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What Caliber for My Next Rifle?

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What Caliber for My Next Rifle?

Old 11-30-2012, 06:14 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by clayshooter25
...So the 7mm would have me under-gunned for the game I mentioned?
It's just that a .308 and a 7MM(.284) RM is in the same "mid range" caliber.

.223 = small
.308 = medium
???? = large (ie: .338WM / .375 H&H)
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Old 11-30-2012, 10:41 PM
  #22  
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If you want moose and grizzly/brown bear, I'd say you'd want a .338 or .375 variety...

both great options...
.340 Wby
.375 H&H
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Old 12-02-2012, 01:08 PM
  #23  
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Sheridan... You get my point exactly. I wasn't sure where the 7mm fit it, but it seems it overlaps too much with the .308. I am looking for a caliber that covers the next larger set of game animals.
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Old 12-02-2012, 01:35 PM
  #24  
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.45-70 govt.!
i think this will be my next rifle
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Old 12-02-2012, 01:46 PM
  #25  
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45/70 or 35 whelan
if you want to be different but like alot of guys mentioned 338WM or the 375H&H would be IMO the more practical choice
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Old 12-04-2012, 01:21 PM
  #26  
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Ultitmately, the consensus seems to be that the .308 Win has me covered thru to elk/moose. The real question is do I forsee being in a position where I might need to shoot at one of the big bears. I'd hate to be undergunned in such a circumstance.

Since in the foreseable future elk/moose would be of the "Eastern US" variety, I may not need to "buck out" for a new rifle afterall.

Now what am I going to do with the money burning a hole in my pocket????? LOL!
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Old 12-04-2012, 02:17 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by homers brother
Hmmm. Call me boring, but I'd stick with something simpler like the .338 Win Mag or the .375 H&H
These would also be my choices for heavy hitters as you put it. And being a bit nostalgic and a reloader, I'd lean to the .375.
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Old 12-04-2012, 03:22 PM
  #28  
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Another vote for the 338WM.
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Old 12-05-2012, 05:39 AM
  #29  
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Agree your .308 will likely handle most everything you'll realistically ever hunt. If you wanted to truly step up, something like a .338 WM would be a good choice. Others have mentioned some good options also.
If the odds are you'll never hunt something you'll need that for, I'd probably save my $. Those big magnums aren't something you typically go out and shoot just for fun.
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Old 12-05-2012, 06:20 AM
  #30  
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I am going brown bear hunting next spring and my guide highly recommended the 338WM. He has a 375 H&H that he is going to let me use so I am glad to see the comments about it not rocking you as bad as I had thought. I am in the process of purchasing the 338WM as I did shoot an elk last year, a moose this year and another elk this year with my 7mag and in each case the animal got up from what appeared to be a deadly shot to the boiler house. I don't believe any of them would have gotten away but all 3 received a finishing shot. Consequently I have decided to step up to something that packs a little more. My elk outfitter this year recommended the 338WM which is what he uses and each of his guides as well as each of the other guys in camp were shooting 300WM or the 300WUM. I am sure any of those would do the job. My bear guide does not like the 300 as he has had bears lost with this caliber. They will all do the job if shot placement is good.
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