Right now I just have a few rifles, a 10/22, a Ruger M77 .243, and an old sporterized Enfield that a friend gave me, but I'm trying to plan out the cartridges I'd like to buy guns for in the future. I have two young sons who I can't wait to take hunting with me here in 5-10 years and so having 2-3 cartridges that can take each of the major game animals is what I'm looking for.
My next purchase is going to be my go to gun. The one gun that I want to be so confident in, and comfortable with that I could take anything with it from deer to bear to moose. I'm still undecided on the caliber, but am leaning towards .308. I'm thinking of a Tikka T3 synthetic/stainless topped off with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. I'm still not dead set on the .308, but I want something that could handle Elk/Moose, but not be overkill for deer/antelope. Here are the other cartridges that I'm thinking about after that. I'd appreciate any input. You've probably noticed that I don't have an african caliber listed. I fully plan on an African trip in 5-10 years, but I'll probably buy a gun just for that hunt as I think the recoil will probably be so bothersome that I won't want to use it for anything else. Oh, I also intend on getting into reloading in the next year or two, and so that's why I'm kind of leaning towards short-action cartridges, just to keep things uniform.
.22 (have)
.223, .204, or .22-250
.243 (have)
7mm-08
.308
something between a .300wsm and a .338winmag
The 308 is a little light for the moose, but it can be done with a well placed shot. You could just about rule out the 223 beings you already have the 243, but if you want one just for shooting enjoyment or a pure varmet gun, then it would be great. I am sort of in the market for a .308 myself.
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The 7mm-08 and .308 are essentially duplicates of each other. So there is really no point in having both until you get all your bases covered then start filling in the spaces with wants instead of needs.
IMO the spacing should go something like this.
.22lr
.22 centerfire (.223)
something in the standard 25 to 30 caliber range. (.270, .280, 30-06)
.338 of some sort (.338 Win mag, .338RUM)
dangerous game cartridge of some sort. (416 Rigby, 458 Lott, etc...)
If you want to keep in in the short action family then...
.243
.308 or 7mm-08
.338 Federal
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Yep that .308 would be a good one to have i think to in a basic rifle collection.( cant overkill those deer & lopes- once there dead there dead& it works on elk /moose)( i know of a few ppl who just use a .308 for there lopes & elk hunting & nothing else( or a .27oor 30.06)
Something bigger in a short action i dont know myself?- i dont keep up with the new ones much.
African dangerious game etc - a .375 h&h works prettywell i have heard(never hunted there myself)& a good step up froma .308& 30.06.
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My go to gun is my 30-06. You can find a good selection of cartridge for deers up to big games like bears and elks. I have a Savage but I also like the Tikka. 3-9x40 is a good choice of scope for this type of gun. The .308 will work well for Moose (they are thin skinned animals) but might be a little light on bears.
For your African trip I suggest you check with your outfitter when you get closer to your departure date. Some of them will provide you with the gun you will need. That will save you the expenses of buying a gun just for that purpose. Of course you will have to practice with the big gun before you go so you might end up buying a big gun after all.
Here is one that gets leftout alot but is a great finisher.The old 45/70 in a lever or a single shot Ruger #1.You can shoot just about anything with that cartridge.
.22lr
.22wmr
.220swift
.243win
6.5X284
.270wsm
.300wm
45/70
.50bmg
That is my line up!!
I own alot of tikka rifles. You can't beat their smooth action and nice trigger. Personally if you are looking at staying in the short action market you can't beat the 308 WIN ... For a little extra horse power you might want to try the 300 WSM. But the 308 has more then enough knock down power to handle moose and elk at reasonable distances.
Just got to know your limitations and work with them.
A "go to" gun and cartridge spacing
& it works on elk /moose)( i know of a few ppl who just use a .308 for there lopes & elk hunting & nothing else( or a .27oor 30.06)
