those purposes? Am I overthinking this? I'm pretty wide open. Are there other things to consider? Cost would be around $2000.

chris

 

[A382DWDZQ]

35 Whelen

 

[christian1]

35 Whelen

Tell me more

 

[JDBAK]

Bridge between 7mm Rem and 30-06? That's kinda narrow territory I think. The 7mm should be fine for any of those you mentioned, unless maybe you're talking large brown bears.

I'd say terminal performance between 7mm Rem Mag and 30-06 is more alike than different. 7mm will shoot flatter, and 30-06 will shoot some bigger bullets...but they're kinda in the same ballpark when it comes to bigger game at most reasonable ranges.

If you're talking about big bears, or really just want a hammer for moose, then then maybe the 300 mags, or 338s and up would be a difference.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

The 35 Whelen will carry a bigger bullet on the same case as the 30-06, its parent, and ballistically, that extra weight translates to more energy at reasonable hunting distances. I generally consider the 7mm Rem Mag a "bigger" cartridge, but it is kind of inefficient...but for this, I am going to say its bigger and try and compare some of the heavier projectile weights for each. That said, a lower weight with the 7mm would be a better performer...and with the Whelen, inside 50yards, it is stellar.

	30-06	35 Whelen	7mm Rem Mag
	Barnes TTSX 180gr @ 2700fps	Barnes TTSX 225gr @ 2800	Barnes TSX FB 175gr @2725
Energy at 50yds	2717	3577	2587
Energy at MPB	1885	2213	858
MPB +/- 4"	300yds	300yds	~280yds*
MPB zero	255yds	255yds	245yds
Drop at 500yds	-41.8	-43.2	-53.1

*edit, Whelen recoil is not too bad considering the additional energy.
Cartridge (Bw;Mv;Rw) Recoil Energy (ft-lbs) Recoil Velocity (fps) Recoil Score*
.30-06 Spfd. (180; 2700; 8) 20.3 12.8 3.46
7mm Rem. Mag. (175; 2870; 9) 21.7 12.5 3.58
.35 Whelen (200; 2675; 8) 22.6 13.5 3.71
.300 Win. Mag. (180; 2960; 8.5) 25.9 14 4.05

 

[christian1]

Bridge between 7mm Rem and 30-06? That's kinda narrow territory I think. The 7mm should be fine for any of those you mentioned, unless maybe you're talking large brown bears.

I'd say terminal performance between 7mm Rem Mag and 30-06 is more alike than different. 7mm will shoot flatter, and 30-06 will shoot some bigger bullets...but they're kinda in the same ballpark when it comes to bigger game at most reasonable ranges.

If you're talking about big bears, or really just want a hammer for moose, then then maybe the 300 mags, or 338s and up would be a difference.

Is the 300 going to be that much difference though? Sure, more velocity, but not that much difference in bullet selection and pure smack down. I'd get rid of the 30 06 as well, but that gun has sentimental value.

 

[MattB]

I have a couple rifles that I think I can part with due to having two rifles of the same cailber. I was thinking of selling them and trying to bridge the potential caliber gap that I currently have. By that I mean that I don't really have a medium or big bore gun. All of the guns I own are centered around classic whitetail calibers. Last year I stepped up to a 7mmMag which should be fine as a medium game outwest gun.

SO--picking a gun and caliber to bridge between the 7mmMag and the 30-06. Looking for a bear, moose, elk, etc gun. Which gun and or caliber would you choose for those purposes? Am I overthinking this? I'm pretty wide open. Are there other things to consider? Cost would be around $2000.

chris

There is such a small gap IMO it would be pointless to try to bridge it. But if you want an excuse to buy another rifle, by all means.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Here's an update with the 300 Win Mag with 180 Barnes TTSX. Superior at distance, but Whelen still beats it at close range.

	30-06	35 Whelen	7mm Rem Mag	300 Win Mag
	Barnes TTSX 180gr @ 2700fps	Barnes TTSX 225gr @ 2800	Barnes TSX FB 175gr @2725	Barnes TTSX 180gr @ 3050fps
Energy at 50yds	2717	3577	2587	3477
Energy at MPB	1885	2213	858	2300
MPB +/- 4"	300yds	300yds	~280yds*	~340yds
MPB zero	255yds	255yds	245yds	285yds
Drop at 500yds	-41.8	-43.2	-53.1	-28

 

[Newtosavage]

I don't see enough gap between the '06 and 7 Mag to bridge.

If you were talking .243 and .300 Win Mag, then that would be something different.

 

[keystone112]

I don't hunt elk, bear, and moose often, but when I do, I reach for my 338 Winchester Magnum.

I am shooting a 225 grain Nosler Accubond about 2900 fps. If I can't get it done with that, I probably just can't get it done.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I guess other benefits with the Whelen are less powder and cheaper brass.

 

[TN2shot07]

I agree with the posts above, you’re building a bridge between an awful small creek. Especially if you handload and want to get the best of both worlds with what you’re looking at you could go 280 AI. You get the advantage of the 7mm bullets, less powder, more magazine capacity than the magnum and don’t really give up anything down range.

If you really want any advantage sell one and get a 30 cal magnum or a 338 and take advantage of the bigger bullets.

 

[S-3 ranch]

35 Whelen

100%
200gr ttsx-250gr

or a 300prc

 

[christian1]

I don't see enough gap between the '06 and 7 Mag to bridge.

If you were talking .243 and .300 Win Mag, then that would be something different.

I may not have been clear. I'm thinking of bridging between 7Mag/06 to the next step up. Unless you believe that the 7Mag/06 calibers are the adequate and efficient enough to take ALL North American big game.

chris

 

[christian1]

And yes, I am looking for an excuse for a new rifle.

Any thoughts on whether the 325 WSM is a big enough jump up from the 7Mag or no?

chris

 

[S-3 ranch]

And yes, I am looking for an excuse for a new rifle.

Any thoughts on whether the 325 WSM is a big enough jump up from the 7Mag or no?

chris

Only you know how to answer that , right? Lots of calibers like 35whelen, 9.3x62 , 375’s , 338 federal, 338-06 , ect,
reload, factory ammunition, long - medium- short distance?

 

[JakeSCH]

I would say that answers to the post above really help narrow in what you want, especially factory vs reload and what range?

Your current calibers will take anything in NA but I would prefer something bigger for brown bear. Last year stepped up from my 300 WM to a 9 lb 338 RUM...260 gr bullets near 3100 fps is deadly. With a stock that fits well and a good muzzle break, i shoot it best out of all my rifles.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

9.3x62

I'm getting 2550fps with a 250 Accubond (BC of 0.494).

 

[Newtosavage]

I may not have been clear. I'm thinking of bridging between 7Mag/06 to the next step up. Unless you believe that the 7Mag/06 calibers are the adequate and efficient enough to take ALL North American big game.

chris

Ah, that makes more sense. Thank you.

I'd be looking at something .338 for the next step up.

Sounds like you want a thumper.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Which guns would you be selling? You might be able to rebarrel one of them to a new cartridge and put a new stock.