Awww, I was going to say .30-06 too. If you' ve already had one and want something different, perhaps the .270 or .270 wsm would be a good alternative. The .308 is a good choice, but is very similar to .30-06. I don' t own a .270, but know some people that have them and it is a very good, flat-shooting round.

To be perfectly honest with you there isn' t much of a " gap" in your rifles.

Looking at what I would hunt with the rifles that you already own:
.223 === Everything from prarie dogs to coyotes
.243 === varmints, prong horn antelope, deer, sheep
300 WM === deer, elk, sheep, mountain goats, moose, black bear, Carabou

I think you have all of the bases covered except for Grizzly, and Polar bear.

If you really want a rifle that would fill the gap that you think you have then the 270 winchester would do very nicely.

If it were my money I would think about a 338 WM, a 338-06, 35 Whelen, or something like a .444 Marlin or 45-70 that would fill the nich of the dangerous game category.

I vote for the big bores! 444 or 45/70 Go Big Or Stay Home

Hey Bigbulls,
What are you trying to do, make me look like a lier in front of my wife!? She thinks that I need to fill this gap too. That' s half the battle.

Just kidding, but hey, I have to have some excuse to buy something different or she' ll make me spend the money from selling the 25-06 on friggin' carpet or something else that is totally worthless.

The neighbor is selling a Winchester Mod. 70 in .270WSM, what do fellas think? The rifle is only a year old and his wife is scared of the recoil.

BTW, what do you all think of the .270WSM in general (just the cartridge)

Maine, I dont know why you cant load 130-150 Xbullets in your 300 and wallop ANYTHING in Maine??? There is' nt a deer walking ANYWHERE that can stand one of those fired from your 300.

But if you must you must. Lets see, " ...120-165..." ....................

Can you say 280?
RA

I' m dramatically paring down guns I own. I' m going to wind up with four CF rifles:

.223, .260 Rem, .30-06 & .375 H&H

That pretty much covers it!!!!!

Sorry bout that. I know what you mean.
The 270 WSM would fill that " gap" nicely. Actually that cartridge would be capeable of taking all of the hooved game that this country has to offer. I mean everything except for moose. You would still need the 300 WM for moose.

You could still go to the other end of the spectrum and look at a lever action big bore for the deep Maine woods. You know, a gun that is short enough and fast handling enough so that it allows you to hunt in the thick cover where that long bolt action 243 and 300 are just too much of a hinderance when you are trying to negotiate an undergrowth thicket quietly. Those long bolt actions just seem to catch on every branch in the woods.

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6.5 X 55, 7mm/08, 280, 300 Savage, .308, 30/06 would all fill your gap.
You need to decide exactly what you would be using it for before you can narrow your choices.

BigBulls,
Now you' re talking my language! I was just on an overnight trip with the wife. Just celebrated our 15th anniversary. She didn' t complain too much when I pulled into a few gunshops. Nothing really sparked my interest until I saw this " one" rifle. It is a Used-Ruger M77 V, wood stock, blued metal, .308., " semi" varmint weight barrel. Just felt, " GOOD" to hold.
The stock was nice, (not sure if original) the bluing was beautiful. Asking $449.

So....what do you folks have to say, don' t be shy, lay it on me