tealboy

I sold a number of guns not used or wanted anymore and intend to use the proceeds to buy a new hunting rifle. I have a browning stainless stalker a-bolt 308 w a zeiss conquest 3-9x40 and a rem 700 243 cal. I like the idea of having similar calibers so I don't need a bunch of different ammo but I suppose that's not critical. In other words, I have a bias for owning another 308 since I have boxes and boxes of 308 already but don't want to limit myself.

What caliber do you suggest based on the above? 270 is prob my next choice but maybe I need something bigger. 85 percent of hunting is Florida deer" 5-10% Texas or ga deer and the other 5-10 percent would be if I ever travelled for elk, red stag or other bigger game. I have not travelled thus far but if I do, having a versatile caliber would be nice but I don't want anything bigger than necessary.

Re guns, I went to gander mountain and like the rem 700 sps stainless for $637 but open to other similar price point guns. Didn't love the tikka feel, or higher price. Have another zeiss conquest for this new gun

Thank you.

SecondChance

Look at the Savage line. They make several that are better than most people can shoot and are reasonably priced. Its going to be a choice of price or what you feel is quality and comfortable to you. As far as caliber goes, sounds like you are already leaning towards another 308. But with what species you stated that you MAY go hunt at a later date and time, I would lean towards a 30-06 or 7mm Mag. Flat shooting and large projectile selection.

Sheridan

I would recommend either a AR-10 in .308/7.62 (pigs & coyotes) or a 7MM RM for larger hoofed animals.

BTW - I just did the same; cut down to just a few calibers and loaded up on that ammo !

bronko22000

I'm not a big fan of the .308. But the .243 and .270 are 2 of my favorite cartridges. IMO, what you have (.243 and .308) and as much as I like the .270 I'd suggest you go with something bigger for any future hunts. The good old .30-06 comes to mind. But another round I am liking is the .338 Federal or you can go all out and get a .338 win mag.

tealboy

I'm starting to think the same way, I either go with a distinctly larger caliber to include maybe a 7mag, or stick with what I have. While there are noticeable differences between the 270, 308 and even the 7mm08, they are to a large extent, guns that serve the same purpose interchangeably depending on what you prefer (maybe I'm wrong?).

So, if I'm going to do something that really does something different, I need a bigger step up than what I'm talking about. Not sure I'm willing to do that but recognizing it is the first step 😄

Big Uncle

My perception is that a 7mm RM with a good recoil pad kicks about the same as a similar (in weight and stock design) 270 Win with an older, harder, or thinner recoil pad. A 7mm RM rifle is fairly common among elk and mule deer hunters and it is often used for pronghorns. To go bigger than a 7mm RM you would really need to look at something like a 300 WM but you do begin to notice a difference in recoil at that level.

GoexBlackhorn

Noticeable difference Uncle!.....at least with my .270 vs .300WSM
There's such a wide variety of bullet weights to use with the 7-Mag..... light-medium-heavy.

tealboy

I just got an offer from a friend who wishes to sell his Remington 700 SPS with a vxiii previous generation not the vx3. it is about six years old and in brand-new condition. It is in a 30 ought six so this may help make my decision as it will round out my calibers and he's offering a really good price Get to see it this week and will know more

super_hunt54

Not a Rem fan myself but I am a HUGE fan of the old 06. It is extremely hard to beat the versatility of that cartridge. Huge range of factory loadings out there and available just about everywhere. I don't think you are the type to take shots past 400 yards Teal and it is past 400 yards that the 300 WM shines brighter than the 06. 400 and under, whatever you hit with either one will be just as dead. Same goes for the 7mm RM. You would be really best served to get into reloading as well. While the factory loads for the 06 are fine (or at least they used to be I haven't bought factory for an 06 in 30+ years) you can customize a load for each particular rifle you have to find it's best performance level.

Nomercy448

It's hard for me to say that there's any difference between a 308win, a 30-06, or a 300win mag for 400yrd or less deer hunting. For 250yrds or less, I'd at 30-30 to that list - just to give an idea of how little even a big change in velocity really means. 2750fps with a 150grn pill will kill one just as dead at 400yrds as a 180grn at 3150. So between the 3, it's a distinction without a difference (recoil considerations notwithstanding).

Nothing wrong with adding a 30-06 to a safe that already houses a 308win, but it's like buying a 14oz framing hammer to put beside a 16oz. Both are framing hammers, and both will drive a 10 penny in 3 strikes. Sometimes it's nice to have a spare hammer in the truck - in which case, there's something to be said for having EXACTLY the same hammer - but sometimes you need a 10oz finish hammer, sometimes a framing hammer, and sometimes, you need a sledge, so often, having 3 different hammers is worthwhile.

I have all 3 (or 4, if we count the dirty 30), among others, I almost never shoot the 308win, hunt annually with the Aught Six, and take a 300 when I have a lot of money invested in the hunt.