I am getting bit by the buy a rifle bug again. I am pretty sure I will get a Tikka but have not decided on the caliber yet. Here's my situation, how about some suggestions. I am not a varmiter. I do enjoy recreational shooting at a large private family gravel pit where it is possible to shoot out to 300 yards. I primarily hunt whitetail deer but some wild hogs. Shots are generally from 50 to 200 yards but 300 is a possibility in some places. I already have the following calibers in various gun types. From smallest to largest caliber it goes like this.
22 LR
22 Mag
243
7mm-08
7mm mag
30-06
Any glaring gaps in my caliber selection. Any caliber I should be ashamed that I don't currently own? LOL! This is in fun so feel free to mouth off with your favorite or blast me for what I don't have already.
It depends on what you want the rifle for... If you want just a fun gun, I would go with a 223. you can pick up surplus ammo for next to nothing and shoot all day. On the other hand if you want something for hunting, I would look into maybe a larger caliber than you own, like a 358win or a 444 marlin, 45-70 or 450 marlin.
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I would definitely have to add a 300 or larger magnum caliber to that battery if it was mine. For the type of hunting you do a 45-70 or 450 marlin would be a sensible choice also. My two cents.
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Some type of .257 would fit nicely between the .243 and 7-08, but I also agree that a big bore lever gun like a 45-70, or 450 Marlin would be a blast on hogs and the occasional whitetail. The guns you already have pretty well cover all your needs, but I understand what it's like to get the bug.
Actually, the battery you have will cover just about anything in North America. Do you travel to hunt? Not many Grizzly Bears in 'bama. How about .17 caliber?
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Danny
Life Member, North American Hunting Club
Life Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member, Buckmasters
Oklahoma Hunter Education Instructor
You may want to consider a 22-250. It would fit nicely in between the 22LR and the .243. Nice shooter at 300 yards+ with very little recoil. Really a fun round to shoot.
The .223 for fun and target with hornady factory loads you can get 3800 fps. Winchester has a 40 round box of 45gr bullets at 3600 fps for $11.00. 1" high at 100 yards puts you right on at 200 and only 5" low at 300 yards. If you go with a 300 mag I would recomend the 300 WSM, my Ruger with hand load shoots under an inch at 100 yards.
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"Guns kill people like spoons made Rosie Odonnell FAT"
Caliber suggestions????
LOL! This is in fun so feel free to mouth off with your favorite or blast me for what I don't have already.
